Anti-abortion activist Lydia Taylor Davis debates students on campus

By Madeline Ward, Naomi Weiss, and Amanda Buchman • April 17, 2026

Anti-abortion activist Lydia Taylor Davis tabled on Bigelow Lawn Tuesday, heatedly debating students on abortion rights and drawing criticism over her activism tactics.

Editorial | Lydia Taylor Davis is not worth our attention

By The Pitt News Editorial Board • April 13, 2026

The Pitt News Editorial Board describes the benefit of denying right-wing personalities the attention they seek on college campuses.

College Democrats and Republicans debate pressing political topics

By Adrienne Cahillane, Contributing Editor • April 1, 2025

Around 100 students gathered to watch Pitt’s College Democrats and College Republicans debate a variety of political topics in the William Pitt Union Assembly Room on Monday. 

Opinion | The vice presidential debate: How did the running mates perform?

By Thomas Riley and Livia LaMarca • October 4, 2024

Governor Tim Walz and Senator JD Vance faced off in the first and only vice presidential debate of 2024 on Tuesday night. For those that missed it or just don’t really care about Trump and Harris’s running mates, we’re here to give you the highlights of their performances.

Vice presidential debate sparks satisfaction from students at on-campus watch parties

By Sarah George, Katie Hovan, and Naomi Weiss • October 2, 2024

Hundreds of students attended watch parties across campus to see Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz face off on Tuesday night. 

Satire | Newly obtained Charlie Kirk diary entries reveal deep-seated inner turmoil

By Thomas Riley, Opinions Editor • September 23, 2024

The book, titled “Charlie’s Treasures,” turned out to be a secret diary where Kirk recorded his innermost thoughts throughout the duration of his tour. While our organization respects the sanctity of bedazzled journals with a little heart clasp, we feel the student body at least has a right to the information written the day Kirk came to the University of Pittsburgh.

Campus political organizations hold presidential debate watch parties for students

By Briana Bindus, Aidan Kasner, and Amanda Yu • September 11, 2024

The first debate between presidential nominees Donald Trump and Kamala Harris took place on Sept. 10. College Democrats at Pitt, College Republicans at Pitt and Pitt Votes, a nonpartisan University organization, each held watch parties for students to watch the debate live. 

Bridge Pittsburgh hosts second annual debate between Pitt College Democrats, Republicans

By Adrienne Cahillane, Senior Staff Writer • March 27, 2024

Bridge Pittsburgh, a nonpartisan political club on campus, hosted its second annual debate between Pitt College Democrats and College Republicans on Tuesday evening in the William Pitt Union Assembly Room.

Opinion | How to argue about cannibalism — and almost everything else

By Thomas Riley, Opinions Editor • September 17, 2023

The current goal of debate has defaulted to winning no matter what, which severely limits any productive discussion about literature and media.

Michael Knowles, Brad Polumbo debate transgender issues, government regulation at Pitt

By Punya Bhasin, News Editor • April 19, 2023

Michael Knowles and Brad Polumbo debated the question “should transgenderism be regulated by law?” as chants from protestors outside the building echoed throughout the O’Hara Ballroom Tuesday evening.