Point Park News Service – School of Communication

Night of Fights brings boxing to unconventional venue

May 25, 2017 boxing, Carnegie Music Hall, Night of Fights

By Tyler Polk, Point Park News Service: When the bell rang and the first fight – Oleg Dovhun vs. Adam Young – began, boxing trainer Michael McSorley took a look out into the audience at the Carnegie Music Hall in Homestead and breathed a sigh of relief. “It took so much time and effort to get the thing going,” McSorley... Read More

Historic review riles up Northside residents

May 17, 2017May 24, 2017 historic review commission, Northside, Pittsburgh, redevelopment

By: Neil Strebig, Point Park News Service: A disconnect in communication with the Historical Review Commission leaves a number of residents unsatisfied The crimson-red brick façade of the Allegheny Inn ignites the corner of North and Cedar Avenues, immediately separating itself from neighboring buildings. The Inn is a remnant from the 1880s and after $1.5 million in renovations later, the... Read More

Gambling on Pennsylvania’s future

May 17, 2017 budget, casino, gambling, lawmakers, Pennsylvania

By Iain Oldman, Point Park News Service: Ahead of another looming budget showdown between Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and the state’s Republican-majority General Assembly, a familiar issue to bail the state out of its budgetary woes has been submitted for the legislature to take up – expanded legalized gambling. But even as Wolf and some lawmakers in Harrisburg look to... Read More

A Perfect Storm for an apocalypse

May 9, 2017 apocalypse, Literary Arts Symposium, Pittsburgh, Point Park University

By Matt Bauman, Point Park News Service: In the spirit of thinking about the apocalypse for this symposium, naturally I turned to the news. It does seem like the end of days is a current event, doesn’t it? We have problem after problem surface in front of our own eyes, only to forget it once its successor, a problem equally... Read More

Market Square brewer takes kombucha to mainstream

May 9, 2017May 9, 2017 fermented tea, Naomi Auth, Pittsburgh, Red Star Kombucha

Symbiotic cultures of yeast and bacteria (SCOBY) ferment to make a unique tasting brew that customers can enjoy throughout the day and get a probiotic kick By: Julia Chernushin, Point Park News Service: It was standing room only, as Naomi Auth swapped the tapped keg of spicy turmeric kombucha to fill another growler. There are only four seats in the... Read More

Pittsburgh veteran dedicated his life for his country

May 9, 2017 Pittsburgh, Troy Potter, U.S. Army, veteran

By Christopher Ward, Point Park News Service: Pittsburgh native Troy Potter was in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Knox when the September 11, 2001, attacks happened. “I saw alpha on my door and that means threat level nuclear war,” Potter said. “That’s the highest threat that you can get, so I knew something serious was going on.” Potter said... Read More

Coach lucky to survive blood clots

May 9, 2017 blood clots, Chris Gathagan, featured, Squirrel Hill

By Alex Young, Point Park News Service: Chris Gathagan, 59, of Akron, Ohio, sat at a circular lunch table surrounded by a group of seven sixth-through-eighth grade students who he advises. It was the day before the St. Edmund’s Academy students began their spring break, and the day of the annual faculty-staff versus student basketball game. Gathagan, who most of... Read More

“Cancer ruined my life, and it will never be the same”

May 9, 2017May 9, 2017 breast cancer, feature, Laura Higgins, Pittsburgh

By Jordan Slobinsky, Point Park News Service: Laura Higgins’ summer was almost over, and she was preparing for the upcoming school year. After teaching for more than thirty years, she knew how to get ready for school but she wasn’t ready for what her doctors were going to tell her. In the summer of 2013, Higgins entered Divine Providence Hospital... Read More

Mother advocates for cannabis oils to help daughter

May 8, 2017 featured, Health, Heather Shuker, seizures

By Cody Siwicki, Point Park News Service: Not a day goes by for Heather Shuker that she doesn’t drive past a cemetery and think to herself, “should I make funeral arrangements today, ahead of time?” She sometimes goes out to dinner alone, quietly listening to the conversations around her, often surprised at the topic of discussion at the table. Maybe... Read More

Wheelchair-bound man overcomes odds

May 8, 2017 cancer, Cheswick, featured, landscape, Paul Grieser

By Francesca Dabecco, Point Park News Service: One summer, a neighbor approached Paul Grieser in his yard and said, “You know, you’re making me look bad.” “What are you talking about?” he responded. “You’re out here doing yard work, and your place always looks so nice,” his neighbor said. “My wife is down there kicking my butt, asking me, ‘Why aren’t... Read More