🎙️ Mayor Gainey on the podcast!

County Budget Passes With Pay for Inmates

County Executive Rich Fitzgerald’s $1.05 billion operating budget was approved by County Council this week — with the addition of a new condition to pay inmates for their labor inside the Allegheny County Jail, making us the first county in the U.S. to do so. The budget is a 3.4% spending increase from 2023, and this is the 12th consecutive year with no increases in county property taxes. [90.5 WESA]

City’s Plans for an Overflow Shelter

If temperatures drop below 26 degrees, Pittsburgh will shuttle unhoused people to the Ammon Recreation Center in the Bedford Dwellings section of the Hill District. This is the first winter in decades that the county isn’t opening its Emergency Winter Shelter at the Smithfield United Church of Christ, Downtown. [PublicSource]

• 🛏️ Are 450 shelter beds enough for Pittsburgh’s homeless? [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

SAG-AFTRA Contract Officially Ratified

The union representing thousands of film and TV actors made their new three-year contract official with Hollywood studios this week, ending a nearly four-month strike with an improved benefit plan and residual pay for streaming performers. [KDKA-TV]

• 🎥 What will it take to get Pittsburgh’s movie biz rolling again? And will we finally break our season three “curse”? [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

For Those Who Grew Up ‘Yinzer’

How did growing up in Mt. Lebanon shape Mark Cuban's ambition to become a billionaire entrepreneur and media star? What three tenants from Bill Cowher's father helped guide him through life as an NFL linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, and now CBS football analyst?

These first-person original stories and those of 49 other current and former Pittsburghers — Jeff Goldblum, Suzie McConnell-Serio, Joe Namath, Donnie Iris, Billy Gardell, Patrice King Brown, and Dan Marino, to name a few — are in Dick Roberts’ newly published book, "Growing Up Yinzer: Memories of Beloved Pittsburghers” with illustrations from local cartoonist Rob Rogers.

Oh, and don’t forget about Dick and Rob’s Pittsburgh holiday cards!

Thursday, Dec. 7

• 📚 Free Drinks & Shopping at Amazing Books and Records | 6-10 p.m. | free | Squirrel Hill
• ✨ Beverly Brite Nite shopping along Beverly Road | 7-8:30 p.m. | free | Mount Lebanon
• 🥃 Ghosts of Distillery Row starting at Cadence Cellars Speakeasy | 7-9 p.m. | $50 | Strip District

Friday, Dec. 8

• 💥 Steel City Con at the Monroeville Convention Center | Various Times | $32-50 | Monroeville — through Sunday
• 🎁 Cinder Bell Rock Holiday Night Market at Cinderlands Warehouse | 5-10 p.m. | $5-10 | Strip District — through Saturday
• ✨ Holiday Laser Show at North Park Swimming Pool | 6 & 8 p.m. | $32-50 | Allison Park — through December 23
• 🥂 21+ Night: Time Machine at the Carnegie Science Center | 6-10 p.m. | $20-25 | Chateau

Saturday, Dec. 9

• 🔥 Fire Fest with can releases and glass blowing at Grist House | 12 p.m. | free | Millvale
• 🛼 Skate Night with DJ Mary Mack at Necromancer Brewing | kids 3:30-5:30 p.m. / adults 6-10 p.m. | free | Ross

Mayor Ed Gainey on Budgets, Bridges & Why Sidewalks are Sexy

Downtown Pittsburgh has a slumping reputation, but Mayor Ed Gainey says he thinks it’s more of a PR problem. He’s with us for a long one talking about his wish list for more bridge projects, less gun violence, and bringing the NFL Draft to Steelers country. Plus, stick around for our suggestions ahead of his very first e-scooter ride.