Opinion Archives - Pittsburgh Quarterly

All Aboard! The Burgh Train’s on the Move Read More »

After all the success of the NFL Draft, many Pittsburghers wanted to keep the momentum going. And it is. For the past year, Pittsburgh Tomorrow has sought to coalesce a dozen disparate economic development groups, each with its own conference and small pitch competition, into one big conference with the mass and gravity to attract …

Culture Opinion

What Does America Mean to Me? Pt. III

What Does America Mean to Me? Pt. III Read More »

On the eve of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, we asked a group of leading Pittsburghers to consider and answer that question. We thank them for giving their thoughts on this important occasion. Previously in this series: What Does America Mean to Me? Pt. II MARY FINGER, PRESIDENT, SETON HILL …

Creative Capital Money Opinion

What’s Ahead in the Second Half for Markets? Pt. III

What’s Ahead in the Second Half for Markets? Pt. III Read More »

Editor’s note: We asked a group of leading Pittsburgh-area wealth managers to give their answers to this question: “So far, 2026 has been treacherous for investors. What do you expect for the second half and where do you see opportunity?” Previously in this series: What’s Ahead in the Second Half for Markets? Pt. II MATTHEW …

What’s Ahead in the Second Half for Markets? Read More »

Editor’s note: We asked a group of leading Pittsburgh-area wealth managers to give their answers to this question: “So far, 2026 has been treacherous for investors. What do you expect for the second half and where do you see opportunity?” DAMIAN MCINTYRE, FEDERATED HERMES Investor outlook in 2026 has been shaken repeatedly by conflicts and …

American Spirit Opinion

What Does America Mean to Me?

What Does America Mean to Me? Read More »

On the eve of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, we asked a group of leading Pittsburghers to consider and answer that question. We thank them for giving their thoughts on this important occasion. MARK WIEDMAN, PRESIDENT, PNC America represents the promise that where you start doesn’t have to define where …

Opinion Travel

A Crowning Achievement

by Betsy Deiseroth

It’s hard to escape Pittsburgh. Everywhere I go it’s always there, in one way or another. The Statue of Liberty is no exception. At the behest of my 7-year-old grandson, Henry, we booked a visit to climb to her crown. Since the bookings must be made six months in advance, due to her popularity, and …

A Crowning Achievement Read More »

The State of Pittsburgh

The State of Pittsburgh Read More »

In the Summer of 2023 issue, I wrote a column entitled “Wake Up! It’s Time to Save Downtown Pittsburgh.” At the time, people were justifiably hesitant to come Downtown. Now, three years later, as anyone who attended the NFL Draft will attest, Downtown’s transformation is sensational. The Draft brought excitement and vitality to our city …

History Opinion

Look at Your Fish: David McCullough’s History Matters

by Richard “Pete” Peterson

Historian and biographer David McCullough, winner of two Pulitzer Prizes, two National Book Awards, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, said that his strength as a writer was his love of storytelling. Over his brilliant career, he wrote about remarkable events — the building of the Brooklyn Bridge and Panama Canal — and remarkable people …

Look at Your Fish: David McCullough’s History Matters Read More »

A Pittsburgh Legacy Read More »

A Pittsburgh Legacy

by Samuel Hazo

Pittsburgh is known for many things, but some of its most significant legacies are largely unknown or underplayed. Among the most famous are as the steel capital of the U.S., with the city’s contribution to the allied victory in World War II best described by Winston Churchill as the war that was won by steel. …

Opinion Profiles

50 Leaders Give Their Rx for Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor, Pt. VII

50 Leaders Give Their Rx for Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor, Pt. VII Read More »

Editor’s Note: We asked Pittsburgh leaders to give their prescriptions for Mayor Corey O’Connor on how to build a bright future for Pittsburgh. Their answers follow. Previously in this series: 50 Leaders Give Their Rx for Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor, Pt. VI Alex Dick, Co-Founder, Dick Building Company Divisiveness dominates national politics while capital and talent …

Don’t Save the Old PG, Create a Modern New One Read More »

Don’t Save the Old PG, Create a Modern New One

by Bill Steigerwald

The new owners of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette are now said to be in the process of figuring out which 50 of the 100 or so current journalists of the old PG to hire and how to run and finance a deliberately nonprofitable newspaper in the Digital Age. The last-minute rescue of the PG by the Venetoulis …

Mayor O’Connor, Let’s Travel to Japan and Show Our Appreciation Read More »

Mayor O’Connor, Let’s Travel to Japan and Show Our Appreciation

by Dennis Unkovic

Mark Twain’s famous quote, “history doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes,” can easily apply to our region today. Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania are in the midst of a renewed period of self-evaluation. While there are some who perceive our future with pessimism, I tend to believe the opposite. Our region is now uniquely positioned …

No News is Bad News

No News is Bad News Read More »

Within a day of the Jan. 7 news that the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will close on May 3, I began receiving emails suggesting I create a group to save the paper or start a replacement. Why? Because I worked at The Pittsburgh Press and Post-Gazette for 20 years as an investigative reporter and business editor, and …

20 Years of Pittsburgh Quarterly

20 Years of Pittsburgh Quarterly Read More »

In 2005, I left my job as business editor at the Post-Gazette to start this magazine. After 20 years at the Pittsburgh Press and PG, I could see the newspaper industry’s future. It was time for a change. I considered moving to another city — a growing city — and visited several. I thought of …

Opinion Pittsburgh Tomorrow

Pittsburgh Tomorrow

Pittsburgh Tomorrow Read More »

With Pittsburgh Tomorrow turning two years old, a citizen might ask: What is it and what is it doing? I publish this magazine, and I also started Pittsburgh Tomorrow, working with a great team to improve this region’s future. Pittsburgh Tomorrow is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) non-profit funded by Pittsburgh citizens — wealthy people and working …

Education Opinion

AI and the Academy

AI and the Academy Read More »

Editor’s note: We asked our region’s college presidents to answer one of the following questions: How is AI affecting your educational approach, and what unusual challenges and opportunities does it present? How much and in what ways are restrictions on international students affecting your institution, and what are you doing to adapt to these changes? …

Opinion Pittsburgh Tomorrow

A Turning Point

A Turning Point Read More »

It’s rare to be able to witness first-hand the alchemy of change that launches a city onto a new trajectory. Yet in Pittsburgh that change — a series of man-made lightning strikes — is underway. Since May 20, not even three months from this writing, events have turned in favor of those working to create a …

True Courage

by Elizabeth Wiethorn

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, “I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.”” –Eleanor Roosevelt I have lived through my own private horror. I have looked fear …

True Courage Read More »

An Opportunity for Each of Us