Plus, a new luxury hotel ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
Monday, May 18 

Your Daily Guide

Hey, Pittsburgh! Start your Monday with a good laugh.

I’m still giggling at the Steelers schedule announcement video starring our hometown comedian Billy Gardell 😆

OH MY GAWDDD
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What Pittsburgh's Talking About

Luxury Hotel Planned Near the Convention Center?

The $418 million Loews hotel could feature 500 rooms, a restaurant, and a direct connection to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The project, which has been in talks for two decades, is reportedly backed by state, county, and private funding. While Loews still needs to sign off on the development, Gov. Josh Shapiro says it has the potential to create 1,200 union construction jobs and 400 permanent union jobs. [WTAE]

Ballot Question Asks About Public Notices

Primary elections are tomorrow! Right now, the city is required to publish certain public hearing announcements in newspapers, but a ballot question will ask you whether Pittsburgh can publish through digital media instead, which is different than state guidance. [City Cast Pittsburgh / WESA]

  • A YES vote gives the city flexibility to use online notices for certain announcements if local newspapers disappear. A NO vote means the city would keep its current rules. Learn more here. [League of Women Voters]
  • Every member of PA’s House of Representatives and half of the state Senate will be on the ballot tomorrow. Vet your candidates. [SpotlightPA]
  • Make an election plan: Use these tips for voting in Pittsburgh. [City Cast Pittsburgh]

Outbreaks Risk Rising in PA

Experts say disease outbreaks aren’t hypothetical anymore. At least 40,000 PA students are missing required vaccines, and many schools have dropped below the 95% herd immunity threshold that helps stop epidemic-like spread. (Some Pittsburgh-area schools are dangerously low in the 70% range.) Districts are often letting kids attend without vaccines or valid exemptions, and the state isn’t consistently stepping in. [🔒 Post-Gazette / City Cast Pittsburgh]

PODCAST

Pittsburgh's Dangerous Drop in Vaccination Rates

Stuntpig To Close in Squirrel Hill

The sandwich shop known for its cured and smoked meats is shutting down May 23. The restaurant moved from a food truck to a brick-and-mortar on Murray Avenue just two years ago. Stay plugged into their Instagram page; the owners say “we never really stop cooking” and there could be some events in the works. [Stuntpig]

Yellow background with "PGH Book Fest 2026" logo. Text reads "May 30, Book Lovers Unite, Free Admission." Location: CLP Main (Oakland).

Register Now for Pgh Book Fest

Paging all book lovers! Pgh Book Fest is back on Saturday, May 30 with events startingat 10 a.m. at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main in Oakland. The Festival is FREEand brings together readers of all ages for a day of author talks, poetry readings,workshops, and more.

Learn More at pghbookfest.org

7 Biking Events in Pittsburgh This Summer

bike lane on pgh road

Get tips for commuting in the city on two wheels. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)

Put on your helmet, and let’s ride! Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a newbie to biking in the Burgh, we’ve got tips to help you navigate our city’s streets.

PODCAST

How To Bike in Pittsburgh

Mark your calendar for these upcoming rides and events ⬇️

1. Le Tour de Donut

🗓️ May 23

POGOH’s annual fundraiser ride gives you a sweet incentive to make it to each checkpoint: donuts! Pedal along bike lanes and trails throughout the city and snag treats from Paddy Cake Bakery, Pigeon Bagels, Sidecar, and Baked True North.

2. Bikes & Brews Ride

🗓️ May 24

Join the Bike Lab for a 20-mile ride, stopping at a few breweries along the way. You’ll start at Millvale Riverfront Park and roll along the trail toward the city. The event is a part of their Battles to Bikes program for local veterans.

3. Spring Bike Picnic

🗓️ May 30

Take a 15-mile ride on some of the city’s best bike lanes, then meet up at the Frick Environmental Center afterwards for a community picnic. There will be hot dogs with all of the fixings (vegan available!), icy treats, and good company. The ride is a fundraiser for BikePGH, and if you raise $100, you can get a special picnic blanket.

4. Scrap Cat Alleycat

🗓️ June 13

Have a chill ride with friends or race to win some cool prizes at Scrap Cat Alleycat. The ride starts and ends at 3 Rivers Outdoors Co. in Regent Square, and all proceeds go toward Free Ride Bicycle Collective, a volunteer-run nonprofit that helps Pittsburghers get, repair, and maintain bikes.

More Biking Events Here!

What To Do

Monday, May 18

Tuesday, May 19

More Pittsburgh Events

But where will the walrus go?!

After more than four decades, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History is retiring its Polar World display this summer. See it while you can! There will be a special farewell weekend, June 26–28, with arctic-themed activities ❄️

— Francesca Dabecco

City Cast’s Megan Harris contributed to today’s news.

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