🌼 Seed swaps, fish fries + more

🎒14 Pittsburgh Public Schools Could Close

District leaders are backing nearly every recommendation from an outside consulting firm — including closing 14 schools, phasing out elementary school magnet programs, and reconfiguring grades to follow a traditional PreK-5, 6-8, and 9-12 model.

• 🏫 What’s next? The school board could kick off a public comment period in March and vote on the final plan in August. [PublicSource]
• 🚌 We talked to Superintendent Wayne Walters about his vision for the district. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

⚖️ Fern Hollow Bridge Lawsuits Drag On

Pittsburgh is facing nine lawsuits over the 2022 bridge collapse, and recent court filings show how the city might defend itself — faulting PennDOT, private engineering firms, and potentially even the victims — despite evidence that it neglected bridge maintenance for years.

• 💸 Why isn't this resolved yet? The city offered to settle with victims for $500,000 last September but wanted to use part of that settlement money to pay for its own future legal costs. The deal was rejected. [TribLive]

🏫 Penn State Might Shutter Campuses

Penn State announced a list of 12 satellites that could close because of financial struggles and declining enrollment. It includes four campuses in Western PA: New Kengsington, Greater Allegheny, Beaver, and Fayette. [KDKA]

Put a little spring in your step! The Equinox is March 20, and sunnier days are ahead. Here’s how to blossom in the Burgh all month long.

🍀 Rally for St. Patrick’s Day

Pittsburgh is known for its grand St. Patrick’s Day parade. Head Downtown March 15 to watch Irish step dancers, bands, and other marchers paint the town green. Or, start the party early with the St. Practice Day Pierogi Contest & Crawl for charity March 8; an Irish Cocktail Class at PA Market March 13; or a day of revelry at Pittsburgh Brewing Co.’s Irish City March 15.

🌸 Plan Your Spring Garden

Are you a newbie? 🐝 There are a bunch of events to help you prep: Millbillies Maple Fest + Seed Swap and Swissvale Seed Swap March 1; Grow Pittsburgh’s Celebration of Seeds March 8 and Backyard Farm School March 15; and the Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show March 7-16.

🐟 Catch Your Favorite Fish Fry

Church basements, fire departments, and neighborhood pubs — that’s where you can find the best battered goodness during Lenten season. Track down your local spot with the official Pittsburgh Lenten Fish Fry Map.

📽️✏️ Attend a Film Fest, Book Fair or Crafty Expo

Grab your popcorn for Row House Cinema’s Cookies and Comedy Film Fest March 8 or Japanese Film Festival March 15-28. Find new reads at the Adult Book Fair at Lolev Beer March 22. Enjoy all sorts of performances at the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival March 20-29. Or find Pittsburgh’s comic and zine creators at the Pittsburgh Indie Expo at the Heinz History Center March 30.