Post-Gazette 🤝 Baltimore Banner

Baltimore Banner Buys the Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh’s legacy newspaper won’t be closing, after all. The nonprofit news outlet The Baltimore Banner will retain the PG’s name, core leadership, and two print publication days. Staffing cuts and restructuring are likely. According to a release, the newsroom will “start smaller” than the Banner’s current 95 staffers (the PG has around 100). Employees were told there’d be conversations about jobs and beats over the next week.

• Following a lengthy labor dispute, PG owners Block Communications Inc. announced in January the paper would cease operations May 3. The Banner deal takes effect May 4. Financial details haven’t been disclosed.
• Members of the Newspaper Guild are calling on the new owners to uphold union contracts and bargain in good faith. The Guild is still pushing for “legal liabilities they have already incurred.” [CWA]
• Pittsburgh City Paper also returned to work this week. The alt-weekly, also previously owned by the Blocks, is now run by a new Pittsburgh-based nonprofit and supported by private investment. [City Cast Pittsburgh / TribLive]

Penguins Playoffs Start With Battle of PA

The Penguins clinched second place in the Eastern Metropolitan division and will face the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It’s the Pens first time in the playoffs since the 2021-2022 season. Game dates haven’t been confirmed yet. [NHL]

Mobile Clinics To Set Up During Draft

Allegheny Health Network and UPMC will have pop-up care sites in Downtown and medical tents on the North Shore to handle non-urgent treatment. The two healthcare providers are coordinating closely with Pittsburgh EMS, which will deploy its motorcycle and bicycle units to navigate closed roads and crowds. [KDKA]

• Concerts, block parties, and more: Make plans for draft week in the Burgh. [City Cast Pittsburgh]

First-Time Homebuyer Program Renewed

Allegheny County is allocating $3 million toward a program that helps low- and moderate-income families buy houses. This round of investment will go toward the program’s second year; 56 buyers were assisted during the first year. Find more tips for first-time home buyers in Pittsburgh. [WESA / City Cast Pittsburgh]

PA Turnpike Will Send Text Alerts

If you have unpaid tolls, expect to get a text alert from the Pennsylvania Turnpike this summer. The Turnpike Commission is trying to recoup $240 million in unpaid tolls from 2025. But watch out — If you receive a message before this summer, it’s likely a scam. Verify bills by logging in to your EZ Pass account. [WPXI]

Let’s play a game! Where can you find this terracotta relief on a building facade?

🌟 Congrats to readers Carye B., Laura Z., Graciela B., and Olivia J. for correctly guessing the last “Where Is It?” challenge! ⬇️

Find this sun art made out of recycled materials at Commonplace Coffee in the Mexican War Streets ☀️

The colorful exhibit, called “Sunny Days Ahead,” is created by “trash artist” Carye Bye. (📣 Shout out to Carye, a longtime reader and frequent Where Is It? player! Not surprising she got it right this week 😉) The pieces are inspired by mid-century sun wall art and created with materials she finds on trash walks and community cleanups.

“Trashnabbing is an activity I started during the pandemic when thrift stores were closed and city services were minimal,” Bye says. “Turns out the streets provide that same rush I'd get finding something cool I liked in the thrift store, and I could personally help my city look nice by picking up. And it got me outside for some air and exercise.”

Take a closer look at the art and see what you can pick out. It’s like a real life version of “I Spy” books! I found silverware, keys, broken jewelry, tin cans, and more.

I’m a big fan of Carye’s art because she combines creativity with community stewardship. Check out her zines for sale at Commonplace Coffee, like Confessions of a Trash Artist, Everyday Zero Waste Tips, and Pittsburgh Litter Sampler.

♻️ Want to make some recycled art of your own? Join Carye and Allegheny CleanWays for an Earth Day Trash Walk on the North Side, where you’ll do your part to redd up the neighborhood and maybe find some treasures along the way.

Tip: The art show is only on display through April. Catch it while you can! And while you’re there, get Commonplace’s spring special, an orange basil latte.

Looking for more things to see and do?

• 🌸 Make the most of the month with our guide to April
• 🌳 Learn ways to care for our rivers & green spaces
• 🥯 Try some of Pittsburgh’s best bagel shops
• 🛍️ Shop small and local at these spring pop-up markets
• 💌 Get some cute cards at these stationery shops
• ♻️ Explore shops for creative reuse and more in Point Breeze
• ☕ Try one of these new Pittsburgh coffee shops
• 💡 Test your knowledge of Pittsburgh neighborhoods
• ✏️ Try out our latest Pittsburgh crossword puzzle