Virginia Montanez
@ginny.bsky.social
Author (Nothing. Everything. 2023), historian, columnist, essayist, founder of Make Room for Kids at Mario Lemieux Foundation and pghremains.com
Today in like one block on the North Side, it was folding chair, bar stool, dining room chair, folding chair, baby gate, bar stool, step stool, folding chair. Championship snow behavior. No notes.
February 4, 2026 at 11:22 PM
Today in like one block on the North Side, it was folding chair, bar stool, dining room chair, folding chair, baby gate, bar stool, step stool, folding chair. Championship snow behavior. No notes.
Can someone explain to me why the Post-Gazette has zero coverage of the Oakmont dad detained and still imprisoned by ICE despite having a valid work visa, Real ID, SSN, driver’s license and no criminal record? Kudos to the Trib for their ongoing coverage.
February 3, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Can someone explain to me why the Post-Gazette has zero coverage of the Oakmont dad detained and still imprisoned by ICE despite having a valid work visa, Real ID, SSN, driver’s license and no criminal record? Kudos to the Trib for their ongoing coverage.
Pittsburghers who have a problem with Bad Bunny because he’s Puerto Rican, I must ask you, what the hell would you say to Roberto Clemente? Would you tell him he‘s un-American too? Do you even hear yourselves?
February 3, 2026 at 3:27 AM
Pittsburghers who have a problem with Bad Bunny because he’s Puerto Rican, I must ask you, what the hell would you say to Roberto Clemente? Would you tell him he‘s un-American too? Do you even hear yourselves?
I read the headline “Ice Halts All Traffic on Pittsburgh Rivers” and I had a momentary burst of anger before I was like, “Oh, you mean like frozen water? Carry on then.”
February 2, 2026 at 6:27 PM
I read the headline “Ice Halts All Traffic on Pittsburgh Rivers” and I had a momentary burst of anger before I was like, “Oh, you mean like frozen water? Carry on then.”
Both have jobs, 5-year work visas, Real IDs, driver’s licenses, Social Security numbers, and no criminal record. Why would anyone other than a complete racist support this?
triblive.com/local/valley...
triblive.com/local/valley...
ICE operation in Oakmont leads to local father’s arrest
Harriett Flores thought Thursday was going to be like any other day. She and her husband, Jose, were getting ready for work as their 8-year-old daughter, Lily, prepared for school in their Oakmont hom...
triblive.com
February 1, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Both have jobs, 5-year work visas, Real IDs, driver’s licenses, Social Security numbers, and no criminal record. Why would anyone other than a complete racist support this?
triblive.com/local/valley...
triblive.com/local/valley...
As a historian, one of the most surprising things I learned is that a stretch of brutal winters contributed to the mass hysteria that led to the Salem Witch Trials. I just want to say to my 1690 brethren … I get it now. What else can you do when it’s this cold but lose your whole mind?
January 31, 2026 at 12:56 PM
As a historian, one of the most surprising things I learned is that a stretch of brutal winters contributed to the mass hysteria that led to the Salem Witch Trials. I just want to say to my 1690 brethren … I get it now. What else can you do when it’s this cold but lose your whole mind?
Pittsburgh has built an entire culture around the answer being, ”Yes, you jagoff.”
After the snowstorm this weekend dumped snow across large parts of the country, a key debate is raging on the streets: Can you save a public parking spot after you've dug your car out of it? n.pr/4kinBtx
Can you save a public parking spot after a snowstorm? The debate rages on
After the snowstorm this weekend dumped snow across large parts of the country, a key debate is raging on the streets: Can you save a public parking spot after you've dug your car out of it?
n.pr
January 30, 2026 at 12:26 PM
Pittsburgh has built an entire culture around the answer being, ”Yes, you jagoff.”
If you understand the Pittsburgh giving community and their approach to the current arts environment, you understand that City Theatre‘s board made a big mistake. Mark it down and throw this in my face later if I’m wrong. They should have voted to merge. triblive.com/aande/theate...
City Theatre will not merge with Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Public Theater
Last August, three major local theater companies — City Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theater and Pittsburgh CLO — announced they were considering the possibility of a merger. Today, the comp...
triblive.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:48 PM
If you understand the Pittsburgh giving community and their approach to the current arts environment, you understand that City Theatre‘s board made a big mistake. Mark it down and throw this in my face later if I’m wrong. They should have voted to merge. triblive.com/aande/theate...
When your doorbell informs you that your neighbor’s kid is shoveling your walk for you because you’re that divorced lady usually out there doing it yourself 🥹💛🖤
January 25, 2026 at 11:40 PM
When your doorbell informs you that your neighbor’s kid is shoveling your walk for you because you’re that divorced lady usually out there doing it yourself 🥹💛🖤
Reminder that the last I checked, Pittsburgh has around 46 fewer working snow plows than are needed to adequately clear the city streets during normal snowfall. This storm is going to expose that shortage in new ways and I expect this week to be a huge test for our new mayor.
January 24, 2026 at 2:21 AM
Reminder that the last I checked, Pittsburgh has around 46 fewer working snow plows than are needed to adequately clear the city streets during normal snowfall. This storm is going to expose that shortage in new ways and I expect this week to be a huge test for our new mayor.
Giant Eagle said sales of chili ingredients had spiked in prep for the storm. Yesterday I stopped by my mom and dad’s house and if that woman wasn’t in the middle of making a MASSIVE pot of chili for two people who generally eat like birds. 💛🖤
January 23, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Giant Eagle said sales of chili ingredients had spiked in prep for the storm. Yesterday I stopped by my mom and dad’s house and if that woman wasn’t in the middle of making a MASSIVE pot of chili for two people who generally eat like birds. 💛🖤
In the race to save the Post-Gazette between the picket-line crossers who have indicated their desire to appease the Blocks versus the proposed nonprofit model led by Kevin Acklin, I'm about to ask to be President of Team Acklin.
January 22, 2026 at 7:32 PM
In the race to save the Post-Gazette between the picket-line crossers who have indicated their desire to appease the Blocks versus the proposed nonprofit model led by Kevin Acklin, I'm about to ask to be President of Team Acklin.
While researching my next history column I stumbled on this 1906 Pittsburgh Post photo of five packers from Kaufmann's nailing Harry Houdini into a box for his act at the Grand Opera House, and now you get to see it too.
January 21, 2026 at 2:53 AM
While researching my next history column I stumbled on this 1906 Pittsburgh Post photo of five packers from Kaufmann's nailing Harry Houdini into a box for his act at the Grand Opera House, and now you get to see it too.
Okay that’s enough winter
a man wearing glasses and a white shirt says i 've had enough
ALT: a man wearing glasses and a white shirt says i 've had enough
media.tenor.com
January 19, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Okay that’s enough winter
Everybody shut up. Commonwealth Press made a Pittsburgh card game/conversation thingy and I love it. Not an ad! www.compressmerch.com/collections/...
January 18, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Everybody shut up. Commonwealth Press made a Pittsburgh card game/conversation thingy and I love it. Not an ad! www.compressmerch.com/collections/...
Pittsburgh news entered 2026 and immediately chose violence. The P-G is shutting down, Steelers crash out, Mike Tomlin is done …
a man in a suit and tie stands in a kitchen
ALT: a man in a suit and tie stands in a kitchen
media.tenor.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Pittsburgh news entered 2026 and immediately chose violence. The P-G is shutting down, Steelers crash out, Mike Tomlin is done …
Goodbye, Aaron Rodgers. Don’t let the door hit you in the bag of expired horse dewormer when you go.
January 13, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Goodbye, Aaron Rodgers. Don’t let the door hit you in the bag of expired horse dewormer when you go.
Pittsburgh. Best stargazing night in recent memory. Jupiter currently near the twin stars of Gemini. Orion and Sirius showing off. The sky is brilliant with stars. Get out and sneak one quick peek for me.
January 13, 2026 at 1:59 AM
Pittsburgh. Best stargazing night in recent memory. Jupiter currently near the twin stars of Gemini. Orion and Sirius showing off. The sky is brilliant with stars. Get out and sneak one quick peek for me.
January 11, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Friends gifted me with the complete four-volume set of Pittsburg and Her People from 1908 🥹
(Photo with bonus dog)
(Photo with bonus dog)
January 10, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Friends gifted me with the complete four-volume set of Pittsburg and Her People from 1908 🥹
(Photo with bonus dog)
(Photo with bonus dog)
The Blocks' statement said they "will exit with [our] dignity intact." Wanna bet, you weirdos? I have time today.
January 8, 2026 at 2:35 PM
The Blocks' statement said they "will exit with [our] dignity intact." Wanna bet, you weirdos? I have time today.
Lots of emails in my inbox this a.m. saying “remind me never to get on your bad side.” My friends, you have no idea. We’re all lucky my only weapon is my words 😂
January 8, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Lots of emails in my inbox this a.m. saying “remind me never to get on your bad side.” My friends, you have no idea. We’re all lucky my only weapon is my words 😂
I had to get it out of my system. My open letter to the Block family in light of today's news they are shutting down the storied Post-Gazette. I am just so very angry.
open.substack.com/pub/breathin...
open.substack.com/pub/breathin...
An open letter to the Block family
[inhale]
open.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:50 PM
I had to get it out of my system. My open letter to the Block family in light of today's news they are shutting down the storied Post-Gazette. I am just so very angry.
open.substack.com/pub/breathin...
open.substack.com/pub/breathin...
The Blocks can rot. As a historian, I hope not a one of them believes they'll leave this earth with a legacy worth honoring. As a Pittsburgher, I hope they leave and never come back, every last one of them. Never let them dine in this town or walk our streets in peace again.
January 7, 2026 at 7:02 PM
The Blocks can rot. As a historian, I hope not a one of them believes they'll leave this earth with a legacy worth honoring. As a Pittsburgher, I hope they leave and never come back, every last one of them. Never let them dine in this town or walk our streets in peace again.