Tag Archives: news

What is Pittsburgh without the Post-Gazette?

Like sands through the hourglass… the drama around the impending death of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette just keeps getting more convoluted.

On Jan. 7, Block Communications dropped a bomb on the region: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — a newspaper that’s been part of this community’s civic fabric for nearly 240 years — will publish its final edition May 3, and the entire operation will cease to exist.

This isn’t just another checkmark in the long casualty list of American journalism. This is the newspaper that defined reporting in Pittsburgh, that held power accountable and that offered depth few outlets even attempt anymore.

And soon, it will be gone.

How did the PG get here?

In July 2020, the Post-Gazette declared an impasse in contract negotiations with the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh and unilaterally altered employees’ terms of employment, including health care. (Federal labor authorities later ruled those actions violated labor law.)

That decision sparked a newsroom strike on Oct. 18, 2022, that stretched on for more than three years, officially ending Nov. 13, 2025. PG journalists had been without a contract since 2017.

More recently, a federal appeals court upheld a ruling requiring the company to honor its labor obligations. Block Communications sought a stay from the U.S. Supreme Court. When the justices refused to grant it, the company chose closure over compliance.

The scramble to save something — anything

Since the Blocks refused to comply with the ruling, local groups and individuals have announced a flurry of plans — to expand coverage, remind readers they exist, build something new or attempt to acquire PG assets to keep something alive.

Nearly 50 newsroom staffers who did not strike have called for new union elections and proposed either saving the paper or starting a new one.

Those 49 staffers appear ready to bend the knee. “In today’s media landscape, we must be realistic, not idealistic,” they wrote collectively, adding that they want to “change the tone of our union’s relationship with the Post-Gazette.” Because that has ever worked well for unions.

In a separate effort, former Penguins executive Kevin Acklin is attempting to line up investors to convert the Post-Gazette into a nonprofit newsroom. In an interview with Axios Pittsburgh, Acklin said he had a “good opening conversation” with Allan Block, CEO of Block Communications.

“We feel strongly that converting to a nonprofit is a very attractive alternative to shutting down the Post-Gazette,” Acklin said. “I am hopeful the present ownership group recognizes the importance of the paper to the ongoing vitality of our city.”

His full letter to Block was published in a WESA story.

Meanwhile, the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh has launched its own initiative — Pittsburgh Alliance for People-Empowered Reporting, or PAPER — aimed at carrying forward the spirit of PG journalism outside Block ownership. The union recently held a virtual meeting that it says drew 145 attendees, despite technical hiccups.

“You made it very clear that you’re eager for an alternative to the Block-owned PG — for something that authentically connects our communities and better reflects the concerns of working-class people,” the guild wrote in a follow-up message. The group plans a public launch in the coming days.

And if all of that weren’t enough, the Tribune-Review announced it will launch a weekend “Pittsburgh” print edition starting May 9. A weekly printed summary of news is not a daily newsroom embedded in the region it serves. Trib staffers are already stretched thin covering Westmoreland County, the Alle-Kiski Valley and whatever drives clicks online.

(Also: why this wasn’t launched before the PG’s closure is anyone’s guess — and speaks volumes.)

A fractured news ecosystem

Pittsburgh won’t technically become a “news desert” when the Post-Gazette closes. There are other news outlets — and operations masquerading as news outlets — that all provide some level of journalism or information sharing.

Public Source. Next Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Magazine. CityCast Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle. Pittsburgh Business Times. Axios Pittsburgh. Plus television and radio: KDKA-TV, WTAE, WPXI, WESA and KDKA Radio.

None of them offers the depth, breadth or daily accountability journalism the Post-Gazette once provided. Some, in fact, often rely on the PG for their own reporting.

That fragmentation has been happening for years as the paper downsized following circulation cuts, ad revenue losses and Block dysfunction: Suburban weeklies reduced to ad circulars, websites with little original reporting, influencer feeds posing as news, PR firms pushing spin, communications teams rebranded as “content creators.”

You already have to work to find real reporting on Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Removing the Post-Gazette doesn’t simplify the ecosystem — it makes it harder.

The PG’s decline also mirrors a national trend. Locally, the region has lost countless newspapers that once covered suburban communities, school boards and borough councils. With those losses went community calendars, nonprofit announcements and everyday civic information.

People used to look in one place to understand what was happening around them. Now they must subscribe to a patchwork of newsletters, Facebook groups and alerts — and still get less news.

Newspapers helped build community

“The local newspaper not only informs citizens but also helps build community among its readers,” Andrew Conte wrote in his 2022 book, “Death of the Daily News: How Citizen Gatekeepers Can Save Local Journalism,” which examined the closure of the McKeesport Daily News.

Conte references political scientist Robert Putnam’s “Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community,” which argues that social capital — networks of trust and civic participation — has been eroding for decades. Putnam also found a link between newspaper readership and civic engagement.

Without newspapers, it becomes harder for people to share information, build trust and participate meaningfully in public life.

The trance we didn’t notice

Conte also cites media theorist Marshall McLuhan, who warned about society’s failure to recognize how new media reshape behavior.

“If we continue in our self-induced subliminal trance, we will be their slaves,” McLuhan said, referring to electronic media of the time — notably, television.

He died in 1980, three years before the internet.

Apply that logic to cable TV, video games, computers, smartphones, streaming, social media — and now AI. There may never have been a moment more hostile to shared facts and verified information than now.

A less informed public and fractured communities create fertile ground for misinformation, distrust and apathy. Chaos.

This isn’t nostalgia

I love news. I love newsrooms.

But this isn’t nostalgia. It’s a sober assessment from someone who’s worked in journalism and understands what quality reporting actually looks like — as both a journalist and a reader.

Pittsburgh’s civic discourse — what we know, what we debate, who we hold accountable — is poorer without its paper of record. In May, we’re going to find out just how much poorer.

3 Wegmans set to open in 2025. Is a Pittsburgh area store among them?

Wegmans will open three new locations in 2025 — including two stores in new markets.

There was speculation in 2024 that Wegmans could be looking at two different locations in the Pittsburgh area — including Cranberry Township, which is in a northern suburb of Pittsburgh, and possibly a location in South Fayette Township in Allegheny County.

Wegmans fans in the Pittsburgh area will have to wait a big longer because none of the company’s three new stores in 2025 are set to open in Western Pennsylvania.

The Rochester, New York-based grocery store, with its cult-like following, will enter Connecticut with a store in Norwalk.

This 92,000-square-foot store will offer 13 full-service checkouts and 15 self-checkouts.

This store will have a two-story parking garage with 551 parking spaces and a bridge into a mezzanine level of the food market.

An “Interesting fact,” Wegmans notes for this store, is that the parking garage will include solar canopies.

Wegmans will enter Long Island, New York, with a store in Lake Grove in February. The 101,000-square-foot store will have more than 630 parking spots, 14 full-service checkouts and 14 self-checkouts.

And, Wegmans notes, the top of the store’s clock tower will be the highest point in Lake Grove.

The company’s third new store for 2025 is in Rockville, Maryland, where Wegmans will open its ninth store in that market.

This 80,000-square-foot store in the Twinbrook Quarter Community will feature two levels of parking below the store.

The “interesting fact” for this store is more peculiar than interesting: Wegmans shoppers will get 90 minutes of free parking.

Read more about what these three new stores will offer in a news release from Wegmans.

The cult-like following of Wegmans

Wegmans isn’t just a grocery store—it’s an experience.

With its roots in Rochester, New York, the chain has amassed a loyal following that many would describe as cult-like.

Customers rave about the store’s unique ability to make grocery shopping feel like a treat rather than a chore. What makes Wegmans so special?

For starters, it’s the attention to detail.

From the impeccably organized aisles to the high-quality produce, artisanal baked goods and chef-inspired prepared foods, Wegmans takes pride in delivering excellence at every level.

Shoppers know they can rely on Wegmans for items that aren’t just staples but also inspiration—whether it’s the store-made fresh sushi, decadent desserts or its impressive international food selection.

But what really sets Wegmans apart is its customer service.

Employees are trained to be helpful and approachable, creating an atmosphere where customers feel valued.

Many Wegmans fans describe the store as a place that goes beyond transactions—it feels like a community.

Over the years, the grocery chain has become a destination in and of itself, drawing road-trippers and loyalists willing to drive hours just to shop there (I am among them!).

The store even inspires online fan groups and countless social media posts, where customers swap tips, share their favorite finds and celebrate new store openings with a fervor usually reserved for concerts or theme parks.

Wegmaniacs: The passionate fans driving the Wegmans phenomenon

To truly understand Wegmans’ success, you need to know about the “Wegmaniacs.”

This nickname, affectionately given to the grocery chain’s most devoted fans, perfectly captures the enthusiasm—and sometimes obsession—that Wegmans inspires.

The term originated organically, coined by shoppers themselves and embraced in fan groups, online forums and even news coverage.

So, what makes a Wegmaniac?

It’s someone who goes out of their way to shop at Wegmans, whether that means driving hours to the nearest store or marking their calendar for the grand opening of a new location.

For Wegmaniacs, Wegmans is more than a grocery store—it’s a lifestyle.

They rave about the chain’s prepared foods (those subs and sushi!), the high-quality store-brand items and the welcoming shopping experience.

This devotion goes beyond the aisles, too.

Wegmaniacs are known to swap tips about the best seasonal products, track down rare Wegmans finds, and even create ranking lists of their favorite items, from frozen meals to bakery treats.

Social media is alive with posts celebrating Wegmans’ legendary customer service, beautifully curated displays and even its holiday offerings.

For some Wegmaniacs, the brand is a family tradition, passed down through generations of shoppers who have grown up with Wegmans as a staple in their lives.

Others are newer converts, discovering the magic after the chain’s steady expansion into new markets.

Whatever their origin story, one thing is clear: Wegmaniacs don’t just shop—they evangelize.

As a proud Wegmaniac myself, I can confidently say there’s no grocery store quite like it. Two-hour drives to grocery shop at Wegmans became a regular part of my life once I discovered Wegmans.

And as Wegmans prepares to open three new stores in 2025, including two in cities new to the brand, I can only imagine how many more Wegmaniacs will soon be joining the ranks.

After all, once you experience Wegmans, there’s no going back.

Defying gravity or dragging along? My take on the ‘Wicked’ movie

Seeing the “Wicked” movie on a “pre-screening” night marked a significant step in my ongoing quest to understand this beloved story.

As someone who treasures “The Wizard of Oz,” I’ve always struggled with the narrative of “Wicked.”

While I’ve never seen the stage show live, I’ve read the book and watched a couple of bootleg videos of the Broadway production.

Each time, I found myself lost in the sprawling first act, overwhelmed by how much “Wicked” tries to pack into its story.

The movie helped bring some clarity.

Finally, I could better grasp the narrative threads tying Elphaba’s and Glinda’s journeys together.

The film’s visual grandeur and talented cast certainly helped.

Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba is magnificent, capturing both vulnerability and power, while Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero shines with charm and intrigue.

Ariana Grande, as Glinda, perfectly embodies the character’s bubbly exterior and hidden depth.

Adding to the film’s nostalgic appeal, original Broadway stars Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth make brief appearances in the movie.

While their roles are small, their presence is a touching nod to fans of the stage show who have cherished their iconic portrayals of Elphaba and Glinda.

Seeing them included felt like a heartfelt acknowledgment of the legacy they created and a passing of the torch of sorts to Erivo and Grande, who now carry the story forward for a new generation of “Wicked” enthusiasts.

Despite its strengths, the movie’s pacing remains an issue.

At 2 hours and 40 minutes, “Wicked: Part One” (which is what this should be called in marketing efforts of the film) is longer than the entire Broadway production (2 hours and 30 minutes not counting the intermission), yet it tells only half the story.

This choice feels excessive, as the first part of the film drags in places, making me question why the story needed to be split into two movies.

One aspect where the movie excels is capturing the emotional core of “Wicked.”

At its heart, the story explores themes of friendship, identity and finding one’s voice in a world that silences those who are different.

This resonates deeply in today’s society, where marginalized groups often fight to be heard and valued.

The plight of the animals in “Wicked”—stripped of their ability to speak and ostracized by society—mirrors the experiences of those who face systemic oppression.

The story challenges viewers to question their complicity and consider the changes needed to create a more equitable world, especially for those whose struggles are too often ignored by the privileged.

That said, my longstanding issues with “Wicked” remain.

While many view it as enriching and expanding “The Wizard of Oz,” I’ve always felt it tries to undo the original’s magic.

The backstory for iconic characters like the Tin Man and Scarecrow feels forced, as though it diminishes the wonder of “The Wizard of Oz” rather than complementing it.

Ultimately, my journey with “Wicked” continues.

The movie offered a deeper understanding of the story but didn’t fully resolve my ambivalence.

Perhaps “Wicked: Part Two” will hold the answers—or perhaps “Wicked” is simply a story I’ll always admire from a distance, even if it doesn’t fully click for me.

America is not safe for LGBTQ people

Despite advancements in LGBTQ inclusion, many still lack safety at home. By the end of 2023, 75 of 500 anti-LGBTQ bills nationwide became law, coinciding with a five-year high in hate crimes against LGBTQ individuals in 2022.

Here are some key highlights of SafeHome.org’s third annual state safety ranking, which uses legislative analysis and FBI hate crime data:

Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Delaware earned A+ grades for their strong pro-equality laws and low hate crime rates.
South Dakota, Florida and Wyoming received F grades due to high discriminatory laws and hate crimes. Florida, notably, fell from the 15th-lowest safety score last year to one of the worst.
Nearly 50% of states passed new anti-LGBTQ legislation in 2023.
Hate crimes against LGBTQ people rose 10% between 2021 and 2022, with a 40% increase against transgender individuals.
While 59% of LGBTQ people feel safer due to state laws, 89% believe federal action is necessary for full protection.

The ranking, based on the opinions of 1,000 LGBTQ Americans and information from the Human Rights Campaign, considers parenting freedoms, criminal justice rights, non-discrimination rights, youth protections, and health laws, alongside FBI-reported hate crime frequencies.

Top safe states

Rhode Island: Highest safety grade due to comprehensive protections and low hate crime incidence.
New Hampshire: Low hate crime rates and strong equality protections.
Delaware: Early legalization of same-sex marriage and extensive LGBTQ protections.
Alaska: Elected openly LGBTQ legislator and proposed anti-discrimination bills.
Hawaii: Strong legacy of LGBTQ friendliness and inclusive laws.

Worst states

South Dakota: High rate of hate crimes and many anti-equality laws.
Florida: Drastic decline due to harsh new laws like “Don’t Say Gay.”
Wyoming: Few pro-equality laws and high hate crime rates.
Ohio: High hate crimes and recent “Don’t Say Gay” law.
Alabama: Poor legal environment with many anti-equality laws.

Everything in life is only for now

I’m not the first, and I won’t be the last.

The end of 2022 will mark a first in my professional career: I will no longer be a full-time journalist.

That’s not an easy sentence to complete and an even more difficult one to process. Journalism has been the only career I’ve ever envisioned.

When fellow elementary school students dreamed of being astronauts or gymnasts or doctors or presidents, I wanted to be a reporter.

In middle school and high school, as sciences and math were increasingly pushed, I pushed back and focused on writing, journalism and communications courses.

This sounds cliche, but I was first drawn to news for its ability to share important information people needed to know.

Newspapers, at the time, were stuffed full of so much valuable information.

I would lose track of time reading the Sunday edition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — back when it seemed thicker than an encyclopedia. And I always found myself focused on local and regional stories — stories that had an impact or were of interest to areas I lived in or near.

I read the then-Moon Record from front to back — a newspaper that’s related publications would later have a profound impact on my career and life.

I was also drawn to news for its sense of immediacy and that rush of adrenaline when breaking news happens, watching television reporters and anchors bring information to people in real time.

While news stories were of interest to me, so was understanding the art of making news — whether it be for print, television, radio or, later, digital.

To this day, I consume the information while also analyzing the coverage. Ask anybody who has ever watched a newscast with me, and they’ll tell you how enjoyable (my word, not theirs) it is to hear me discuss the coverage.

As a kid, I can remember many times writing “stories” about and anchoring “newscasts” to my stuffed animals. I would even make “incidents” happen in my Micro Machines setups to have newspeople go cover.

Outside of interviewing toys, my first major interview was then-Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Gary Anderson, who I tracked down in an elementary school office following an assembly. I was in third grade.

In high school, my principal threatened to keep me from walking at graduation following the publication of an editorial I wrote that he disagreed with.

As a journalist in college, I helped tackle a groundbreaking legal case of a college nun who sued a Catholic university over sexual discrimination. I helped to uncover sources that were quoted by The New York Times.

My time at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review allowed me to live out those childhood dreams of sharing stories that mattered to communities and families through the Sewickley Herald and The Signal Item — two newspapers I will forever be grateful to have been part of.

For the last few years with Hearst Television, I have had the responsibility of managing a team tasked with copy editing news and media content across more than two dozen local news digital platforms.

And while it is incredibly difficult to step away from what has long felt like a calling, it was time.

The coronavirus pandemic has allowed me to refocus my life and do something I’ve never done before: Put myself and my life first.

It’s not been easy to say goodbye to working full-time in news. There have been a lot of tears shed.

But I’m reminded of a line in one of my favorite musicals — “Avenue Q” — that is simple and true, and helped me to again understand that nothing is forever: “Everything in life is only for now.”