As 2025 draws to a close, Pittsburgh City Paper’s editorial staff members select their favorite stories from the year. Relive staff writer Rachel Wilkinson’s 2025 highlights below: Got rats? The dogs of the Steel City Ratting Coalition are at your service // July 30, 2025 Dear City Paper readers, if you ever doubt my commitment to old-fashioned on-the-ground reporting, please refer to this story, where, 15 minutes in, rat entrails flew six inches from my face (you’re welcome for the holiday cheer). In all seriousness, it was a blast to shadow the hard-working dogs and people of the Steel City Ratting Coalition, who are providing a public service by tackling the region’s stubborn rat problem in an environmentally friendly and, ah, unique way. Follow SCRC’s adventures on Facebook, including a recent job at the Community Garden at Allegheny Commons Park, brought about by CP’s coverage. Station Square Credit: CP Photo: Mars Johnson Is Station Square on its death bed, or just about to resurrect? // Feb. 19, 2025 With new ownership promising a revival, it seems we’ll be carrying the question of Station Square’s future into 2026. What I loved about this story was not only imagining a revitalized Station Square, but looking back at the current generation of urban renewal, which, arguably, the Pittsburgh History Landmarks Foundation kicked off when it converted the soon-to-be 50-year-old complex. It’s easy to take Station Square for granted, but its ongoing transformation remains an important symbol and a bellwether for Pittsburgh’s development. Corey O’Connor poses for a portrait at his campaign office in East Liberty. Credit: CP Photo: Mars Johnson Despite a bitter campaign, Corey O’Connor says he’s “always been” progressive // April 23, 2025 This year was marked by a heated mayoral primary in Pittsburgh, in which CP profiled both Democratic contenders. Since then, city residents have seen inclusionary zoning in flux, budget woes, missing snow plows, and a 20% tax increase for 2026. In April, Mayor-Elect Corey O’Connor promised progressive change including affordable housing, sustained public transit funding, compelling tax-exempt organizations to “pay their fair share,” and much more. They’re campaign promises worth revisiting before inauguration day. Dana Provenzano and Terry Rutherford chat on the patio of Zano’s on Aug. 29, 2025. Credit: CP Photo: Mars Johnson Zano’s Pub House — the latest iteration of a Greenfield staple — is making new friends, but keeping the old // Oct. 1, 2025 Who doesn’t love a good neighborhood bar? This year, I had the pleasure of visiting Zano’s Pub House in the Run, a staple preserving a slice of Pittsburgh life that must be protected at all costs. (Dollar wing nights, people!) Iterations of Zano’s have been around for at least a century, and its latest owner and manager are doing all they can to keep the bar a place that multiple generations of Pittsburghers want to walk into every day. Visitors inside the Senator John Heinz History Center Credit: CP Photo: Mars Johnson From three rivers to 412, count the ways numerology is significant to Pittsburgh // Feb. 6, 2025 At the beginning of the year, I got to consult with a numerologist about Pittsburgh’s “life path” and future — far artsier than expected! — with predictions made on the heels of the announcement we’d host the 2026 NFL Draft. I couldn’t close out 2025 without looking back at how we’ve fared. Collectively, numerologists believe we’re all ending a nine-year cycle, but Pittsburgh itself is only two years in. With 2026 marked as a “three year” for the city, expect color and vibrancy. The post CP Year in Review: Staff writer Rachel Wilkinson’s favorite stories of 2025 appeared first on Pittsburgh City Paper | News, Dining, Music, Best Of, Arts, Film. ...read more read less