Internal emails show the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police spent more than $11,000 on premium car washes and commanders have been ordered to explain purchases as the city grapples with a near $30M budget gap.

The State Board of Higher Education adopted a new statewide plan to boost credential attainment and affordability while aligning colleges with job needs.

A Commonwealth Court petition argues Republican Ehab Akkary hasn’t met Pennsylvania’s four‑year residency rule for House District 30, putting his McCandless candidacy in doubt.

Valencia and Callery say they won’t join a proposed merger between Mars borough and Adams Township, citing finances and school‑district splits as obstacles. Mars and Adams will press ahead toward more meetings and a possible November referendum.

A Pittsburgh newsroom will appeal a judge’s decision that lets the Allegheny County Sheriff redact hundreds of deputies’ names from payroll records. The case raises new questions about how broadly officer‑safety exemptions can be used.

Western Pennsylvania lawmakers secured about $406M in federal earmarks, led by a $183.8M boost for Montgomery Locks. Funds cover infrastructure, jobs and cultural projects.

Allegheny County approved 10 staffed ballot-return locations and four satellite offices ahead of the May 19 primary, giving voters multiple in-person options to return or cast mail ballots.

Borough council voted to remove the local volunteer fire company from emergency response, immediately shifting coverage to Connellsville Township and prompting alarm among neighbors.

A state-ordered feasibility review will decide whether Duquesne City School District should merge with nearby districts, weighing finances, enrollment and community impacts.

Darlene Harris, a longtime North Side leader and former Pittsburgh City Council president, has died, the city announced Friday.

Sen. Amanda Cappelletti introduced SB1193 to bar civil ICE arrests inside or within 1,000 feet of Commonwealth and local government facilities unless agents have a judicial warrant. The bill would also let people subjected to unlawful arrests sue for damages.

The OCC finalized two rules that rescind an obsolete home‑loan data requirement and broaden expedited licensing for community banks, effective April 3, 2026.

Controller Rachael Heisler says Pittsburgh Public Schools missed millions by skipping competitive bids, citing a copier contract and urging a procurement overhaul. Her reports recommend RFPs and a procurement office to recapture savings.