Pittsburgh Union Progress

Publications assess themselves by all kinds of metrics — number of page views, time readers spent on pages, advertising revenue, social media followers. Here at the Pittsburgh Union Progress, we’ve counted, and counted on, heart beats. Launched as the first strike “newspaper” of the digital age by publishing its first stories two days after the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh went on strike on Oct.

More traffic disruptions begin on Monday related to the project to replace the Commercial Street Bridge on the Parkway East. Beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, Commercial Street/Forward Avenue and the Nine Mile Run Trail in Frick Park underneath the bridge will close for nearly 10 weeks. The closure will allow crews for Fay S&B USA to build arches for the new bridge.

With the funding crisis at Pittsburgh Regional Transit put on hold for at least the next two years, the agency is ready to move ahead early next year with the next step of its bus line redesign. But the advocacy group Pittsburgers for Public Transit prefers the agency make small fixes with its existing routes rather than reviewing and making changes across the system.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania pledges in its mission to do whatever it takes to help all young people reach their full potential and grow into caring, responsible and empowered citizens. That goal, geared especially to those who need that help the most, has driven programming in its 11 locations that include five stand-alone clubhouses, three school-based clubhouses, four teen centers and its Teen Outreach Program. That last program has been in place since then-U.S. Sen.

The Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership will celebrate its 20th anniversary in turbulent times. But its leaders know this environment also provides an opportunity for the organizations it convenes to be together, learn about new tools that can amplify their work and support each other. Its “AI, Advocacy and Action: Shaping the Future of Policy and Social Impact” summit Dec.

It was Light Up Night Saturday in Downtown Pittsburgh. Just across the river, Peters Township used a lights-out second half to stun Pine-Richland. Peters Township pulled the plug on Pine-Richland’s season, rallying from 19 points down at the half to beat the defending champion Rams, 20-19, in the WPIAL Class 5A championship at Acrisure Stadium.

It was billed as a can’t-miss clash of titans between two high-powered machines — but in the end, it turned out to be just another one-sided coronation for the reigning champs. With No. 2 Imani Christian carrying the highest-scoring offense in the area into Saturday’s WPIAL Class 3A championship game at Acrisure Stadium, few could have envisioned the Saints getting shut out through three-plus quarters by No. 1 Avonworth.

For the second straight week, Indiana University of Pennsylvania took a lead into the second half of a postseason game Saturday afternoon. And for the second time in seven days, the Crimson Hawks were left wondering what might have been by the time the fourth quarter ended.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. And for Seton LaSalle on Saturday, “Wildcat Will” found a way to help the Rebels use an impressive second-half rally to win its first WPIAL title in 21 years. Will Martin ran for three touchdowns, including the winner with 30 seconds left, to lead No. 1 Seton LaSalle to a dramatic 21-14 win against No. 3 Steel Valley in the WPIAL Class 2A championship at Acrisure Stadium.

The oldest adage in the book says that defense wins championships. The 2025 Clairton Bears are living proof. Coming into Saturday morning’s WPIAL Class 1A championship clash at Acrisure Stadium, No. 2 Clairton had posted nine shutouts in its previous 11 games while allowing an average of just 5.7 points per game overall.