🚎 The hidden T station in Downtown

Have You Been to Downtown’s Hidden T Station?

While light-rail lines are under construction Downtown, riders are taking a detour to Penn Station — a rarely-used T stop along the East Busway and Amtrak station. The station will be in constant use for seven weeks following the Pirates’ home opener on April 5.

• 🚎 Locals love its convenience, but PRT says there are no immediate plans for regular use of the station. Their long-range plans, though, include a proposal to run a light-rail from Penn Station through Allentown to South Hills Junction. [TribLIVE]
• 🛞 So what CAN riders look forward to? CEO of PRT Katharine Kellerman came on our podcast to talk about plans for a bus line redesign. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

Stores Move Out of Shadyside

Shopping on Walnut Street looks different than it used to. Athleta, E.B. Pepper, and Footloose shut their doors within the last year. Now Gap is the latest to close; it’s one of hundreds of locations shutting down nationwide. A new retailer is planned for the space and will be announced soon. [KDKA-TV]

New Nonstop Flights Coming to PIT Airport

Planning some spring and summer travel? PIT is getting new daily Spirit flights to New York-LaGuardia on May 8 and Boston Logan International on June 5. Spirit also resumed its seasonal nonstop flights to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and increased capacity to Orlando, Florida. Frontier is adding two daily nonstop flights to Philadelphia starting May 16. And if you want to go to the West Coast, Breeze Airways will begin direct flights to San Diego on June 8. Find more flight info and international options! [Pittsburgh Magazine]

• ✈️ Stressed about flying? Here’s our insider's guide to traveling from PIT. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

Even though there are already presumptive presidential nominees, Pennsylvania still has a primary on Tuesday, April 23 — and there are plenty of local and statewide candidates trying to win your vote.

Voters will choose each party’s respective nominees for offices like attorney general, state treasurer, auditor general, and state representative. The candidates who win this April will appear on the general election ballot in November.

Make sure you’re ready to vote with this checklist ⬇️

✅ Check To See If You’re Already Registered

Find out if your voter registration is up to date using this tool. You can also check your polling place and political party.

✅ If You’re Not Registered, Make Sure You’re Eligible

You’re allowed to vote if:

• You’ve been a U.S. citizen for at least one month before the election.
• You’ve been a resident of both Pennsylvania and your specific election district for at least 30 days before the election.
• You’ll be at least 18 years old on or before election day.

✅ Register or Make Changes by April 8!

Fill out your voter registration application online, by printing out and mailing this form, or in-person at the County Office Building at 542 Forbes Ave.

If you’re already registered but you moved, changed your name, or want to change your party affiliation, you can make changes to your registration before April 8.

Let’s play a game! Where can you find this colorful flower mural? 👀

🌟 Shoutout to Craig D., Cassandra L., Adam M., and Joanne V. who correctly guessed the last “Where Is It?” challenge!

If you’re new here, you should know that every Thursday on the City Cast Pittsburgh podcast, we cover what’s new in food and drink in the Burgh — and I’m often on mic with our host Megan Harris!

Hear about the new spot spicing up the local brewery scene right across the street from KLVN, plus a little Pittsburgh boozy history!

Pittsburgh Pranks, Plastic Bag Bans & More Doulas

Have businesses actually stopped giving out plastic bags since a citywide ban went into effect? A new report from PennEnvironment provides a first look at compliance rates. Plus, a new documentary looks at the Black birthing experience in Pittsburgh – at the same time the state is expanding access to doulas. And it turns out our city has a high percentage of pranksters (at least according to one study).