🌮 Your guide to Pittsburgh's Mexican food scene

What’s in the New Food Justice Fund?

Pittsburgh plans to use $3 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to provide fresh food access across the city by supporting grassroots community organizations, corner stores in underserved communities, and urban gardens. The city’s proposed spending plan also sets aside about $233,000 to hire a food justice coordinator for September through 2026. [TribLIVE]

Council Stops Mega-Donors in Local Races

Allegheny County Council voted to limit “coordinated campaign expenditures” between political action groups and county office candidates in order to reduce the influence of mega-donors in local elections. While the Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United prevents council from outlawing independent-expenditure groups altogether, this bill can limit the coordination between PACs and campaigns. [90.5 WESA]

CCAC Transfer Students See More Success

Community College of Allegheny County students who hope to transfer to a four-year university do so at a greater rate than the national average: 45% of CCAC students enroll by the following year compared to 31% nationally who transfer within five years. CCAC says this strengthens the area's workforce because students graduate with less debt and many stay in the region. [PublicSource] (Editor’s note: I did this! And look at me now!)

• 🎧 Unfortunately, CCAC lost about 35% of its students since the pandemic, and the shrinking enrollment could hurt the city. [City Cast Pittsburgh]

Local Journalist Wins Against County in Court

The Commonwealth Court ruled that autopsy records have to be made public in Allegheny County. Investigative journalist Brittany Hailer, director of the Pittsburgh Institute for Nonprofit Journalism, has been reporting on the ongoing deaths at the Allegheny County Jail. She took the county to court after the Medical Examiner’s office denied her access to autopsy records for a man who died in custody in 2020. The Commonwealth Court overturned a lower court ruling, and now the county must turn over autopsy reports when journalists or members of the public request them. [TribLIVE]

• 🎧 Brittany previously discussed the case and her fight to make records public on the City Cast Pittsburgh podcast.

🌟 People of Pittsburgh II: The Constellationist | Thursday-Sunday | 7 p.m.

Take in a theatrical performance at Attack Theatre Studios celebrating the life of extraordinary ordinary Pittsburgher Mary Helen Carey. [$30, Lawrenceville]

🎶 Northside Music Festival | Friday-Sunday | Various Times

Jam out at the festival featuring 70 bands across nine stages, 20 food trucks, art vendors, and more. [free, East Allegheny]

♻️ Hazardous Waste Collection | Saturday | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Dispose of paints, fuels, oils, propane tanks, pesticides, cleaners, e-waste, and more with the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Environmental Services. [Fees for different waste items, Strip District]

🍻 5k Beer Run x Aslin Beer Co | Saturday | 11 a.m.

Run, walk, or jog your way through the Pennsylvania Brewery Running Series, starting and ending at Aslin Beer Co. There will be free swag and a chance to win door prizes. [$32-100, Strip District]

Your Guide to Pittsburgh’s Mexican Food Scene

Whether you love a good taco or some crunchy chilaquiles, the Pittsburgh area has a growing number of restaurants with tasty Mexican dishes. Oscar Zapata, a Mexico City native who came to the Steel City for grad school, joins us to share his go-to spots when he’s craving a taste of home — including some of his favorite family-owned restaurants.

Check out Zapata's article in the first print edition of the Pittsburgh Independent.