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More Pittsburgh Amtrak service starts Nov. 18

The new service gives Pittsburgh two daily trains to Harrisburg, Philadelphia and NYC.

News

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="second daily train" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/04/amtrak-second-pittsburgh-nyc-train" data-vars-content-id="ad28d0ba-977c-4bef-8055-328865e5ecd7" data-vars-headline="More Pittsburgh Amtrak service starts Nov. 18" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/04/amtrak-second-pittsburgh-nyc-train" target="_self">second daily train</a> between Pittsburgh and New York City via Harrisburg and Philadelphia will start Nov. 18, PennDOT announced Tuesday. Why it matters: This is the first time in decades that Pittsburgh is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="adding passenger train service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/24/second-daily-amtrak-pennsylvanian-november-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="ad28d0ba-977c-4bef-8055-328865e5ecd7" data-vars-headline="More Pittsburgh Amtrak service starts Nov. 18" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/24/second-daily-amtrak-pennsylvanian-november-pittsburgh" target="_self">adding passenger train service</a>.

Fall colors creep closer to Pittsburgh

Here's when to expect peak fall colors and where to see the brightest leaves.

Leaf-peepers, get ready: Fall colors are creeping into Pittsburgh. The intrigue: Some recent cold nights have spurred foliage to peak in the coldest parts of the state, and vibrant fall colors are getting closer to the Pittsburgh area, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/newsroom/2026-fall-foliage-oct-8#table" data-vars-content-id="2cb6b88f-f8a5-4f39-93c6-6c6c7356f399" data-vars-headline="Fall colors creep closer to Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/newsroom/2026-fall-foliage-oct-8#table" target="_blank">Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources</a>.

Why Pittsburgh is America's Halloween capital

Pittsburgh has a killer claim to fame: We helped put the horror in Halloween.

Culture

Pittsburgh has a killer claim to fame: We helped put the horror in Halloween.Why it matters: From pioneering the modern zombie to producing generations of horror talent, Pittsburgh has a legitimate case as America&#x27;s Halloween capital.

Spirit Halloween haunts our retail graveyard 

Spirit Halloween is haunting the shelves of former big-box stores again.

Business

Spirit Halloween is<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" haunting the shelves" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/24/spirit-halloween-store-previous-tenant" data-vars-content-id="11528789-b5a8-45f9-9b18-883b5f5ed78e" data-vars-headline="Spirit Halloween haunts our retail graveyard " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/24/spirit-halloween-store-previous-tenant" target="_self"> haunting the shelves</a> of former big-box stores again this fall as it opens 1,500<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" locations" data-vars-click-url="https://stores.spirithalloween.com/" data-vars-content-id="11528789-b5a8-45f9-9b18-883b5f5ed78e" data-vars-headline="Spirit Halloween haunts our retail graveyard " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://stores.spirithalloween.com/" target="_blank"> locations</a> nationwide, including more than a dozen in the greater Pittsburgh area.The big picture: The stores appear and vanish each fall, so finding a Spirit often means relaying directions in retail shorthand: &quot;At the old JoAnn&#x27;s.&quot;

Sheetz wins over the Midwest

The Pennsylvania-born chain scored higher in the Midwest than it did nationally.

It&#x27;s debatable whether Southwestern Pennsylvania is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="part of the Midwest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/01/28/pittsburgh-midwest-appalachia" data-vars-content-id="c23ea9b5-8df2-43fe-8781-84f508c271a0" data-vars-headline="Sheetz wins over the Midwest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/01/28/pittsburgh-midwest-appalachia" target="_self">part of the Midwest</a>, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="our popular convenience store chain" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/09/04/sheetz-first-we-feast-show-youtube" data-vars-content-id="c23ea9b5-8df2-43fe-8781-84f508c271a0" data-vars-headline="Sheetz wins over the Midwest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/09/04/sheetz-first-we-feast-show-youtube" target="_self">our popular convenience store chain</a> is staking a claim there anyway.The big picture: The Sheetz empire has been expanding from its Altoona base, and customers in the Midwest are embracing it over its competitors, according to a new American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="survey" data-vars-click-url="https://theacsi.com/news-and-resources/press-releases/2026/10/06/press-release-convenience-store-study-2026/" data-vars-content-id="c23ea9b5-8df2-43fe-8781-84f508c271a0" data-vars-headline="Sheetz wins over the Midwest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://theacsi.com/news-and-resources/press-releases/2026/10/06/press-release-convenience-store-study-2026/" target="_blank">survey</a>.

Pittsburgh is finding its tech sweet spot

Local tech leaders see an advantage in building differently from Silicon Valley.

Locals often say Pittsburgh shouldn&#x27;t be like Boston or San Francisco, and the region&#x27;s tech industry leaders are starting to agree.Why it matters: Pittsburgh&#x27;s tech sector has been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="trying to grow beyond being a secondary player" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/07/09/pittsburgh-tech-sustainability-warning" data-vars-content-id="38f64e97-124b-4b92-8e9a-f4113b3dff23" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh is finding its tech sweet spot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/07/09/pittsburgh-tech-sustainability-warning" target="_self">trying to grow beyond being a secondary player</a> to places like Silicon Valley, but some local companies believe avoiding emulating those markets will pay off down the road.

Armada gets an AI boost from CMU

Three AI projects cut errors, review times and food waste for the logistics giant.

Pittsburgh&#x27;s biggest logistics company is getting faster and more efficient thanks to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI help from CMU" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/11/jensen-huang-carnegie-mellon-commencement-ai" data-vars-content-id="204772ed-9a3f-49ff-9f57-fefef7d3c1ad" data-vars-headline="Armada gets an AI boost from CMU" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/11/jensen-huang-carnegie-mellon-commencement-ai" target="_self">AI help from CMU</a>.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wexford-based Armada" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/19/armada-office-expansion-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="204772ed-9a3f-49ff-9f57-fefef7d3c1ad" data-vars-headline="Armada gets an AI boost from CMU" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/19/armada-office-expansion-pittsburgh" target="_self">Wexford-based Armada</a> is the region&#x27;s third-largest private company, and it wants to expand beyond food service logistics.

Shapiro puts new guardrails on Pa. data centers

New projects face tougher rules on power, permits and local approval.

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order Tuesday tightening the rules for data center development in Pennsylvania, a move he said imposes the “strictest guardrails in the nation.”Why it matters: The first-term Democratic governor and potential 2028 presidential contender once <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="courted" data-vars-click-url="https://www.alleghenyfront.org/josh-shapiro-amazon-data-centers-pennsylvania/" data-vars-content-id="0abcd902-84c4-464b-8b16-4ba40ee29a98" data-vars-headline="Shapiro puts new guardrails on Pa. data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.alleghenyfront.org/josh-shapiro-amazon-data-centers-pennsylvania/" target="_blank">courted</a> data center investment in Pennsylvania, but growing public <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="opposition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/poll-majority-voters-say-risks-ai-outweigh-benefits-rcna262196" data-vars-content-id="0abcd902-84c4-464b-8b16-4ba40ee29a98" data-vars-headline="Shapiro puts new guardrails on Pa. data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/poll-majority-voters-say-risks-ai-outweigh-benefits-rcna262196" target="_blank">opposition</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="energy demands" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/14/data-center-backlash-fossil-fuel-protests" data-vars-content-id="0abcd902-84c4-464b-8b16-4ba40ee29a98" data-vars-headline="Shapiro puts new guardrails on Pa. data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/14/data-center-backlash-fossil-fuel-protests" target="_self">energy demands</a> and concerns about local control have led politicians <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nationwide" data-vars-click-url="https://fox40.com/news/national/ap-us-news/ap-governors-races-are-being-increasingly-buffeted-by-the-toxic-politics-of-data-centers/" data-vars-content-id="0abcd902-84c4-464b-8b16-4ba40ee29a98" data-vars-headline="Shapiro puts new guardrails on Pa. data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fox40.com/news/national/ap-us-news/ap-governors-races-are-being-increasingly-buffeted-by-the-toxic-politics-of-data-centers/" target="_blank">nationwide</a> to recalibrate that approach.

PPG to invest $280M in Ohio expansion

The project will add jobs and boost automotive coatings production, per PPG.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pittsburgh-based" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/20/ppg-paints-arena-wifi-upgrade-6ghz" data-vars-content-id="d8624c44-4801-42f0-8cff-8565fa06cf5c" data-vars-headline="PPG to invest $280M in Ohio expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/20/ppg-paints-arena-wifi-upgrade-6ghz" target="_self">Pittsburgh-based</a> paint giant PPG is expanding an automotive coatings manufacturer facility in central Ohio and investing $280 million.Why it matters: The expansion will boost production and add 100 jobs to the site in Delaware, Ohio, located 40 minutes north of Columbus, per a PPG press release.

Historic whiskey brand to return with new tasting room

The revived whiskey company plans to open its tasting room as early as this fall.

One of Pittsburgh&#x27;s long-lost whiskey brands is back, with a descendant of its founder leading the revival more than a century later.The big picture: Founded in 1884 by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="German immigrant Herman Obernauer" data-vars-click-url="https://rauhjewisharchives.org/entries/obernauer-family/" data-vars-content-id="98691602-deb8-4f70-a252-ca62e391d376" data-vars-headline="Historic whiskey brand to return with new tasting room" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rauhjewisharchives.org/entries/obernauer-family/" target="_blank">German immigrant Herman Obernauer</a>, H. Obernauer &amp; Co. became part of Pittsburgh&#x27;s thriving <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="whiskey boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/blog/6-things-you-didnt-know-about-pennsylvanias-whiskey-legacy-and-where-to-see-it-today/" data-vars-content-id="98691602-deb8-4f70-a252-ca62e391d376" data-vars-headline="Historic whiskey brand to return with new tasting room" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/blog/6-things-you-didnt-know-about-pennsylvanias-whiskey-legacy-and-where-to-see-it-today/" target="_blank">whiskey boom</a>.<ul><li>The company closed in 1915 as opposition to the liquor trade mounted ahead of Prohibition.</li></ul>

AI Avenue lands 2 new companies

Two AI companies are expanding Pittsburgh's growing tech corridor.

Two new tech headquarters are coming to Pittsburgh&#x27;s AI Avenue.Why it matters: Leaders at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI Strike Team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/02/10/ai-boom-strike-team-data-center" data-vars-content-id="a9a0039d-87c5-436d-8c09-e157f1b8030f" data-vars-headline="AI Avenue lands 2 new companies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/02/10/ai-boom-strike-team-data-center" target="_self">AI Strike Team</a> want to concentrate AI companies in the same area so they can collaborate and drive greater growth for the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="burgeoning tech industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/07/15/pittsburgh-aims-to-power-ai-future" data-vars-content-id="a9a0039d-87c5-436d-8c09-e157f1b8030f" data-vars-headline="AI Avenue lands 2 new companies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/07/15/pittsburgh-aims-to-power-ai-future" target="_self">burgeoning tech industry</a>.

Trump praises Giant Eagle promotional price cuts

The president praised the grocery chain's summer discounts on 300 products.

President Trump tipped his cap to local grocery chain Giant Eagle on Sunday night over a promotional price cut.The big picture: As grocery prices have increased amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump&#x27;s tariffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/10/tomato-price-hike-2026" data-vars-content-id="f9dac920-ac7a-4854-99cb-3b9f73c71d43" data-vars-headline="Trump praises Giant Eagle promotional price cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/10/tomato-price-hike-2026" target="_self">Trump&#x27;s tariffs</a>, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Iran war" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/iran-war-food-inflation-oil" data-vars-content-id="f9dac920-ac7a-4854-99cb-3b9f73c71d43" data-vars-headline="Trump praises Giant Eagle promotional price cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/iran-war-food-inflation-oil" target="_self">Iran war</a> and supply shocks, the president praised Giant Eagle for its temporary price cuts on 300 products.

Pittsburgh startup scans leftovers to cut food waste

The startup turns leftovers into data that can improve menus and profits.

Pittsburgh startup <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Clean Plate Innovations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cleanplateinnovations.com/" data-vars-content-id="241af89b-4ce2-4bdb-ac6e-936e88e04d9f" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh startup scans leftovers to cut food waste" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cleanplateinnovations.com/" target="_blank">Clean Plate Innovations</a> is using AI to turn table scraps into data that helps food-service operators cut waste and save money.Why it matters: Food waste is as much a business problem as it is a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sustainability" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/10/29/412-food-rescue-pittsburgh-food-waste-snap" data-vars-content-id="241af89b-4ce2-4bdb-ac6e-936e88e04d9f" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh startup scans leftovers to cut food waste" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/10/29/412-food-rescue-pittsburgh-food-waste-snap" target="_self">sustainability</a> one, costing the hospitality industry <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="billions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.forbes.com/sites/hankcardello/2026/03/25/restaurants-lose-162-billion-to-food-waste-new-report-finds/" data-vars-content-id="241af89b-4ce2-4bdb-ac6e-936e88e04d9f" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh startup scans leftovers to cut food waste" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/hankcardello/2026/03/25/restaurants-lose-162-billion-to-food-waste-new-report-finds/" target="_blank">billions</a> each year in lost profits.

A bar chart showing the most common previous tenants in retail spaces that now host Spirit Halloween stores. The chart shows the 10 most common former tenants nationally, led by Joann (153 stores), Big Lots (103) and Party City (100). Local stores are also included. 

Spirit Halloween stores: What they used to be

Data: Axios analysis of Spirit Halloween store locator; Chart: Brad Jennings/Axios

Business 🏦

Spirit Halloween haunts our retail graveyard

Sheetz wins over the Midwest

Pittsburgh is finding its tech sweet spot

Armada gets an AI boost from CMU

Shapiro puts new guardrails on Pa. data centers