🐊 Pittsburgh’s weird history of stray alligators

Pittsburgh Metro Area Grows

The White House updated its definitions of metropolitan statistical areas, and now Lawrence County — home of Donnie Iris and Zambelli Fireworks — is part of Pittsburgh. This move gives the Pittsburgh area a population boost of nearly 85,000 people. [TribLIVE]

Free Breakfast for PA Kids

Regardless of family income, all Pennsylvania students will get free breakfast this year, thanks to a $46.5 million boost in the budget just signed into law. This covers 146,649 students across dozens of districts in Allegheny County; the budget also includes money for free lunch to students who qualify through the National School Lunch Program. Research shows that free breakfast improves kids’ concentration, comprehension, and attendance rates. [90.5 WESA]

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Reconstruction of Pgh’s Oldest House

Have you seen the ancient house in Schenley Park? Rehab is underway at The Neill Log House, built around 1774 by Robert Neill, on East Circuit Drive. While it was reconstructed in 1969, it’s still considered the oldest existing residential structure in Pittsburgh and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977. [NEXTpittsburgh]

County Jail Warden To Retire

Jail Warden Orlando Harper, who has held this position since 2012, will leave his post at the end of September. Harper has faced criticism for the number of deaths at the jail, as well as ignoring a ban on solitary confinement that was passed by voters; Since April 2020, 19 men have died following their incarceration. County Executive Rich Fitzgerald launched a search for the next warden. Read more on what his potential successors think about the search. [PINJ]

• 🎧 We have the latest on a controversial jail lawsuit on the City Cast Pittsburgh podcast.

🛍️ Market at the Brewery | Thursday | 5-8 p.m.

Grab a beer and shop from local vendors selling home goods, vintage items, and food at Lolev Beer. [free, Lawrenceville]

😻 Cat Video Fest | Friday-Aug. 17 | Various Times

Head to Row House Cinema for a 73-minute reel of the funniest, cutest cat videos culled from thousands of submissions. Sales support Trash Cat Rescue and Frankie’s Friends. [$11, Lawrenceville]

🌻 Community Garden Party | Saturday | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Enjoy garden-fresh dishes, children's activities, garden tool sharpening, and locally made crafts for sale. [free, Sharpsburg]

🎉 Wildness: Jaded Block Party | Saturday | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Head to the historic Pump House for a daylong festival featuring a film screening of “The Last Mayor of Chinatown,” performances, live music, workshops, and AAPI vendors. [$10, Munhall]

The ABCs of Pittsburgh Coffee

In a quest to get to know Pittsburgh better, coffee enthusiast Zach Lucas visited a local coffee shop for (almost) every letter of the alphabet. He joins us to share his picks for everything from coziest vibes to the most unusual, plus the all-around best coffee in the Burgh!

See where Zach has been on his map of the ABCs of Pittsburgh Coffee.