Latest news with #Pittsburgher
Technical.ly
12-07-2025
- Business
- Technical.ly
Pittsburgh is buzzing over the Trump energy summit at CMU — even protesters say it's historic
Tuesday is gearing up to be a big day for Pittsburgh. At least, if the local buzz is any indication. Whether they're critics or supporters of Carnegie Mellon University's decision to host an event with the US president on the guest list, people have been saying the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit could shape the region's future for years to come. Will it be the biggest day for the city since the G-20 in 2009? Brian Kennedy, the Pittsburgh Technology Council's senior vice president of operations and government affairs, goes even further. 'When the G20 came to Pittsburgh … they built a big fence around it so nobody could get in,' Kennedy said. 'This event is FOR Pittsburgh. It's not just hosted in Pittsburgh.' The July 15 event, convened by US Sen. Dave McCormick, is invitation-only and not open to the public. Along with President Donald Trump, the guest list includes Big Tech leaders like OpenAI's Sam Altman and Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, as well as energy leaders like the CEOs of ExxonMobil and Shell, according to reporting by Axios. 'This summit is going to bring awareness to our region's advantage as a powerhouse in the global economic future, which is centered around AI,' Joanna Doven, executive director of the economic development coalition AI Strike Team, told 'And it will lead to job creation.' The event has also sparked some local backlash. A group of CMU students and faculty created a petition that accuses the university administration of 'making a clear stance, politically aligning themselves with the federal government and legitimizing their cuts to research, kidnapping of international students and abuse of power' by hosting the summit. Yet even petition organizers believe it'll be a day to remember. 'It is an important event in the sense of historical importance in a lot of ways, like the booming of AI recently, the impact on the environment,' said Jess Vinskus, a petition organizer and graduate student at CMU. 'They're inviting a bunch of energy and AI CEOs. There are going to be consequences for these types of companies and this type of legislation. It's going to be impactful, regardless of whichever side you are on those issues.' While the average Pittsburgher might not see the true impact right away, it will become more clear in the near future, suggested Kennedy, of the Tech Council. 'If you were to flash forward three to four years,' Kennedy said, 'I think you're gonna see a bunch of companies located in Pittsburgh that happened because of this particular first contact at Carnegie Mellon.' Whatever's discussed, local stakeholders aim to capitalize on the attention It's still unclear exactly what the summit will address, but Pennsylvania's natural gas resources, workforce and research institutions could all be on the table, according to a press release from McCormick's office, which also pledged to provide more detail. There will be local representation at the event, according to Kennedy. 'At least 25 members of the Pittsburgh Technology Council will have the opportunity to be showcased there, in a kind of trade show-like environment,' he said, while declining to elucidate further. The Pittsburgh Robotics Network will be one of the organizations exhibiting, but other 'specific names are being kept close to the chest for now,' said Maddi Love, PRN's director of communications. Shiv Rao, CEO and cofounder of local AI-powered healthtech startup Abridge, is one of the local executives planning to attend, per Will Pegler, Abridge's senior account executive. A day before the big summit, innovation ecosystem stakeholders are gathering at the Aurora Innovation headquarters in the Strip District's Robotics Row for a kickoff event. 'There's going to be attention on the region,' said Bethany Wallace, communications director at InnovatePGH, 'so let's look at what we can do to amplify what's happening here because Pittsburgh has become ground zero for AI.' Dubbed the AI Horizons preview, the Monday event is a partnership between InnovatePGH, the PRN, the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Alliance, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and the AI Strike Team. The event, which frames Pittsburgh as a place with 'a tech culture that tackles hard problems without the noise' and promises 'conversations with founders who traded coastal hype for Pittsburgh's real-world edge,' will focus on national security, building unicorns in Pittsburgh and energy's role in the AI economy, with local tech heavyweights like Gecko Robotics and Abridge in attendance. 'This is a moment of national visibility for Pittsburgh's tech sector.' Maddi Love, Pittsburgh Robotics Network 'This is a moment of national visibility for Pittsburgh's tech sector,' said PRN's Love, and an opportunity to 'amplify Pittsburgh's voice as a national and global epicenter for AI and robotics.' There was chatter that Gov. Josh Shapiro and Sen. McCormick would attend the kickoff event, but as of Friday that had not been confirmed. Nevertheless, Doven said, the kickoff event coincides with the AI Strike Team's efforts to launch a new website that will better communicate the region's strengths for AI investment. 'The reality with July 15 is Senator McCormick has created an action-forcing event that enables economic groups and industry to get organized,' Doven said. 'We've been working on a strategic marketing and storytelling effort to communicate in one place Pittsburgh's unique AI advantages.' Those advantages are physical assets like natural gas and the local workforce, empty industrial sites that could be transformed into data centers, existing industry in Pittsburgh's innovation districts and of course the world's top AI school at CMU, according to Doven. Little university communication on student-faculty backlash The CMU petition, which had over 1,600 signatures as of Thursday, was delivered to university president Farnam Jahanian on Monday, according to Vinskus, the grad student organizer, who said CMU did not provide a formal response to the community's concerns. Asked about the petition, CMU Director of Media Relations Cassia Crogan provided with a prepared statement that did not address the community backlash. Vinskus claims university administration did not consult CMU's student government before agreeing to host the summit. 'It seems like they're making a lot of excuses that are, in my opinion, really dismissive and not taking our concerns to heart, which is really disappointing,' Vinskus said. 'They're saying this will look good for CMU, we're an AI hub and this is a great opportunity for us, without acknowledging all the terrible things that they're enabling by holding it.' Members of the CMU community plan to peacefully protest the event on July 15, according to Vinskus, with an emphasis on safety and avoiding confrontations with law enforcement.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Pittsburgh reports decline in traffic crashes, deaths, serious injuries for fourth year in a row
The City of Pittsburgh reports a decline in traffic crashes, deaths and serious injuries on city streets for the fourth year in a row. Latest data from the Pennsylvania Crash Information Tool shows that total crashes on city and state-owned roadways in Pittsburgh decreased 17 percent in 2024, compared to 2023. City-owned streets alone have had over 700 fewer crashes compared to 2021, a spokesperson says. Meanwhile, crashes statewide have increased by .35 percent. Deaths and serious injuries from crashes on city streets have steadily declined over the past three years, the spokesperson says. While crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists fell by 20 percent from 2024, these crashes are disproportionately fatal, the spokesperson says. The fourth year of declining incidents is being considered a major milestone in the city's Vision Zero initiative to end traffic fatalities and serious injuries. 'In Pittsburgh, we believe every life matters — no one should die just trying to get where they need to go," said Mayor Ed Gainey. 'For the fourth year in a row, crashes, injuries, and fatalities are down. That's no accident — it's because we've made safety a priority, especially for our most vulnerable neighbors. But we're not done. High-severity crashes are still hitting the same streets and the same communities. That's why we're doubling down — to make sure every Pittsburgher, in every neighborhood, can walk, bike, or drive without fear. This is about equity, justice, and saving lives.' In 2024, the Gainey administration increased the city's traffic calming budget by 136 percent to about $1.08 million, the spokesperson says. Additionally, over 50 safety and accessibility projects are planned in the city this year, with many targeting high-injury, low-income and high-pedestrian areas. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump's response to LA riots ‘endangers the very bedrock of our democracy,' Schumer warns
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tore into President Donald Trump for his administration's response to the Los Angeles illegal immigration riots, warning that American democracy is at stake. Schumer, a New York Democrat, was asked about comments from Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who had warned his party was "los[ing] the moral high ground" by refusing to condemn "setting cars on fire, destroying buildings, and assaulting law enforcement." Without addressing the Pittsburgher directly, Schumer said violence being seen in the riots is "outrageous and should never happen – full stop." "That's the bottom line and anyone who permits violence or breaks the law should be fully prosecuted." Fetterman Calls Out Anarchy In La, Noting Dems 'Forefeit The Moral High Ground' By Failing To Decry Violence However, Schumer then pivoted to lambasting Trump's decision to federalize the California National Guard and to allow Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to activate Marines from Twentynine Palms, California. Read On The Fox News App "Donald Trump bringing American troops and American Marines in against American citizens is not only dangerous. It is not only provocative, but it endangers the very bedrock of our democracy." By contrast, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chair of the Armed Services Committee, was asked a similar question moments earlier during a Republican press conference while addressing the military budget. Maxine Waters Taunts Armed Agents After Feds Slam Door In Her Face Wicker, speaking alongside Senate leadership about the Big Beautiful Bill, said that if a crisis like this hit his state, the outcome would be very different. "I would think the governor of Mississippi [would want] to have all the help he could get," Wicker said. He credited Mayor Karen Bass for reportedly offering kind words in terms of her office's interactions with U.S. military officers and officials. Wicker added Gov. Gavin Newsom may be making a "mistake there, politically." "When a situation is fraught by extreme violence, it would seem the governor and the mayor would want all the help they can receive," Wicker said. Newsom has defended his response to the rioting, including a dare for border czar Thomas Homan to prosecute him: "Tom, arrest me – let's go," he said on MSNBC. In response to Schumer, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said: "violent rioters in Los Angeles, enabled by Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom, have attacked American law enforcement, set cars on fire, and fueled lawless chaos." "President Trump rightfully stepped in to protect federal law enforcement officers. When Democrat leaders refuse to protect American citizens, President Trump will always step in."Original article source: Trump's response to LA riots 'endangers the very bedrock of our democracy,' Schumer warns
Business Journals
02-06-2025
- General
- Business Journals
The Rev. Jerrel T. Gilliam
The Rev. Jerrel Gilliam leads Light of Life Rescue Mission, a Christian nonprofit serving Pittsburgh's unhoused community. With over 30 years in ministry, he has served as lead pastor of Shiloh Church in South Park and provided consulting to churches and faith-based organizations. A lifelong Pittsburgher with a heart for service, Jerrel brings compassion, leadership, and deep local roots to the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Board of Directors.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CitiParks Farmers Markets returning to Pittsburgh neighborhoods beginning on Sunday
Residents and visitors can enjoy the colors, flavors and sounds of summer when the CitiParks Farmers Markets return to Pittsburgh beginning on Sunday. On Wednesday, the City of Pittsburgh announced the 2025 schedule for the popular markets, which offer residents and visitors a chance to shop for fresh, local and sustainable products in their own neighborhoods. 'We're thrilled about this year's farmers markets and the continued investment in our city's local economy,' said CitiParks Director Kathryn Vargas. 'Our goal is to support the growth of small, sustainable businesses while creating an experience that every Pittsburgher will be excited to be part of. With revamped market layouts, we're able to add more vendors and continue to increase food access in these city neighborhoods.' With four neighborhood markets operating throughout the city, organizers promise something for everyone to enjoy. Here are the 2025 market locations and schedule: Sundays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. - Squirrel Hill (May 11 – Dec. 21) Beacon/Bartlett parking lot Mondays 3 – 7 p.m. - East End (June 2 – Nov. 17) Liberty Green Park, Larimer Ave. Wednesdays 3 – 7 p.m. - Carrick (June 4 – Nov. 19) Carrick Dairy District, 1529 Brownsville Rd. Fridays 3 – 7 p.m. - North Side (May 16 – Nov. 21) Allegheny Commons Park, East Ohio & Cedar On Sunday, the Squirrel Hill market will open with a special market to celebrate Mother's Day. CitiParks will offer a beer garden at the North Side market on the last Friday of every month, featuring musical entertainment. Beginning in June, markets will feature special programming and theme weeks with community partners and more. The markets, which are operated by Pittsburgh's parks and recreation department, are set to feature expanded vendor selections, revamped layouts and new community programming, intended to make visits more engaging and accessible. Shoppers with SNAP benefits have access to fresh, nutritious and locally grown food, including produce, meat, dairy, bread and baked goods, produce plants, seeds and honey, organizers said. Hot prepared food items, alcohol and non-food items are not eligible for SNAP purchases. Food Bucks provide Fresh Access food stamp shoppers with extra money to spend on fruits and vegetables, organizers said. For every $5 spent on food stamps, they can receive an extra $2 to spend on produce. Owing to a grant from the Food Justice Fund, Just Harvet will add another $3 to these benefits for the 2025 market season, effectively doubling all SNAP benefits at all CitiParks Farmers Markets for the 2025 season. More information is available at More information on the 2025 markets can be found at or by emailing farmersmarkets@ Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
