Around The Valley, Latest News, Politics
January 3, 2026

THE AGENDA

Meetings in local government next week Here’s a look at the upcoming government meetings around the Mid-Mon Valley. If there’s an item or other event of public interest, we’ll include that below the listed meetings, too.

MOONSHOT PROGRAM AT CALIFORNIA ELEMENTARY
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MOONSHOT PROGRAM AT CALIFORNIA ELEMENTARY
January 9, 2026
From left, first-grader Kennedy Kaminski and sixth-graders Amora Grillo and Brenley Farner work on individual projects Thursday afternoon in Susan Bitonti’s Moonshot Program class at California Elemen...
Taxpayer Relief Act to be considered
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MCKEESPORT AREA SCHOOL BOARD
Taxpayer Relief Act to be considered
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
January 9, 2026
The board will also vote on changes to the district’s website at a meeting next week. A short McKeesport Area school board meeting was held Thursday to go over some items that are set to be voted on J...
Shapiro launches campaign for reelection
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Shapiro launches campaign for reelection
January 9, 2026
He made formal announcements Thursday at events in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is running for a second term in the pivotal battleground state aft...
Jury finds Monessen parents not guilty of child endangerment
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Jury finds Monessen parents not guilty of child endangerment
By By RICH CHOLODOFSKY TribLive 
January 9, 2026
They were acquitted on two felony charges. Felicia Dugan embraced a friend and sobbed Thursday afternoon outside a Westmoreland County courtroom after a jury found her and her former boyfriend not gui...
Major sewage project likely ahead for Monessen
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Major sewage project likely ahead for Monessen
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
January 9, 2026
Mayor Ron Mozer warns it will be a “huge logistics issue” once it begins. The Mon Valley Sewage Authority gave a presentation Thursday to Monessen City Council on what the city can expect from a poten...
City man gets 2 life sentences for murders
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City man gets 2 life sentences for murders
By By JUSTIN VELLUCCI TribLive 
January 9, 2026
Relatives mourn a mother and the “very kind and gentle soul” whose lives were cut short. Pennsylvania state law required an Allegheny County judge Wednesday to sentence a McKeesport man to life in pri...