City Cast Pittsburgh
📚 It’s Banned Books Week in Pgh
October 3, 2023
Good morning! Have you been struggling to get a COVID booster in Pittsburgh? We’ve got a rundown of why they’re so hard to find, and what you can do to secure your booster 💉
What's CITY Talking About?
No Tax Increases in Proposed 2024 City Budget
Mayor Ed Gainey’s proposed operating and capital budgets instead focus on transitioning non-emergency policing roles to civilian ones, budgeting for the reopening of URA's permit counter, and setting aside more than $14 million for improving recreation and senior centers, among other proposals. The mayor’s office will be hosting five public meetings to discuss the budget; the first is Wednesday, Oct. 4 at Provident Charter School in Troy Hill. [TribLIVE]
Bhavini Patel Enters 2024 Congressional Race
The Democrat launched her campaign Monday to challenge 12th District Rep. Summer Lee in next year’s election. Lee is a first-term U.S. congresswoman elected to the state House in 2018. Patel’s run for office has been widely expected among Democrats, and her campaign launch drew on family experiences and her views on reproductive rights and gun policies. [90.5 WESA]
County’s $73 Million Juvenile Detention Center Contract
The five-year contract would provide significant money up front for nonprofit Adelphoi to reopen and operate a portion of the newly renovated Shuman Juvenile Detention Center in Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar. The Controller’s office has yet to sign off and says reviewers still have questions. Check out five notable provisions in the contract, including a per-bed rate paid by the county of $650 a day. [PublicSource]
- Plans for Shuman have put county leadership at odds again. Hear who's suing who on the City Cast Pittsburgh podcast 🎧
Endless Options at Pittsburgh Airport Auction
Thousands of items will be up for bid at Pittsburgh International's annual auction on Saturday, Oct. 7, including a pair of python-skin cowboy boots, a Burberry coat, a 2016 Ford Explorer, and more. Proceeds from the auction go toward the airport authority charitable foundation. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and bidding begins at 10 a.m. [Pittsburgh Magazine]
Where Is It?
It’s game time! Tell me where you can find the photo above, then come back tomorrow to see the location in the weekly neighborhood guide 👀
🌟 Shout out to readers Deborah F., Andy C., and Mike M. who correctly guessed last week’s challenge:
The close-up photo of roses and a skeleton hand is a part of the Dead & Company final tour mural near Allegheny City Brewing in East Allegheny. Check out this cool time-lapse from artist Jeremy Raymer.
The neighborhood is so fun to walk around this time of year, especially with the leaves turning in the nearby Allegheny Commons Park. For a cozy fall day, I recommend sipping on a cocktail by the outdoor fireplaces at Fig & Ash or grabbing a pint of Brothmonger soup from the new Deutschtown Deli.
This segment was written by Hey Pittsburgh editor Francesca Dabecco.
What To Do
🍞 Community Food Distribution | Wednesday | 3:30-5 p.m.
Head to this walk-in event at Schenley Plaza to pick up a mix of loose grocery items. [free, Oakland]
🍄 Mushroom Identification Hike | Wednesday | 6-8 p.m.
Learn how to identify mushrooms along the trails in Frick Park. [$40, Regent Square]
🧙 Hocus Pocus Social | Thursday | 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Experience clean-crafted wine tastings, beauty treatments, reiki sessions, tarot readings, and more at this wellness event at COhatch. [$30, The Waterfront]
😆 House Team Hot Spot | Friday | 7 p.m.
Catch this rotating set of improv comics at the Arcade Comedy Theater. [$15, Downtown]
Today on City Cast
Why George Soros and Andrew Yang Care About Our DA Race
District attorney isn’t typically a sexy race, especially in Allegheny County where the same person has held the office since the late 1990s. But this year, incumbent Democrat Stephen A. Zappala has a big challenge. Not only because he already lost the party nomination in April to fellow Democrat and public defender Matt Dugan, but also because a tremendous amount of outside money is suddenly pouring in.
Why do outsiders care about our upcoming election, and will it make any difference on Election Day? We’re with PublicSource reporter Charlie Wolfson to find out!
➕ Check your registration and polling place ahead of Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7 here!
It’s been great hanging with you! Francesca will be back in your inbox tomorrow. Until next time 💌
– Natalia Aldana
Thanks to City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris for editing this newsletter.
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