SHALER — Teachers in Shaler School District say they are beginning a walkout today after the breakdown of contract talks.

Union and district officials met for about six hours with a state-appointed mediator but were unable to reach agreement.

The Allegheny County school district announced on its website that all classes in the district would be canceled today.

Melissa Ravas, president of the Shaler Education Association, said teachers will keep picketing until a settlement is reached or they are ordered back to work by the state.

The nearly 400 teachers have been working under the provisions of a contract that expired in 2011.

PITTSBURGH — Police say a college student from Pennsylvania died in a Pittsburgh hospital a day after he was assaulted near his West Virginia campus.Kevin Figaniak, 21, of Perkasie was pronounced dead just after 3 a.m. Sunday.Police in West Virginia say he and a friend were walking toward Wheeling Jesuit University campus when they were attacked by three or four other men at about 1:45 a.m. Saturday.Police in Wheeling have not announced any arrests but Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger said the department is “vigorously investigating” the case.