🐧 Pens play on

Businesses Report Mixed Results from Draft

Restaurants and small businesses outside of the NFL Draft footprint saw far fewer customers than expected — even with Pittsburgh’s record-breaking attendance. Even restaurants Downtown near the draft festivities reported a “dead” lunchtime and their “worst dinner service ever.” [WPXI / 🔒 Business Times]

• Some roads will remain closed as cleanup is underway at Point State Park and on the North Shore. See what streets to avoid. [TribLive]
• The party may be over, but there’s still a lot to explore in Downtown, like pop-up businesses and a new roller skating rink. [City Cast Pittsburgh]

Police Get Incentives to Team Up With ICE

Records from Southwestern PA governments show that police bureaus sometimes receive incentives to cooperate with ICE, like reimbursement for officer salaries, benefits, overtime pay, and new vehicles. Learn which Pittsburgh-area agencies have agreements with federal agents.

• A Springdale resident was arrested at a council meeting while arguing for transparency around the borough’s ICE agreement. Allegheny County’s chief public defender says the charges were “inappropriate” and will push to have them dropped. [Public Source]

PA Preps for May Primary Elections

Incumbent Democrat Josh Shapiro is facing off against Republican challenger Stacy Garrity, who currently serves as the state treasurer. Spotlight PA Capitol reporter Stephen Caruso is sharing a highlight reel of each candidate and whether Shapiro can make good on his promise to “get stuff done” if he wins reelection — and if the state Senate flips in favor of Democrats. [City Cast Pittsburgh]

• PA’s primary election is May 19. Register to vote by May 4.

Pittsburgh Region Gets "F" for Air Quality

The American Lung Association gave Allegheny County a failing grade in its annual State of the Air report, which looks at ozone and particle pollution. The county's air quality has dramatically improved over the past 20 years, but the Pittsburgh region still has some of the worst particle pollution in the U.S. [Axios Pittsburgh]

• How bad is it? Some locals have criticized ALA's methodology. [🔒 Post-Gazette]

Let’s play a game! Where can you find this mesmerizing ceiling display?

🌟 Shout out to Rich V., Kate C., Lori K., Joann A., Carol W., Flo B., Chris H., Cassandra L., Natalee C., Harry G., Eric A., Allie S., Avocet G., Joanmarie M., Sharon H., Abby C., Al H., Emma R., LC M., Andrea O., and Elena A. for correctly guessing last week’s photo challenge ⬇️

Find this Gothic Revival-style building and stunning pink blooms at Allegheny Cemetery in Lawrenceville — one of the largest and oldest burial grounds in Pittsburgh.

The cemetery was founded in 1844 and is around 300 acres. Stop for a peaceful stroll the next time you’re in the area — or my favorite, while waiting for a table at Apteka across the street (on the Butler Street side).

A visit to these grounds is a history lesson. You’ll find a memorial to the 1862 Arsenal explosion victims and graves of famous Pittsburghers like baseball star Josh Gibson. Plus, don’t forget to find the iconic Winter Mausoleum guarded by twin sphinxes. The statues are lovingly called “titty sphinxes” by locals, and they’re kind of a landmark around here 😆Seriously — you can even get pins and stickers of the figures!

Looking for more things to see and do?

• 🪦 Learn where other famous locals are buried
• 🥂 Dig in at spring food & drink festivals
• 🥯 Taste some of Pittsburgh’s best bagels
• 💌 Get cute cards and more at these stationery shops
• ♻️ Explore creative reuse and more in Point Breeze
• ☕ Sip something buzzy at new Pittsburgh coffee shops
• 💡 Test your knowledge of local neighborhoods
• ✏️ Try out our latest Pittsburgh crossword puzzle