📌 Pgh’s biggest issues right now

The Biggest Challenges for Pittsburgh’s Next Mayor

TribLive’s Julia Burdelski is on today’s City Cast Pittsburgh podcast to share the most pressing issues facing our newly elected officials — including the new mayor — and how they'll have to find creative solutions to balance the city budget.

• Plus, we talk about how the dynamics of City Council could change if a Republican wins a seat for the first time in nearly 100 years. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

Pitt Professors Push Back Against Trump Admin

A group of educators are asking university leadership to publicly reject the White House’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” — a proposal to give colleges easier access to funding if they support the president’s agenda. [WESA]

• Read Pittsburghers’ reactions to President Donald Trump's efforts to reshape higher education. [Public Source]
• Hear from professors and doctors on the local impacts of cuts to medical research funding. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

County Launches Effort To Boost Mon Valley

County Executive Sara Innamorato and state Sen. Nick Pisciottano announced “The Mon Valley Forward,” a plan to attract investment, support businesses, and create jobs in a region that’s struggled to rebound from the loss of manufacturing jobs and decades of disinvestment. [Allegheny County]

PA’s Richest Man Donates to White House Ballroom

Republican megadonor Jeffrey Yass contributed at least $2.5 million, joining dozens of other individuals and corporations. Ethics experts have concerns that donors could get special treatment from the administration. Yaas is a major investor in ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company. [🔐 Inquirer]

Let’s play a game! Where can you find this light display? 👀 (I’m looking for the name of the street.)

🌟 Congrats to Matt N., Veronica M., Ariel L., Casey G., Sharla Y., Emily G., Mason B., Justin P., Emma C., Melissa M., Holly M., Frederick D., Nadine W., and Carye B. who correctly guessed the last “Where Is It?” challenge! ⬇️

Find this neon ghost at Trace Echo on Forbes Avenue in Uptown. Whether you want a daytime coffee or an evening beer, this is your spot.

The folks at Trace Brewing transformed an old pharmacy building into a chic daytime coffee shop and evening taproom. Grab a seasonal latte from Ghost Coffee Collab, then stick around for one of their nighttime events — like Get Dahn Uptown jazz night every second and fourth Thursday.

Looking for things to see and do?

• 🍂 Make plans with our guide to November in Pittsburgh.
• 🍎 Help your neighbors and donate food or volunteer.
• 🎃 Use these tips to recycle your pumpkins.
• 🍗 Dig in at Pittsburgh’s best barbeque spots.
• 🏈 Make game day the best day at these local spots.
• 📚 Find your next cozy fall read at local indie bookstores.
• 🍽️ Try Pittsburgh’s best new restaurants, bars, and bakeries.
• 📸 Turn your photos into Warhol-inspired art.

We’re back with recommendations from City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbors 📣 This is a weekly spot in the newsletter where members get to shine a light on their favorite local businesses, organizations, and events.

• 🪩 Courtney C. loves Technique by Toni, a dance studio in Bon Air. “They offer a great space for people of all ages. I personally take adult classes on Tuesdays to get my body moving and to enjoy dancing again like I did when I was a kid.”
• 📣 Steve W. says Wilkinsburg's Community Forge is a “center of community life,” bringing programs like STEM education and anti-violence services to the East End.

Want to share your own shoutout? 🌟