🔋 Nuclear power is coming to Etna

75 Years Since the Donora Death Smog

On Oct. 26, 1948, an air quality emergency happened above the Monongahela River Valley, about an hour south of Pittsburgh. A cold air cap trapped warm air and emissions from the Donora Steel Mill and Zinc Works, killing 20 residents within days and more afterward. It’s mostly been seen as a one-off, but Andy McPhee, author of “The Donora Death Fog: Clean Air and the Tragedy of a Pennsylvania Mill Town” is telling resident stories to make sure the smog isn’t ignored anymore, and we don’t carry the same sort of “willful ignorance” to other air quality disasters. [NEXTpittsburgh]

Westinghouse To Develop Nuclear Power In Etna

The state awarded Westinghouse more than $1 million to develop a nuclear power production on Bridge Street in Etna. The facility will produce emission-free “eVinci” batteries — portable nuclear energy that can be used in remote communities, disaster zones, mining sites, and other emergency situations. Westinghouse says the batteries should be able to provide “5 megawatts of electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week for eight years uninterrupted without refueling.” [TribLIVE]

Parking Changes For Lawrenceville

The city’s adopting a dynamic pricing program that will bump up the fee when demand is higher and drop when demand declines. Revenue is expected to fund improvements to streets, pedestrian signage, crosswalks, bikeways, and bus shelters. [90.5 WESA]

What Will Happen To Western State Penitentiary?

SCI-Pittsburgh (formerly Western State Penitentiary) closed six years ago, but its future is still uncertain. State officials support a total demolition of the 1882 Romanesque building in Marshall-Shadeland, while preservationists believe it can be transformed to a public space, workforce training center, or even a place to “prompt visitors to think critically about incarceration.” The space has been a popular filming site — analysts attribute $330 million in economic development to its use in 2021 alone.

• So what’s next? It’ll likely be in limbo for several more years; the governor has to find $45 million to pay for demolition. [90.5 WESA]

🍻 Farmers Market Beer Garden | Friday | 3-7 p.m.

Drink beer from Allegheny City Brewing, Full Pint Beer, and Velum Fermentation or cider from After the Fall Cider while you shop in Allegheny Commons Park. [free, North Side]

🌙 Night Market | Friday | 6-9 p.m.

Head to the Lawrenceville Market House for $2 Oliver Donuts, wine tastings from Nine O’Clock Wines, tarot readings, handmade goods, and more. [free, Lawrenceville]

🌈 Beer + Art Auction | Friday | 6:30 p.m.

Join the Queer Family Planning Project for its annual art fundraiser at Necromancer Brewing supporting LGBTQIA+ folks starting or continuing their parenthood journey. [free, Ross]

Brothmonger’s Tips for Tasty Soup

It’s soup season! Sarah McAlee, aka the Brothmonger, is a soup-lebrity around town. She shares her tips for making a delicious pot of soup or broth at home, plus her favorite spots to grab a warm bowl when you don’t feel like cooking. Subscribe to the Brothmailer newsletter for Sarah’s business updates and yummy recipes.