2025 was a turbulent year for news on Pitt’s campus. After transitioning into a new presidential administration, the university dealt with the effects of NIH research funding cuts, restricted access to gender-affirming care and a university-wide hiring freeze that impacted students and faculty alike.
But there were also bright moments — Pitt football and volleyball both had exciting seasons this year, and Pittsburgh elected a new mayor in November.
Through the highs and lows, The Pitt News has been here to cover it all. Without further ado, here are the five most-read stories published by The Pitt News in 2025.
‘Multiple families of trans kids denied gender-affirming medications at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’
At over 13,000 page views, this breaking story by former assistant news editor Spencer Levering was TPN’s most read article of the year. The story details experiences of local transgender youth who could not access gender affirming care in the wake of President Donald Trump’s executive order attempting to restrict the use of hormone blockers for children under 19 years of age. At the time of its publication, the story was — and remains — exclusive reporting to The Pitt News.
‘First-year overenrollment shifts new students into a hotel and fraternity complex’
When Pitt students came back to campus at the beginning of this semester, it was to the largest undergraduate student population in school history. Senior staff writer Madeline Ward reported that first-year students were placed in overflow housing, including the Hampton Inn Hotel, the on-campus Fraternity Complex No. 7 and leased apartments. Although triggering backlash from first-year students and parents, the Plan for Pitt indicates the University will continue to increase student enrollment next year and begin construction on additional student housing to accommodate.
‘Porch roof collapse injures dozens during party on Semple Street’
On the Friday of St. Patrick’s Day weekend, tragedy struck when a porch roof collapsed on a crowd of Pitt students attending a block party in Oakland. The accident sent 16 students to the hospital and has since opened the door for conversations around housing infrastructure in Oakland.
‘Spaun wins 125th U.S. Open, toughs out win in harrowing conditions’
In June, The Pitt News had the opportunity to cover the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. Throughout the week, our sports desk was able to interview contestants on the course and get real-world experience covering professional sports. Widely regarded as one of the toughest golf courses in the country, J.J. Spaun was the only golfer to complete the course under par, as reported by senior staff writer Ari Meyer.
‘‘Science is non-partisan’: Pitt researchers face NIH funding freeze’
After President Donald Trump was inaugurated on Jan. 20, he issued an executive order that froze all federal grants and loans, which has had widespread ripple effects on higher education institutions across the U.S. In this story, staff writer Emma Wu interviewed Pitt researchers and students about how NIH cuts were going to affect their work.