Local
[naviga:h3]Journalist to speak as part of SRU lecture series[/naviga:h3]
Journalist Soledad O’Brien will stop in Slippery Rock as part of Slippery Rock University’s Performing Arts & Lecture Series’ 2019-20 season.
O’Brien will deliver a keynote lecture at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 in the Smith Student Center Ballroom, followed by a question-and-answer session and meet and greet.
O’Brien also will meet with leaders from a variety of student clubs and organizations for a private panel discussion before the lecture.
O’Brien is chairwoman of Starfish Media Group, a multiplatform media production and distribution company that she founded in 2013.
She co-anchored CNN’s “American Morning” from 2003 to 2007 and was the anchor of CNN’s morning news program, “Starting Point,” from 2012 to 2013. In 2013, O’Brien became special correspondent on the Al Jazeera America news program, “America Tonight,” and since 2013, has been a correspondent on HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.”
Although admission is free, tickets are required and may be picked up at the student center’s information desk during building hours or immediately before the event while supplies last.
[naviga:h3]State Sen. Pittman to lead housing committee this year[/naviga:h3]
State Sen. Joe Pittman, R-41st, was appointed Monday to serve as chairman of the Senate Urban Affairs & Housing Committee for the remainder of the 2019-20.
The committee is responsible for reviewing legislation and resolutions related to housing and community revitalization.
Some issues include the use, transference, inspection and protection of real estate; vacant and unimproved public lands; and public housing and urban development, among others.
The panel also oversees the operations of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.
“While the title of the (Urban Affairs & Housing) Committee may not sound like it is applicable to my district, the reality is it is a significant committee when it comes to dealing with the issue of blight,” Pittman said.
The 41st District includes Armstrong and Indiana counties as well as portions of Butler and Westmoreland counties.
