🐟 Prep for fish fry season

Fetterman Changes Course, Supports Voter ID

After previously calling voter ID requirements "insidious and unnecessary," Sen. John Fetterman now says they're "not unreasonable" and that his past comments were made “out of deference” to then-Gov. Tom Wolf. [🎧City Cast Pittsburgh]

• The U.S. House passed a major elections overhaul last week, and Fetterman didn’t say whether he’d support it in the Senate — though he did note that the bill’s limits on voter registration by mail are a “nonstarter” for him. [🔒 Post-Gazette]
• Fetterman was the lone Senate Democrat to vote in favor of more funding for the Department of Homeland Security last week, while the rest of his party refused to support the bill without major ICE reforms. [WESA]

Duquesne Light Takes Steps To Prevent Power Outages

The utility company installed a network of solar-powered sensors throughout Allegheny and Beaver counties that can gather real-time information on weather and equipment conditions. Duquesne Light said the data should speed up repairs, decrease outages, and help with long-term maintenance.

• Customers are experiencing rate increases. Here’s why. [WESA]

Kingfly Spirits Abruptly Closes in Strip District

The craft distillery and event venue shut down after seven years on Smallman Street. In a social media announcement, owners did not give a reason for closing but said they’re “moving on to the next chapter.” Need a spot to sip a spirit? Check out these distillery tours in Western PA. [@kingflyspirits / [🎧📝City Cast Pittsburgh]

New Initiative To Clean & Maintain Riverfronts

The city is partnering with the local nonprofit Riverlife to launch UpKeep, a new effort to clean litter, remove invasive plants, and do other maintenance work along 15 miles of riverfront parks, trails, and green spaces. Riverlife raised nearly $28 million to support the initiative. Learn what riverfront amenities are on Riverlife’s wish list. [TribLive / 🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

• Want to help? Here are six ways you can take care of our rivers and greenspaces. [📝 City Cast Pittsburgh]

Let’s play a game! Where can you find this cozy lounge area?

🌟 Congrats to Mary O., Melissa T., Caroline M., Kristin L., Lori K., Linda H., and Vance D. who correctly guessed the last “Where Is It?” challenge! ⬇️

💥🏟️ This month marks a quarter of a century since Pittsburgh said goodbye to Three Rivers Stadium.

On Feb. 11, 2001, a controlled demolition company imploded the North Shore stadium, making way for PNC Park and Heinz Field (now Acrisure Stadium). Thousands of locals gathered to watch it fall into a pile of rubble. The demo lasted just 19 seconds and cost more than $5 million.

Three Rivers Stadium was home to the Steelers and Pirates from 1970-2000. It hosted two World Series, two MLB All-Star games, and seven AFC championship games — plus big concerts for artists like Billy Joel and The Rolling Stones.

👀 Today, you can picture where our home teams played by finding the home base marker on West General Robinson Street. Nearby, you can also find second base — the place where Pirates Hall-of-Famer Roberto Clemente stood after making his 3,000th hit in 1972 — and a historic monument dedicated to Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception.

Looking for more things to see and do?

• 🛁 Treat yourself to a relaxing day at local spas
• 💗 Have fun in February with these top events
• 🍿 See Oscar-nominated films at indie theaters
• 🍜 Eat delicious dishes for Lunar New Year
• 🍩 Dig into an indulgent treat during paczki season
• ⛸️ Get outside with these winter activities
• 🥃 Cheers at Pittsburgh’s best dive bars
• 💡Test your knowledge of Pittsburgh neighborhoods

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.

• 📸 Melissa G. wants to shout out Eastern Standard Photo in Wilkinsburg. “It’s a community and education-focused film lab and the owner, Kelly, is one of the best humans! Her workshops are wonderful and offered on a sliding scale, so anyone who wants to learn the art of analog photography can check it out.”

Want to share your own shoutout? 🌟