Tips for farmers market season

Pgh’s New Police Chief

Mayor Ed Gainey announced Larry Scirotto as his nominee for chief of the Pittsburgh Police. He previously served as assistant chief here before he left in 2018 to become chief of police in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was fired less than a year later after he was accused of inappropriately favoring minority candidates for promotions. Scirotto claims he was wrongfully terminated. [90.5 WESA]

Judge Won’t Prohibit Death Penalty in Synagogue Shooting Trial

A federal judge denied a motion by the defense to get the death penalty removed as a possible outcome in the case against the man accused of killing 11 people at a Squirrel Hill synagogue. Jury selection is underway. As of this week, 108 people have been interviewed and 36 of them are potential jurors. [TribLIVE]

• 🎧 Have questions about the trial? Here’s what you need to know. [City Cast Pittsburgh]

Homelessness Is Rising in Allegheny County

The number of people experiencing homelessness is increasing, and that's true for people who currently have shelter and those who don't. According to the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, there are currently about 900 unhoused people in Allegheny County; 150 of them are unsheltered. That’s compared to 880 unhoused people last winter; 105 of them were unsheltered. [TribLIVE]

• Help your unhoused neighbors with these resources.

🌙 First Friday Night Market | Friday | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Celebrate local creatives with food trucks, vendors, and music at Level Up Studios. [free, Bloomfield]

🛍️ Spring Artists Market | Saturday | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Shop for plants, books, and art at the Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media. Plus, enjoy goodies from Two Frays Brewing and the PGH Halal Truck. [free, Shadyside]

🚗 Pittsburgh and the Great Migration | Saturday | Various Times

Head to The Frick to learn about the pivotal role that cars played during the Great Migration when 6 million Black Americans left the Jim Crow South for northern cities like Pittsburgh, creating neighborhoods like the Hill District, Homewood, and East Liberty. [$1-18, Point Breeze]

Pick Up Pooch Poop & Get Recipes: A Farmers Market Guide

The Bloomfield Saturday Market returns for the season this weekend. It’s the go-to spot for fresh produce, fancy cheese, homemade pies and more. But what’s the best way to navigate the market? Is it appropriate to ask vendors for recipes? Should you haggle for your tomato? Christina Howell, executive director of the Bloomfield Development Corporation and former market manager, is here to share some farmers market etiquette ahead of opening weekend.

The Bloomfield Market runs every Saturday, May 6 through November 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check out this year’s vendors.