🎸 More concerts on North Shore

New Entertainment Plaza Coming To North Shore

A 30,000-square-foot outdoor plaza is slated to open across from PNC Park on April 2 — just in time for the Pirates home opener the next day. The new entertainment spot will feature a fast-casual restaurant, two performance stages, and a 40’ LED screen for airing games, movies, and more.

• The restaurant, SugarBird, includes menu items like fried chicken, donuts, and soft serve ice cream. Another food and drink spot, Highball Social Club, is expected to open this fall. [Legacy]

PRT Gets $350K Boost Ahead of NFL Draft

VisitPITTSBURGH is giving the city’s transit agency funding to expand service for NFL Draft weekend, including temporary bus routes serving park-and-ride locations around the site and more frequent light rail stops. The three-day event is expected to attract up to 700,000 people. Downtown’s also getting a new cell phone tower at Point State Park to boost service during the Draft. [KDKA]

Wrongful Detention Claims Surge in Western PA

Wrongful detention claims from immigrants in the Western District went up by more than 2,200% last year. More than 250 immigrants from the area — who are being held at Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Central PA — filed habeas petitions challenging the legality of their detention and asking to be released on bond. [Post-Gazette]

• The Trump administration is planning two more detention centers in the state, and some local leaders are pushing back. [City Cast Pittsburgh]
• Tensions around ICE persist in Springdale, one month after a resident was detained with the help of borough police. [Public Source]

‘Immaculate Collection’ Ramps Up Ahead of NFL Draft

The city, county, and other local partners are working to beautify the region through a series of cleanup events. New spring efforts include a collegiate litter pick-up challenge across eight universities and hundreds of flower baskets in Downtown. Since the Immaculate Collection campaign launched in September, volunteers have cleared more than 400 tons of litter, and organizers hope to keep clean ups going long after the Draft. [Immaculate Collection]

PIT Opens Food Pantry for TSA Agents

Pittsburgh International Airport is providing free food to TSA workers who are going unpaid during the government shutdown. Employees can get meals from airport concessions twice per week and have access to a pantry stocked by the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. [TribLive]

• Here’s where to donate or find food assistance in Pittsburgh. [City Cast Pittsburgh]

Environmental Group To Sue US Steel

Three Rivers Waterkeeper plans to sue the company for releasing oil into the Monongahela River from its Irvin Works facility. The group says it's seen an oily sheen on the river at least 36 times since 2021 — a “telltale sign that oil discharges are harming the aquatic ecosystem.” [Allegheny Front]

• More pollution news: Reports show Shell’s petrochemical plant in Beaver County has continued to release toxins above legally permitted levels for almost three years — without any clear enforcement from state regulators. [Public Source]