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Shapiro Pitches $53.2 Billion State Budget

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposal includes a 5% increase in spending from 2025, with extra funding for public transit and the state's poorest school districts. Shapiro once again urged lawmakers to legalize cannabis and tax skill games and called for an increase in the state's minimum wage. [SpotlightPA]

Another Data Center Proposed for Pittsburgh-Area

A Texas developer is planning a $10 billion data center at the former Bruce Mansfield plant in Beaver County — joining other proposed facilities in Springdale, Homer City, and Upper Burrell. We explain how data centers work, why they're so controversial, and how you can track where they’re being built.

• In Gov. Shapiro's budget address, he also pitched data center regulations, which would require developers to bring or build their own power. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh / 🔒Business Times]

Officials Warn: Stay Off Frozen Rivers

After multiple reports of people walking on ice, Pittsburgh’s first responders are urging people not to cross our frozen rivers. Officials say hypothermia can set in within minutes of falling through ice. [TribLive]

• What about skating on ponds and lakes? While it sure looks magical, a representative at the Pittsburgh EMS office told us people should only skate on official rinks. [📝 City Cast Pittsburgh]

Oakmont Weighs Ban on ICE Agreements

Borough officials are considering a bill that would ban formal agreements with federal immigration agents. This comes after agents detained Jose Flores outside his Oakmont home last week while he was warming up his car for work. His wife says Flores, an asylum seeker with legal status in the U.S., was taken without a warrant and placed in an unmarked car. [Axios Pittsburgh]

• The Trump administration quietly purchased a 520,000-square foot warehouse in Berks County to convert into an immigration detention center. [SpotlightPA]

Let’s play a game! Where in Pittsburgh can you pull up a seat at this bar?

🌟 Congrats to Mary R., Michelle K., Michael S., Ronette S., Marty S., Karen B., Andrea A., Garrett S., Colin W., Ted K.S., Sam L., Tomar P.B., August M., Erica P., Carye B., and Stephanie L., who correctly guessed the last “Where Is It?” challenge! ⬇️

The next time you’re in Homewood, be sure to admire the murals outside of the Afro American Music Institute on Hamilton Avenue — a music hall hosting music lessons, a jazz lab, and a boy’s choir.

You can’t miss the purple portrait murals on the exterior of the building dedicated to Pittsburgh’s jazz icons. Pictured above, you can see paintings of Mary Cardwell Dawson, who brought Black opera to Pittsburgh, and Billy Strayhorn, a jazz composer, pianist, lyricist, and arranger. Other portraits, painted by local artist Kyle Holbrook, include Ahmad Jamal, Erroll Garner, and Mary Lou Williams.

February is Black History Month, and it’s a good time to learn about Pittsburgh’s jazz legacy and go see a show 🎷

Looking for more things to see and do?

• 💗 Have fun in February with these top events
• 🍜 Eat these delicious dishes for Lunar New Year
• ☕ 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
• 🎟️ Snag free museum tickets with a RAD Pass
• 📚 Get cool perks with your library card
• 💡 Try our latest Pittsburgh crossword puzzle