Monday, Jan. 5: Crime Update + Pa. Special + Civil Rights
Monday, Jan. 5
Your local news briefing
5 Headlines You Should Know Today
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Allegheny County homicides fall 33% as shootings drop.
Allegheny County saw a sharp drop in violent crime in 2025, with homicides falling by 33% from the previous year. Officials recorded 70 homicides, down from 106 in 2024, alongside a similar decline in non-fatal shootings. County leaders attribute the drop to expanded social services targeting at-risk youth and the deployment of “violence interrupters” to de-escalate conflicts. Law enforcement also played a role, seizing 127 illegal guns—up 22% from last year—and maintaining a 75% homicide clearance rate. Authorities hope these combined efforts will sustain the trend into 2026.
Democrats pick Jennifer Mazzocco for pivotal Pa. House special.
Local Democrats have selected Dormont Council President Jennifer Mazzocco as their nominee in next month’s special election to fill the Pennsylvania House seat vacated by Rep. Dan Miller. Mazzocco defeated fellow Democrat Alliyson Feldmann with strong backing from Mt. Lebanon, a key Democratic stronghold in the 42nd District. She’ll face Republican Joseph Leckenby, a recent Duquesne law graduate who lost to Miller last year. The Feb. 24 election is critical, as Democrats hold just a one-seat majority in the House. The district includes Dormont, Mt. Lebanon, and parts of Upper St. Clair.
Civil rights groups demand answers in Wilmerding teen arrest.
Four local civil rights organizations are demanding answers after a video surfaced showing a Black teenager’s arrest in Wilmerding, reportedly involving more than a dozen officers and a police dog. The NAACP Pittsburgh Branch, Alliance for Police Accountability, 1 Hood Media, and the Black Political Empowerment Project questioned the force used and called for transparency from the Pitcairn Police Department. Officers from several neighboring departments also responded to the December incident. The groups are requesting detailed explanations and accountability.
Rooftop solar slows after federal 30% credit ends Dec. 31.
Pennsylvania’s rooftop solar market is reeling after the abrupt end of a federal tax credit that covered 30% of installation costs. The credit, which expired December 31 under legislation signed by President Trump, had driven rapid growth since 2022. Installers scrambled through year-end to meet the deadline, with demand spiking and supply chains buckling. Allegheny County, a leader in residential installations, now faces job losses and business closures. Industry leaders hope new leasing models, group-buy programs, and rising energy prices will sustain momentum despite the policy shift.
Carnegie swears in 23-year-old Sam Bigham as mayor.
Sam Bigham will be sworn in today as Carnegie’s next mayor, just days before his 24th birthday. The lifelong politics enthusiast and Carlynton High graduate is the youngest mayor in borough history, bringing a resume that includes government internships, community leadership, and current work as executive director of the Carnegie Community Development Corporation. A Democrat, Bigham won both the primary and general elections unopposed. His goals include boosting local businesses, expanding events like the Carnegie Crawl, and securing grant funding for improvements. He is also pursuing a master’s at Carnegie Mellon.
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