✈️ ICE at the airport

ICE Agents Deploy To PIT

President Donald Trump sent immigration agents to 14 airports across the country, including Pittsburgh International, to assist with security during the partial government shutdown. A manager for the union representing TSA employees said it’s “irresponsible and reckless to even suggest you can replace trained TSA with untrained ICE agents.”

• County Executive Sara Innamorato said in a statement: “Sending ICE into our public spaces and communities is never about safety and security threats and has led to racial profiling and harassment of our neighbors.” [🔒 Post-Gazette]
• PIT has so far avoided the staffing crisis affecting other major airports. [🔒 Business Times]

Kennywood Announces Opening Date

The amusement park’s 2026 season kicks off April 18. Check out Celebrate Kennywood Weekends, a new festival series running every weekend through May 10. There will be exclusive Potato Patch-inspired foods, nostalgic photo opportunities, and more. Plus, look forward to more fun throughout the season, like a massive firework display on July 4 for America’s 250th birthday. [KDKA]

Attorney Commits Incline Crime

Who rips off the incline?! A Pittsburgh attorney was indicted for allegedly embezzling nearly $1.4 million from the group that operates the Duquesne Incline. He previously served as president of the group's board of trustees and is accused of transferring the money into his personal bank account. [TribLive]

Pedestrian Safety Project Coming To Squirrel Hill

The Murray Avenue business district will see improvements to traffic signals, crosswalks, bus shelters, and more through a $5.1 million grant from the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program. The city and state are designing safety upgrades together; construction is expected to begin in 2028. [🔒 Post-Gazette]

City Launches Abandoned Vehicle Blitz

Over the next two weeks, the city will remove abandoned vehicles that’ve been reported through 311 or the police. Officers are prioritizing vehicles that are considered hazards or where the registration and inspection expired more than 90 days ago. [City Cast Pittsburgh / City of Pittsburgh]

Let’s play a game! What Pittsburgh bookstore am I in?

🌟 Congrats to reader Alyx B. for correctly guessing the last “Where Is It?” challenge! ⬇️

Find this colorful mural outside of one of my favorite venues in Pittsburgh: Spirit in Lawrenceville. The 10,000-square-foot building used to be a Moose Lodge. Now it's a multi-level, multi-purpose entertainment space, complete with a restaurant and rooftop garden bar. Check the calendar of events for live music, dance parties, pop-up markets, and more.

Be sure to allot time to grab a bite at Spirit Pizzeria, located around back. Get a cocktail or nonalcoholic drink at the bar, slide into a cozy booth, and order some pizza and tasty appetizers. Tip: I got the stracciatella (pulled mozzarella and focaccia) with a chinotto (Italian soda), and the combination was perfect.

Don’t recognize this mural? It might be because the wall outside of Spirit has featured many public art displays over the years.

Looking for more things to see and do?

• 🗓️ Finish out the month with our guide to March
• 💛 Help us build “1,000 Things We Love About Pittsburgh”
• 💌 Get some cute cards at these stationery shops
• ☕ Try one of these new Pittsburgh coffee shops
• 📍 Learn Black history by touring local landmarks
• 🛍️ Shop at a new market inside a historic theater
• 🎥 Watch “The Pitt” with the City Cast Pittsburgh team
• 🛁 Treat yourself to a relaxing day at local spas
• 💡 Test your knowledge of Pittsburgh neighborhoods
• ✏️ Try out 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.

• 🎨 Lisa C. wants to shout out ALMA | LEWIS, “an incredibly special space in Homewood, featuring free, visionary exhibitions, and speaker series celebrating Black culture.”

Want to share your own shoutout? 🌟