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Butler County Goes Blue

The vote tallies are still really tight in Tuesday’s special election, but as of this writing, Democrat Brandon Dukes leads Republican Scott Timko by 88 votes. If Dukes holds onto his lead, Democrats will have a slightly wider majority in the state House through November, when all 203 seats are up for election. [🔒 Post-Gazette]

No Fast Tracks for Data Centers

Projects in Mercer and Greene counties were supposed to get faster state environmental approvals, but they’ve been removed from the “fast track” list after Gov. Josh Shapiro’s latest executive order. Both sites are converting brownfields into data centers. The new order requires centers to have local approvals in hand and meet Shapiro’s GRID guidelines before being reviewed by the state. [🔒 Business Times / PA.gov]

PPS Starts Monday

Most Pittsburgh Public Schools students will return to classrooms Monday. PPS is rolling out a district-wide cellphone ban with “parent ambassadors” assigned to help communicate with families ahead of controversial facility closures. The board approved closing 12 schools in fall 2027.

• Earlier this summer, a group of parents alleged the district’s realignment plan discriminates against Black students. The complaint asks the PA Human Relations Commission to investigate and stop its implementation. [TribLive]

Relish the Weinermobile in Bloomfield

Oscar Meyer’s 90-year-old, hot-dog-and-bun-on-wheels will be at Dad’s Dog and Burger Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Though it’s not on the car’s official calendar, the BaconBurgh festival at South Side Works Aug. 30 is also promoting a weinermobile appearance. [Instagram / Oscar Meyer / City Cast Pittsburgh]

While home is a very cozy place to watch a movie, nothing beats a large screen, a salty popcorn, and a bubbly soda. If you need a few hours of escapism, here are our favorite independent theaters to check out in Pittsburgh. Keep in mind that some play the latest movies released, while others only host special viewings and other events like trivia.

Row House Lawrenceville

📍 Lawrenceville

This single-screen space hosts special events and series like “The Show Must Go On” featuring films about show biz — which starts tomorrow (Aug. 21) — and its annual “13 Hours of Terror” horror movie marathon in October. Buy tickets one screening at a time, or get a Rowhouse Film Club membership for a monthly movie ticket, free popcorn, and invites to member-only screenings. Be sure to swing by Bierport next door to get beer, wine, or craft sodas. Row House lets you take them into the theater!

Dependable Drive-In

📍 Coraopolis

The only remaining drive-in in Allegheny County! Roll up for the first showing (and the best pick of parking), and you’ll get two movies for the price of one. At $10 per person, it’s a great deal, and it has a snack bar so you can make a true night of it. The four-screen lot opened in 1950 and continues to show new releases.

The Oaks Theater

📍 Oakmont

Once dubbed the “Jewel of Oakmont," this nearly 90-year-old, single-screen venue now shares films ranging from cult classics and independent works to family-friendly screenings like “Back to the Future” and “Dead Poets Society.”. It also has two full-service bars and a 20-seat lounge for live music, trivia, and more.