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In this Update:

• UPMC Children’s South Announcement
• Findlay Township’s Fair in the Woodlands
• Moon Area School District Launches New Program
• The Mall at Robinson’s Shop with a Cop
• Ohio Township Volunteer Fire Company Celebrates 80^th Anniversary
• Amazon PIT9 Supports Domestic Violence Victims
• Increasing Access to Child Care in PA
• School Bus Safety Legislation Awaits House Action
• Join Us in Honoring 9/11 First Responders
• Thanks for Attending Our Mine Subsidence Event
• Pittsburgh Regional Transit Bus Line Refresh Timeline Update
• Veterans Breakfast Club Event
• Schools Can Apply Now for Safety, AED Training Grants
• Elk Cam Shows Largest Free-Roaming Elk population in Eastern U.S.
• National Aviation Week

UPMC Children’s South Announcement

It was great participating in the announcement of the expansion of UPMC Children’s South. This investment will help ensure children and adolescents have greater access to specialized care where they live, learn, and grow.

See more photos from the announcement here.

Findlay Township’s Fair in the Woodlands

Congratulations to Findlay Township’s Fair in the Woodlands on celebrating its 50th anniversary! I was proud to present a Senate citation to recognize this key milestone.

This annual event is a great time for community members to gather for food, games, exhibits, entertainment, live music, craft demonstrations, a parade, and children’s activities.

See more photos from the citation presentation here.

The festivities continued throughout the weekend. I enjoyed participating in the parade and seeing so many community members along the route.

See more photos from the parade here.

Moon Area School District Launches New Program

Congratulations to Moon Area School District on the grand opening of their new Richard J. Hyde Academy! This marks the official launch of the district’s new program designed to empower young adults as they prepare for independence, meaningful employment, and life beyond high school.

See more photos from the opening here.

The Mall at Robinson’s Shop with a Cop

Last week was the Pennsylvania State Police’s annual Shop with a Cop event at Macy’s in The Mall at Robinson. This is a great event where law enforcement officers take local students back to school shopping to get them ready for the new school year. Thank you to all the officers who made this event special, and I wish the students the best of luck for a great school year!

See more photos from the event here.

Ohio Township Volunteer Fire Company Celebrates 80^th Anniversary

I was honored to present the Ohio Township Volunteer Fire Company with a citation to recognize their 80th anniversary. Thank you to these brave volunteers for their dedication to the safety of our community!

See more photos from the presentation here.

Amazon PIT 9 Supports Domestic Violence Victims

This week, we recognized Amazon PIT9 for their contributions to organizations such as the Center for Victims and Colleen Bowers’ “You Are Not Alone” campaign that aims to bring hope to domestic violence victims and their families. Thank you to the fine men and women of Amazon PIT9 for their advocacy on behalf of domestic violence victims.

See more photos from the recognition here.

Increasing Access to Child Care in PA

The newly enacted state budget included an additional $5 million to help childcare providers recruit and retain employees.

There is a childcare crisis in Pennsylvania creating difficulties for working families, particularly regarding accessibility and affordability. I was glad to vote for this increased funding to help childcare facilities attract and keep high-quality employees and provide some reprieve for families in need of childcare support.

Learn more about the newly enacted state budget here.

School Bus Safety Legislation Awaits House Action

Over the past five years, 25,136 Pennsylvania drivers have been cited for school zone violations, including 8,302 for overtaking or illegally passing a school bus. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania breaks down the numbers here.

In September 2025, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 65 to enhance the safe transportation of school children. Specifically, the bill would extend the stopping distance requirement from 10 feet to 15 feet before reaching the bus when the red signal lights are flashing and the side stop arm is activated. It also develops a tiered penalty system for a second or subsequent offense. Current law does not penalize repeat offenders.

With the start of a new school year nearly a year later, it still awaits a vote by the full House of Representatives.

Read more about this effort to boost school bus safety here.

Join Us in Honoring 9/11 First Responders

As we approach the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on our nation, I’d like to invite you to an event I’m hosting with Rep. Natalie Mihalek (R-40) to honor the brave men and women who responded that day. Our First Responders Appreciation Stair Climb & Recruitment event will be held on Friday, September 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Spencer Family YMCA in Bethel Park.

All constituents are invited to attend and participate by completing various exercises designed to simulate the strenuous actions of the heroes on that terrifying day. Bethel Park firefighters will be on hand to discuss volunteer opportunities, including an educational partnership with the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) that may include free college classes.

Constituents interested in attending can call Rep. Mihalek’s office at 724-942-2045 to RSVP.

More information about this event is available here.

Thanks for Attending Our Mine Subsidence Event

Thank you to those who attended the Mine Subsidence Seminar I hosted with Rep. Andrew Kuzma (R-39). The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection did a great job explaining the insurance available to constituents for properties affected by mine subsidence.  

See more photos from the event here.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit Bus Line Refresh Timeline Update

Earlier this week, Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) released its Bus Line Refresh proposal, which includes a formal public comment period with plenty of opportunities for riders, communities, and stakeholders to provide feedback on the plan, which can be reviewed here. Many of my constituents utilize the PRT bus lines within the 37^th Senatorial District. PRT intends to provide more frequent service, expand seven-day service, and create new connections across the region with this proposed plan.

How to Comment

Online: at www.buslinerefresh.com

Email: BusLineRefresh@rideprt.org

Phone: Call (412) 566-5525 to leave a comment on a recorded line.

U.S. Mail or hand delivery:

Pittsburgh Regional Transit
Attn: Planning and Service Development
Heinz 57 Center
345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

In person: Members of the public may provide oral testimony at an upcoming public hearing. Details about the public hearing sessions can be found below.

Upcoming Bus Line Refresh Events

August 25: Public Hearing, Heinz 57 Center, 345 Sixth Ave., 7th Floor. Sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to noon and 3 to 6 p.m.

September 10: Public Hearing, Heinz 57 Center, 345 Sixth Ave., 7th Floor. Sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to noon and 3 to 6 p.m.

Testimony is limited to three minutes per speaker. Registration for the public hearings is encouraged but not required.

September 30: Formal public comment period closes at 5 p.m.

Veterans Breakfast Club Event

Thank you to those who attended the Veterans Breakfast Club event this week at Christ Church at Grove Farm. The event featured veterans sharing their stories and connecting with each other over breakfast.

Learn more about Veterans Breakfast Club here.

See more photos from the event here.

Schools Can Apply Now for Safety, AED Training Grants

School districts can apply now for the latest round of funding to improve safety, including an initiative passed by the General Assembly to increase the presence of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at school events.

Under the School Safety and Mental Health Grant Program, school districts, career and technical centers, intermediate units, charter schools, and cyber charter schools are eligible for funding to use for safety and security assessments, staff training, and more. It can also be used to improve CPR training and AED preparedness.

In addition, nonpublic schools can apply for CPR/AED Training for Nonpublic Schools Grant Program that can be used for CPR and AED training.

The AED funding is made available through Greg Moyer’s Law, named in honor of Pennsylvania student-athlete Greg Moyer, who died after suffering sudden cardiac arrest during a high school basketball game.

Elk Cam Shows Largest Free-Roaming Elk population in Eastern U.S.

Elk were once native to Pennsylvania but disappeared in the 1800s due to overhunting and habitat loss. Today, Pennsylvania is home to 1,300 to 1,400 elk, making it the largest free-roaming elk population in the eastern U.S.

Live from Elk State Forest in northern PA, the Elk Cam is a window into the world of these impressive animals, as well as turkey, deer, and other wildlife. Best viewing times are mornings and evenings.

The livestream is provided by HDOnTap and made possible with the help of the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission.

Watch PA’s live Elk Cam here.

National Aviation Week

This week, we celebrated National Aviation Week to recognize the vital role aviation plays in connecting our communities, strengthening our economy, and supporting national security.

The 37th Senatorial District is home to some incredible aviation assets, including Pittsburgh International Airport and the 171st Air Refueling Wing. These serve to connect residents, create economic opportunities, and bring in business from around the world.

As your senator, I am proud to have worked with my colleagues on the Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission to secure a new direct flight between the Pittsburgh International Airport and Dublin on Aer Lingus – an incredible opportunity for our region!