City Cast Pittsburgh
🚣 How are Pittsburgh’s rivers?
August 3, 2026 · — Laura Tsutsui
Welcome back! And happy August. It feels like we're officially in the dog days of summer.
What's CITY Talking About
AI Startup Moving to Hazelwood Green
Hellbender, which makes hardware and software for robots and autonomous equipment, is moving its headquarters from Harmar into the city. It signed a 10-year lease for 90,000 square feet of space. [🔒 Business Times]
- Pittsburgh's a proven cradle for startups, but can we keep them? [City Cast Pittsburgh]
Rapid Buses To Squirrel Hill?
PRT has secured a $9 million grant to extend its University Line to the Homestead Grays Bridge, but still needs additional funds to fully complete the project. The bus line currently runs from Downtown to Oakland. [🔒 Post-Gazette]
PPS Official Resigns Over Assault Charges
According to court documents, the district's chief of staff was arrested in April and charged with simple assault and strangulation. He announced his resignation last week, saying the “media coverage and resulting public scrutiny have increasingly shifted attention away from the important work of the District.” His preliminary hearing is scheduled for September. [WTAE]
Rivers Are Cleaner But Still Need Work
Pittsburgh’s waterways have come a long way in the past several decades thanks in part to federal laws that restricted water and mining pollution. But heavy rains and sewage overflow occasionally result in higher levels of E. coli bacteria. The county's Sanitary Authority has drafted a $3.6 billion plan to address the sewage runoff. [TribLive]
- I’m on a boat: On today's podcast, we discuss ways to enjoy the last month of summer, including casting off on one of our many rivers.
Sponsored Content
Names You Know, Now in Pittsburgh
Matisse. Renoir. Degas. Morisot. Cézanne. Boudin. This summer, explore the avant-garde movements that turned names into legends. Featuring iconic works, ranging widely in style, French Moderns captures the creative energy that made France the center of the modern art world. Now open at The Frick Art Museum.
What Neighbors Love
We’re back with recommendations from City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbors 📣 This is a regular spot in the newsletter where members get to shine a light on their favorite local businesses, organizations, and events.
- 🥟 Janis M. wants to shout out Pierogies Plus in McKees Rocks. “Everything they offer is homemade, traditional, with a dough that is amazing. They have other specialties too! This is a no frills place for great take out.”
Want to share your own shoutout?
What To Do
Monday, Aug. 3
- 🧶 Intro to Tapestry Style Weaving at Workshop Fiber Studio (Garfield)
- 🍺 Local Bands & Dollar Mondays at Bottlerocket (Allentown)
- 🎤 Disney Karaoke & Sing-Along at Dave & Busters (Homestead)
- 🚲 Volunteer Night at Free Ride (Point Breeze)
- 🧶 Stitch Night at J. Gough’s (Greenfield)
Tuesday, Aug. 4
- ⚒️ Sculptural Aluminum Casting at Carrie Blast Furnaces (Rankin)
- 🧘 Yoga in the Square at PPG Plaza (Downtown)
- 🦉 Wild Inside at Harris Theater (Downtown)
- 📖 "Immortal Game" Book Launch at White Whale Bookstore (Bloomfield)
- 🎤 Story Club PGH Presents: Story Slam! at Alphabet City (North Side)
Sponsored Content
Explore Pittsburgh at Western PA's Biggest Bike Ride
3,000+ riders will tour iconic streets on fully supported routes (10-, 25-, 53-miles), then celebrate at the afterparty. From family fun to serious cycling, UPMC Health Plan PedalPGH has a ride for everyone. Hosted by BikePGH, it's Pittsburgh's can't-miss biking event, all for a great cause. Register now at www.pedalpgh.org
📰 Extra extra! The Westinghouse atom smasher, which has been lying forlorn in Forest Hills since it was taken off its pedestal in 2015, might have a second life. The nuclear company reportedly plans to disassemble and preserve it, but hasn't shared its exact vision yet.
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