🚫 What to know about Pittsburgh’s plastic bag ban

Nursing Homes Prep for Flu, COVID, RSV

Pennsylvania is asking nearly 700 nursing homes to update their infection prevention and control plans, as well as monitor respiratory viruses in their facilities. Twenty-four Allegheny County residents died of influenza last season, and since Oct. 1 of last year, more than 400 people have died from COVID-19. [90.5 WESA]

• Two University of Pennsylvania scientists won the Nobel Prize in medicine last week for their discoveries that helped to create mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. [WHYY]
• Scheduling a COVID booster? Scroll for what to know before you go ⬇️

Police Activity Dropped This Year

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police’s annual report shows a “sizable drop in overall arrests, traffic stops and park-and-walks between 2021 and last year” — the first year of Mayor Ed Gainey’s administration. While police activity dropped, the historic disparities between races continued. Black men account for nearly half of arrests and nearly three-fourths of those who were stopped and frisked. [PublicSource]

EPA Rejects Clairton’s Air Quality Permit

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ordered Allegheny County to rework its air permit for U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works — agreeing with local environmental groups who argue that the permit fails to establish testing, monitoring, and reporting requirements for emissions. The plant is North America’s largest producer of coke and Allegheny County’s largest single source of several pollutants. [Allegheny Front]

Let’s play a game! Tell me where you can find the photo above, then come back tomorrow to see the location in the weekly neighborhood guide 👀

Hey Pittsburgh reader Andy C. — who never fails to correctly guess the photo challenge — told me that “you've found the boundary for toughness” because no one got last week’s “Where Is It?” Not even him!

The Armful of Flowers urban farm and gift shop is a must-visit if you’re trekking up the mountain. Plus, there’s a great place for a bite, Bigham Tavern, right next door! Learn more in my Hey Pittsburgh neighborhood guide.

🏛️ Pittsburgh Architecture Week | Tuesday - Friday | Various Times

Explore Pittsburgh’s historic and modern architecture with tours and seminars. [various prices, locations]

🌈 ‘OUT’ At Work Luncheon | Wednesday | 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Join a panel of LGBTQ+ professionals at Mansions on Fifth to recognize National Coming Out Day. [$100 including meal, Shadyside]

🥂 In-Store Social at love, | Thursday | 5-7 p.m.

Get a peek at the Market Square shop’s new fall collection while enjoying snacks, sips, sweets, and specials. [free, Downtown]

📰 Off The Record XXIII: A.l. - It's A Real Drag! | Thursday | 8 p.m.

Watch as local unions collaborate with regional performers, broadcasters, and community volunteers in an original spoof of Pittsburgh news and newsmakers at the Byham Theater. [$31-81, Downtown]

What To Know About Pittsburgh’s Plastic Bag Ban

If you plan to buy something in the city this weekend, come prepared, because Pittsburgh’s plastic bag ban goes into effect on Saturday. But who has to comply? Will paper bags cost us? Are stores ready for the change? And with cities all over adopting policies like this, what do we know about the bans’ effects on the environment? City Cast Pittsburgh lead producer Mallory Falk is ready to explain!