Pennsylvania set to enter northeastern initiative limiting carbon from power plants
Electricity generators will have to pay for the carbon they release into the atmosphere after the state’s regulatory review board approved Pennsylvania’s entrance into an interstate initiative to address climate change. The compact, known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, will apply to 58 power plants across Pennsylvania, mostly coal and gas burning,…
Loser ex-president endorses Sean Parnell for senate … and lies in the process
On Sept. 1, former President Donald Trump, who lost the 2020 election against President Joe Biden, endorsed Republican candidate and decorated Army veteran Sean Parnell for U.S. Senate, likely boosting Parnell’s chances in what has already been a contentious, and at times ugly, Republican primary. In his statement, Trump praised Parnell’s military service and took…
Mattress Factory to kick off making home here art exhibition with Community Block Party
For many, home is more than where you grew up or live, it’s the place where you feel free to be yourself. It may sound simple when written so plainly, but “finding home” is a complicated process for some. Many factors contribute to the complexity of where you make your home, like not feeling safe…
Tropical Storm Ida causes flooding across the Pittsburgh region, flood watch in effect
After making landfall in Louisiana as Hurricane Ida on Aug. 29, the effects of the now tropical storm has reached the Pittsburgh region, and though much weaker than before, is still causing major flooding in several Pittsburgh-area communities. Rainfall started on Aug. 31 and continued through the night, and is still drenching many locations in…
New plumbing code amendment could expand gender-neutral bathroom access in Allegheny County
Trans and nonbinary people’s fight for safe access to bathrooms in Allegheny County could see a victory on behalf of LGBTQ+ folks and allies during an Allegheny County Board of Health meeting, but a major hurdle might stand in the way: unlicensed plumbers. The Board of the Health will discuss a proposed amendment to Article…
Controversial Allegheny County Jail contractor has criminal history and warned of a race war against correctional officers
On July 27, Allegheny County issued $400,000 worth of no-bid contracts to C-SAU, or Corrections Special Applications Unit, and Lightfield Less Lethal Research, for military style training and less-lethal weapons for correctional officers at the Allegheny County Jail. The contract was swiftly met with criticism from local advocacy group the Abolitionist Law Center, who threatened…
Silver Eye Center for Photography to launch dual exhibition examining the tragedies and triumphs of personal growth
Growing as a person requires a fair amount of sacrifice and self-evaluation. Artists Jacob Haupt and Hernease Davis seek to examine this in their own, distinctive ways for an upcoming show at Silver Eye Center for Photography. Silver Eye will open Jacob Haupt: Real to Me and Hernease Davis: Recapitulation on Thu., Sept. 2 as…
Song Spotlight: “Reno” by Side Sleeper
Pittsburgh indie-rock band Side Sleeper released their song “Reno” on August 27. The song is a hazy track with plenty of twangy guitar and thumping bass that you’ll fall for in no time. The band consists of Daniella Trimble on vocals and guitar, Ricky Petticord on lead guitar, Cormac Gartland on bass, and Tim Crammond…
In change of heart, Gov. Wolf to order K-12 school mask mandate in Pennsylvania
Masks will be required for Pennsylvania K-12 students and staff when they return to the classroom next week. Reversing an earlier decision to leave mask-wearing requirements to local school districts, Gov. Tom Wolf and acting Health Secretary Alison Beam announced a new statewide mask mandate on Tuesday. The order, issued by the Department of Health,…
New ciders, a taco festival, and more Pittsburgh food news
Scratch & Co 1720 Lowrie St., Troy Hill. scratchcopgh.com Scratch & Co has introduced a new, but familiar item to their menu: pierogies. Chef Brent Cable brings his grandmother’s pierogi recipe to the popular spot, and they look delicious. Made with dried cheese curd and served on a bed of onion and bacon, you’re sure…
Lynn Cullen Live – 8/31/21
Video Archive It’s Sus-day! Good Morning. Lynn and her sister Susan are talking about the ending of the Afghanistan war and how some conservative people tweeted that President Biden and no one from the administration showed up at the arrival of the 13 soldiers killed by the terrorist attach at the Kabul airport last week,…
Pa. GOP candidate says he’ll bring “20 strong men” to intimidate school boards who approve mask mandates
A Republican political hopeful from Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley has threatened to bring “20 strong men” into school board meetings and demand that elected officials who back mask mandates either “leave or…be removed.” Steve Lynch, a personal trainer who is running for Northampton County executive, made the threat during a rally in Harrisburg on Sunday night.…
Candyman is a tale of two different movies
Horror movies were never truly the pure escapism that many fans want them to be. Modern horror, especially, has made us grapple not just with what scares us, but why, and what that fear is rooted in. The answers have often been ugly, painful, and tied to the worst of us, which has made the…
Port Authority to allow e-bikes on Pittsburgh-area transit vehicles with new pilot program
After some confusion about Pittsburgh’s policy over e-bikes, the Port Authority of Allegheny County has announced a pilot program to allow the electric-assist bikes on light-rail cars and the Monongahela Incline, beginning Wed., Sept. 1. E-bikes, which are the size of pedal-powered bikes but contain a small electric engine to boost riders, have always been…
Driver, staff shortage at Port Authority causing missed trips and less transit frequency
In July, the Port Authority of Allegheny County announced that, like many industries across Pittsburgh, it was struggling to hire enough workers to fill all positions, especially bus drivers and maintenance employees. Unfortunately, those problems have persisted, and the authority announced on Mon., Aug. 30 that it is still about 100 drivers and 60 maintenance…
Kelly Strayhorn Theater to welcome audiences back in person with fall events
After two years of hosting online events like the ultra-successful Hotline Bling and the Sunstar Music Festival, the Kelly Strayhorn Theater is welcoming Pittsburghers back into their physical spaces for a lineup of fall programming. Events will take place at Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty at 5941 Penn Avenue, and Alloy Studios in Friendship…
Lynn Cullen Live – 8/30/21
Video Archive “That was back in a time when upward mobility was real, I mean a possibility of starting at the bottom some place and working your way up. It really isn’t anymore. It is next to impossible because we’re a much more stratified, classist society.” – Lynn on the obit of William G. Clotworthy…
Check out these new activities coming to the 2021 Pittsburgh Irish Festival
The popular Pittsburgh Irish Festival returns for its 30th year in September, and the large event celebrating all things Emerald Isle has new additions in its reappearance following a pandemic departure. Taking place over Sept. 10-12 at the The Lots at Sandcastle, the Pittsburgh Irish Festival will still have all the staples from years past…
Learn the history of Dippy the Dinosaur’s namesake in a new edition of Bone Wars
Anyone who’s traveled through Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood has likely seen Dippy the Dinosaur guarding the corner of Forbes Avenue in front of the museum and public library. Sometimes he’s wearing a scarf, sometimes he’s wearing a hat, and recently he’s even worn a mask to stay safe during the pandemic. But Dippy’s namesake, Diplodocus carnegii,…
Q&A with 2022 GOP gov. candidate Jason Richey on taxes, hyperloop, and voting
Jason Richey is a 50-year-old attorney with K&L Gates in Pittsburgh. A Beaver County native from Aliquippa borough, this is his first run for public office. Despite being a newcomer to state politics, Richey has argued he’s the candidate most likely to win — the four elected Republican governors since 1966 have hailed from Western…
Row House Cinema announces return of pop-up drive-in theater to Strip District
Drive-in movie theaters, once considered a quaint, dying relic of a bygone era, found a renewed purpose at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, as people were able to enjoy movies and other entertainment from the safety of their cars. Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville recognized this and created its own urban drive-in experience in…
Now Hiring: Graphic Designer, Bike Mechanic, Director of Marketing, and more job openings this week in Pittsburgh
We searched the web, and asked our readers to help us find some of Pittsburgh’s best job openings this week. If your company or business is hiring, or you spot a cool job you think is worth highlighting next week, send it our way at jobs@pghcitypaper.com. Food and Drink Beer Fest Support Team. Stewards of…
Allegheny County exec Rich Fitzgerald submits countywide paid sick leave bill
After vetoing a paid sick leave bill earlier this year, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald has introduced a new paid sick leave bill that would provide all workers who don’t already have adequate paid sick time off in Allegheny County some paid sick days. In March, Fitzgerald — who is supportive of paid sick leave legislation — said…
City of Asylum’s Jazz Poetry Month to connect Pittsburgh and international audiences with experimental art and music
The popular Pittsburgh event, Jazz Poetry Month, will return in mid-September to once again bring together international poets, writers, and musicians for a celebration of experimental art and music. And this year, organizer City of Asylum will blend online platforms with in-person performances so that audiences from all over the world can participate in this…
Despite a request from Wolf, GOP lawmakers won’t mandate masks in Pa. schools
The Republican-controlled Legislature won’t be coming back to Harrisburg to mandate masks in K-12 schools. House Speaker Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) and Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R-Centre) have denied Gov. Tom Wolf’s request for the General Assembly to reconvene and immediately pass legislation to require mask-wearing in public schools and child care centers. “We…
Pittsburgh Controller calls for PPS leadership change after superintendent’s ethics violations
Following the release of the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission’s report, which found that Pittsburgh Public Schools superintendent Anthony Hamlet violated the ethics rules, Pittsburgh Controller Michael Lamb is calling for leadership changes at the city’s school district. “We are thankful for the work of the State Ethics Commission. This report confirms much of what we…
On the Tahn: Dance parties and live music at Mellon Park, Spirit, and more (August 26-29)
Thu., August 26 Inside Out – MESH Carnegie Museum of Art 4-8 p.m. As the Inside Out event series comes to a close, they are going out with a bang. This Thursday they will feature MESH, a queer dance party that usually takes place on the First Friday of every month. With residents ChadKid, Sis…
Pennsylvania’s billionaires more than doubled their wealth during pandemic, says report
Mirroring national trends that saw such bold-face names as former Amazon boss Jeffrey Bezos, who saw their wealth soar during the worst public health crisis in a century, Pennsylvania’s exclusive billionaire class also grew richer amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report by a coalition of advocacy groups shows. The state’s 17 billionaires more than…
Lynn Cullen Live – 8/26/21
Video Archive “Lynn is discussing that Pa. Senator Jake Corman reiterated his commitment to conducting a “full forensic audit” of the 2020 general and 2021 primary elections. Plus a state commission has completed its investigation into Pittsburgh Public School Superintendent Dr. Anthony Hamlet may have violated the State Ethics Act by failing to file two…
Beer of the Week: Old Thunder Brewing’s Streetlight Stars
Beer of the Week: Old Thunder’s Streetlight Stars Brewery: Old Thunder Brewing Company. 340 Freeport Road, Blawnox. oldthunderbrewing.com Cream ales might be somewhat of an acquired taste. And by acquired taste, I mean that often you just need to put your tastebuds aside to enjoy one. Related pretty closely to a pale lager, they’re often…
Lynn Cullen Live – 8/25/21
Video Archive “Lynn is talking about the passing of Rolling Stones Drummer Charlie Watts. She is also remembering her friend and Political Figure/Analyst Mossie Murphy. Plus more Afghanistan withdraw issues” Audio Only Archive Stream or download the last 5 shows on the MP3 downloads page.
13 new books to look out for this August
*Pittsburgh Author Spotlight* Getaway by Zoje Stage Out Aug. 17 via Mulholland Thriller, 384 pages Pittsburgh’s Zoje Stage, whose debut novel Baby Teeth was an international bestseller, returns with a new horror tinged thriller. Since they were teenagers, sisters Imogen and Beck have been best friends with Tilda, but the women have grown apart over…
How becoming a dad helped save my life after years of struggling with my mental health
Editor’s note: This story contains references to suicide and trauma. Every morning, I wake up to an alarm. The alarm is not always the same; sometimes it’s my Samuel L. Jackson Alexa app and sometimes it’s someone saying, “Daddy, wake up.” Wait, did someone really call me “Dad?” Since I was young, I’ve known that…
Rosewater brings Middle Eastern authenticity to Downtown’s fast-casual dining scene
Earlier this year, the Qdoba on Liberty Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh was replaced with Rosewater Middle Eastern Grill. Not to tarnish the fast-casual Mexican-food chain too much, but this change is a serious upgrade for Downtown’s food scene. Rosewater is everything a Downtown diner needs. It’s relatively quick, affordable, and the menu has a wide…
Notable Pittsburgh skateboarder Maya Haptas talks tattoos and kicks
Name: Maya Haptas Pronouns: she/her Titles: Founder, Shred Your Fears (shredyourfears.com), events providing women “a safe and comfortable space to learn to skateboard”; Assistant editor, Bigfoot Skateboarding Magazine (bigfootskatemag.com) Interest/hobbies: Skateboarding, public space design, cooking, reading Website: instagram.com/mayahaptashello Clothes Make featured guests get to select where they are photographed, what made you pick The Highline?…
Black-led Community Spotlight: The Center for African American Poetry and Poetics fellow Xandria Phillips
Xandria Phillips arrived in Pittsburgh this month, but it isn’t their first time in the city. They used to visit a relative here when they were a child, and returned in 2019 after being named a finalist for a local poetry fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. “I’m actually from about an hour and a…
Seven Days in Pittsburgh: Aug. 26-Sept. 1
Thu., Aug. 26 OPERA • IRL Whether you have years of experience playing piano or are just getting started, the Pittsburgh Opera piano sale is an opportunity to buy a high-quality piano at prices not typically available at retail stores. The sale will include grands, uprights, digitals, hybrids, and Disklavier player pianos, and will offer…
Spirits Roaming on the Earth at Miller ICA presents a portrait of an artist like no other
It’s yet another gray, stormy summer afternoon in Pittsburgh when I visit the Miller Institute for Contemporary Art at Carnegie Mellon University. But inside, it’s a whole other scene, as I’m greeted with neon lighting, projections of vibrant computer-generated animation, and an ambient EDM soundtrack. This is the world of Spirits Roaming on the Earth,…
Where is Pittsburgh’s population growth occurring and who is driving it?
When the decennial census was released on Aug. 12, the figures showed Allegheny County grew in population for the first time since 1960. The growth wasn’t that substantial, just a 2.2% increase, but it still was a milestone. Allegheny County added 27,230 residents compared to ten years ago, and the population of Pennsylvania’s second largest…
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY: Aug. 26-Sept. 1
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “I sing like the nightingale whose melody is crowded in the too narrow passage of her throat,” wrote author Virginia Woolf. That was an insulting curse for her to fling at herself. I disapprove of such behavior — especially for you in the coming weeks. If you hope to be in…
