👻 Best Pittsburgh theaters for Halloween movies

City Seeks Rental Requirements, Again

City officials are trying to create a registry for rental properties to protect renters from absentee landlords and out-of-town corporations — again. This is the fourth attempt by City Council over 15 years, and they’re still fighting a legal battle in court for a previous proposal. This new framework would require routine inspections and a point of contact for property complaints; it would also inform officials of how many rental units are in the city. [90.5 WESA]

McCormick Launches Senate Campaign

Former hedge fund CEO and Republican David McCormick began his bid to unseat Democrat U.S. Sen. Bob Casey in Pittsburgh last week. He is supported by several Republican politicians, including former gubernatorial candidate and state Sen. Doug Mastriano, who attended and helped bus people to the Jan. 6 riots. McCormick criticized migration at the southern border, violent crime, and the Inflation Reduction Act — a bill with hundreds of billions of dollars addressing climate change, the budget deficit, and prescription drug prices. [TribLIVE]

How To Get Free Covid-19 Tests

Every U.S. household can now register to receive four covid-19 rapid tests that will be mailed out starting Oct. 2. The rapid test program, which shut down in May, was restarted as cases are rising and pharmacies are offering vaccines ahead of flu season. [TribLIVE]

• 🎧 Learn more about covid-19 boosters and where to find them. [City Cast Pittsburgh]

Cheers to Oktoberfest Season

Did you know German was once an official language in Pittsburgh? Pennsylvania has a rich German history going back to the 1600s, and you can celebrate that heritage with beer gardens, sauerkraut workshops, Bavarian style architecture, and more. [NEXTpittsburgh]

• Related: The state court system is certifying Pennsylvania Dutch interpreters. [90.5 WITF]

🏭 75th Anniversary of Donora Disaster | Tuesday | 7:30-9 p.m.

Hear about the 1948 air pollution disaster that served as the impetus for new environmental protection policies in America. [free, virtual]

🪦 Homewood Cemetery Walking Tour | Wednesday | 10-11:30 a.m.

Walk the historic grounds to learn about the women who rest in Section 14. [$10, Homewood]

🍅 Pressure Canning Workshop | Wednesday | 6-7:30 p.m.

Join Grow Pittsburgh to learn what foods should be pressure canned, how it works, and safety tips. [donation, Braddock]

• 🎧 Can’t make it? Listen to our episode of City Cast Pittsburgh on how to can your Pittsburgh harvest.

🌿 21+ Night: Eco Paper Making | Wednesday | 7-9 p.m.

Join Assemble to make paper using invasive Japanese knotweed. [$35, Bloomfield]

What Broke the Pittsburgh Promise?

In 2008, the city and its foundations made a promise to all Pittsburgh kids – if you attend class and get decent grades, we’ll help you pay for college or trade school. But last week, the officials behind those gifts told parents in a one-page letter that the money is almost out. We’re talking about why with journalist Mary Niederberger and James Fogarty, executive director of A+ Schools.