The attempt to assassinate Donald Trump thrust both Butler County and the Pittsburgh region into the world spotlight. Outside of Butler, regional leaders largely did not weigh in on the potential effects of violence on the region’s trajectory.

The state says a Pittsburgh water treatment plan might mean Highland Park Reservoir trees must be cut down. City officials warn it could be “catastrophic.”

And the feds are infusing millions into Pennsylvania to accelerate America’s energy transition and reduce climate pollution. 

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Butler officials hope to maintain momentum despite Trump rally shooting, while regional voices largely mum

“If you think about other presidents that were shot at, and God bless they didn't all get killed, there's a bunch of them,” said Jack Cohen, CEO/President of Butler County Tourism. “A whole lot, and they don't talk about that anymore. When they get tired of talking about it, it will probably not get talked about. That's a shame. We should remember our history and learn from it.”

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WESA and PublicSource are collaborating on a project about how the public school system is being analyzed and restructured. This survey aims to gather community perspectives.

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• At the July Pittsburgh Record & CD Convention vinyl records were not a thing of the past. Instead, they were a way to spark conversations and community connections that simply streaming music just doesn’t promote.
• Butler is a city of modest means, but proud of its welcoming nature. Now the world knows it for an assassination attempt.
• Payroll at Pittsburgh Public Schools rose by $15 million in 2023, as labor contracts pushed pay up. A district-wide reduction in staffing may be coming, according to our annual data analysis of PPS salaries.

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