Explore car-less Pgh streets this weekend

Pittsburgh Named a ‘Workforce Hub’

The city is one of five regions selected by the White House as a strategic location for future career training; along with Phoenix, Columbus, Baltimore, and Augusta, Ga. Western Pennsylvania is already a hub for robotics and clean energy and this designation will help to secure funding, as well as expand pre-apprenticeships and technical education programs. [Pittsburgh Inno]

National Cancer Drug Shortage Impacts UPMC

The supply of a vital chemotherapy drug, carboplatin, is dwindling nationwide, and local hospitals will soon face difficult choices if the stock isn’t replenished. The drug is used to stop the growth of cancer cells and make tumors easier to remove. UPMC, which has nearly 70 outpatient cancer facilities in the region, is stretching its inventory of the drug by putting terminal patients on a different drug and prioritizing people with curable cancers. [90.5 WESA]

Are Spin Scooters a Safety Issue?

The Spin scooters pilot program is expiring on June 30. Should it be renewed? Critics say that the goal of the program isn’t clear. Scooters are meant to reduce emissions by getting people to use their cars less, but a survey found that 67% of scooter trips replaced walking, biking, or public transit, all of which have a lower carbon footprint than the scooters. The scooters are also not accessible to people of all abilities, and they often cause sidewalk obstructions for wheelchair users. Plus, there’s a lot of missing data on Spin scooter accidents. [NEXTpittsburgh]

• 🎧 What would it take to create a more equitable transit system for everybody? [City Cast Pittsburgh]

🌳 Riverview Park Work Day | Saturday | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Get dirty and improve our trails with Friends of Riverview Park. [volunteer, Observatory Hill]

🪴 Plant Sidewalk Sale | Saturday | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Buy plants, make a terrarium, and find more treasures at WorkshopPGH. [free, Wilkinsburg]

🌈 Riverwalk & Chalk Fest | Saturday - Sunday | Various Times

Admire street chalk art, from the South Shore to the North Shore, plus enjoy a CHALKTail Bar, mobile eats, live music, and street performers. [free, various locations]

🇺🇸 Submarine Memorial Day Ceremony | Sunday | 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Honor Cold War veterans at a USS VI Requin ceremony near the Carnegie Science Center. [free, Chateau]

🚲 OpenStreetsPGH | Sunday | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Walk, cycle, skate, or skip through car-free streets in the North Side, Downtown, and Southside. Stop for activities and performances along the way. [free, various locations]

🎉 Goodlander Two Year Anniversary | Sunday | 12 - 6 p.m.

Celebrate with drinks, live music, a plant pop-up, and food from Stunt Pig food truck. [free to enter, Larimer]

🛍️ I Made It! Market | Sunday | 12 - 5 p.m.

Shop from artisans and makers selling locally crafted handmade goods at The Waterfront. [free, Homestead]

🍹 KayaFest | Sunday | 3 - 10 p.m.

Jam at a block party on Smallman Street with live music, Samba dancing, and Kaya street food. [free to enter, Strip District]

🌟 Allegheny Observatory Tour | Sunday | 6:30 - 9 p.m.

Take a 2.3-mile hike on the wooded trails of Riverview Park, then get a rare tour of the observatory with the Women’s Adventure Club. [$30, Observatory Hill]

🥒 Community Cultures | Monday | 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Learn how to make lacto-fermented pickles with the East End Food Co-Op. [$20-25, Point Breeze North]

Shipwrecks, Shelters & a Trailblazing Pgh Artist

On this week’s Friday news roundup, we’re talking about the county’s plan to close the Downtown homeless shelter on Smithfield Street and the push to make part of Lake Erie a national marine sanctuary — because it has so many shipwrecks. Plus, I’m on the mic today to pay homage to the pioneering Pittsburgh painter who shares my birthday.