The Center for Media Innovation recently hosted it’s local journalism event, ‘Newsapalooza,’ from September 26th to 28th. The event, which took place in the Pittsburgh Playhouse, featured multiple segments such as “Press Forward Pittsburgh” and the anticipated “Pittsburgh Pitch,” which was a “Shark Tank” themed event where the audience decided who won the one-thousand-dollar grand prize. Jennifer Szweda Jordan and Bella Markovitz were the voted winners of the event. The event also featured notable journalists such as, Robert Costa, CBS News Chief Presidential Reporter, and Walter ‘Robby’ Robinson, Editor-At-Large at the Boston Globe.
Photo by Caleb McCartneyPanel speakers (left to right), Andrew Conte, Matthew Barron, Kathy Beeches, Michelle McMurray and Christina Shah (Photo by Caleb McCartney)Nicholas Thommarello dresses up as “Newsie Nick.” (Photo by Caleb McCartney)Professional winner of the Pittsburgh Pitch, Jennifer Szweda Jordan, left, during her pitch about deaf awareness in the Catholic community in Pittsburgh. (Photo by Caleb McCartney)Former Editor-in-Chiefs of The Globe Jordyn Hronec and Jake Dabkowski participate in the Pittsburgh Pitch on behalf of the Pittsburgh Business Times. Their story idea centered around Duolingo and the influence it’s social media has on Gen Z. (Photo by Cassandra Harris)
Non-professional winner of the Pittsburgh Pitch, Bella Markovitz, speaking on her pitch about the Bukit Bail Fund for the Allegheny County Jail. (Photo by Cassandra Harris)
Caleb McCartney began photographing for The Globe in the fall 2023 semester up until March 2025. McCartney, a senior, is majoring in Photography and is the former Photo Editor for The Globe. McCartney took the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 staff profile photos.
Cassandra Harris began writing for The Globe in the Fall of 2022. She began as a staff writer and Student Government Association beat writer. After working for a semester, she became a news editor in the spring of 2023. Harris was voted Editor-Elect in the Fall of 2023 and was editor-in-chief in Fall 2024. Harris is the current co-editor-in-chief.
