🗳️ Book bans on the ballot

Universities Get Funding — But There’s A Catch

The Pennsylvania state House passed legislation designed to resolve a prolonged stalemate over funding for the University of Pittsburgh and other institutions. House Bill 612 offers increased funding to universities but comes with a requirement for a tuition freeze during the 2024-25 academic year. While some institutions, like Pitt, are open to the freeze, others, like Penn State, are reluctant, citing a previous board decision to increase tuition on its main campus. [TribLIVE]

Book Bans Are On The Ballot

Western Pennsylvania has not experienced book bans at the same rate as other areas of the country, but recent efforts by right-wing groups could turn the tide. Conservative groups like Moms for Liberty argue that they need to protect children from literature they view as ideologically divergent or sexually explicit, leading to demands for censorship in libraries that will be part of the current election cycle. [Pittsburgh City Paper]

• Get the full story: We spoke to City Paper reporter Colin Williams about the proposed bans around Pittsburgh and how tomorrow’s election could set the stage for fights to come. [City Cast Pittsburgh 🎧]

CMU Grad Students Demand Inflation Raises

Graduate student-employees at Carnegie Mellon University have submitted a petition to the provost, urging the institution to provide a $1,500 payment to all its workers to offset rising inflation — similar to an allocation previously made for eligible faculty and staff. The petition has over 1,000 signatures, with significant support from graduate students, undergraduates, and other staff. [PublicSource]

🎻 Nurturing Cross-Cultural Understanding | Monday | 7 p.m.

The HarmoniZing Ensemble brings their multicultural musical experience to Alphabet City. [free, North Side and online]

🗳️ Election Day | Tuesday | 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.

It’s time to exercise your civic duty and vote in the general election. Anyone in line before 8 p.m. will be able to vote in person. [free, Citywide]

🛍️ ‘I Made It!’ Market | Tuesday | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Stop by the Union Trust Building and shop from local artists and makers. [free, Downtown]

🍷 Mulled Wines | Wednesday | 6:30 p.m.

Learn how to prepare your own mulled wine from the PA Market’s wine librarian. [$40, 21+, Strip District]

📷 ‘Pittsburgh Streets 1950s’ Book Launch | Thursday | 6 p.m.

Photographer Michael Rosella will be at the History Center to celebrate the release of his latest book. Advance registration required. [free, Strip District]

Frog Calls, Catching Lanternflies, and More Pgh Citizen Science Projects

From listening to frog calls to catching lanternflies, there’s so many ways anyone can collect data for researchers. Writer and museum educator Melanie Linn Gutowski has a list of wildlife-focused citizen science projects Pittsburghers can participate in, even with just 15 minutes of spare time.