Pittsburgh All Local

The Pittsburgh Public Schools board is set to vote today on a plan to close nine schools, despite strong opposition from parents at last night’s meeting. Almost all speakers at Monday's meeting were against the plan, including Liz Dell the parent of a fourth grader at Liberty K-5. Billy Hileman with the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers supports the closures. The school board is reportedly split on the consolidation plan.

Post-Gazette journalists rallied and then returned to the newsroom this morning, ending a lengthy and bitter strike. The rally began with a performance by the Labor Choir, setting the tone for a challenging return to work. Union President Andrew Goldstein says tensions may remain between returning strikers and those who crossed the picket line, but the focus is on moving forward.

Hopeful for a fresh start, journalists signed in and rode the elevator to the newsroom, leaving three years on strike behind.

A video released by six Democrats, one of them Representative Chris Deluzio, encourages the military to ignore what the lawmakers say are illegal orders. President Trump called the video "seditious behavior," punishable by death. The congressman commented this morning on the Big K Morning Show, saying he will not be intimidated by the President's words. The 90-second video was first posted early Tuesday.

Both the House and Senate have passed a bill to force the Justice Department to publicly release its files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Local attorney Phil DiLucente says those hoping for a smoking gun from the files will be hugely disappointed, since they have already been reviewed by the Justice Department under two administrations. President Donald Trump says he will sign the bill. DiLucente was Rob Pratte's guest on KDKA Radio.

A transformed Pittsburgh International is welcoming passengers at a new 1.7 billion-dollar terminal. The last passengers arrived at the old land side facility a few minutes after midnight and a transition to the new building is complete: Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission Executive Director Rich Fitzgerald appeared on the Big K Morning Show along with Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis. The first passengers to depart today left for Denver at 5:30 a.m.

Pittsburgh's South Side is about to be home for a high-profile resident. A major task for Pittsburgh's next police chief will be to lower the incidents violence and other criminal activity in the South Side Entertainment District. Mayor elect Corey O Connor's nomination for police chief, Jason Lando, told KDKA radio he'll have a front row seat to all the action. Police made 9 arrests and seized 6 firearms during the Halloween weekend of October 29th through November 2nd.

A district wide cell phone ban could be coming to Pittsburgh Public Schools. District Solicitor Elizabeth Sattler outlined a key part of it during an online policy workshop this week. The ban would be in effect anywhere on school property. Currently, 44 of the 57 in the district have a cell phone ban.

Mayor-elect Corey O'Connor officially nominated former Commander Jason Lando as Pittsburgh's next police chief. Lando currently serves as Police Chief in Frederick, Maryland. In Pittsburgh, he rose through the ranks to lead Zone 5. O'Connor says his goal was to find someone who will build better police-community relations. Lando's nomination must be approved by City Council.

Flying is getting iffy for regional airline passengers as carriers are reducing flights by 10%. Travel expert Bobby Laurie says the airlines will protect their profitable trans-Atlantic routes and domestic flights to big cities. On the Big K Morning Show, Laurie said delays and cancellations outside of the airline's control, like today's flight cuts, means the airline is not responsible for a hotel stay or meal vouchers for passengers stuck at an airport overnight.

Pittsburgh’s incoming mayor is already shaping his new administration, announcing this morning two key appointments. Mayor-Elect Corey O’Connor is moving quickly to assemble his administration ahead of taking office. Dan Gilman, with nearly two decades in Pittsburgh city government and a background at Duquesne University, will serve as Chief of Staff, helping guide a smooth transition. Sheldon Williams, a former paramedic, police officer, and military reservist, will lead as Director of Public Safety. O’Connor says Williams’ combined experience in law enforcement, emergency services, ministry, and teaching will allow him to bring a community-focused approach to public safety. Both appointments reflect O’Connor’s goal of delivering a city government that’s safe, responsive, and accountable from day one.