🚚 Where are all the snow plows?

Mayor O’Connor Declares State of Emergency

Pittsburgh is struggling to clear streets after Sunday’s massive snowstorm, and the emergency declaration allows the city to call in private contractors to treat the roads. Thirty-seven of the city’s trucks broke down on Sunday night, amplifying ongoing concerns about the state of Pittsburgh’s aging vehicle fleet. [Public Source]

• O’Connor told City Cast Pittsburgh he hopes to reach an agreement with big nonprofits like Highmark and UPMC to get more money for the city’s fleet. [🎧📝 City Cast Pittsburgh]
• Heads up: The city is now delaying trash and recycling pickup by two days. [City of Pittsburgh]

New Robotaxi Takes the Streets

The autonomous vehicle company Waymo is rolling out self-driving taxis in Pittsburgh, but this isn’t new for our city. Back in 2016, driverless car developers chose to pilot in Pittsburgh — thinking if autonomous vehicles could work here, they’d work in any city. Turns out, that challenge was a lot harder than many companies hoped. Can Waymo’s robotaxis find success in Pittsburgh? [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

PPS Launches New Teacher Apprenticeship

Pittsburgh Public Schools hopes to fill ongoing vacancies through a new on-the-job credentialing program for paraprofessionals interested in becoming teachers. A 2025 report found the number of new teachers entering PA’s workforce dropped by two-thirds over the past decade. [WESA]

East End Free Lunch Program on Pause

After more than a decade serving free, hot lunches to anyone who showed up, East End Cooperative Ministry is halting its Community Meals program for the foreseeable future, citing rising costs and funding cuts. The organization will still provide meals to residents of its Recovery House and Emergency Shelter. [Post-Gazette]

• Many locals lost SNAP benefits this month. Here’s where to donate or find food assistance in Pittsburgh. [WESA / 📝🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

Let’s play a game! Where in Pittsburgh can you find murals of local music legends Mary Cardwell Dawson and Billy Strayhorn?

🌟 Congrats to Nancy H., Diane T., Corey E., Zena K., Christian J., Lauren B., Andrea A., Meagan P., Jonathan W., Patrick L., and Jennifer K, who correctly guessed the last “Where Is It?” challenge! ⬇️

If you were to find me at any Pittsburgh bar, it would be this one: Jackworth Ginger Beer in Larimer, aka Pennsylvania’s first ginger beer brewery.

The folks at Jackworth are always mixing up something fun, whether it’s a new cocktail like the Orange Blossom Spritz or a pop-up event like their upcoming Hike & Sauna Feb. 11.

Follow their Instagram to see what’s happening, or stop by and be surprised. There are often fun food trucks parked outside, and the last time I was there, live jazz filled the space with groovy tunes.

Not much of a drinker? Jackworth has just as many mocktails on the menu as they do alcoholic drinks, and you simply can’t go wrong with the classic NA ginger beer. Find more tips for your Dry January.

Looking for more things to see and do?

• ☕ Warm up with a cup at Pittsburgh tea shops
• ⛸️ Get outside with these winter activities
• ♻️ Read up on these trash & recycling tips
• 🎉 Plan your next birthday in the Burgh
• 👟 Join Pittsburgh’s Safe Sidewalks Crew
• 🎟️ Snag free museum tickets with a RAD Pass
• 📚 Get cool perks with your library card
• 💡 Try our latest Pittsburgh crossword puzzle

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.

• 👖E. B. says that Jackie Whoa Vintage is an amazing shop in Crafton with an “incredibly curated selection of beautiful 70s-era vintage. Always worth a stop!”
• 📚 Allison B. loves Riverstone Books in Squirrel Hill and McCandless. “They always have what you're looking for — gifts, kid stuff, and books galore, obviously. The staff is really kind and knowledgeable, and my four-year-old *always* wants to stop by!”
• ➡️ Check out more local thrift shops and indie bookstores.

Want to share your own shoutout? 🌟