🐾 The ‘Pettsburgh’ gift for dog owners

Racial Disparities in County Justice System

A new study by Pitt’s Institute of Politics shows significant racial disparities in Allegheny County’s criminal justice system — and the problem has only gotten worse over the past 30 years, even when efforts have been made to reduce the jail population. The study, conducted by two research organizations, followed individuals charged in 2017 through 2019 as they made their way through the legal system.

• Even though they only account for 13% of the county population, Black people made up 49% of the jail population in 2016 — and now 67%. Read more on the study’s recommendations for Allegheny County. [90.5 WESA]

Pittsburgh Pirates Join SportsNet

Starting next year, you’ll catch Bucco games on SportsNet Pittsburgh — formerly AT&T Sports Net. The Pirates agreed to jointly own the regional sports network with the Penguins, who changed the name of AT&T Sports Net after Fenway Sports Group bought it from Warner Bros. Discovery in late August. [TribLIVE]

• Fun fact: The Pirates had the second highest viewership last season, right behind World Series champion Texas Rangers.

New Development in Downtown, South Side

• The city approved a plan to raze several Downtown buildings (at the former site of long-gone Froggy’s bar) to build four bocce courts, and some historic preservation advocates aren’t happy about it. [PublicSource]
• The 5.5-acre site of the former UPMC South Side hospital will become apartments and townhouses; construction will begin next year. [TribLIVE]
• The May Building on Fifth Avenue will be turned into energy-efficient housing units with funding through the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program. The former GNC Headquarters will also host 253 residential units. [NEXTpittsburgh]

There’s still time to buy holiday gifts, which means there’s still an opportunity to keep your dollars local and support a creative biz in the neighborhood.

Come back tomorrow (and the next day, and the next day…) for more local gift picks. You can find them all in this list on our website.

For The Pittsburgh Pup Owner

Pittsburghers with paws will look so cute in these Four One Chew bandanas with phrases like “Squirrel Chill,” “Don’t Be A Wagoff,” and “Pettsburgh.” Plus, they carry custom dog tags shaped like keystones, pickles, and IC Beer.

Psst — Here’s how to plan the perfect day with your Pittsburgh pooch.

How @Homegrown_Handgathered Lives Off the Land in Pgh

How long could you last without going to the grocery store? The Pittsburgh pair behind @Homegrown_Handgathered are showing us — and their hundreds of thousands of social media followers — how they use their skills and public resources in and around the city to live off the land. Listen to the end for a special discount code!