POPULARITY
5pm: Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard and health pick Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spar with senators, while FBI pick Kash Patel stays on track // Employee injured when toilet explodes at City-County Building in Pittsburgh // UK woman charged with malicious farting // Letters
A toilet exploded in the City-County Building — and it might be a warning sign about other city-owned property. The Republican race for mayor is heating up for the first time in decades and we're giving you the need-to-knows from an 11-hour planning meeting that will shape how Pittsburghers buy and rent their spaces. Plus, Mayor Ed Gainey joins us to explain exactly who's been holding up progress on getting taxes from the city's biggest nonprofits. Notes and references from today's show: Moreno launches another Republican bid for mayor of Pittsburgh [WESA] Pittsburgh businessman Thomas West announces run for mayor on GOP ticket [TribLive] Can Inclusionary Zoning Fix Pittsburgh's Housing Crisis? [City Cast Pittsburgh] How Lawrenceville's Solving Its Affordability Problem [City Cast Pittsburgh] Inclusionary zoning plan prevails before commission after 11-hour meeting [PublicSource] Employee hurt by exploding toilet at city hall [WPXI] Life for Punxsutawney Phil is No Piece of Cake! PETA Offers ‘Weather Reveal' Dessert to Replace Exploited Groundhog [PETA] We're doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We'd be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it's only 7 minutes long. You'll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag. Learn more about the sponsors of this January 31st episode: The Frick Pittsburgh Museums and Gardens Pittsburgh Opera Pitt Athletics Pittsburgh Marathon - Use code CITYCAST15 for 15% off any event Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We're also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A toilet reportedly explodes at City-County Building full 158 Mon, 27 Jan 2025 18:26:07 +0000 WXWQlJYPVV6LTfuzA1QUg5rPBLBBhNJj news,a-newscasts,top picks Marty Griffin news,a-newscasts,top picks A toilet reportedly explodes at City-County Building On-demand selections from Marty's show on Newsradio 1020 KDKA , airing weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News News News News news News News News News News False https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?feed-link=h
There are tons of holiday traditions in Downtown Pittsburgh, including a special ceremony to mark the start of Hanukkah. Each year, the mayor and community leaders light a 12-foot menorah in front of the City-County Building. But its place on government property wasn't always celebrated. In 1986, a group of Pittsburghers brought a lawsuit against our local governments to remove both the menorah and the creche, which in those days sat outside the County Courthouse. We're talking with one of the plaintiffs, attorney Jon Pushinsky, about his legal argument and what it felt like to take this case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. **This episode originally published December 6, 2023. Please support us! By focusing on the stories and issues shaping our neighborhoods, City Cast Pittsburgh bridges gaps and connects the dots in Pittsburgh. Become a member to support local journalism that connects. Learn more about the sponsors of this December 11th episode: Jones Dairy Farm Pennsylvania Center for Women & Politics at Chatham University Live Nation Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We're on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Here's your local news for Wednesday, August 14, 2024:We hear the mayor's pitch for a property tax referendum,Check in with the Coalition to March on the DNC,Interview Ho-Chunk Nation President Jon Greendeer,Hear about life as a solar panel installer,Broadcast the most in-depth weather report on the airwaves,Travel back in time to 1969,And much more.
It's the Friday news roundup! If you have a medical cannabis card, you could become part of a protected class here in Pittsburgh. Our state has a new license plate but not everybody loves it. And a local pizza place made it on a New York Times “best of” list, but not in the way you might think. It's a week of weird news! We always cite our sources: Mineo's made it onto a New York Times “best of” list. Pittsburgh City Council is considering a bill that would make medical marijuana patients a protected class. The state's medical marijuana law has a lot of gray area when it comes to employment protection. Pennsylvania has a new license plate and a lot of Pittsburghers think it's too Philly-centric when there are plenty of state symbols that could've been included instead. If you love the new design, you can sign up to receive the plate when it debuts next year (and if you're getting a vanity plate, just make sure it's not too raunchy). There's also the hellbender plate! City Council approved a fund to support festivals that were hurt by the pandemic, but it's not clear where the money will come from. Council is also considering renaming the City-County Building's pressroom in honor of former reporter and communications director Tim McNulty, who died last weekend of cancer. Celebrate the Steelers' 91st birthday or take a tour. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 12th episode: Babbel Bike PGH Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We're also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Once there was a majestic courthouse in Marion County designed in the Second Empire style with a clock tower, spire, cupolas and statues of Greek goddesses. Once, where Butler University's campus is located today, there was a spacious park, with a boathouse for canal rides, an outdoor band shell for concerts, a roller coaster and diving horses. And once there was a long covered bridge that extended across the White River, enabling travelers on Washington Street in Indianapolis to make it across the waterway without getting wet. These and other bygone landmarks will be the focus of our show with the author of a new book, Vanished Indianapolis, that describes the distinctive sites and explains why they went away. The author who will be Nelson's guest is Ed Fujawa, the creator of a popular blog about city history, class900indy.com. Although Ed is an Indianapolis attorney, he never tried a case in the Marion County Courthouse, which was demolished in the early 1960s. (Today, the site is a plaza just south of the City-County Building, which replaced the courthouse as the home of local courtrooms and various city offices.) Constructed in the 1870s, the courthouse drew national attention because of its lavish architecture. In Vanished Indianapolis, Ed describes a daredevil in 1919 who climbed to the top of its central spire and was among the thrill seekers attracted by the building's design.
People are worried about downtown Pittsburgh, but Mayor Ed Gainey isn't convinced. We went to the City-County Building to talk about his wish list for more bridge projects, less gun violence, and bringing the NFL Draft to Steelers country. Plus, stick around for our suggestions ahead of his very first e-scooter ride. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We're also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hanukkah starts tomorrow night, and if you head Downtown, the mayor and community leaders are lighting a 12-foot menorah at the City-County Building. But its place on government property wasn't always so celebrated. In 1986, a team of Pittsburghers brought a lawsuit against city and county governments to remove both it and the enormous creche, which in those days sat outside the County Courthouse. We're talking with one of the plaintiffs, attorney Jon Pushinsky, about his legal argument and what it felt like to take it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We're also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Early voting in Marion County will take place in the Clerk's Office at the City-County Building. And Momo the Monkey UPDATE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Juneteenth flag is flying over the City-County Building in Madison, the lineup is set for the Boys and Girls Club White Party and Dr. Alex Gee is a Luminary, as honored by the Wisconsin Alumni Association.
Momentos from the life and times of one of Pittsburgh's favoritenative sons is on display at the City County Building as part of BlackHistory Month. The August Wilson Archives is presented by theUniversity of Pittsburgh Library and is part of the City of PittsburghOffice of Special Events. Brandon D'Alimonte joined Rick Dayton onKDKA Radio to talk about the free display and how it can been seen.
Melissa from the City of Pittsburgh Office of Special Events joins the Y'D Awake Morning Show with all the details on a Pittsburgh Holiday FAVORITE - The Gingerbread House Competition!! It's back in person this year at the City County Building and Melissa tells us which gingerbread house is the most unique entry of the year, plus where you can vote for the People's Choice Award! Photo Credit: Matt Cardy / Stringer
Community Connection Monday April 11th 2022 Rules And Public Policy Committee Meeting Tomorrow, Tuesday April 11th at 5:30 p.m. in the Public Assembly Room on the second floor of the City-County Building. "You can provide the Council feedback on their mapping proposal by testifying or you can simply show up and be counted as a supporter of a fair process for fair maps." Get engaged in the redistricting process online at: https://www.yourvoice2022.com/ Executive Director Of Common Cause Indiana Julia Vaughn Joined Us Live To Explain The Newly Drawn City County Council Re-Districting Maps. To Answer Your Questions About Property Taxes We Had Marion County Treasurer Barbara Lawrence Live On Community Connection! Property Tax Bills Hitting Real And Virtual Mailboxes. For more information or to pay online, please go to https://www.indy.gov/agency/marion-county-treasurers-office and click on “Pay Your Property Taxes or View Current Tax Bill ”Property tax bills are due May 10th for the spring billing cycle and November 10th for the fall billing cycle.Voice Pay by Phone at 317-327-4829 A Fair Housing Exhibit Opens at Central Indianapolis Library! The Exhibit Is Titled, "Unwelcomed: A Fair Housing History of Sales & Lending Discrimination" April 11th-29th. The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI), in partnership with the Indianapolis Public Library, is hosting Unwelcomed: A Fair Housing History of Sales & Lending Discrimination, an interactive exhibit, from April 11-29, 2022 at the Indianapolis Central Library. About:The exhibit will educate participants on the systemic barriers that have impacted today’s neighborhoods through redlining, racial covenants, steering, neighborhood intimidation, and other forms of housing discrimination. Modern-day forms of housing discrimination in sales and lending will also be highlighted. Event Information: https://www.fhcci.org/events/unwelcomed-exhibit/ Phone Guest: Amy Nelson - Executive Director, Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Giant menorahs in front of government buildings and in public squares have become a staple of the Holiday season and Jewish cultural and religious life, but the pioneering public menorahs of the 80’s faced stiff legal battles. In 1986, Chabad-Lubavitch of Pittsburgh erected its annual menorah display in front of City-County Building. The American Civil Liberties Union sued, claiming the proximity of the candles to the public building violated the First Amendment separation of church and state. The case went to the Supreme Court, which ruled in 1989 that the Chanukah display did not constitute government endorsement of religion. That landmark decision set a precedent for the thousands of public menorahs which will be displayed across the country starting on December 12, the first night of Chanukah. On December 6, two attorneys in the case, Jon Pushinsky, who represented the ACLU, and Charles H. Saul, who represented Chabad, presented the legal arguments for and against the constitutionality of the display of a menorah on public property at a special event at Chabad of Pittsburgh which is part of an ongoing JLI lecture series entitled “Great Debates in Jewish History.”
The race for Mayor of Pittsburgh is heating up. Tony Moreno helped innovate policing while a detective with the City of Pittsburgh Police Department. However, he admits that he was not part of the inner circle. How will he fill the holes in the Pittsburgh Police Command Staff caused by recent resignations and retirements? Is nepotism a problem within the ranks? I once wrote an editorial based on criticisms of Mr. Moreno. Many felt I was endorsing him. They obviously were pushing their own agenda and never read my article. I would have written the same editorial had his competitor been slandered in the same manner. So, how does race play a role in this competition for the most powerful office on Grant Street? Regardless, in January 2022 either be the first African-American mayor or first Hispanic mayor will be sworn in on the steps of the City/County Building in Pittsburgh. The city is relatively affordable but what can be done to keep it home for Pittsburghers? Are crime rates kept high so people flee which opens areas for redevelopment? How will he ensure the south sections of the city are not forgotten? What is 90=1? It was a great conversation with a visionary man who loves this city and is determined to lead and listen should votes go his way in November. I hope you enjoy ‘Kevin Battle Goes One-on-One with: Tony Moreno.'
eots@email.com Elimination of the Snakes - Home | Facebook Life and political podcast. George Woods - Lazy Nights. (Theme song.) We've been doing this podcast for 15 years in May. Rudy Giuliani's podcast. (Yikes!!!) Dan's had his vaccine shots. (Piece a' cake.) President Biden... Has a nice ring to it. Fact or Crap: Two right for Dan, one for John. Lock 'em up! "Don" of a crime family. Madison man charged with attempted arson of City-County Building. Top aide to Trump says he won't start a 3rd political party. My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell has been banned from Twitter.
Photo source Content note: murder, police brutality With everything going on, I wanted to cover a murder-by-cop from 2015 that happened here in Madison. Tony Robinson was murdered by Madison PD Officer Matt Kenny - who murdered once before and is still on the force. I lose my voice a little towards the end of this episode because it's a long one (that and I used my slightly-deeper-from-testosterone voice). Please listen with an open mind and without judgment going in. There are resources below about racism, police brutality, and more. If you want to sign the petition to get Matt Kenny fired, you can do so here. Episode sources https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/13/tony-terrell-robinson-madison-wisconsin-police-shooting-how-it-happened https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/08/us/man-shot-dead-by-police-after-scuffle-in-wisconsin.html https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime/more-than-three-years-after-tony-robinson-shooting-wheels-of-police-reform-turn-slowly/article_c9da662d-cd05-58ba-aab6-9fda64cd6c04.html https://isthmus.com/opinion/opinion/another-tragic-police-shooting/ https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime-and-courts/madison-police-chief-mike-koval-announces-immediate-retirement/article_87d97d61-c030-579f-8175-550c6b86b515.html https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime-and-courts/madison-mayor-eyes-mental-health-ambulance-condemns-police-response-to/article_29286e59-c57c-5cc1-96a2-918bcad88578.html https://wkow.com/2020/06/07/madison-police-chief-responds-to-emails-about-8-cant-wait-campaign/ https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2017/02/23/family-tony-robinson-man-shot-madison-police-receive-335-million-lawyers-say/98292352/ https://isthmus.com/news/news/tony-robinson-attorneys-release-lawsuit-documents/ https://isthmus.com/news/news/for-tony-robinsons-mom-life-and-grief-endure/ https://isthmus.com/news/news/tony-robinsons-mother-is-moving-to-california/ https://isthmus.com/news/news/this-is-not-a-riot/ https://isthmus.com/news/news/wake-up-madison/ PS: right after I posted this, our mayor posted a thank you to police showing she lied through her teeth. Resources Required reading on anti-racism, white privilege, and being an ally: https://www.vox.com/2016/7/11/12136140/black-all-lives-matter https://www.driep.org/anti-racism-training https://theinfophile.substack.com/p/volume-1-resources-9-anti-racist https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Xa9Av-NfuFsWBHlsMvPiqJHdNedZgnCRW56qAS-7PGQ/mobilebasic?fbclid=IwAR2FbHsiBgfZildRNI6TFCzOmSge--F4Oqqg993T0EosX2F5lFz9cAL7BVw https://wearyourvoicemag.com/radicalizing-your-family-against-white-supremacy https://insidethekandidish.wordpress.com/2020/05/30/dear-white-people-this-is-what-we-want-you-to-do/ https://forge.medium.com/performative-allyship-is-deadly-c900645d9f1f https://www.facebook.com/allyhennypage/posts/1554771434673161 https://www.them.us/story/halsey-white-passing Reading more https://www.haymarketbooks.org/blogs/65-haymarket-books-on-the-struggle-for-black-liberation https://www.facebook.com/dane.edidi/posts/10101004480001033 https://www.facebook.com/kirbir/posts/10100704327214994 https://www.facebook.com/johannjacob.vanniekerk/posts/4047521888655072 On defunding and abolishing police - and their qualified immunity: https://www.autostraddle.com/how-to-never-call-the-cops-again-a-guide-with-a-few-alternatives-to-calling-police/ https://www.autostraddle.com/police-and-prison-abolition-101-a-syllabus-and-faq http://maltajusticeinitiative.org/12-major-corporations-benefiting-from-the-prison-industrial-complex-2/ https://www.8toabolition.com/ https://electricliterature.com/10-nonfiction-books-on-why-we-need-to-defund-the-police/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km4uCOAzrbM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf4cea5oObY How to support black folx: https://www.redbubble.com/people/ashleenychee44/shop https://www.consciousrootsllc.com/conscious-roots-radio https://www.autostraddle.com/support-black-community-with-your-money-a-living-index-of-local-mutual-aid-efforts/ https://www.facebook.com/kirbir/posts/10100702916462154 FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spookysconnie Rough transcript (will update when able): Today's case is one of the most upsetting cases of cops murdering black men in recent Wisconsin history. Williamson Street, on the east side of Madison, is affectionately known to its diverse residents as “Willy Street”. It is lined with an array of progressive shopfronts: vegan cafes, a co-operative grocery store and a social justice center. On March 6, 2015, 18-year-old Javier - one of Tony's two roommates - called the police. The other roommate was not home. Javier had just left home to go to a basketball game and Tony chased the car down the street. He was acting erratically and Javier made sure to tell them that he was unarmed and not violent, but did need assistance. Earlier in the day Robinson had been out with a small group and had eaten magic mushrooms, according to a friend who was present at the time. The friend, who had known Robinson for five years, said Robinson was inexperienced with hallucinogens and had consumed a large quantity. “He had no clue what he was in for. Realistically, he needed someone to sit him down and tell him that everything was OK,” the friend said. Robinson returned to Willy Street at around 5 pm after playing on the ice at Governor’s Island. Following Javier's departure, Tony allegedly went across the street and punched someone. At around 6.30pm, Madison police officer Matt Kenny forced entry into the house - at 1125 Willy St - after apparently hearing a “disturbance” inside the apartment and forced entry. No one else was present in the apartment at that time, raising questions about the nature of the disturbance heard before entry was forced. The Police said Robinson was acting violently, and had knocked Kenny to the ground. Kenny then shot Tony. Kenny is said to have suffered a concussion and a sprained knee from the assault. The dispatch audio indicates just 18 seconds elapsed in the time between his arrival and shots being heard. Police Chief Koval described the scuffle between the officer and the man as “mutual combat.” Marshall Erb, a 27-year-old insurance worker who lives in the apartment next door, rushed to the window after he heard the shots. He told the Guardian that “gurgling and choking” noises could be heard, but he couldn’t see from where. Olga Ennis, a 43-year-old neighbor from across the street, says she saw officer Kenny and another officer dragging the limp, bloody body of the biracial 19-year-old out on to the porch. "I watched them drag him out like a piece of garbage,” she said. Other said cops were standing around Tony, but not acting with any immediacy. Kenny claimed that he performed CPR on Robinson, and Robinson was taken to a hospital but later died. However, Ennis disputes that - “He was put on a gurney and he was lifeless,” she said. “He died at the house. He didn’t die at the hospital.” “He was in a place in his head that no one else in the world, in the universe could have understood but him,” said the friend, who still seemed traumatised by the events. “You have one person [Robinson] who was so fucking gone, and another man [Kenny] who was trained and capable of reason. And they killed him... He needed help and they just took him.” Tony's life “Terrell grew up with no structure,” Turin Carter, his 24-year-old uncle, told the Guardian, explaining that little things such as regular meal times “help mold the child’s identity and help him know right from wrong”. Tony lived in Stoughton from aged 5 to 9, a suburb to the south of Madison where racism is even more rampant than in Madison proper. In his early teens, Carter says, Robinson effectively became the man of the house. But the instability and the ordinary angst of adolescence were compounded by changing three different high schools before he graduated from Sun Prairie high school, in another largely white community outside of Madison. Racism is so rampant in Madison that nearly half of Madison’s black students don't graduate on time. Robinson finished early. After graduation, Tony ran into one legal issue after having participated in a nonviolent home invasion with four others. When he was murdered, he was on probation but also dedicated to turning things around. He had plans to attend a community college and, someday, move to New York. “I could not imagine somebody’s death impacting my life more profoundly,” Carter said. “There is something so beautiful about a black kid, especially in America, trying to make it against all odds and fucking up so bad, but then actively trying to better his situation and become a better person. He was so close. He was so close.” Tony's mother, Andrea Irwin, said “My son has never been a violent person, and to die in such a violent, violent way, it baffles me. Whatever you believe about my son, he was a human being and he was my son and... he was a brother and a nephew and a grandson," Officer Kenny's history This was not Officer Kenny's first murder. In 2007, Officer Matt Kenny had shot and killed Ronald Brandon, who was standing on the porch of his own home, holding what was later learned was a pellet gun. Kenny is still on the police force. Chief Koval described this murder as 'suicide by cop' as Ronald had called the police to report someone wielding a gun. He then was sat on his porch where he put his pellet gun up to his head, and then pointed it at police. That's when Kenny fired multiple shots and murdered Brandon. The Dane County district attorney ruled the shooting as justified, and the Madison Police Department awarded Officer Kenny its medal of valor. The aftermath The Black Lives Matter movement has protested Robinson's death.[11][12][13] Some 1,500 protesters, mostly high school students who had staged a walk-out, filled the state capitol on March 9 to protest Robinson's death, yelling the "Hands up, don't shoot" chant through the capital building. The Wisconsin Department of Justice investigated the Robinson shooting, as required by Wisconsin law.[15] Robinson's uncle said that the family had faith that the Division of Criminal Investigation will "handle [the investigation] with integrity". On May 12, 2015, Dane County District Attorney, Ismael Ozanne, announced that Officer Matt Kenny would not face charges for the shooting of Tony Robinson. The shooting was labeled a "lawful use of deadly police force." Chief Koval said it was “absolutely appropriate” for the protesters to express their feelings, but called for restraint. He consistently was antagonistic in press conferences, not really allowing for any concerns that the police locally had major issues with both racism and overuse of force. In fact, he seemed more worried about how this would reflect on officers at the time and on recruiting. Koval retired suddenly in October 2019, supposedly after pressure from Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. Rhodes-Conway has been a staunch advocate for speaking out against police brutality in the past. Quite frankly, I think his words - often combative and dismissive - speak for themselves: “To the ‘haters,’ thanks to you as well — for through your unrelenting, unforgiving, desire to make the police the brunt of all of your scorn — I drew strength from your pervasive and persistent bullying,” Koval said. The Robinson family attorneys insist that forensic and video evidence prove that Kenny lied about what happened the night Robinson was killed. In particular, they say that synchronized audio and video from the incident show that Kenny couldn’t have been at the top of the stairs when he began firing. “The audio and video show that Officer Kenny was at the base of the stairs — it doesn’t take a forensic scientist to see that. He couldn’t be at the top of the stairs for the first shot and then be coming out the [bottom] doorway by the second shot,” says Swaminathan. “That means that Officer Kenny’s story about being punched at the top of the stairs and responding with a shot is untrue.” He adds: “The location of the bullet casings are all at the base of the stairs and outside, indicating the shots were fired at the base of the stairs. There is no high-impact blood spatter anywhere above the halfway point of the stairs — that’s strong evidence that there were no shots fired at the top of the stairs.” The family attorneys also fault the police department’s internal investigation, saying it was aimed to clear Kenny. Most specifically, Kenny was never questioned. “This is the main problem with the internal investigation: They asked zero questions. This isn’t a case where they asked some questions but didn’t ask other questions,” says Swaminathan. “They asked zero questions of an officer whose story at even first glance, was problematic. That’s a broken internal investigation process.” In February, 2017, Robinson's family accepted a $3.35 million settlement from the city, to settle a civil rights lawsuit. Of course, the city would not admit guilt. The family's legal team had placed evidence on a website, now defunct, to share with the public. Jim Palmer, executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association,says he wishes 1) that the family didn't do this and 2) that the case had gone to trial. “We find it difficult to reconcile the Robinson family’s efforts to try their case in the court of public opinion, after they chose to settle the case and stay out of a court of law,” he says. “If they felt as confident about their claims as they suggest, we would have preferred they hadn’t agreed to a settlement. Which was a choice that Matt Kenny did not have. Matt Kenny would have preferred a trial and the opportunity to clear his name again.” In a later statement, Chief Koval said that he cannot respond to specific arguments raised by Robinson’s lawyers. “We cannot comment on a one-sided version of facts that will never be subjected to the cross-examination afforded by a trial,” Koval says. “To suggest that you have ‘new’ evidence supplied by experts paid by the plaintiffs should be considered in the context from which it is proffered.” Kemble says she wants a new internal investigation so that Kenny will be “interviewed directly” and questioned “on the discrepancies between his story and the forensic and scientific evidence. Those are important questions that should be answered.” Formerly a case manager for a transitional living service working with children, Ton'y mother says she lost her job due to the time she had to take off after her son was killed. She also was forced to move. A local TV station posted audio from a 911 call she made last January when she feared Tony was suicidal. The call included her address and phone number, which were broadcast. “People would bang on my patio door at night and throw all kinds of stuff at my house,” she says. “I couldn’t sleep. I was scared I couldn’t get to my kids if something happened. So, we got out of there.” Her second-oldest son now lives in Canada with Irwin’s brother. “I didn’t want him here. I’m very afraid for either of my boys to have an encounter with any police officer in the city because I don’t know what’s going to happen,” she says. “He can create his own friendships there and not have people know everything that’s going on in his life. He’s not gone for good, but he needed to go to grieve.” In all, the $18,000 collected from the online campaign, “every ounce of it went to his funeral,” she says. “I had $10,000 in savings that’s all gone now. We haven’t even gotten him a headstone for his gravesite yet because we can’t afford it.” Irwin’s also leery of getting a headstone because the gravesite has been vandalized. “They keep stealing things from it, and someone drove over his grave,” she says. “We’ve tried to keep it secret where he was buried because there are so many people against us.” Andrea recently got married and moved to California to escape the pain Madison caused and continues to cause her. What has changed? Despite Rhodes-Conway being against police brutality, she has lied to protesters in saying she can't affect change to measures like curfews that have been set recently. Acting Police Chief Victor Wahl has released a statement in response to the #8CantWait campaign nationally: Ban Chokeholds & Strangleholds – MPD does not, nor has it ever, trained officers in chokeholds, strangleholds or any other similar techniques. MPD policy specifically prohibits use of these techniques unless deadly force is justified. Require De-Escalation – MPD has implemented a policy on de-escalation that requires the use of de-escalation techniques (such as time, distance, communication, etc.) when feasible. All officers were trained in de-escalation when the policy was implemented. New officers are trained in de-escalation and the principle is incorporated into many aspects of officer training (professional communication, tactical response, etc.). Require Warning Before Shooting – MPD policy requires that "Before using deadly force, officers shall, if reasonably possible, identify themselves and order the subject to desist from unlawful activity." This requirement is reinforced in officer training. Require Exhausting all Alternatives Before Shooting – MPD policy clearly states that deadly force is "a measure of last resort, only to be employed when an officer reasonably believes all other options have been exhausted or would be ineffective." This principle is emphasized in officer training. Duty to Intervene – MPD policy and Code of Conduct states, "Any officer present and observing another officer using excessive force, or engaged in unlawful conduct, or in violation of the Madison Police Department's Code of Conduct has an affirmative obligation to intercede and report." Ban Shooting at Moving Vehicles – MPD policy states that shooting at a moving vehicles is never authorized unless: a person in the vehicle is threatening the officer or another person with deadly force by means other than the vehicle; or the vehicle is being operated in a manner that reasonably appears deliberately intended to strike an officer or other person, and all other reasonable means of defense have been exhausted (or are not present or practical). Require Comprehensive Reporting – MPD policy requires that any officer who uses physical force, weapons, items, or devices against a person shall complete an original or supplemental report on the incident. This includes pointing a firearm at an individual. Additionally, officers who use "recordable" force must contact a supervisor to review the use of force and enter information about the incident into an internal database. Each use of recordable force is reviewed by the MPD Use of Force Coordinator, and certain levels of force require an initial on-scene supervisory response/review. Require Use of Force Continuum – The "8cantwait" initiative defines this as restricting "the most severe types of force to the most extreme situations" and "creating clear policy restrictions on the use of each police weapon and tactic." MPD policy and training are consistent with this. Deadly force is clearly restricted to extreme situations, and the use of specific tools/techniques is specifically restricted in policy. MPD officers are trained in a manner consistent with the State of Wisconsin's Defensive and Arrest Tactics (DAAT) curriculum (as required by the State). The DAAT system incorporates an intervention options matrix, with restrictions on specific techniques. It's important to note that the 8 Can't Wait campaign is NOT endorsed by most black folx, especially black women who have been leading the BLM cause. The following is an update from black organizers: "While communities across the country mourn the loss of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Jamel Floyd, and so many more Black victims of police murder, Campaign Zero released its 8 Can’t Wait campaign, offering a set of eight reforms they claim would reduce police killings by 72%. As police and prison abolitionists, we believe that this campaign is dangerous and irresponsible, offering a slate of reforms that have already been tried and failed, that mislead a public newly invigorated to the possibilities of police and prison abolition, and that do not reflect the needs of criminalized communities. We honor the work of abolitionists who have come before us, and those who organize now. A better world is possible. We refuse to allow the blatant co-optation of decades of abolitionist organizing toward reformist ends that erases the work of Black feminist theorists. As the abolitionist organization Critical Resistance recently noted, 8 Can’t Wait will merely “improve policing’s war on us.” Additionally, many abolitionists have already debunked the 8 Can’t Wait campaign’s claims, assumptions, and faulty science. Abolition can’t wait." A protest organized by Freedom Inc, Urban Triage, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) started off the protests here in Madison. Sawyer Johnson with recently stated at the first protest that “We have a white queer mayor...as a fellow white queer person, I got to have a conversation with her. We refuse to denounce any black, youth leader that is continuing to lead the rebellion. Because that’s what it is. We care more about black lives than Urban Outfitters getting tagged. It is clear to us that Madison’s liberalism only masks the true white supremacy nature of capitalism. Not only does Matt Kenny still have his job, he’s training [police] on meditation.” The founder of Urban Triage, Brandi Grayson, said earlier this week: “Some of us are upset at the looting. I get it. Some of us are upset about the property. I get it. But nobody is offering solutions or policy change...What was offered? Tear gas, More people showed up and donated to businesses, who have insurance, than donated to the cause. If you are really about black liberation, we need you to put your money where your mouth is.” She also says several years of leading peaceful protests over the police shooting of 19-year-old Tony Robinson, along with efforts to stop the construction of a new Dane County jail and remove police from schools, have given black youth the tools to create something new. “[These protests] really were spontaneous and led by the youth. They have been paying attention to the organized protests that happened during the day [after Floyd’s death]. And you can see them using the same tools and strategies we use to direct the crowd and refocus the crowd. It’s powerful as hell,” says Grayson. “It’s like the youth is just waiting to be led. They just needed an example. They just needed a model and they are doing it.” “This is the greatest revolution since MLK was assassinated,” declared a young man on the mic at one protest. “Think about that. This is in every state.... This is international.” They're right! All 50 states in addition to 18 countries have participated in BLM marches. Aaliyah Grey, a 15-year-old Madison high school student, says she feels an obligation to her father. “I'm scared that he’s gonna walk out the house, the police are gonna think he did something wrong, and he's gonna get shot,” says Grey, who marched in the rain June 2 at a protest that ended without any violence downtown. “That's why I'm out here. I'm out here for him. I’m out here so my little sister will not have to grow up without a father.” Arrieonna Cargel, another black teenager from Madison, says it feels like “people don't understand our pain and the struggles.” “I’m here to end police brutality,” says Cargel. “I’m willing to risk my life for people who have lost theirs.” Tamaya Travis says the killing of Floyd is just the latest “horrific example” of injustice and indignities felt routinely by black youth in America. “We shouldn't be scared to go out in public. We can't hang out in groups because they think we're a gang. We shouldn't be scared to get pulled over,” says Travis, a black high school student from Madison. “We shouldn't be scared to talk to the police when we need something. But we're terrified because every time we do, our lives might be in danger. Because even three simple words — ‘I can't breathe’ — is not respected.” Jay, an 18-year-old graduate of Madison Memorial, says he’s come out to protest at night to “finally see something positive happen. Black people are the most hated people alive. We have been for hundreds of years. Wouldn’t you be mad if you were me?” asks Jay. “There's a reason why we feel like this. There's a reason why we're upset. Our entire lives we have grown up at a disadvantage. There's no such thing as a peaceful protest. You don't get nothing out of that. We've been doing that for 60 years or longer and barely anything has changed,” he adds. “Barely anybody is hearing our voice. Barely anybody is coming up and speaking out on the fuckery that's going on all the time.” The youth organizers use call and response chants to stop fights, weed out troublemakers, and prevent crowd panic. “Don’t start no shit, won’t be no shit” and “stay together” are common refrains if there’s a whiff of trouble. The method has stopped violent behavior without a single cop in sight. The protests also feature drills in case police try to break up the protest or bad actors try to infiltrate. One of these methods is asking white allies to form a human chain around protesters of color. “We aren’t asking you to take a bullet for us,” said one of the black organizers over the sound system while directing white protesters. “We just know that the police won’t shoot you...we are all on the same side.” Stacii and a few friends, who have attended several of the late-night protests, show up with tennis rackets to “swat tear gas canisters” if needed. “As a white ally, I am there to listen but to be ready to put my body between the police and people of color who are peacefully protesting,” Stacii tells Isthmus. “Having protective gear is vital just in case.” A white man, who looks about 20 years older than most of the people in the crowd, walks around with a cart full of snacks. “There are supply houses across the isthmus. There’s a group, about 100 of us, who communicate covertly to make sure the youth have everything they need. We have a whole medic team, too,” says the man. “Our job is support, stay out of the way.” After a number of days and night launching tear gas - which, btw, violates the Geneva Convention - in addition to flash grenades and projectiles at protesters, things have quieted down. Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, too, has attempted to distinguish the masses of peaceful protesters from small groups that police witnessed June 1 making molotov cocktails, wielding baseball bats, and setting off fireworks near the crowd. She has repeatedly praised several daytime demonstrations organized by Freedom Inc., Urban Triage and the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) following the death of Floyd. But Sawyer Johnson, a member of PSL, rejected the mayor’s support at a June 1 daytime rally, saying the groups side unequivocally with black youth — some of whom may have looted — and consider the criminal activity part of an effort “to lead the rebellion.” Rhodes-Conway still pleaded in a June 2 statement for the nighttime demonstrations to end. “Please stay home tonight. I welcome protests — particularly in the daytime — but I do not want legitimate protests to continue to provide cover for this violent, unacceptable behavior,” said the mayor. “I understand anger, but there is no excuse for putting lives in danger, and that is what is happening. Again — please stay home tonight, and tomorrow night.” Thankfully, starting June 3, police were invisible downtown — keeping watch of the protest from surveillance cameras and through dark windows in buildings overlooking the demonstrations. Police strike teams continue to stand ready in tactical gear inside the City County Building and at the Capitol but have not been deployed recently. Ciara says organizers “haven’t put an end date on justice” and the demonstrations will continue until their demands are met. “We demand that Matt Kenny be fired and that the community has control over the police. The community should be in charge of investigating police violence — not other cops. We have no plans on stopping until then.” What now? I'm here to tell you an uncomfortable truth: all white people are racist. Hear me out - I'm white. I hate knowing that I'm involved in racism. The reality is, though, that I benefit greatly from my porcelain skin in a way that folx who are BIPOC - black and brown and indigenous and people of color - will never experience. Systems are not built to oppress me on the basis of my race. That doesn't mean my life isn't hard - all it means is my skin color isn't part of that difficulty. Those of us who are white must see that recognizing white privilege doesn't mean we're awful people. As James Baldwin, a noted black queer author, once said, " Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.." We cannot change the oppressive systems that exist until we see them for what they are. Right now, that means listening to black folx specifically and following their lead. It means that, if we can, we should be out there protecting black folx with our white privilege, lifting up their voices, and supporting them however we can. It also means not tone policing or automatically deciding that rioting isn't from BLM as a movement. The notion of agitators from the outside coming into cities has been used for eons to explain away the momentum that civil rights work has picked up, and we do folx a disservice by believing that lie. Instead, we must recognize that property isn't worth anywhere near as much as human life. When I call you in or out, either on this pod or in other ways we interact, I do it because I care about you. I'm not alone in this. Those who point out issues? We do it because we want to help you grow and improve. We want you to rise up to where we all should be right now, to be on the right side of humanity and history - and we know you can be. This is especially true when fellow white folx call you out on racism-related issues. We know that you can find your way to anti-racist work. We believe in you because, frankly, we wouldn't be your friends if we didn't. That emotional investment? That's love. If people didn't care, they'd probably just unfriend or block you and move on. When you're called in or out? Please don't offer false platitudes like thanking folx without following up with action. Be transparent and share the work you're doing to learn and listen so that there is accountability. We all have to do better, and part of that involves holding each other to that. Growth isn't comfortable. It pushes our limits, reminds us we're human, and points out our flaws. It reminds us that we have work to do, and that we actively need to follow through with that work. We can't grow in comfort, though - just like, say, napping for a weekend doesn't produce any change in the world. We still have to meet it, sit with it, and process how to move forward. In addition to sources for the information in this article, I'm putting in a list of anti-racism resources. Let's work on learning and doing better. If you want to be a part of a group where we can work on that, there's a FB group for this podcast. Come join it and let's work on being anti-racist together.
What was on the blog? Follow us on YaJagoff.com for daily blog posts like: Get off the phone, Rocchios podcast, spoon in washer, cop impersonator and Bubba Show Best Pizza in the Burgh! Where can you find the YaJagoff Podcast next? Catch YaJagoff on October 12 at the Burger Bash presented by Burgatory at the Waterfront, October 19 at Rohrich Honda for the Stone Temple Honda Pilots Karaoke Contest. PLUS....... October 13: Insulators Local #2 5K Walk/Run for Mesothelioma October 15: Strikes Against Sickle Cell 2019 Summary: The YaJagoff team shows off its mobility thanks to the 4th year of Doors Open Pittsburgh. First a swing by the Omni William Penn Speakeasy to gather a few secrets from Bob Page. Plus, Lyndsey and Rebecca talk about pop-up libraries while Lisa and Maria create awareness for domestic violence with the color purple. We snagged one-on-one time with James Hill at the mayor's office, and made a pit stop to talk with Bill Kaiser, docent of the Trinity Cathedral on sixth. All thanks to the vision of Doors Open Executive Director, Bonnie Baxter. Music: Trinity Cathedral: https://doorsopenpgh.org/building/trinity-cathedral SPONSOR: Rohrich Honda has mega stock in Fits, CRV's and more. But the 19th is all about the Pilot. A $10 donation to sing karaoke from the back of a Honda Pilot, or $1 donation to judge karaoke, helps support Zachary's Mission, the non-profit creating necessity backpacks for families with overnight hospital stays. Visit Rohrich Honda and support Zachary's Mission on October 19th. As always visit www.rohrich.com Question of the day: In honor of Door's Open Pittsburgh, what is your fave Doors song? 04:31 Bob Page: It's a no brainer that the Omni William Penn Hotel is rich history, but full of backdoor passageways during prohibition to escape the po po? Yep! 13:11 Lisa and Maria: Joining forces to Paint it Purple, these domestic violence advocates talk about shopping multi vendors, yoga and a self-defense event on Oct. 26 to benefit the Hope Center. 26:51 Lyndsey and Rebecca: Nothing touts literacy like launching libraries throughout Western Pa. thanks to the new non-profit, Bridges 365 Inc. Check out its landscape at the West End Overlook this weekend, the location of the inaugural library. 42:11 James Hill: James Hill, Executive Assistant to Mayor Bill Peduto, talks about the mayor's thrown and why three mayors are not accounted for in the hallway of the City County Building. If only the walls could talk… 55:45 Bill Kaiser: Trinity Cathedral Docent Bill Kaiser pays homage to the Oliver family for dropping some major dough to help sustain the historic church and how old are those pews? 1:07:30 Bonnie Baxter: Executive Director of Doors Open Pittsburgh Bonnie Baxter will sleep most of October to gear up for round five in 2020 with a new take on the tours. SPONSOR: Rohrich Honda has mega stock in Fits, CRV's and more. But the 19th is all about the Pilot. A $10 donation to sing karaoke from the back of a Honda Pilot, or $1 donation to judge karaoke, helps support Zachary's Mission, the non-profit creating necessity backpacks for families with overnight hospital stays. Visit Rohrich Honda and support Zachary's Mission on October 19th. As always visit www.rohrich.com Find daily #Jagoffs posts at www.YaJagoff.com How to Follow Everyone on Social Media: Rohrich Honda@RohrichHonda (Twitter) John Chamberlin @YaJagoff (Twitter) Rachael Rennebeck @RachaelRennebe3 (Twitter) Doors Open Pittsburgh @doorsopenpgh (Twitter) Omni William Penn Hotel @OmniHotels (Twitter) Alle-Kiski Area Hope Center Inc. @AKHOPECenter (Twitter) Bridges 365, Inc. @bridges365inc (Facebook) James Hill @JamesAustinHill (Twitter) See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It's Wednesday, September 4, 2019. In today's episode: * From the City-County Building to the hundreds of warehouses, community centers, emergency stations, and more, the Peduto Administration is moving to curb carbon dioxide emissions from city-owned buildings in a new “net-zero” plan presented to City Council yesterday * ddd * And more news items from the city of Pittsburgh and our region The Pittsburgh Record, from Postindustrial Media, is created by Adam Shuck and edited by Matt Stroud, with music by Phil Ortmann and sound editing by Tim Mulhern. Subscribe to The Pittsburgh Record email newsletter at postindustrial.com/pghrecord
This week we talk about the pro-gun rally in Pittsburgh that took aim at the Mayor’s anti-second amendment laws. Hundreds of gun advocates, some armed, gathered outside the City-County Building to protest proposed gun-control measures Monday afternoon, welcoming speakers like Open Carry Pennsylvania founder Justin Dillon and “Kent State gun girl” Kaitlin Bennett.
In this Ed and Bob Show podcast the former Knox County Commissioners have lots to talk about. They ask - Is it time to move out of the City/County Building? It will be 40 in 2020 and it originally took 50 years to get it built from when it was first suggested! Plus the guys reminisce about their favorite holiday and Christmas parade memories! And we remember former State legislator Ben Atchley who passed. Leave your comments here or at EdandBob@yahoo.com. Ben Atchley
The work of this mural artist hangs in the City-County Building in Helena.
November 7, 2016 #YaJagoffPodcast / Episode #045 It’s a Christmas tree delivery! We’ve upgraded from the Summer Porch Tour to a Christmas Porte-Cochère tour at the City-County Building on Grant Street. We podcasted while the big tree was delivered and had pulled pork, hot chocolate, the Jagoff National Choir led by Johnny and Bubba of Johnny Angel and the Halos. And since it’s voting season, we vote… real Christmas tree or fake Christmas tree? VIEW the Episode Promo Video: https://youtu.be/k0loy4MvPUM LISTEN to the Podcast show right here below or on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Stitcher Radio, Soundcloud, Overcast, Pocket Casts, and Tunein Radio via the “Pittsburgh Podcast Network” channel. YaJagoff! Podcast - SHOW NOTES: "Christmas Tree Party on the Porte-Cochère!" Music: Live Music Again! The Jagoff National Choir led by Bubba and Johnny of Johnny Angel and the Halos 03:00 James Hill, Special Assistant to Mayor Peduto, talks about the huuuuuge tree and why HE was blessed to be on our podcast at 8am on a Saturday morning! 08:45 John Knight, POTUS candidate for the Jagoffs party and his VP running mate, Kathleen Conway, talk about the upcoming election… SPOILER ALERT: there’s trouble on the campaign trail 15:15 Bobby Cherry, local reporter who is known as Pittsburgh’s biggest 365-day Christmas Enthusiast! He came with his Santa hat newly dry-cleaned. 24:00 Douglas Derda, Should I Drink That Podcast and YinzLoveBBQ.com is a proxy rep for The Food Tasters and yaks about the BBQ pulled pork from Hog’s Head Bar and Grill. 30:40 Johnny Angel and Bubba talk to us about how they got their arms twisted to wake up early and sing for all us jagoffs. 36:50 One last song….. get ready for the season, “Santa Claus is Comin’ DAHNTAHN!” Find daily #Jagoffs posts at www.YaJagoff.com How to Listen Regularly: All shows on the “Pittsburgh Podcast Network” are free and available to listen 24/7/365 worldwide. Audio On-Demand in-your-hand, on smartphone, tablet, laptop and desktop computers. – APPLE users can find us on the iTunes and Podcast app. – ANDROID users can find us on Google Play Music, – ALL users can listen on computers, tablets, and smartphones via RSS, SoundCloud, Stitcher Radio, Overcast, Pocket Casts or tunein radio, website or apps. * SEARCH: Pittsburgh Podcast Network iTunes • Google Play Music • SoundCloud • tunein radio • RSS • Website Thanks, To: Photo Credits: The Food Tasters The Pittsburgh Podcast Network Production: Frank Murgia and Wayne Weil How to Follow Everyone on Twitter: The Podcast@YaJagoffPodcast John Chamberlin@YaJagoff Craig Tumas@CraigTumas John Knight@JKnight841 Jason Havelka@SportsMongerPGH Bobby Cherry @GoBobbo Douglas Derda @DouglasDerda Should I Drink That Podcast @SIDT Yinz Love BBQ @YinzLoveBBQ Markowitz Communications @MarkowitzComm Pgh200 @PghBicentennial The Food Tasters@TheFoodTasters Pittsburgh Podcast Network@PghPodcast Produced at talent network, inc. @talentnetworktv by the Pittsburgh Podcast Network @pghpodcast
Troy Riggs wasn't gone from the City-County Building for long.
Architects from MSR Design hold a public meeting about the pre-design of the Madison Municipal Building & City-County Building.
City Engineering presents an update on initial design and redevelopment concepts for the Madison Municipal and City-County Buildings.