📚 6 free things to get with your library card

City Headed Toward a Financial Crisis

Last week, Pittsburgh Controller Rachael Heisler warned officials of a grim fiscal future, urging them to reopen and amend the 2024 budget. A reassessment of Downtown property values means that the city could see as much as a $5.32 million reduction in tax revenue. Plus, the court’s decision to block the city from collecting tax on out-of-town athletes and entertainers could cut another $4.36 million. [TribLIVE]

• 💸 We explain what Pittsburgh’s “jock tax” is. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

Celebrate 412 Food Rescue Heroes

Donors, volunteers, and nonprofit partners have saved more than 30 million pounds of food through 412 Food Rescue that otherwise would have been wasted. This week, the trailblazing nonprofit is celebrating food rescue heroes, as well as its ninth anniversary, and raising awareness about the challenge of food waste. [412 Food Rescue]

• 🥕 412 Food Rescue is the largest volunteer food rescue organization in the country with a growing community of 22,000+ volunteers. Here’s how to get involved!

Section 8 Waiting List Is Open

Pittsburgh’s housing authority opened its Section 8 (or Housing Choice) voucher waiting list for the first time since 2018. If you’re a low-income resident who needs a portion of your rent covered, you can apply to get on the list until this Friday, March 15, at 11:59 p.m. [90.5 WESA]

• 🏡 Affordable housing is one of the biggest issues facing Pittsburgh this year.
• 📈 Did you know that Baby Boomers dominate Pittsburgh’s housing market? [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

Pittsburgh Native Releases ‘Cooking in Real Life’

After seven years working under Ina Garten — aka Barefoot Contessa — 32-year-old Pittsburgh native Lidey Heuck is releasing her first cookbook, “Cooking in Real Life,” filled with flexible and unfussy recipes. The NYT Cooking contributor believes "good food could make any occasion out of nothing." [Pittsburgh City Paper]

6 Free Things To Get With Your Library Card

When Andrew Carnegie started opening libraries in southwest Pennsylvania in the 1890s, he wanted to bring books and knowledge to everyone — not just those who could afford to pay. Now libraries are taking that spirit beyond the printed word, offering everything from power tools to ukuleles to genealogy databases. We’re exploring the unique collections available for you to check out at local libraries.