Pittsburg, PA
New Market Square rule for kids under 18 gets mixed reviews as enforcement continues
The new policy requiring anyone under 18 to be accompanied by someone over 21 in Market Square may not be as firm as some first thought.
KDKA observed unaccompanied kids in and around the square in Pittsburgh on Saturday evening, but in very small numbers, especially compared to the hundreds of kids who gathered as recently as during the NFL draft last month. Many of the kids were walking through the square or to restaurants like Chipotle.
It was the kids who lingered on Saturday evening who were approached by either youth outreach teams, private security or officers.
Von Madden — the founder of AIM, a youth outreach group — said it’s when kids start gathering in large numbers that they’ll be asked to leave.
“I don’t think they are going to be kicked out of the space for buying food or walking by,” Madden said. “The policy was so they’re allowed to hang out, but if they’re causing disruption, they were asked to move.”
Outreach workers within the square on Saturday evening said they’ve been approaching kids to make sure they are aware of the rules, but aren’t forcing them to leave. Some workers suggested alternative places they could go, as they work to form relationships with the kids
Madden, who was not at the square on Saturday, said in theory, enforcement works by private security engaging kids first, and then if that doesn’t work, outreach staff comes over. Only as a last resort are police officers brought in.
KDKA watched as a group of about 15 to 20 kids formed along Market Street steps away from a police SUV on Saturday evening. A member of the private security approached the kids first, pointing toward the exit of the square. Once more kids gathered, a group of five to 10 officers walked over, and the group dispersed toward Liberty Avenue.
A group of teenagers near Chipotle told KDKA that officers told them they had to leave if they weren’t actually going to the restaurant. Madden said the policy, which is in effect from Thursday to Sunday from 3 p.m to midnight, has worked well this week.
“It was phenomenal. Thursday was great,” Madden said. “The kids came, a lot of kids. They were absolutely excited about everything going on.”
Thursday was the first night for the temporary roller rink in Market Square, and a rainy Friday kept many people away. People enjoying their Saturday evening in the square gave mixed reviews about the policy.
“I think it’s definitely necessary,” Cristina from Butler told KDKA. “It keeps the community safe, and it allows adults and parents to know that their kids are safe as well, and just a more controlled environment.”
Danielle Graham from Robinson said she’d been observing kids interacting with police and believes kids aren’t welcome in Market Square, even if they are not being disruptive. She said there was a discrepancy in what private security and officers knew about the rule, adding that police asked her if the child she was chaperoning was her legal guardian.
She said she offered to chaperone kids to allow them to enjoy the square and so she could observe what was going on.
“There’s no clear understanding from the people that are supposedly enforcing it,” Robinson said. “You just put more vulnerable kids in front of law enforcement, things can go wrong.”
Pittsburgh City Councilwoman Barb Warwick shared her own criticism of the policy during a meeting last week.
“Not only does this feel highly unwelcoming to families with teens, it also seems questionable in terms even of enforcement,” Warwick said. “I don’t know that there’ll be like a private security, what are we checking IDs like, you know? How is this working? My understanding is it’s on an event permit.”
KDKA-TV did not observe any IDs being checked on Saturday and saw at most 12 officers in the square at once, along with the private security.
Pittsburg, PA
Pittsburgh Juneteenth celebration sees peaceful end after Market Square fight prompts chaperone policy
The 2026 Juneteenth celebration in downtown Pittsburgh came to an end Sunday with no additional major issues reported following the large group of juveniles fighting Friday night in Market Square.
The group of 40-50 juveniles fighting toward the end of Friday’s celebrations led to police using pepper spray and clearing the square, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety.
Event organizer William “B” Marshall responded with a chaperone policy starting Saturday, requiring kids to be joined by adults in Market Square.
Pittsburgh Public Safety told KDKA-TV that they don’t know of any issues with groups of kids on Saturday evening, and Marshall called the policy—and the event—a success.
“It’s been fantastic,” Marshall said. “We’re getting a lot of parents coming down with their children. We don’t want to stop anybody from coming and enjoying some Juneteenth.”
KDKA-TV still saw groups of kids unaccompanied in the square on Sunday, but none were disruptive. Marshall said they didn’t have to remove any kids from the square, which had programming aimed at older adults.
“I’ve been seeing a lot of adults. I haven’t seen a lot of groups of kids,” said Zhane Wilds, a mother who brought her kids to the celebrations on Sunday. “Everybody’s getting along, which is great.”
A big crowd gathered in Point State Park for an evening of music, helping to wrap up another year of Juneteenth in Pittsburgh.
“It’s been a vibe down here. Everything is going very good,” Wilds said.
Other attendees said the event was nice and fun.
“The festival has been great, we’ve had great weather, people are happy, and I’m happy,” Marshall said.
It’s hard to say if the lack of fights was directly due to the police. Marshall said that overall, there weren’t too many issues.
Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Sheldon Williams told KDKA-TV on Saturday that they weren’t enforcing this chaperone policy, that it was Marshall’s idea, but they would be on standby inside the square in case they needed to step in.
At the same time, Williams said they support the idea and Marshall’s efforts.
Looking ahead to next year, Marshall said they plan to kick off the celebration with an indoor performance from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
More than 150 vendors took part in the event this year.
Pittsburg, PA
Rockies top Pirates as Pittsburgh manager directs fury at umps over call on final out
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The Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates had a classic game end in controversy on Saturday night.
Rockies outfielder Jake McCarthy started the game with an inside-the-park leadoff home run off Pirates star Paul Skenes to start the game. Colorado made out with a 2-1 win, but the Pirates thought they had tied the game in the top of the ninth inning.
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Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly argues with umpire Todd Tichenor after a force out ended the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies in Denver on June 20, 2026. (David Zalubowski/AP)
Pirates batter Jake Mangum hit a grounder to Rockies third baseman Kyle Karros. The infielder charged the ball and met baserunner Billy Cook simultaneously. The umpires called everyone safe on the field, which would have led to a tie game. Karros was in disbelief as he signaled to his manager to challenge the call.
After the umpires met, Cook was called out for baserunner interference. Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly was irate.
“The runner failed to avoid the defender in the act of fielding the baseball; therefore, he’s called out. It’s very simple,” crew chief Todd Tichenor told a pool reporter after the game, via MLB.com.
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Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes pitches against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on June 20, 2026. (David Zalubowski/AP)
Karros said Cook’s cleat “kind of clipped my glove” during the play.
Kelly said he agreed that Cook hit Karros’ glove when he was running to third base. However, he didn’t understand why the umpires had to huddle to get the call correct.
Cook added that he didn’t think he made contact until he saw the replay.
“Just unfortunate how that played out,” he continued.
Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz hit a home run in the first inning – it accounted for Pittsburgh’s only run in the loss.
T.J. Rumfield had the other RBI for Colorado. He scored McCarthy.
Colorado Rockies’ Jake McCarthy returns to the dugout after hitting an inside-the-park home run off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on June 20, 2026. (David Zalubowski/AP)
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Colorado improved to 30-47 on the year. Pittsburgh fell to 38-39.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Pittsburg, PA
South Side Street Fest opens to largely positive reviews
Pittsburgh’s South Side Street Fest is officially underway, aiming to create a safer and welcoming South Side.
The South Side has developed a reputation for chaotic weekends during the summer. That was not the case on Saturday night.
Most people who spoke with KDKA-TV offered largely glowing reviews of the event, adding that they feel safe, and that is the hope. Leaders hope that this event goes a long way to change the behavior and perception of the area.
The South Side Street Fest aims to fill East Carson Street on Friday and Saturday nights this summer from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. between 12th and 18th streets. Of note, the event is only for those ages 21 and up, and IDs will be regularly checked.
At the entrance, metal detectors were in use, like those at PNC Park or Acrisure Stadium. There were some lengthy lines to get into the festival, and like a sporting event, you can’t bring in guns, oversized bags, or outside alcohol.
Festivalgoers can, however, buy alcohol inside the permitted area, such as a bar, but they are not permitted to openly bring alcohol in the street. There are specific places on the street where you can buy alcohol and walk around with it.
Multiple vendors were also out for the late-night festivities.
“It’s been great. Very peaceful, very relaxing. Got a little bit of sugar, so sweet,” Beth Burton said.
“This is definitely a bigger turnout than I expected, but this is just great. Vibes are great out here,” Joey Fitzhenry said.
Justin McCord, however, was one of the few who said he wasn’t the biggest fan of the event layout.
“It’s chaos, but it’s controlled chaos. Like, there’s no fighting. But I don’t know. We are kind of barricaded in. It’s a little awkward, you know?” McCord said.
McCord added that the long lines and repeated need to show IDs were two things he took issue with. If those could be rectified, he said, he might return to a future edition of the festival.
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