🎙 Latest Fetterman bombshell, explained

Fetterman Calls WSJ Story a ‘Hit Piece’

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman shows little interest in attending caucus or committee meetings, isolates himself from fellow Democrats over his pro-Israel stance, and sometimes dodges constituents, according to a spicy new report from the Wall Street Journal. Fetterman says it’s full of “half-truths” and apologized for texts published by the outlet where he told an aide that leaders from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia “just want free trips to DC.” [🔒 Wall Street Journal / Philly Inquirer]

• What might an X account claiming to represent anonymous former staffers share? @FettermanStaff says the WSJ story is “just the tip of the iceberg,” and that they’ll spill new tea Sept. 14 when the Senate returns. [PennLive / X]
• Fetterman’s critics and defenders piled on. Some called for his resignation, and at least one local Democrat – U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio – openly acknowledged he might run against Fetterman in 2028. Deluzio says he heard from supporters at Pittsburgh’s Labor Day parade, which also featured cameos from two likely 2028 presidential contenders: former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and PA Gov. Josh Shapiro. [PennLive / KDKA / Instagram]

Shell’s $15M Air Pollution Fine

PA fined the company for air quality violations at its Beaver County plastics plant over the past three years. Environmental groups say the fine is insignificant for Shell, which recorded a $9.8 billion quarterly profit in June — its second highest ever. [Allegheny Front]

Special Ed Funding Can’t Keep Up

Special education expenses in PA have increased by 104% since the 2009-10 school year, but state and federal funding only rose by 21%. About a quarter of Allegheny County’s districts have seen a significant rise in special education enrollment compared to the 2020-21 school year. Experts say this can be attributed in part to destigmatization and better testing for diagnoses. [WITF / 🔒 Post Gazette]

Queue Up a Sheetz Feast

A new Sheetz-focused miniseries from YouTube channel First We Feast — creator of the popular “Hot Ones” show — pits two chefs against each other to make over-the-top items for the convenience store chain. Some of those creations will soon be available to the rest of us, including a hefty breakfast sandwich and tater tot nachos. [YouTube / Axios Pittsburgh]

Let’s play a game! Where can you find this grinning sentinel?

🌟 Shout out to Erin L. and Sarah S. for correctly guessing last week’s photo challenge ⬇️

Find these paddles at Reimagined Recycling! The space is both a storefront and workshop that turns #5 plastics into household wares: Everything from small flower pots and coasters to ornaments and earrings. They can even make tabletops or other custom-sized sheets of plastic if you have a specific project in mind (like paddles!).

Are you wish-cycling? Not all plastics are created equal, so get up to date on the recycling rules in Pittsburgh.

You can help tackle litter and illegal dump sites around town by volunteering with Allegheny CleanWays or signing up for the 10th annual Pittsburgh Garbage Olympics on Sept 19 🗑️