❓What’s the deal with Fetterman?

🪧 Protests at Fetterman, McCormick Book Talk?

U.S. Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick are hosting their first joint event this Saturday in Pittsburgh — a ticketed event promoting McCormick’s new book. Local groups are planning to protest, calling for both lawmakers to hold public town halls. [🔒 Philadelphia Inquirer]

• ⁉️ Fetterman rode a progressive wave to victory in 2022. What changed? [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

💰 PA House Reintroduces Equal Pay Bill

State lawmakers are trying to close the pay gap through a bill that would bar employers from paying workers less because of their gender, race, or ethnicity. In 2023, women in PA earned 82.4% of men’s wages — slightly below the national average — and the gap was even larger for women of color. A similar bill passed the House last May but wasn’t taken up in the Republican-controlled Senate. [Pennsylvania Capital-Star]

• 📣 Get involved in Pittsburgh through Level Up’s Pay Equity campaign. [Level Up]

🚧 Work Resumes on Riverview Park Walking Bridge

The $5.4 million project to install a pedestrian bridge between Brighton Heights and Riverview Park is expected to be complete by Memorial Day. Woods Run Avenue will be closed for the next couple of weeks. [Union Progress]

❌ Donny’s Place Denied Historic Status

The Pittsburgh City Planning Commission voted against the historic designation of Donny’s Place in Polish Hill, which served as a queer bar from 1972-2022 and an outreach center during the HIV/AIDS crisis. The estate of the former owner, Donald Thinnes, wants the site to become housing. [PublicSource]

• 🏳️‍🌈 Community members were hoping Donny’s Place could become the first queer and trans space in Western Pennsylvania to get historic recognition. [QBurgh]

We love to update yinz about the yummiest new places to grab a bite or bev in the Burgh! Check out what caught our eye this week 🤤

🥪 Breadbox Brings Handhelds to North Side

The sandwich and sweet shop on East North Avenue has all of your lunchtime cravings, like caesar salad, a fig and smoked gouda chicken panini, a pastrami sandwich, and sides like potato salad and coleslaw. Don’t forget a cookie or cinnamon roll for the road!

🥣 Fill Your Bowl at This Foodbank Fundraiser

Enjoy hearty soup in handcrafted ceramic bowls at the 28th annual Empty Bowls event, held at Rodef Shalom Congregation in Shadyside on April 6. There will be a silent auction and an exhibit featuring handmade plates with quotes from neighbors facing food insecurity. Tickets are $30, and all proceeds go to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Just Harvest.

🥕 VegFair To Take Over Rockwell Park

Head to Point Breeze on April 26 to taste plant-forward food and enjoy shopping from vendors across the region. The event, a springtime version of VegFest, will be held in a converted warehouse; entry and parking is free! Follow their Instagram to get a preview of eats and treats before you go.

🍦 Islay’s Is Coming to The Strip

The nostalgic dairy and deli shop will open an old school-style Isaly’s on Penn Avenue in 2026 — with chipped ham sandwiches and skyscraper ice cream cones, of course! The 3,500-square-foot space will likely be the first new Isaly’s store in decades.

• 📖 Historian Brian Butko, author of “Isaly’s Chipped Ham, Klondikes, and other Tales from Behind the Counter,” says he’s working with the new owner to bring back designs from the original Pittsburgh stores — like the deli up front, a traditional ice cream counter, and booths along the wall.
• 🎧 Listen to him share the origin story of the Klondike bar on the City Cast Pittsburgh podcast.