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Pa. travelers urged to take precautions in Mexico

Sen. Dave McCormick urges travelers to enroll in STEP and monitor flight updates.

Politics & Policy

U.S. Sen. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dave McCormick" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/04/28/mccormick-urges-review-of-research-grants" data-vars-content-id="e3a13e27-9aa3-4f7e-9f9e-b03ebb6b7c91" data-vars-headline="Pa. travelers urged to take precautions in Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/04/28/mccormick-urges-review-of-research-grants" target="_self">Dave McCormick</a> is advising Pennsylvanians in Mexico to stay in close contact with the U.S. State Department.The big picture: Violence following the killing of a Mexican cartel leader has erupted in Mexico, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="leaving some Americans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/23/chicagoans-caught-mexico-drug-violence-el-mencho-death" data-vars-content-id="e3a13e27-9aa3-4f7e-9f9e-b03ebb6b7c91" data-vars-headline="Pa. travelers urged to take precautions in Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/23/chicagoans-caught-mexico-drug-violence-el-mencho-death" target="_self">leaving some Americans</a> — and potentially Pittsburghers — stuck in a tough situation.

Climate pressures hit Pittsburgh farms and tables

Farmers and restaurant owners say extreme weather is raising costs and risks.

Climate

Small <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/13/pittsburgh-restaurant-survival-doordash-2025" data-vars-content-id="2b4dfdb3-36cb-462e-ab7d-3b25f32dd1d6" data-vars-headline="Climate pressures hit Pittsburgh farms and tables" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/13/pittsburgh-restaurant-survival-doordash-2025" target="_self">restaurant</a> owners and farmers in Western Pennsylvania are bracing for escalating climate change disruptions that could further strain their bottom lines.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Record heat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/01/30/pittsburgh-breaks-heat-record-2024" data-vars-content-id="2b4dfdb3-36cb-462e-ab7d-3b25f32dd1d6" data-vars-headline="Climate pressures hit Pittsburgh farms and tables" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/01/30/pittsburgh-breaks-heat-record-2024" target="_self">Record heat</a>, sharp temperature swings, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extreme weather" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/04/30/severe-storms-kill-3-cut-power-pennsylvania" data-vars-content-id="2b4dfdb3-36cb-462e-ab7d-3b25f32dd1d6" data-vars-headline="Climate pressures hit Pittsburgh farms and tables" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/04/30/severe-storms-kill-3-cut-power-pennsylvania" target="_self">extreme weather</a> hit small agricultural producers and businesses hard, as many operate on razor-thin margins.

Pittsburgh homebuyers score big discounts

Nearly 62% of homes sold under asking, with average discounts outpacing the national rate.

Real Estate

It&#x27;s a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="good time to buy a home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/02/pittsburgh-homebuyers-down-payment-time" data-vars-content-id="6dae687f-dafc-4761-8fe6-b72556aa7095" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh homebuyers score big discounts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/02/pittsburgh-homebuyers-down-payment-time" target="_self">good time to buy a home</a> in Pittsburgh.Why it matters: Though high mortgage rates are still <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sidelining many buyers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" data-vars-content-id="6dae687f-dafc-4761-8fe6-b72556aa7095" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh homebuyers score big discounts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" target="_self">sidelining many buyers</a>, Pittsburgh home sales have one of the biggest discounts in the nation, according to a new Redfin <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.redfin.com/news/homebuyer-discounts-below-list-price-2025/" data-vars-content-id="6dae687f-dafc-4761-8fe6-b72556aa7095" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh homebuyers score big discounts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.redfin.com/news/homebuyer-discounts-below-list-price-2025/" target="_blank">report</a>.

Pa.'s first passive house debuts in Wilkinsburg

The 700-square-foot home meets rigorous energy standards and runs on all-electric utilities.

News

A home in Wilkinsburg practically powers itself.Why it matters: Known as the Wilkinsburg Residence, it is the first single-family home in the state to earn a Passive House EnerPHit certification, and it debuted last month.

How Pittsburgh can cash in on biotech boom

Federal leaders say the region is well positioned to compete for billions in biotech investment.

<figure><img alt="A robotic arm placing a plastic dish into place inside a lab" height="450" id="7b6040e2-9247-408b-a2b4-97671c0980a0" src="https://images.axios.com/M92SOVmlS4CXYKcxvtkT1pm1A-o=/2026/02/19/1771533898807.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>A robot at work inside CMU&#x27;s Biological and Chemical Innovation Cloud Lab. GIF: Ryan Deto/Axios</figcaption></figure>Pittsburgh&#x27;s biotech industry is ahead of the curve, according to the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB).Why it matters: The commission was created by Congress in 2022 to see how biotechnology can improve national security, and Pittsburgh&#x27;s biotech sector wants to show it&#x27;s worth federal investment and attention.

AlphaLab names largest startup cohort yet for 2026

The Pittsburgh accelerator is investing $100,000 in each of 20 startups, its biggest class yet.

Business

AlphaLab, a Pittsburgh-based startup accelerator, selected 20 companies for its 2026 cohort on Tuesday, its largest group ever.Why it matters: The city is trying to sustain <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="its unicorn surge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/06/24/pittsburgh-unicorn-tech-boom" data-vars-content-id="0ed1dd6c-dead-4ce5-9054-3cd3358cbc78" data-vars-headline="AlphaLab names largest startup cohort yet for 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/06/24/pittsburgh-unicorn-tech-boom" target="_self">its unicorn surge</a>, and one local CEO told Axios last year <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pittsburgh needs a flywheel of success" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/07/09/pittsburgh-tech-sustainability-warning" data-vars-content-id="0ed1dd6c-dead-4ce5-9054-3cd3358cbc78" data-vars-headline="AlphaLab names largest startup cohort yet for 2026" 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">Pittsburgh needs a flywheel of success</a> to join the ranks of tech markets like San Francisco, Boston and others.

Oakmont Bakery wants detained immigrant employee released

"We remain in constant contact with his family and are working closely with his immigration attorney," a statement from the bakery reads.

The employer of José Flores — a local immigrant authorized to work in the U.S. who was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recently detained by ICE" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/03/oakmont-ban-ice-agreements-immigrant-detention" data-vars-content-id="efd9cd3a-038c-4952-be41-235530e40045" data-vars-headline="Oakmont Bakery wants detained immigrant employee released" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/03/oakmont-ban-ice-agreements-immigrant-detention" target="_self">recently detained by ICE</a> — wants him released and brought back to Oakmont.Why it matters: The community has rallied around Flores, a Nicaraguan immigrant who was taken from Oakmont last week by federal agents and who local and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state officials" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/04/deluzio-ice-oakmont-immigrant-detention" data-vars-content-id="efd9cd3a-038c-4952-be41-235530e40045" data-vars-headline="Oakmont Bakery wants detained immigrant employee released" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/04/deluzio-ice-oakmont-immigrant-detention" target="_self">state officials</a> say has a work permit, no criminal record and a current pending asylum case.

"The Pitt" shoutout brings new attention to Pino's

A surprise shoutout on last Thursday's episode of "The Pitt" has driven new interest in a family-owned Italian restaurant in Point Breeze.

Culture

A surprise shoutout on last Thursday&#x27;s episode of &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Pitt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/15/the-pitt-where-does-dr-robby-live-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="adae0655-0f98-421d-ba2b-a2bc4175e25d" data-vars-headline="&quot;The Pitt&quot; shoutout brings new attention to Pino&#x27;s" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/15/the-pitt-where-does-dr-robby-live-pittsburgh" target="_self">The Pitt</a>&quot; has driven new interest in a family-owned Italian restaurant in Point Breeze.The big picture: &quot;Dinner starts at Pino&#x27;s, the best Italian in town,&quot; a patient tells Dr. Cassie McKay in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Episode 4" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/pinosrestaurantandwinebar/photos/we-were-pleasantly-surprised-when-customers-told-us-that-we-were-mentioned-in-la/1510395257760100/" data-vars-content-id="adae0655-0f98-421d-ba2b-a2bc4175e25d" data-vars-headline="&quot;The Pitt&quot; shoutout brings new attention to Pino&#x27;s" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/pinosrestaurantandwinebar/photos/we-were-pleasantly-surprised-when-customers-told-us-that-we-were-mentioned-in-la/1510395257760100/" target="_blank">Episode 4</a> of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="award-winning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/axiospgh/reel/DTahHs9jgzH/?hl=nl" data-vars-content-id="adae0655-0f98-421d-ba2b-a2bc4175e25d" data-vars-headline="&quot;The Pitt&quot; shoutout brings new attention to Pino&#x27;s" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/axiospgh/reel/DTahHs9jgzH/?hl=nl" target="_blank">award-winning</a> HBO Max series.

Pittsburgh developments to watch in 2026

A Ferris wheel, new hospital and a Downtown revamp are among the big changes ahead.

Pittsburgh is poised for another <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="busy year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/05/pittsburgh-2026-nfl-draft-world-cup-arts" data-vars-content-id="a7b54cf2-9c5b-4821-bad6-bcc03c20c489" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh developments to watch in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/05/pittsburgh-2026-nfl-draft-world-cup-arts" target="_self">busy year</a> of development, from renewed Downtown revitalization efforts to momentum generated by the city&#x27;s newly opened <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="airport terminal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/17/pittsburgh-airport-new-terminal-opens" data-vars-content-id="a7b54cf2-9c5b-4821-bad6-bcc03c20c489" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh developments to watch in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/17/pittsburgh-airport-new-terminal-opens" target="_self">airport terminal</a> and this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NFL draft" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/01/23/2026-nfl-draft-dates-announced" data-vars-content-id="a7b54cf2-9c5b-4821-bad6-bcc03c20c489" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh developments to watch in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/01/23/2026-nfl-draft-dates-announced" target="_self">NFL draft</a>.Here&#x27;s a look at the progress made in 2025 and what we&#x27;re watching this year.

Physical media lives at Vinegar Syndrome Pittsburgh

Vinegar Syndrome's new store is packed with rare discs and cult classics.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vinegar Syndrome" data-vars-click-url="https://vinegarsyndrome.com/" data-vars-content-id="1c084465-8ca9-4ff9-9b37-45ea3fa97e5f" data-vars-headline="Physical media lives at Vinegar Syndrome Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://vinegarsyndrome.com/" target="_blank">Vinegar Syndrome</a> has expanded its brick-and-mortar footprint with a new South Side shop, one of only a handful the film restoration and physical media company operates nationwide.Why it matters: As Gen Z&#x27;s tastes shift, yesterday&#x27;s formats feel newly relevant.

Post-Gazette strike ends as newsroom turns to rebuilding

Legal fights linger — and now staffers face the challenge of repairing a fractured newsroom.

The longest newspaper strike of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="digital era" data-vars-click-url="https://www.niemanlab.org/2023/01/the-first-newspaper-strike-of-the-digital-age-stretches-into-a-new-year/" data-vars-content-id="d5f46694-b623-4b1a-8f59-3952a733333e" data-vars-headline="Post-Gazette strike ends as newsroom turns to rebuilding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.niemanlab.org/2023/01/the-first-newspaper-strike-of-the-digital-age-stretches-into-a-new-year/" target="_blank">digital era</a> is over, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pittsburgh Post-Gazette journalists" data-vars-click-url="https://www.unionprogress.com/2025/11/17/pittsburgh-journalists-vote-to-end-countrys-longest-strike-and-notify-the-pg-they-are-returning-to-work/" data-vars-content-id="d5f46694-b623-4b1a-8f59-3952a733333e" data-vars-headline="Post-Gazette strike ends as newsroom turns to rebuilding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.unionprogress.com/2025/11/17/pittsburgh-journalists-vote-to-end-countrys-longest-strike-and-notify-the-pg-they-are-returning-to-work/" target="_blank">Pittsburgh Post-Gazette journalists</a> now face a new battle: stitching together a newsroom fractured during a three-year walkout while navigating ongoing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="legal fights" data-vars-click-url="https://www.unionprogress.com/2025/11/20/pg-seeks-a-stay-of-health-care-injunction-because-it-also-plans-to-seek-a-re-hearing-of-same-courts-ruling-for-news-strikers/" data-vars-content-id="d5f46694-b623-4b1a-8f59-3952a733333e" data-vars-headline="Post-Gazette strike ends as newsroom turns to rebuilding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.unionprogress.com/2025/11/20/pg-seeks-a-stay-of-health-care-injunction-because-it-also-plans-to-seek-a-re-hearing-of-same-courts-ruling-for-news-strikers/" target="_blank">legal fights</a>.Why it matters: Owners of Western Pennsylvania&#x27;s largest and oldest newspaper <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="have threatened" data-vars-click-url="https://triblive.com/local/regional/appellate-court-sides-with-striking-post-gazette-workers-in-ruling/" data-vars-content-id="d5f46694-b623-4b1a-8f59-3952a733333e" data-vars-headline="Post-Gazette strike ends as newsroom turns to rebuilding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://triblive.com/local/regional/appellate-court-sides-with-striking-post-gazette-workers-in-ruling/" target="_blank">have threatened</a> to shut it down if they <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lost their appeal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2025/11/10/pittsburgh-union-strike-post-gazette-federal-court/stories/202511100068" data-vars-content-id="d5f46694-b623-4b1a-8f59-3952a733333e" data-vars-headline="Post-Gazette strike ends as newsroom turns to rebuilding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2025/11/10/pittsburgh-union-strike-post-gazette-federal-court/stories/202511100068" target="_blank">lost their appeal</a> to a ruling that prompted the strikers&#x27; return — causing some uncertainty about the paper&#x27;s future.

Pittsburgh early career wages rising faster than U.S. average

Entry-level pay in Pittsburgh grew 4.9% annually from 2020 to 2025, per Glassdoor data.

Pittsburgh&#x27;s entry-level wage <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/03/20/pittsburgh-city-job-growth-2024" data-vars-content-id="b54a87d4-b604-4582-87bb-b60ad06d1b4a" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh early career wages rising faster than U.S. average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/03/20/pittsburgh-city-job-growth-2024" target="_self">growth</a> is increasing faster than the typical city.Why it matters: The Steel City&#x27;s early career wages grew 4.9% annually on average between 2020 and October 2025, according to<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Glassdoor&#x27;s report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/worklife-trends-2026/" data-vars-content-id="b54a87d4-b604-4582-87bb-b60ad06d1b4a" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh early career wages rising faster than U.S. average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/worklife-trends-2026/" target="_blank"> Glassdoor&#x27;s report</a>, beating Rust Belt contemporaries like Cincinnati (4.4%), Detroit (3.9%) and Milwaukee (4.6%).

We tried Pittsburgh's only robot massage

A Pittsburgh wellness center is using a robot for full-body massage sessions.

<figure><img alt="Two robot arms massage the back of a woman lying down, wearing black" height="450" id="3d9349e3-f560-495c-91cb-a99fa959e531" src="https://images.axios.com/VQj_qoYarn9vniuxuHbOsMt5hrM=/2025/11/21/1763752986189.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Alexis offloading her stress to the bots. GIF: Alexis Johnson/Axios</figcaption></figure>A Pittsburgh wellness center is introducing robot technology to the massage market.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Longevity Lab" data-vars-click-url="https://thelongevity-lab.com/#classes" data-vars-content-id="bc411fdb-4f9b-4208-a7b7-b72115724ac9" data-vars-headline="We tried Pittsburgh&#x27;s only robot massage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thelongevity-lab.com/#classes" target="_blank">Longevity Lab</a> in Bethel Park recently introduced the area&#x27;s first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Aescape" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aescape.com/" data-vars-content-id="bc411fdb-4f9b-4208-a7b7-b72115724ac9" data-vars-headline="We tried Pittsburgh&#x27;s only robot massage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aescape.com/" target="_blank">Aescape</a> massage robot to innovate the health and fitness space.

First look: Goldblum mural anchors Bloomfield's new cowork cafe

Creative Chem Co. launches Dec. 1 with coffee, flexible workspace and a 10-foot Jeff Goldblum mural.

A massive indoor mural of Jeff Goldblum and eclectic 1970s décor set the tone at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Creative Chem Co." data-vars-click-url="https://www.creativechemco.com/" data-vars-content-id="4ece65f3-178d-4420-b2c5-9ab124db8403" data-vars-headline="First look: Goldblum mural anchors Bloomfield&#x27;s new cowork cafe" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.creativechemco.com/" target="_blank">Creative Chem Co.</a>, a new cafe and coworking space opening this December in Bloomfield.The big picture: When lifelong Pittsburgher and creative director Marla Solnik launched her freelance career from home, isolation hit fast.

Latest news on Wall Street, Corporate America and financial regulation.

Business 🏦

How Pittsburgh can cash in on biotech boom

AlphaLab names largest startup cohort yet for 2026

Oakmont Bakery wants detained immigrant employee released

"The Pitt" shoutout brings new attention to Pino's

Pittsburgh developments to watch in 2026