Paul Van Osdol

Pittsburgh

Investigative Reporter at WTAE-TV (Pittsburgh, PA)

--Investigative Reporter at WTAE TV --Peabody & National Headliner winner --RTs are not endorsements --Tips: 412.244.4626 or [email protected]

Articles

Pittsburgh Job Corps students express hope amid program's uncertain future

3 weeks ago | wtae.com | Paul Van Osdol

The Job Corps program in Pittsburgh is one of about 100 serving about 25,000 students nationwide. The Trump administration says the program is failing and Job Corps centers have too much crime. Students who spoke with Pittsburgh's Action News 4 said Job Corps is giving them a second chance and, in some cases, preventing homelessness.
Pittsburgh diocese's new bishop, Mark Eckman, mentioned in 2018 Grand Jury report

3 weeks ago | wtae.com | Paul Van Osdol

Bishop Mark Eckman, the Vatican’s pick to lead Pittsburgh’s diocese, was mentioned multiple times in a 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury report on sex abuse in the church. The report said Eckman signed letters supporting two priests who had previously been accused of misconduct. Rev. Thomas O’Donnell was accused of sexual misconduct multiple times from 1981 to 2005, according to the grand jury investigation.
UPMC pays millions to former CEO Jeffrey Romoff years after retirement

1 month ago | wtae.com | Paul Van Osdol

A new financial report shows the highest-paid employee at UPMC last year retired from the hospital chain in 2021. Related video: Pittsburgh researchers make breakthrough in T-cell cancer therapy, offering hope for young patientsThe tax records show UPMC paid former CEO Jeffrey Romoff $12.1 million in fiscal 2024, which ended in July. Romoff was paid slightly more than current CEO Leslie Davis, who earned $12 million. Romoff was paid $17.8 million in fiscal 2023 and $12.8 million in fiscal 2022.
Pa. contractor accused of defrauding Pentagon, putting soldiers and sailors at risk

1 month ago | wtae.com | Paul Van Osdol

Action News Investigates has learned that a defense contractor from Western Pennsylvania is accused of defrauding the Pentagon and putting the lives of soldiers and sailors in jeopardy. An indictment accuses Donald E. Smith, 74, of Robinson Township, of pocketing roughly $500,000 in the alleged fraud. Prosecutors said Smith and the companies he worked with supplied nonconforming parts for missiles, ships, and armored vehicles.
Investigation finds city of Pittsburgh landslide repairs delayed 4 years

1 month ago | wtae.com | Paul Van Osdol

It's been four years since the city of Pittsburgh promised to fortify a hillside on the South Side Slopes after a landslide threatened homes and lives. But Action News Investigates has learned neighborhood residents are still waiting for the work to be done. The landslide in June 2021 left downed trees, boulders, and other debris at 18th and Crossman streets.
FBI investigates 764 network exploiting children, including case in western Pa.

1 month ago | wtae.com | Paul Van Osdol

WARNING: Some of the images in the video in the playfinder above may be troubling for some viewers, with brief mentions of self-harm; viewer discretion is advisedThe FBI has hundreds of investigations into a national network aimed at exploiting children and creating chaos, including one here in western Pennsylvania. The network is called 764. An ABC News investigation found the FBI has opened hundreds of investigations into the network throughout the country.
Report shows Duquesne Light, West Penn Power failed to meet state standards for outage response

1 month ago | wtae.com | Paul Van Osdol

As thousands of people wait for power to return, Action News Investigates has learned Duquesne Light and West Penn Power have failed to meet state standards for their response to previous power outages. Action News Investigates: Watch the report in the video player aboveA Public Utility Commission report last year found both utilities failed to meet standards for the average length of a single power outage over a three-year period. Duquesne Light’s average time was 24% longer than the standard.
Action News Investigates: Court settlement allows college athletes to be paid using tuition, taxpayer dollars

2 months ago | wtae.com | Paul Van Osdol

Tax dollars and college tuition payments may soon be helping to pay hefty salaries for college athletes. A pending court settlement would allow Division I colleges to spend up to $20.5 million per year paying athletes. College sports fans are passionate about their teams. That passion has fueled multimillion-dollar name, image, and likeness deals for players. The money comes from wealthy alumni and corporations. That could change this year, thanks to the so-called House settlement.
Consumers, car dealers in Western PA brace for Trump imposed tariffs

2 months ago | wtae.com | Paul Van Osdol

Car dealers and consumers in Western Pennsylvania are bracing for President Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on foreign cars and car parts. The tariffs are expected to take effect on Thursday. Barry Freger, owner of Pinnacle Auto in Jeannette, has been buying up vehicles as he anticipates a rush of consumer demand in the next few months. He expects consumers will want to buy cars before the tariffs have an impact. “I think in the short term, it's going to be great for our business.
DOGE targets federal government offices in Western Pennsylvania

Mar 20, 2025 | wtae.com | Paul Van Osdol

The so-called Department of Government Efficiency said it is canceling leases for several federal government offices in Western Pennsylvania. DOGE, led by billionaire Elon Musk, posted a list of office lease terminations on its website. The list includes three Western Pennsylvania offices for the Mine Safety and Health Administration in Warrendale, Mount Pleasant and Waynesburg. The state headquarters office is in Mount Pleasant. The Warrendale office oversees mine inspectors in 14 states.

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