😬 Allegheny County leadership is suing each other, again

Why are COVID Boosters So Hard to Find?

Rollout for the new vaccine has been messy nationwide — sometimes because clinics can’t keep the vaccine in stock, but often because insurance companies won’t cover the cost. We’ve seen local folks post online about out-of-pocket prices of up to $200! But why? This is the first year the vaccine is being commercialized, and many insurance companies (including Aetna, Highmark, and more) haven’t updated their billing codes to qualify the vaccines as preventative medicine. If you do get an appointment, confirm your carrier will cover it at your pharmacy or clinic, and check again with the facility the day of your appointment to be sure they still have the vaccine in stock. You can also request up to four free COVID tests for your household at covid.gov/tests. [NBC, USA Today, NPR]

• 🎧 What went wrong, and what you can do to secure your booster. [City Cast Pittsburgh]

Allegheny County’s DA Race Goes National

The Forward Party, fronted by former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, announced its support for incumbent Stephen Zappala, and a George Soros PAC funded about 90% of challenger Matt Dugan’s primary campaign through early June. So why do people outside Allegheny County, especially billionaires and nationwide PACs, care about our district attorney race? [Public Source]

Required Inspections Coming to Rental Units and Airbnbs

City Council approved legislation to regulate long- or short-term rental units, so owners will need to go through a permitting process every year and an inspection process every three years. A fee for the permits has not been determined. And don’t forget — the city tried this before. [TribLIVE]

Celebrating 75 Years of Broadcasting on WAMO

The iconic and influential radio station is approaching its diamond anniversary, and DJs and staff are reflecting on its legacy in Pittsburgh, its connection to the Black community, and the numerous transitions and shifting ownership. “Some people still don’t know that we’re back, that WAMO is here to stay.”

• Related: Has new ownership brought WAMO back to its former glory? [City Cast Pittsburgh 🎧]

📽️ Silent Film Festival | Friday-Sunday | various times

View this showcase of classic films across the city. [$12+, multiple locations]

🛍️ Artists’ Market | Saturday-Sunday | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Meet local artists and check out their work while enjoying grub from food trucks. [free, Mt. Lebanon]

🪆 Yard Sale | Saturday | 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Think of all the gems you can find at this annual yard sale of 100 participating houses. [free, Point Breeze]

🎉 Hispanic Heritage Festival | Saturday | 9:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Celebrate your Hispanic and Latina/e/o/x neighbors at the Heinz History and Clemente museums, plus late-night dancing at Cavo. [free, Strip District & Lawrenceville]

👟 Walking Carnegie | Saturday | 10-11:45 a.m.

Tour through the Honus Wagner Museum, the Indian Community Center, the local Carnegie Library, and more. [$20, Carnegie]

🚲 End of Summer Roll Up | Saturday | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Come for the free donuts, coffee, and massages, stay for the fitness class, community bike ride, live music, food, and more. [free, Point Breeze]

🎶 Fall Grooves and Vinyl Moves | Saturday | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Get a proper introduction to the fall season with vinyl and vintage vendors, fall-themed beverages, and more. [free, Lawrenceville]

🛠️ Tool Library Sale | Saturday | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Get the supplies you need for your next DIY project. [borrow for free, Millvale]

🍺 Hops for Hearth | Saturday | 12-7 p.m.

Enjoy BBQ, yard games, beer, and more at this block party benefiting those who need safe housing. [free, Lawrenceville]

🖼️ Pour Your Art Out | Saturday | 1-5 p.m.

Check out the groovy art gallery and snack on food from over a dozen vendors at this dog- and family-friend event. [free, Bloomfield]

💪 Cornhole Tournament | Sunday | 3-6 p.m.

Sign up to flex your bean bag throwing skills. Prizes will be awarded to the first- and second-place teams. [$40 for two-person teams, Bethel Park]

🍿 Rust Belt and Appalachia Festival | Sunday | 7-10 p.m.

Watch recent non-fiction documentaries and films produced in the region. [$25, Allentown]

County Lawsuits, Boosters & Banned Books Week

Here’s what Pittsburgh’s talking about 📣

• Allegheny County leadership is at odds again — this time, over the fate of the Shuman juvenile detention facility in the East End;
• The new COVID boosters are allegedly available, but Pittsburghers are having a lot of trouble finding them both in stock and covered by their insurers;
• And, Banned Books Week kicks off this weekend, as state lawmakers consider ways to make it both easier and harder for individual school districts and libraries to be subject to those bans.
• Plus, did you know the whole Banned Books commemoration began with a Pittsburgher?

All that, and then some, on today’s episode of City Cast Pittsburgh. You don’t wanna miss this one 🤓