🏠 Why low-income residents are leaving Pittsburgh

Fitzgerald Proposes $3 Billion County Budget

Outgoing Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald presented his proposed 2024 budget to council this week — and it has no property tax increase for the 12th consecutive year. The fiscal plan totaling about $3 billion includes a $1.05 billion operating budget, a 3.4% increase from 2023 because of rising costs of personnel. Council will hold two budget hearings with a public comment opportunity next week. [90.5 WESA]

Giant Eagle to Donate Paper Bag Fees

The city’s plastic bag ban starts this Saturday, and Giant Eagle says that it will donate all 10 cent paper bag fees to organizations like the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Riverlife, Allegheny Cleanways, Grow Pittsburgh, and Tree Pittsburgh. [KDKA]

• ➡️ Here’s what you need to know about the plastic bag ban. [🎧City Cast Pittsburgh]

Low-Income Residents Are Leaving Pgh

A new Pittsburgh assessment shows that low-income households are leaving the city and “roots of the problem could be more complex than the city has been able to identify.” The study found that rent increased by 16% and median home prices jumped from $167,000 to $218,000. Data also shows that Pittsburgh lost nearly 350 Black renter households, and the rate of Black homeownership has declined by 7% while ownership rates increased for almost all other groups. [90.5 WESA]

On Display: Restored Violins From the Holocaust

An exhibit of 102 refurbished violins, violas, and cellos from the Holocaust are on display at the Posner Center at Carnegie Mellon University — a vision brought to Pittsburgh by locals Sandy Rosen and Pat Siger after the synagogue shooting in 2018. Many of the instruments, adorned with Stars of David, “tell the story of hope, of resilience, of a future,” Siger told NEXTpittsburgh. “It allows those that perished to have a voice again. Each of them has an amazing story.” [NEXTpittsburgh]

• 🎻 Mark your calendar for a closing concert with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Heinz Hall on Nov. 25

📚International Literary Festival | Thursday-Sunday | Various Times

Tune in to panel discussions, workshops, and author interviews at City of Asylum’s annual celebration of cross-cultural exchange. [free, North Side / virtual]

📽️ Reel Q Film Festival | Thursday-Sunday | Various Times

Celebrate queer stories with shorts, features, and special events at venues like Row House Cinema, Andy Warhol Museum, and Trace Brewing. [$10 per screening, multiple locations]

🔥 Fireside Folktales | Friday | 6-9 p.m.

Join the Friends of the Riverfront at James Sharp Landing for a campfire, a potluck dinner, and storytelling by Miguel Sague from the Council of Three Rivers Indian Center. [free, Sharpsburg]

👻 Friday the 13th Party | Friday | 7 p.m.

Dress up and head to Trace Brewing to enjoy the Ghoul on Ghoul Podcast, live music by NASH.V.ILL, one-night-only drink specials, food by Stunt Pig, flash tattoos, and a costume contest. [free, Bloomfield]

Who Makes The Best Donuts In Pittsburgh?

It's apple cider donut season! To celebrate, we're bringing back one of our tastiest episodes, when the City Cast crew tried 21 different donuts from all corners of Pittsburgh. From old standards like cinnamon sugar and glazed to more creative fare like huckleberry and buckeye, tune in to find out which were crowned our favorites.