The Top Pittsburgh News Stories of the Year
Looking back at the 10 most impactful and important moments of 2025.
PHOTO BY DAVE DICELLO
1. Aaron Rodgers Joins the Steelers
The Steelers sign Aaron Rodgers to a one-year, $13.65 million contract as starting quarterback.
2. New Landside Terminal
The $1.7 billion new landside terminal at Pittsburgh International Airport opens.
3. U.S. Steel Purchase
Japanese conglomerate Nippon Steel Corp. buys U.S. Steel for $14.9 billion in a deal that will keep the company’s headquarters in Pittsburgh and increase investment in the Mon Valley.
4. Pittsburgh Gets a Walk of Fame
The Pittsburgh Walk of Fame, which each year will honor 10 people with ties to southwestern Pennsylvania who have made an impact on American culture, is established in the Strip District.
5. Addition to the National Baseball Hall of Fame
Former Pittsburgh Pirate Dave Parker — “The Cobra” — is inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 27, shortly after his death at age 74. The ceremony comes two months before the Pittsburgh Pirates miss the playoffs for the 10th straight year — the longest active losing streak in the National League.
6. Mayoral Election
Corey O’Connor ousts one-term incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey in the Democratic Primary and goes on to clinch the general election. He follows in the footsteps of his father, who served as mayor for eight months in 2006 until his death.
7. Changes to the Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins part ways with Head Coach Michael Sullivan 10 days after the franchise ended its first losing season since 2005-06.
8. U.S. Open Returns to Pittsburgh
Oakmont hosts a record 10th U.S. Open Golf Championship, drawing 200,000 fans.
9. AI Boom
High-tech companies pledge more than $90 billion in AI and energy projects in Pennsylvania at a major summit held in July at Carnegie Mellon University — alongside announcements that other new companies, including Eos Energy (with 1,000 new jobs), are coming to the region.
10. Theater Merger
Three major independent theaters — Pittsburgh Public Theater, City Theatre and Pittsburgh CLO — say they are exploring merging to overcome financial problems facing the arts industry.
Those we lost in 2025:
- The ”forever voice” of the Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL broadcast Hall of Famer Mike Lange, 76 (Feb. 19)
- KDKA-TV personality Jon Burnett, 71 (Feb. 20)
- Longtime radio host Jim Quinn, 82 (March 29)
- Singer-songwriter Lou Christie, 82 (June 18)
- Longtime WPXI reporter Jack Etzel, 91 (June 24)
- Founder of the Pittsburgh Film Office and community leader Mary Catherine “Mary Kay” Poppenberg, 85 (June 26)
