Point Park News Service

Afghan Refugee Plans Homecoming

August 5, 2019August 5, 2019

August 4, 2019 by Humayoon Babur In September 2015, after months of attacks, the Taliban took control of a strategic northern Afghan city of Kunduz. The collapse marked the first time since 2001 that the regime, previously ousted by a U.S.-led invasion, overran a major city. Fighting between Afghan Security Forces and the Taliban broke out in nearly every corner... Read More

Pittsburgh nonprofit Hello Neighbor welcomes immigrant families

July 18, 2019July 17, 2019 Hello Neighbor, refugees

By: Humayoon Babur Under a cloudless sky, dozens of immigrant families gathered at Carnegie Park in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, on June 22 to enjoy the outdoors and spend time together, looking like a big, connected family. Hello Neighbor is a nonprofit organization that provides mentorship and friendship to support refugee and immigrant families. To mark the end of World Refugee Week,... Read More

Afghan journalists persevere, despite ongoing dangers for media community

July 17, 2019July 19, 2019

By Humayoon Babur Early in the morning on July 1, Haroon Nasir, an Afghan TV reporter, called his editor and asked for the day’s plan. In response, he got “nothing,” so he hurried to prepare for the day, trying to avoid being trapped in Kabul’s heavy morning traffic and missing the morning news meeting, as he had the day before.... Read More

Pittsburgh’s Strip District showcases diversity of people–and markets

July 17, 2019July 17, 2019

The neighborhood of small shops and wholesale distributors is the place to go for ‘anything you want’ By: Humayoon Babur The Strip District of Pittsburgh, near Downtown on the banks of the Allegheny River, is quiet on Mondays, in contrast with the bustle of the weekends. The narrow streets are lined with small retailers, vendors and wholesalers. The neighborhood is... Read More

Pittsburghers celebrate, welcome refugees from around the world

June 24, 2019June 25, 2019 Afghanistan, Pittsburgh, World Refugee Day

Story by Humayoon Babur Pittsburghers from different walks of life recently came together in Market Square to demonstrate love, raise public awareness and encourage refugees to overcome the life struggles they often face in the United States. The event included various faith groups, rights activists and government officials and took place on June 21 to celebrate World Refugee Day. “Because of... Read More

Helping the Voiceless

May 16, 2019May 16, 2019 cats, dogs, Humane Animal Rescue, Paws Across Pittsburgh, Sarah Yobbi, South Hills Pet Rescue, Spring 2019

By Sarah Yobbi Jackie Armour began her work with Paws Across Pittsburgh to help dogs in need, but soon realized cats needed rescued too. When she was little, Tricia Cole used to sneak kittens home in her jacket to take care of them. Now she rescues many more at South Hills Pet Rescue. Working with animals since the early 90’s,... Read More

The Battle to Breathe in the Mon Valley

April 25, 2019

A myriad of environmental law violations continues to plague Western Pennsylvania By Jordan Slobodinsky Melanie Meade has been monitoring toxic emissions from U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke works for years, but she had no idea she was breathing high levels of cancer-causing toxins for two weeks beginning on Christmas Eve after a massive fire in the mill. After living in Clairton... Read More

Women in Sports: Dreams of Inclusion Are Coming True

April 25, 2019April 25, 2019 KDKA, Pittsburgh Passion, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers, Sarah bagay, Steel City Football CLub, Title IX

By Sarah Bagay Stephanie Harrison wanted to enhance women’s involvement in sports, especially soccer, when she founded Steel City Football Club, a women’s professional team. Christine Serkoch and Angela Tegnelia have become key players in the media and communications field for the Pirates and Steelers, respectively, and not only enjoy participating in key future decisions of the teams, but hope to pave... Read More

Lewy and My Dad: My Dad’s Diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia

April 25, 2019April 25, 2019 Alzheimer’s Association, Dementia, Katie Kelly, Lewy Body, Spring 2019

By Katie Kelly The first time that I noticed something was wrong with my dad was when he started forgetting the names of family members. My mother noticed it when my dad started mumbling things about missing deliveries and repeating odd things. My sister Kim first noticed something was off when our dad started bringing memories up from years ago.... Read More

Life is Getting Better for Part-Time Faculty After Contract

April 25, 2019April 25, 2019 Adjunct Professors, Nicole Fuschino, Point Park University, Robert Morris University, United Steel Workers Union

By Nicole Fuschino To make ends meet after his job was unionized, Richard Schiavoni works at a newspaper weekdays and as a photographer on weekends, in addition to teaching part-time in the history department at Point Park University, but feels like his unionized job makes him “happier and more productive.” Carol Lorenz still drives back and forth between Point Park... Read More