🥐 Pastries & plants in Upper Lawrenceville

‘Pinhole’ Gas Leak Found Near Plum Explosion

The Department of Environmental Protection found a pinhole-sized leak in a 4-inch gas gathering line about 350 feet from Rustic Ridge — the site of a house explosion that killed six people, leveled two other homes, and damaged a dozen residences last week. The state shut off the gas line, but we still don’t know where the gas was going or if it played a part in the disaster. [TribLIVE]

PA Senate Will Return Early

The state Senate has budget business to finish, and it’s getting back to work earlier than previously scheduled — Aug. 30 instead of Sept. 18. Funds still need to be finalized for a home renovation aid program for low and moderate income households, as well as Level Up, a program that funds 100 of the state’s poorest schools. This includes local districts like McKeesport, Sto-Rox, West Mifflin, and Wilkinsburg. [WITF]

Has the City Missed Your Recycling?

An audit from the city controller’s office found that Pittsburgh’s curbside recycling is often delayed by staffing shortages. The majority of 311 calls in 2020 and 2021 were complaints for missed recycling; all but 20 of the city’s 90 neighborhoods saw an increase in calls. [90.5 WESA]

• Helpful tip: The city will often pick up a missed route as soon as the next day. You can also drop your glass recycling off at permanent drop-off locations. 🎧 Here’s how to keep your glass out of the landfill. [City Cast Pittsburgh]

Last week, I shared a new analysis that says Pennsylvanians eat the earliest dinner in America with an average time of 5:37 p.m.

I wanted to know how this lined up with your supper schedule and why you thought we're such early birds. Here’s what yinz had to say:

“The weather maybe? Pa. has a lot of gray days. Mix that with early sunsets for a good portion of the year, and people might be feeling like staying in and eating earlier.” - Eric, who eats between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. in Stanton Heights

“Many work shifts in steel mills, hospitals, schools, and more ending at 3 p.m.” - Ginny, who eats between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. in Crafton.

“I think the general age range is higher here, but I think restaurants also influence dinner time, too. Restaurants close at 9, I have to eat sooner in order to get seated. So I think they influence each other.” - Michelle, who eats between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. in the West End.

“Working class traditions. Get home, and you are hungry! I think a lot of people skip lunch, too.” - Laura, who eats between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. in Butler County.

“Gotta get hungry again for a midnight snack :P” - Gloria, who eats between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. in North Oakland.

☕ Adda Maui Fundraiser | Wednesday | All Day

Get a drink from any Adda Coffee & Tea House location and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Maui Rapid Response. [price & location varies]

🧶 Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival | Thursday-Saturday | 5 p.m.

Get your craft on for three days of arts shopping and classes at the DoubleTree Hotel. [free, Greentree]

♿ 9th Annual Ramp Crawl | Friday | 4-7 p.m.

Celebrate the community’s efforts to make the neighborhood more accessible and welcoming to all. [free, Oakland]

🛍️ Friday Night Market | Friday | 6-9 p.m.

Meet Bike Pittsburgh at Allegheny Commons Park to get your own bike light. [free, North Side]

Pittsburgh’s Best Gifts for the End of Summer

We’re in the final few days of summer, school’s about to start, and traffic in Oakland is about to get a whole lot worse. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t things worth celebrating! The City Cast Pittsburgh team has you covered with the perfect local gifts to refresh, relax, and recharge.