🍦 Pittsburgh’s best ice cream

🚎 PRT Makes Bus Route Changes

Around 20 bus routes, mostly linked to Downtown, have been altered as part of Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s plan to streamline service and create a new rapid transit line from Oakland. See the map of service adjustments. [PRT]

• 🆘 Pittsburgh's public transit is in a financial crisis — and the PA state budget, which is due today, will determine whether PRT has to make massive service cuts. Executive director of Pittsburghers for Public Transit Laura Chu Wiens shares what’s at stake and how we can build a more financially stable transit system. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

📣 Pittsburghers Protest Outside ICE Office

Nearly 100 people marched outside the ICE office in South Side last week as part of “Disappeared in America Visual Action” protests held across the country. According to Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, about 70% of the people that ICE has in detention (as of mid June) do not have criminal records. [90.5 WESA]

• 🚨 The demonstration followed an ICE raid and the arrest of 14 people at a restaurant in Marshall Township last week. [TribLive]
• ➡️ Here’s what to know about ICE in Pittsburgh. (Spanish version) [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

📝 Juneteenth Organizers Allege Discrimination

Festival founder and organizer William “B” Marshall says that commercial developer Walnut Capital denied attendees access to parking in the Bakery Square garage during celebrations at Mellon Park. Pittsburgh City Councilor Khari Mosley is looking into the allegations. [Axios Pittsburgh]

💰 Celebrities Donate to Pittsburgh Public Schools

Rapper Wiz Khalifa, former NFL player and sports commentator Pat McAfee, and entertainer Snoop Dogg gave $50,000 to PPS. Superintendent Wayne Walters will determine how to spend the money. [WTAE]

As temperatures soar in the Steel City, cooling off is on everybody’s mind. We took to social media to find out what sweet treats top local lists, from the best soft serve to creative options “beyond the scoop.”

For example: the Allen family in Sarver has five kids, all on a mission to check out every unique ice cream spot in a 90-minute radius. (So far, their fav is Mazzanti’s Beans and Cream in Butler!) We also talked to locals who’ve returned to the same ice cream stand for decades.

Dig into the very unofficial results below ⬇️

Antney’s

📍Greentree / Crafton

This longstanding shop has a nostalgic vibe and tons of creative hard serve flavors. They partner with Better-Maid Donuts for incredible ice cream sandwiches, too. Antney’s does small batch flavors, so it’s always a surprise what might be on the menu. Check their Facebook page for up-to-date hours and flavors.

Dari Delight

📍Swissvale

Many locals mentioned this sweet shop as their post-Kennywood stop (though Kennywood has a great selection, too). They’ve been open since the 1950s and have all the classic cones and sundaes, plus vegan options and gluten-free cones.

Happy Day Dessert Factory

📍Allegheny West

This Black-owned business is on Western Avenue, and they’ve also got a dessert truck that travels to local events and farmers markets. They have 50 flavors of hard serve ice cream, custard, water ice, ice cream sandwiches, and everything in between.

Page’s

📍South Side

While Page’s was on everyone’s lips for basically every category, they definitely top the list for vibes. Who doesn’t love a cone under the drippy bridge? The old-school neon lights, the classic signage, the line wrapped around the building on a summery Pittsburgh night? Iconic.

Kool Cones

📍North Hills

This favorite spot has two locations in and around North Park, which is perfect for cooling off after some outdoor recreation. Their raspberry soft serve will send you out of this solar system, and they have other treats like sundaes, freezees, and Dole Whips.