TribLive reporter Justin Vellucci delves into the emotional journey of Rona Kaufman, a Duquesne University law professor, who has leaned into her Jewish faith as the Israel-Hamas conflict continues.

With her daughter serving in the Israeli military, Rona faced the heart-wrenching challenge of being physically distant during this crisis. So she trekked to Tel Aviv to support her.

The Israel-Hamas conflict has escalated dramatically since the Oct. 7 attacks, when Hamas militants stormed southern Israel in a violent assault that led to the 1,200 deaths. During the ensuing conflict more than 40,000 Palestinians had been killed and nearly 100,000 injured.

Vellucci and host Zac Gibson discuss her experiences, insights on parental bonds under stress, and her evolving Jewish identity in the year since the Oct. 7 attacks.

Urban farms are emerging across the country.

“There’s been a food revolution going on for quite a while,” says Mchezaji “Che” Axum, director of the Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education at the University of the District of Columbia.

Interest in growing local food has surged over the past decade, particularly during the covid-19 pandemic, when food insecurity became a pressing issue in many communities.

Urban gardens are not just a source of food — they also foster education and community engagement.

In this episode, TribLive staff writer Julia Burdelski and I explore the growing need for urban farming among new green thumbs. We’ll highlight the journeys of budding local urban farmers, including Ebony, who transformed her backyard gardening into two urban farms and a small store. Join us as we delve into how urban farming can enhance food accessibility and strengthen community bonds.

As we approach the pivotal 2024 presidential election, Pennsylvania appears to be key to victory. With Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris seemingly visiting the state almost weekly, voters are grappling with critical issues that will shape the future of our country.

Today, we’re diving deep into the perspectives of young voters in Pittsburgh, exploring their hopes, concerns, and the challenges they face as a strong bloc in the electorate.

TribLive reporter Megan Swift interviewed young voters, including Cory Roma, a passionate advocate for progressive issues, and Mike Chiarlone, a dedicated member of the Allegheny County Young Republicans.

Today, we’re unpacking their views on the economy, political representation, and the importance of youth engagement in the electoral process.

This is From the Newsroom.

In the summer of 2023, Jonathan Faidley, a U.S. Army veteran from Somerset County, found himself in an unimaginable situation. After learning from the news that his father, Robbie Saunders, 59, had been fatally shot by police in Ligonier Valley, Faidley sought answers. Saunders, who was disabled and had a history of substance abuse, had been holding a machete on his porch when the incident occurred.

Faidley’s quest for clarity led him to the local police station, where he encountered silence and evasiveness. Despite repeated attempts to obtain crucial information—including the police report, body camera footage, and statements from those involved—he faced resistance.

While Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli’s office eventually released some information in response to an open-records request, Faidley felt stonewalled and neglected.

Justin Vellucci joins Zac Gibson to explore the challenges Faidley faced in his search for answers and the broader implications of transparency in law enforcement.

This is From the Newsroom.

In recent months, Pittsburgh has been the center of a national conversation on an international sale.

The proposed purchase of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel in a $14.9 billion deal still faces opposition from politicians on both sides as well as the U.S. Department of Justice.

As the 2024 election ramps up, the conversation of the sale’s impact on Pittsburgh and the American Steel industry is being debated by local and national leaders alike.

Here to give us the ins and outs on U.S. Steel’s hard sell is TribLive reporter Jack Troy. He joins TribLive host Zac Gibson.

This is From the Newsroom.

Starting last week and over the holiday weekend, the presidential election nominees from both parties have made headlines in Pennsylvania.

Former President Donald Trump addressed a crowd in Johnstown on Friday, touching on topics like the Arlington cemetery incident and the Harris-Walz interview.

Then, on Labor Day, Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden appeared together in Pittsburgh, showcasing their commitment to labor issues in one of their first joint campaign appearances.

TribLive reporter Megan Swift joins host Zac Gibson to share her insights from the rallies and discuss their impact on the Pennsylvanians who attended.

In August 2023, the Rustic Ridge neighborhood in Plum, was rocked by a catastrophic explosion that killed six people and caused extensive damage.

TribLive reporters and the Plum community have been searching for information to explain the cause of the explosion for the past year.

Listen as host Zac Gibson is joined by TribLive reporter Brian Rittmeyer to delve into the details of the event, its impact on the community and preview his piece on the anniversary of the Rustic Ridge explosion.

This is From The Newsroom.

As Vice President Kamala Harris takes to the campaign trail, she’s zeroing in on a major conservative initiative known as “Project 2025.”

This ambitious 922-page blueprint aims to reshape America with sweeping changes including restrictions on abortion access, overhauls in border and immigration policies, and significant federal spending cuts.

Found in its pages is the conservative movement’s detailed road map for a second Donald Trump presidency, one backed by the influential Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank, and dozens of other conservative groups with deep ties to Republican lawmakers.

Join host Zac Gibson and political reporter Ryan Deto as they dive deep into what “Project 2025” could mean for the Pittsburgh region.

This past Sunday, President Joe Biden announced he would not seek a second term, becoming the first sitting president since Lyndon B. Johnson to make such a decision.

The end of Biden’s campaign clarified a potential path for Vice President Kamala Harris to emerge as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee ahead of the DNC, just weeks away.

Zac Gibson, the host, and Ryan Deto, the political reporter for TribLive, provide the latest details.

This is From the Newsroom.

Western Pennsylvania is experiencing a visual, cultural and economic change, and the Beechview neighborhood in Pittsburgh is at the heart of it.

From 2010 to 2020, Pittsburgh’s overall population saw a modest growth of less than 1%. In stark contrast, the Latino population in Pittsburgh experienced a staggering 80% increase.

Latin -American migrants from California, New York, and Florida are coming to Pennsylvania for the affordability and economic growth opportunity.

Pennsylvania’s Latino sub-economy is snowballing. It saw 18% growth from 2011 to 2021, with $36 billion in gross domestic income, representing 4.2% of the state’s gross domestic income.

According to a study from Arizona State University, the growing Latino work force is offsetting the losses from non-Latino workers in the state.

Pennsylvania’s economic growth averages 1.1% per year, while the Latino sub-economy saw averages of 6.2% growth in the same time frame.

Reporter Anna Mares and host Zac Gibson dive into her recent article, which cites the economic growth and cultural change in Western Pennsylvania in relationship to this changing demographic.

This is From the Newsroom.