Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburgh energy and AI summit draws critiques, hopes for new investment

Published

9 months ago

July 15, 2025

Pittsburgh energy and AI summit draws critiques, hopes for new investment

An artificial intelligence summit convened in Pittsburgh on Tuesday by Republican Sen. David McCormick is drawing praise from local business leaders, but outcry from community and labor groups.

The Energy and Innovation Summit at Carnegie Mellon University promises to gather the world’s top leaders in energy and AI along with global investors, labor and trades leaders, and government officials. McCormick said the event will showcase Pennsylvania’s potential to power the AI revolution.

Local business leaders agreed.

“As a company rooted in Pennsylvania and driven by innovation, we believe the region is uniquely positioned to lead. The Summit represents a meaningful step forward in aligning our country’s energy strength with the transformative potential of AI,” said EQT spokesperson Amy Rogers. The natural gas company will attend the event.

But on the outskirts of campus Monday morning, Democratic U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, whose 12th congressional district includes Pittsburgh, spoke out about President Donald Trump’s planned attendance at the summit.

Surrounded by representatives from SEIU Local 32BJ and immigrant rights group Casa San Jose, Lee criticized McCormick and Trump for holding a gathering of the rich and powerful in Pittsburgh, after passing a massive spending and tax bill that cuts programs people in Western Pennsylvania rely on.

“There are new people every day who are harmed by their tactics, by their policies, and it is incumbent on us to let them know who did this to them,” Lee said.

Hundreds of CMU students and alumni signed onto a petition asking the university to stop the event.

“By hosting this summit, at which major fossil fuel, oil, and AI executives, along with Donald Trump himself, will be present, CMU cannot claim to defend sustainability, freedom of speech, or democracy in good faith,” the petition said.

In a Monday message to the CMU community, President Farnam Jahanian said he recognizes the decision to host the summit has prompted concern.

“Let me be clear: as I have shared in the past, when we have significant policy disagreements with this Administration — regarding cuts to research funding and support for international students, for example — we have defended our position and vigorously advocated for higher education,” Jahanian said.

“Universities must remain places where divergent perspectives can be expressed freely and peacefully,” Jahanian added.

A CMU spokesperson reiterated that message Monday, saying the summit will include “an exposition where CMU experts and faculty, as well as other academic institutions, will have the opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders and policymakers.”

Momentum for Pittsburgh

Energy groups and members of the business community are welcoming the event.

Dave Mawhinney, the founding executive director of CMU’s Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship and an entrepreneur himself, said the event is symbolic for Pittsburgh.

”It’s taking advantage of the great strengths that we have here, but I think that it will actually start to create momentum and attention for this region,” Mawhinney said.

Mawhinney said the combination of educational resources at Pittsburgh universities and energy resources — including natural gas and Pennsylvania’s nuclear fleet that can be used to power tech ventures in data centers — can attract outside investment.

“ I think it’s creating — what we say in the venture capital world and startup world — a flywheel: That success breeds more success and that the more success you have, the bigger and faster you become,” he said.

Stefani Pashman, CEO of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, said the summit is very positive for Pittsburgh, which she said has a desire for growth.

“There’s an appetite for welcoming new companies and investments and I think that there’s the know-how to put together partnerships and relationships,” she said.

Marcellus Shale Coalition president Jim Welty said Pennsylvania natural gas can power AI infrastructure, creating a “win-win” for the economy, tradespeople, and national security.

But some in the CMU community warn that AI functions use more energy than other computing tasks. Advocates are concerned more data centers connected to the electric grid could cause a number of problems, including higher electric bills for residential customers. And if the energy for AI is drawn from fossil-fuel powered sources, it could drive up carbon emissions, which are already having an impact on the planet.

“There’s gonna be more booms in fracking,” said Carrie McDonough, an assistant chemistry professor at CMU researching pollutants.

At a press conference hosted by CMU College Democrats Monday, McDonough said techniques used to extract fossil fuels will worsen hazardous air and water pollutants in a region that has struggled to maintain clean air.

Other speakers said the White House has also sought to drastically scale back federal research grants, which many CMU professors rely on. Jess Vinskus, vice president of the Graduate Student Assembly at CMU and leader in its Academic Workers Union, said that hosting the summit “is showing CMU where their priorities are. And it doesn’t feel like it’s with us.”

McDonough said none of CMU’s environmental experts were invited, though the school said Monday that faculty from the school and others would have a chance to engage with summit participants.

“ I’m concerned that this is part of kind of a larger indication that CMU here is willing to contradict its own values for a national spotlight,” she said.

Not invited to attend were Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato and the county’s economic development department. A spokesperson declined further comment.

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Pittsburg, PA

Written off in Pittsburgh: 5 former Steelers looking for redemption in UFL

Published

2 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Written off in Pittsburgh: 5 former Steelers looking for redemption in UFL

Spring football may not carry the same weight as the NFL, but it still offers an opportunity for everyone involved. Fans can satisfy the urge to watch the game they love, while players in the United Football League work to earn another shot at the NFL. No one should expect top-tier play from these teams, but the UFL can still deliver compelling storylines.

Several recognizable names will take the field this spring, including personnel with ties to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

One reason or another, things didn’t work out between the Steelers and these members of the UFL, and that’s why they are attempting a comeback. Pittsburgh either cut them or let them go, and few have heard much from these former members of the Steelers since. The United Football League will see them be thrust back into the spotlight in hopes of landing a shot in an NFL training camp.

Fans will witness several Ex-Pittsburgh Steelers making a comeback in the UFL

Benny Snell Jr., RB, Louisville Kings

The name Benny Snell Jr. has disappeared from football conversations in Pittsburgh since he left the team in 2022. A fourth‑round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Snell never fully found his footing with the Steelers. He was known as a tough, physical runner who could contribute on special teams, but his role in the NFL rarely extended beyond that.

Snell struggled to make a lasting impact in Pittsburgh, and the UFL now offers him a chance to rebuild his reputation and revive his professional prospects.

Todd Haley, OC, Columbus Aviators

It has been nearly a decade since Todd Haley left the Steelers after his stint as offensive coordinator. His last NFL role came in 2018 with the Browns, and since then, his coaching career has taken a winding path that has included high school football and spring league opportunities. Haley’s role with the Aviators could provide him with a chance to re-enter the NFL coaching conversation.

Anthony McFarland Jr., RB, Birmingham Stallions

Many had high expectations for Anthony McFarland Jr. when the Steelers selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. His speed stood out immediately, but he struggled to develop into a complete running back. McFarland now enters his second season in the UFL after a solid stretch of production in 2025. He will need to take the next step and show more consistency this spring.

Tre Norwood, S, Birmingham Stallions

Another United Football League veteran with ties to Pittsburgh is Tre Norwood.

A seventh-round pick by the Steelers in the 2021 NFL Draft, Norwood used his positional flexibility to carve out a role early in his career. He now enters his second season with the Stallions after posting modest production last year. If the versatile defensive back hopes to earn another opportunity in the NFL, he will need to make a stronger impact in 2026, particularly by creating turnovers.

Roc Taylor, WR, Columbus Aviators

Fans were hopeful for Roc Taylor after he signed with the Steelers last year as an undrafted free agent. The wide receiver group on the roster lacked depth at the time, but Taylor was unable to make it through training camp. Despite that setback, his talent remains evident, and the UFL may represent his best path forward. Taylor has a valuable opportunity in front of him to take advantage of.

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Pittsburg, PA

Get PFL Pittsburgh results for the Eblen vs. Battle event Saturday night.

Published

14 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Get PFL Pittsburgh results for the Eblen vs. Battle event Saturday night.

MMA Fighting has PFL Pittsburgh results for the Eblen vs. Battle fight card and more from UPMC Events Center in Pittsburgh on Saturday night.

In the main event, former Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen tries to earn another title shot with a win over Bryan Battle, who makes his PFL debut. Eblen (16-1) suffered his first career loss against Costello van Steenis in a PFL title bout in his most recent outing.

Dalton Rosta and Impa Kasanganay clash in a middleweight contest in the co-main event.

Check out PFL Pittsburgh results below.

Main Card (ESPN2 at 10 p.m. ET)

Johnny Eblen vs. Bryan Battle

Dalton Rosta vs. Impa Kasanganay

Ariane Lipski da Silva vs. Sumiko Inaba

Alexei Pergande vs. Julio Arce

Lazaro Dayron vs. Jacob Thrall

Prelims (ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET)

Allan Begosso vs. Jack Cartwright

Natan Schulte vs. Jakub Kaszuba

Robert Watley vs. Dakota Bush

Ernesto Rodriguez vs. Masayuki Kikuiri

Tatiana Postarnakova vs. Elora Dana

Josh Fremd vs. Jarrah Al Salawi

Ethan Goss vs. Fred Dupras

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Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburgh has rainiest March in nearly 60 years as flooding causes issues across area

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Pittsburgh has rainiest March in nearly 60 years as flooding causes issues across area

Several areas across western Pennsylvania were hit by flooding as overnight rainfall pushed Pittsburgh past a nearly 60-year-old record.

Pittsburgh has recorded 6.18 inches of rain in March, breaking the record of 6.10 inches, which was set in 1967. The rain caused issues in several communities on Friday, including some in Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Major road flooded in Washington County

Communities across Washington County spent Friday cleaning up after flooding from Thursday night’s storms.

Roads were closed, and ballfields were wrecked because of the rain. Ponds that aren’t supposed to be there could be found all over the county.

“As long as it rains and the creek is flooded, then the road is flooded,” Ruth Mahoney, the owner of The Glass Place in Cecil Township, said.

Georgetown Road in Cecil Township turned into a lake at the bottom of a hill and underpass. Dispatchers said the driver of a car stuck in the water didn’t have to be rescued or taken to the hospital. The flooding ties up the area as the road connects Interstate 79 to Route 19.

“It’s a main artery,” Mahoney said. “Tons of cars come down here every day.”

North Strabane Township saw more of the same. The Lindenwood Golf Club had some new water hazards on the course on Friday. As the water receded into the Linden Creek, a mess was left behind.

It was the same story in Houston.

“When I looked out the window, I was like, ‘woah.’ It’s just rising fast,” said Rogelio Esteris. “My daughter was here playing baseball yesterday because she’s on the softball team and now the field is ruined.”

South Strabane Township had a landslide on Locust Road as well. Mother Nature didn’t take it easy on Washington County. Mahoney said it’s affecting her business.

“When people call, they want to know how to get here,” she said. “You have to tell them, you can’t come because it’s closed today or there’s a backroad, but they don’t understand how to come on the backroad.”

Mahoney said the water should take about a day to recede. Officers told KDKA the car would have to wait to be towed until the water goes down.

Loyalhanna Creek rises, flooding yards

As dawn broke on Friday morning and the rain from the previous night began to cease, some residents of Westmoreland County who live close to the Loyalhanna Creek saw flooding around their homes and along their local roads.

Paul Faust, who lives in the Darlington area of Ligonier Township, has a small tributary to the Loyalhanna Creek in his backyard, but on Friday, that run was acting less like a stream and more like a moat.

“I was up probably about 5 a.m., and it was high,” Faust said. “But it wasn’t over the bank like this and then the next following two hours it started going up. But that is always how it is after it rains.”

Faust says that he and his wife have a system for when their area floods, including tying down outdoor furniture and moving their cars to the top of their driveway.

Many people that KDKA spoke with in Ligonier Township on Friday who live in low-lying areas said they are used to this type of thing and while this flash flood was unexpected, it was not out of the ordinary.

Some water had already begun to recede by Friday afternoon, but Ligonier Valley Police Chief Michael Matrunics still wanted to urge caution, especially for people driving on side roads that may still be flooded around the township.

“It might not look it, but it could be deeper than you expect,” Matrunics said. “And keep in mind, if you go past signs that are posted here, you could be cited for that. Also, if emergency services have to come out and rescue you or tow companies, you’re responsible for the cost. And your safety. Let’s put that at number one. So don’t drive through standing water on these bad weather dates.”

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