$1.5M gun task force for Allegheny County

City Council Divided Over Proposed $6M Plan

Members expressed concerns about the mayor’s $6 million proposal to pay consultants for a citywide comprehensive plan, calling the price tag “irresponsible” and “exorbitant.” Supporters cited the need for this plan to help inform possible changes in the future. Council is expected to take a vote on this plan this week. [TribLIVE]

Gun Task Force Forms in Allegheny County

PA Attorney General Michelle Henry and Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala announced the formation of a local task force to address gun trafficking and illegal straw purchases. The task force is funded from $1.5 million from the state legislature, which will be used to hire seven agents, an attorney, and other staff. [TribLIVE]

Century III Mall Owner Faces Criminal Charges

A restraining order against the owner of the abandoned Century III Mall has been signed, and it prevents any modifications to the property until a preliminary hearing. This comes soon after Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala filed charges against the owner: one felony count of risking a catastrophe and one misdemeanor for creating a public nuisance. Moonbeam Capital Investments bought the site in 2013. The West Mifflin mall used to be one of the largest in America until it closed in 2019. [KDKA / 90.5 WESA]

• ❓What happened? We share Century III nostalgia and what went wrong. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

Should Pittsburgh’s Official Flag be the Terrible Towel??

Pittsburgh has one of the oldest city flags in the U.S., but the design leaves something to be desired — at least, according to Ted Kaye. He's the nation's leading flag scholar and author of the flag design bible, "Good Flag, Bad Flag." Kaye joined City Cast’s Mallory Falk to explain what makes a good flag, where Pittsburgh ranks compared to other cities, and whether we should be considering a new look.