👀 Allegheny County is watching you

Measles Deaths Are Rising

At least four people have now died from measles in Pennsylvania — the state’s first measles-related deaths in decades. As of this writing, the state Department of Health has reported at least 690 cases across 38 counties, making ours one of the worst outbreaks in the country. [PA Department of Health]

• What about Pittsburgh? The people who died lived in Lancaster, Jefferson, and Mifflin counties, but UPMC confirmed we’ve had exposures. [TribLive]
• PA’s immunity problem: A Post-Gazette investigation found one in four PA elementary schools last year fell below the 95% vaccination rate needed for herd immunity, and nearly 16,000 students were allowed into classrooms without required vaccines or a legal exemption. [City Cast Pittsburgh]
• Meanwhile in Harrisburg and D.C, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. questioned whether PA’s first two reported measles deaths were real, prompting a spicy back-and-forth with Gov. Josh Shapiro. Kennedy has since acknowledged the deaths as factual. [The Hill]

We dig into Pennsylvania’s growing measles outbreak and the state’s first measles deaths in decades on today’s podcast.

ALPRs Are Watching You

You may be getting photographed a lot more than you think. A watchdog project called Finding Flock has identified 827 automated license plate readers (ALPRs) across Allegheny County, including 192 made by Flock Safety. Police say they’re using the cameras to find stolen cars and people suspected of crimes, but privacy advocates are worried they're being used for more nefarious purposes. [Axios]

• Could PA crack down? State lawmakers from both parties have introduced at least nine bills that could restrict or ban them. [Spotlight PA]

Term Limits Get the Boot

Allegheny County voters won’t get to weigh in on term limits this November after a Commonwealth Court knocked the questions off the ballot. The proposal would have limited council members, the sheriff, DA, controller, and treasurer to three four-year terms, just like the county executive. [TribLive]

Climate Rollbacks Reach SWPA

The EPA eliminated federal greenhouse gas limits for power plants this week. The rollback could affect several coal and gas facilities in PA as data centers drive up electricity demand. A CMU professor said it could mean “incrementally higher” particulate pollution, which has been linked to asthma, heart problems, and premature death. Environmental groups are expected to challenge the new policy. [Allegheny Front]

Mancini’s Turns 100

The Stowe Township bakery celebrates a century of bread making this week! Gov. Josh Shapiro stopped by to mark the anniversary and highlight state funding that helped the family-owned Pittsburgh staple – known for its crusty Italian loaves — to expand. [🔒 Post-Gazette]

• And if that wasn’t enough bread for you, Jenny Lee Swirl Bread teamed up with Abjuration Brewing to make a beer with actual swirl bread in the mash. Yes, bread beer! [Biz Times]

I’m so excited to finally feel that fall chill in the air. Please inject that pumpkin spice directly into my veins. Here are four (plus more!) fall festivals worth checking out.

Harvest Trail at Simmons Farm

Daily through October

A wristband gets you access to the corn bus, strong man sledge hammer, tire maze, flying turtle pen, apple rock labyrinth, and more. Look for a petting zoo, acres of pumpkin patches, mazes, and a ton of special events and games, like the human hamster wheel, pumpkin Guess Who?, basketball corn hoppers, and more.

Pennsylvania Bavarian Oktoberfest

Sept. 18-20

Dust off your lederhosen and head south to Canonsburg in Washington County for a weekend of German-inspired fun. Bring the whole family for crafts, carnival rides, games, dancing, and of course, tasty eats — like pretzels, sausage, and potato dumplings.

Penn Brewery Oktoberfest

Sept. 18-20 & 25-27

Drink beer from a milk jug in Troy Hill’s historic cobblestone biergarten, where a taste of Munich takes over four festive floors and a pair of purple-tinted, outdoor caves. In past years, we’ve loved the hot German potato salad, schnitzels, and Soergels x Penn shandy.

• Good news! Penn Brewery will continue under new ownership! [Biz Times]

Cheeseman Pumpkin Festival & Fright Farm

Weekends Sept. 18 – Nov. 1

Take a hayride, pick a pumpkin, and make your way through a haunted corn maze on 100 acres of Portersville farmland. Dates and times vary for the pumpkin fest and fright farm experiences.