💸 Parents call out PPS budget cuts

💸 Parents Call Out School Budget Cuts

At a hearing on Pittsburgh Public Schools’ 2025 budget, several parents asked the district to reconsider proposed cuts now that it’s ending the year with an unexpected surplus. They called for officials to reinstate a summer learning program that’s supposed to end next year and raised concerns about plans to cut the number of ESL teachers in the district. School board members have to vote on the budget by the end of the month. [PublicSource]

🗳️ O’Connor Formally Announces Bid for Mayor

O'Connor officially launched his campaign at the city's Hazelwood Green development, saying if elected he would improve transparency, invest more in public safety, and help neighborhoods grow and thrive. He criticized the Gainey administration for spending $6 million on a comprehensive plan for the city, calling it “wasted government spending,” and promised to hire a police chief “who’s going to be here full time.”

• Mayor Ed Gainey responded by saying his administration has focused on “doing the work to build a government that works for everyone,” and pointed to accomplishments like creating more affordable housing and restoring core services. [TribLive]

🕎 How Pgh’s Menorah Ended Up at the Supreme Court

On Dec. 26, Pittsburgh leaders will light a 12-foot menorah at the City-County Building to mark the start of Hanukkah, but its place on government property wasn’t always so celebrated. In 1986, a team of Pittsburghers brought a lawsuit against our local government to remove both the menorah and the enormous creche that sat outside the County Courthouse. One of the plaintiffs tells us what it felt like to take the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

We can all use a little adventure in our lives, right? Whether we’re daredevils or prefer to take it easy, we can find a ton of adventures in Pittsburgh during our explorations. One of the best ways to explore is by setting out on one of the many hiking trails in Pittsburgh (or relatively nearby). Here are some of the best hiking trails in and near Pittsburgh, one for each month of the year.

❄️ December – Emerald View Trail

Let’s bid a fond farewell to another year with a journey along the Emerald View Trail in Pittsburgh. The 2.3-mile trail is all about sensational views – especially from the top of Mount Washington. Don’t forget to bring your camera along on this dog-friendly trail. Discover why this picturesque path earns a spot on the list of the most beautiful trails in Pittsburgh.

❄️ January – Laurel Hill State Park

Kick off a new year with a visit to Laurel Hill State Park, a popular year-round destination about an hour from downtown Pittsburgh. The park is home to 15 miles of hiking trails, including the one-mile Copper Kettle Trail. Beautiful in every season, the easy trail transforms into a winter wonderland after a fresh snowfall and features such seasonal scenery as a frozen Laurel Hill Lake. Start planning your winter trek by reading more about this picturesque state park in Pennsylvania in our previous article.