📷 Will lawmakers limit Flock cams?

Harrisburg Eyes Flock Cams

Lawmakers’ ideas to limit automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) range from penalizing people (i.e. some police) who use it unlawfully, to only authorizing specific investigations like finding stolen vehicles or missing persons. One state senator suggested prohibiting certain “networked” technology that catalogs cars. [Penn Capital-Star]

• Do you live near ALPRs? Websites crowdsource their locations. Search specific addresses or along your commute. [Flock Camera Locations]

New Ken’s Data Center Now Online

TECfusions Inc.’s data center went live Thursday at a former Alcoa R&D campus. It’s likely PA’s first center since Gov. Josh Shapiro called for stricter standards this month, which officials say TECfusions followed anyway.

• Tenants could share up to three gigawatts of total power when the full campus is complete around 2032. (By contrast — at its busiest — PIT uses about 13 megawatts.) The project is one of several in the works for Western PA. [🔒 Business Times / Your City Could Be Better]

Black Homeowners Pay More For Insurance

Families in predominantly Black communities like Homewood, the Hill District, and Braddock are paying about $1,800 a year for home insurance while those in Fox Chapel and Mt. Lebanon — both predominantly white communities — pay about $220 less. The Consumer Federation of America says the difference in rates is not due to increased risk, but “covert or overt” discrimination. The disparity occurs nationwide, but is particularly stark in PA. [🔒 Post-Gazette]

35 PPS Schools Learning Remotely Due to Heat

Today, tomorrow, and Thursday, students at select city schools will learn from home. The district is operating under “extreme heat protocol” since temperatures are forecasted to be in the 90s, and lots of old Pittsburgh facilities lack air conditioning. [Pittsburgh Public Schools]

Happy September! The autumnal equinox arrives September 23 so I’m leaning into the warm gold tones of fall leaves and pumpkin spice, but that’s not all in store this month. Host Megan Harris, contributor Sophia Lo, and friend of the pod Rachel Carlson share their picks for September, from hitting golf balls off PNC Park’s upper deck to visiting the harpy eagle at the National Aviary.

Here’s a few more ideas for what to do in September:

Stop by the Pittsburgh County Fair

You know we’re big on home gardens, spending time outdoors, and shopping local. If you’re into those things too, then check out the Pittsburgh County Fair on Sept. 12! Look for local makers and growers, plus activities like butter making, sheep shearing, and “emotional composting” 👀

I know my way around a farm show, so I’m excited to see the “Best Tomato” and “Best Apple Pie” in the city. I also hope there’s some weird fried food to try 🍟

Get Your Pumpkin Spice On

I know, I know: it’s overplayed, it’s too sweet, “pumpkin spice” doesn’t even include real pumpkin — and yet! I love me some oddly orange, cinnamon-and-nutmeg goodness. Even if pumpkin spice is not for you, our local faves have seasonal menus that I’m definitely falling for:

• ☕ Commonplace Coffee has location-specific specials (hello spiced peach latte!) and PSLs at all shops
• 🥧 Convive Coffee’s seasonal specials are available at all cafes and I’m eyeing that apple pie cortado
• 🍦 Page’s Dairy Mart teased a fall menu coming soon, hopefully including a marshmallow-topped treat