Hear from synagogue shooting survivors and families

Synagogue Survivors and Families Speak At Sentencing

Jurors unanimously found that the synagogue attack was motivated by the shooter's hatred of Jews and that he lacked remorse; the jury also rejected the defense’s claims that he had schizophrenia and "that his delusions about Jewish people spurred the attack." Twenty-two people described their pain and suffering before Judge Robert Colville pronounced the sentence. [Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle / Associated Press]

This is the first federal death sentence imposed during Biden’s administration; he pledged to end capital punishment during his 2020 campaign, and there is a moratorium on executions. An appeal is expected, and the shooter will likely spend years on death row.

New Job Training Opportunity in PA

Gov. Josh Shapiro visited Pittsburgh this week to announce a first-of-its-kind worker training initiative that will use federal money to reimburse unions and companies that train workers needed to complete infrastructure projects. The program has $400 million in federal funds to train 10,000 workers across the state. The money can also be used to cover extra expenses such as child care or equipment. [90.5 WESA]

• Related: Pennsylvania's overdue state budget is closer to completion; the Senate sent the main spending plan to Gov. Shapiro’s desk; he approved so money could begin going out to counties and school districts. About a billion dollars is still pending. [TribLIVE]

Six Months Since East Palestine Train Derailment

It’s been half of a year since a Norfolk Southern train carrying toxic chemicals fell off of its tracks northeast of Pittsburgh. The Unity Council for the East Palestine Train Derailment traveled to D.C. to request that President Biden sign a Major Presidential Disaster Declaration, which would unlock federal assistance for residents. Meanwhile, Norfolk Southern changed some of its rules to be more cautious when responding to overheating bearings; this policy change came after a minor coal train derailment in Virginia last month. [Pittsburgh Union Progress / Associated Press]

• 🎧 Could a derailment like this happen here? [City Cast Pittsburgh]

👟 Unblurred Art Crawl | Friday | 7 p.m.

Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts at the return of this open house-style event along Penn Avenue. [free, Garfield / Bloomfield]

🌊 Moraine State Park Regatta | Saturday-Sunday | 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Enjoy all kinds of eco-recreational activities, like a butterfly release, 5k, paddlesport race, and a Lake Arthur Lily Pad for kids; plus, food vendors and fireworks. [free, Portersville]

🥕 VegFest | Saturday | 11 a.m. - 5 a.m.

Celebrate all things vegan food, animal advocacy, and environmental friendliness at Allegheny Commons Park. [free, North Side]

☕ Summer PAARty | Saturday | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Grab coffee or cocktails and admire art by Baron Batch at The Speckled Egg x Commonplace Coffee; proceeds benefit Pittsburgh Action Against Rape. [free, SouthSide Works]

🎨 Lawrenceville Art Crawl | Saturday | 1 p.m.

Walk down Butler Street to find 200+ artists, vendors, and musicians. [free, Lawrenceville]

☀️ Party at the West End Overlook | Saturday | 1-9 p.m.

BYOB and the whole family for live performances, food, and community hangouts. [Chip in for food!, Elliot]

🎉 The Bridge One Year Anniversary | Saturday | 3 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Celebrate The Bridge Music Bar with a lineup of women musicians. [$15, East Liberty]

🎭 “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” | Saturday-Sunday | 8 & 7 p.m.

Head to August Wilson’s childhood home to see an outdoor production of his play exploring the lives of African Americans at the start of the Great Migration to the North. [$40-45, Hill District]

🎤 Am I The Jagoff? | Saturday | 8 p.m.

See a comedy show from the Pittsburgh improv troupe Irony City at Arcade Comedy Theater. [$15, Downtown]

👀 An Architectural Jewel-Box | Sunday | Various Times

Join Doors Open for a tour of Rodef Shalom, the oldest and largest Reform Jewish congregation in Western Pennsylvania. [$25, Shadyside]

🐕 Arts, Drafts & Dogs | Sunday | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Shop from vendors and enjoy great bites, brews, and cocktails at Southern Tier Brewery; Paws Across Pittsburgh will have adoptable dogs onsite! [free, North Side]

♻️ Trash Bash Community Fest | Sunday | 1-5 p.m.

Celebrate the creative power of reuse at the Mattress Factory with music, sustainable fashion, vendors, and art demos. [free, Mexican War Streets]

Why Is Pittsburgh Losing Local Journalists?

We wanted to share a special farewell to our friends at The Incline and 90.5 WESA’s The Confluence, plus we’ve got a wild story about the county giving in on a lawsuit brought by a paramilitary jail “expert,” who may have never done any real work.