🛒 Can Giant Eagle compete?

PRT Postpones Infrastructure Improvements

In order to avoid route cuts and fare increases, Pittsburgh Regional Transit is using $110 million in capital funding that was supposed to be used for projects like vehicle replacements and safety upgrades. [PublicSource]

PA Joins Lawsuit Over SNAP Data

Pennsylvania joined 21 other states in suing the Trump administration, which is demanding personal information about food-stamp recipients and threatening to withhold nearly half a billion dollars in funding if the state doesn't comply. [WESA]

• Cuts have already been made to SNAP benefits. Here’s how to fight food insecurity in Pittsburgh. [Next Generation Newsroom / 📝 City Cast Pittsburgh]

Hazelwood Wants Industry Off the Riverfront

City Councilor Barb Warwick introduced a bill to change zoning and limit heavy industry along the riverfront to open up the land for more residential, retail, and educational development. The railroads lining the neighborhood say they are “being steamrolled” and threatened to take legal action. A vote has been delayed until Oct. 7. [Public Source]

Giant Eagle Strategizes To Beat Competition

With the region’s first Wegmans coming to Cranberry, Giant Eagle is planning to spend more than $100 million to renovate stores, expand in-store pharmacies, and run seasonal promotions on frequently bought items — like one week of $1 deals. [TribLive / KDKA / Giant Eagle]

3 Pittsburgh Starbucks Stores Close

Locations in South Side, Lawrenceville, and North Side closed over the weekend, and Starbucks plans to shut down around 200 nationwide by the end of the fiscal year. [WTAE]

• Pittsburgh has plenty of awesome locally-owned coffee shops to support. Plan your next caffeine trip. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

Fall is in full swing! The leaves are just beginning to change colors, pumpkin spice is back in coffee shops, and Oktoberfest beers are lining the shelves.

I’m on today’s City Cast Pittsburgh podcast with host Megan Harris to run down some of the best fall markets and fairs, farm festivities, and Halloween celebrations around the Pittsburgh area.

Armful of Flowers Fall Fest

Oct. 5

Head to Armful of Flowers on Mt. Washington for a pumpkin patch, local vendor market, bouquet bar, and mini golf course. Then skip right next door to Bigham Tavern for a hot wing competition, an ax-throwing tournament, stein hoisting, and a dog costume parade.

WorkshopPGH Fall Fest

Oct. 5

Don’t miss WorkshopPGH’s biggest event of the year in and around their Wilkinsburg warehouse. Mosey through the pumpkin patch, shop from more than 75 local makers, or try your hand at DIY stations. Food trucks, beer and cider, and music will keep the festivities going along Pennwood Avenue.

Monster Pumpkins Festival

Oct. 18-19

Take a gander at truly gigantic pumpkins (they need a small crane to lift them!), enjoy activities for the kiddos, and take cover during the annual colossal pumpkin drop at 3 Crossings in the Strip District.

Freedom Farms Fall Festival

Weekends in October

The fall festival is Freedom Farms’s biggest event of the year. It features a corn pit, pumpkin patch, farm fun hay tunnel, hayrides, and pick-your-own pumpkins for the kids, plus beer and live music for the adults.

Pumpkinland

Weekends, Oct. 4-26

Enjoy Janoski’s Farm and Greenhouse’s annual haunted barn, corn maze, pumpkin patch, straw jump, bike path, pony rides, farm animals, and more.