"Homicide Arrest, School Closures, Pirates' Tasty Additions, and More - Pittsburgh Local Pulse for March 25, 2025"

Good morning, this is Pittsburgh Local Pulse for Tuesday, March 25, 2025. We're starting with some breaking news from the East Hills neighborhood. An arrest warrant has been issued for Jerome Thompson, a 44-year-old man from North Versailles, in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred last month. Thompson is accused of killing Conrad Rozier on February 18th. Police believe Thompson may have fled to Erie, and he's facing charges of criminal homicide, conspiracy, and weapons offenses. In other news, the Pittsburgh Public Schools board is set to vote tomorrow on a controversial plan to close several schools due to declining enrollment. Last night, students, parents, and teachers made impassioned pleas at a public hearing in Oakland. The proposal includes closing 14 schools and changing the grade configurations of others. Fourth-grader David Haden from Woolslair PreK-5 asked if he and his schoolmates were "deserving of a seat at the table where our future is discussed." On a lighter note, baseball fans will be excited to hear that the Pittsburgh Pirates are introducing new food items at PNC Park for the upcoming season. While we don't have specifics yet, we're told there will be some tasty additions to the menu. The team is also rolling out new souvenir items, so get ready to show your Bucs pride. In weather news, we're looking at a mostly sunny day with highs in the mid-60s. Perfect for a lunchtime stroll through Point State Park or along the North Shore Trail. However, keep your umbrellas handy, as our next chance of rain is coming Thursday morning. Turning to local events, the annual Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show is in full swing at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. It's a great opportunity to get inspiration for your spring home improvement projects or to chat with local contractors. In sports, the University of Pittsburgh is dealing with a concerning situation. Student Sudiksha Konanki has been missing for almost two weeks after disappearing in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The university community is rallying support for the search efforts. On a positive note, the Pittsburgh Zoo has become the first in Pennsylvania and fourth in the U.S. to receive a special designation, though details are still emerging on what this entails. In real estate news, we're seeing a slight uptick in home prices across the city, with the average now hovering around $275,000. The hot neighborhoods this spring seem to be Lawrenceville, Shadyside, and parts of the South Hills. Finally, a heartwarming story from Westmoreland County. Early Friday morning, the wife of a 911 dispatcher in Derry Township noticed a fire in their home. She quickly called her husband at work, who coordinated the rescue efforts, ensuring their family members got out safely. It's a reminder of the dedication of our emergency services personnel, even when off duty. This has been Pittsburgh Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.