🌡️ Pittsburgh schools can’t beat the heat

Uncertain Future for Oliver Citywide Academy

The Marshall-Shadeland school will be closed through the end of the year next week (students will learn remotely) following the shooting death of 15-year-old Derrick Harris last month — the second tragic death outside of the school within a year and a half. District board member Kevin Carter spoke out about the district’s lack of communication. The board will talk about the school’s future at a committee meeting tonight at 5:30. Stream it at pghschools.org. [90.5 WESA / TribLIVE]

Smokestack Towers Topple in Allegheny Valley

It’s the end of an era for Springdale and Cheswick boroughs: the smokestacks that brought electricity to communities on the Allegheny River for generations were imploded. Up until the Cheswick Generating Station closed last year, it produced roughly 3% of the state’s overall energy needs, but it was also one of the top sources of pollution in Allegheny County. Just last month, the EPA proposed new federal regulations for coal-fired power plants that could significantly reduce emissions. [PublicSource]

• 🎧 We (still) have a local pollution problem. [City Cast Pittsburgh]

Free Fun With KidsBURGH Passport

VisitPITTSBURGH announced its summertime passport to help families make the most of summer. The mobile-exclusive enhancement allows visitors to earn prizes for checking in at participating family-friendly attractions, as well as access to passholder-only deals and discounts. Plus, it is easily accessible and delivered via text. Take a look at participating locations [VisitPITTSBURGH]

• Find more kiddo fun below. ⬇️

Let’s play a game! I show you a photo, and you tell me where in the Pittsburgh area you can find it. It's a fun way to challenge yourself to keep your eyes peeled for all of the little beauties that exist in our big city.

As always, the photo gives a sneak peek to tomorrow’s neighborhood feature.

🏆 Winners will get a shout out in this segment each week. Shout out to readers Judi B., Laura J., Andy C., Al H., Marce Z., and Amy B., who correctly guessed last week’s photo of a trash receptacle in Mars borough near the giant flying saucer.

➡️ In case you missed it, check out the guide to Mars.

🌈 Pride in the Park | Thursday | 5 - 8 p.m.

Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community at the Allegheny RiverTrial Park with games, vendors, crafts, and music. Plus, food and drinks from Farmer x Baker; Trace Brewing; Lucky Sign Spirits; and Love, Kate Distilling. [free, Aspinwall]

🫐 Urban Foraging | Thursday | 6 - 8 p.m.

Go on an urban foraging tour focusing on serviceberries, a native tree with a delicious fruit. [$10, North Side]

🎉 Trash Bash Garden Party | Friday | 7 - 11 p.m.

Party at the Mattress Factory’s annual flagship fundraiser celebrating the “transformation that can happen when new light is shed upon that which has been cast aside.” [$150, Mexican War Streets]

Are Heat Days the New Snow Days?

Forty Pittsburgh public schools went virtual last week — not because of COVID, but because of extreme heat. The city’s school buildings are so old, most of them don’t have air conditioning and can’t be easily retrofitted with building-wide systems. As our region gets warmer, many district schools are unprepared to deal with sweltering temperatures that could affect student learning. James Fogarty, executive director A+ Schools, joins us to talk about what the district can do to adapt.