PublicSource: Pittsburgh, Allegheny County news that matters
WEBPublicSource is a nonprofit newsroom that covers local issues such as health, environment, economy, education and democracy in the Pittsburgh region. Read stories about air quality, housing, abortion, climate change, elections and more.
PA changed its standard for involuntary mental health
WEBOct 24, 2019 · The web page explains the types of involuntary treatment options in Pennsylvania, including emergency evaluation (a 302), and the recent change in the standard for assisted outpatient treatment (AOT). It also discusses the pros and cons of AOT and the challenges of implementing it in different counties.
Inside Pennsylvania’s monitoring of the Shell plastics plant
WEBAug 8, 2023 · The Shell cracker plant, which produces polyethylene pellets from ethane, has been plagued by malfunctions and excess emissions since it opened in September 2022. The DEP has issued notices of violation and a $10 million penalty to the company, but some residents and activists question the agency's response and oversight.
The untold story of Pittsburgh’s water crisis and a future of $300 ...
WEBOct 18, 2021 · A series of articles that explores how PWSA failed to maintain its infrastructure and water quality, and how it recovered with new leadership and funding. Learn about the causes, consequences and challenges of Pittsburgh's water crisis …
Types of criminal homicide - PublicSource
WEBLearn the definitions and sentences of different types of homicide in Pennsylvania, such as first-degree, second-degree, third-degree, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. The web page also provides a link to the full statute text and more information on sentencing.
Kayden’s Law poised to become a Pennsylvania statute
WEBApr 3, 2024 · Kayden’s Law, named after a child murdered by her father despite abuse allegations, would change how courts handle cases of parental alienation and domestic violence. The bill passed the Senate unanimously and awaits House action, while facing some criticism and support from different groups.
Experts weigh PA's rising '302' involuntary treatment petitions
WEBOct 31, 2022 · The number of 302 petitions filed in Allegheny County increased by 21% from 2015 to 2021, while the number of petitions upheld or converted to voluntary commitment increased by 4%. Experts explore the factors driving the trend, the racial disparities among the petitioned, and the impact of …
PA’s controversial mental health law is finally getting a test run
WEBJul 5, 2022 · Paul and Christine, of Montgomery County, know what it feels like to helplessly watch their child’s mental health deteriorate. After two hospitalizations in 2020 and 2021 for mental health crises, their 30-year-old son stopped taking his medication and following other aspects of his treatment plan.
Pennsylvania's Blacklick Creek flows orange. Is its future clear?
WEBAug 2, 2022 · From the moment Tim Kania first set eyes on Blacklick Creek, he could tell something was very wrong. The forest surrounding the watershed, which runs through Cambria and Indiana counties, about an hour’s drive east from Pittsburgh, appears at first to be a pristine swath of rural Pennsylvania.
What does a state attorney general actually do? - PublicSource
WEBApr 24, 2016 · The attorney general is the state's top lawyer and runs a large law firm with broad scope that includes investigating crimes, defending the state, and pursuing consumer protection cases. The office also works with federal and local investigators, defends the state in lawsuits, and has political influence.