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Pittsburgh bikeshare to expand beyond city

New funding will help bring bikeshare stations beyond city limits for the first time.

News

POGOH, Pittsburgh&#x27;s bike share, is expanding and is planning to move <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="beyond the city&#x27;s borders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/10/pittsburgh-neighborways-safe-bike-routes-guide" data-vars-content-id="8dba3370-191a-46ad-81d2-fd6c3ac83a73" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh bikeshare to expand beyond city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/10/pittsburgh-neighborways-safe-bike-routes-guide" target="_self">beyond the city&#x27;s borders</a> for the first time.Why it matters: Bikeshare use has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grown" data-vars-click-url="https://data.bts.gov/stories/s/Bikeshare-and-e-scooters-in-the-U-S-/fwcs-jprj/" data-vars-content-id="8dba3370-191a-46ad-81d2-fd6c3ac83a73" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh bikeshare to expand beyond city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://data.bts.gov/stories/s/Bikeshare-and-e-scooters-in-the-U-S-/fwcs-jprj/" target="_blank">grown</a> in many cities across the country, as people look for more non-car options amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising gas prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/08/mccormick-gas-prices-iran-conflict" data-vars-content-id="8dba3370-191a-46ad-81d2-fd6c3ac83a73" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh bikeshare to expand beyond city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/08/mccormick-gas-prices-iran-conflict" target="_self">rising gas prices</a>.

Opal Buffet taking over Waterfront Rock Bottom space

The new restaurant plans sushi, churrasco and seafood stations.

Food and Drink

The Waterfront&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long-shuttered" data-vars-click-url="https://archive.triblive.com/lifestyles/food-drink/rock-bottom-restaurant-and-brewery-in-the-waterfront-is-permanently-closed/" data-vars-content-id="7186a862-f6ad-4fe0-a24e-0e32098698b3" data-vars-headline="Opal Buffet taking over Waterfront Rock Bottom space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://archive.triblive.com/lifestyles/food-drink/rock-bottom-restaurant-and-brewery-in-the-waterfront-is-permanently-closed/" target="_blank">long-shuttered</a> Rock Bottom brewery space is getting a reboot as an international buffet later this year.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Opal Buffet" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/opalbuffet/" data-vars-content-id="7186a862-f6ad-4fe0-a24e-0e32098698b3" data-vars-headline="Opal Buffet taking over Waterfront Rock Bottom space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/opalbuffet/" target="_blank">Opal Buffet</a>, from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurant group" data-vars-click-url="https://opalgroups.com/" data-vars-content-id="7186a862-f6ad-4fe0-a24e-0e32098698b3" data-vars-headline="Opal Buffet taking over Waterfront Rock Bottom space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://opalgroups.com/" target="_blank">restaurant group</a> behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nan Xiang" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/24/try-these-colorful-soup-dumplings-at-nan-xiang" data-vars-content-id="7186a862-f6ad-4fe0-a24e-0e32098698b3" data-vars-headline="Opal Buffet taking over Waterfront Rock Bottom space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/24/try-these-colorful-soup-dumplings-at-nan-xiang" target="_self">Nan Xiang</a> Soup Dumplings, is expected to open for lunch and dinner service at the 16,000-square-foot venue by late summer or early fall, the group announced Tuesday.

Pa. lawmakers push gambling addiction fixes

Calls to a state helpline hit a record last year as online betting continued to grow.

Pennsylvania lawmakers say the explosion in smartphone gambling has fueled addiction problems they never anticipated when the state legalized online betting several years ago.Why it matters: Calls to Pennsylvania&#x27;s gambling addiction hotline <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hit a record high last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/12/17/pennsylvania-problem-gambling-hotline-calls-soar-in-2025" data-vars-content-id="ab084a14-cabb-4ece-816a-bf5225f0b780" data-vars-headline="Pa. lawmakers push gambling addiction fixes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/12/17/pennsylvania-problem-gambling-hotline-calls-soar-in-2025" target="_self">hit a record high last year</a> as online betting revenues continued to surge.

Pittsburgh approves plan to close nine school buildings

The plan comes as the district faces falling enrollment, aging buildings and budget pressure.

Education

The region&#x27;s largest school district on Wednesday approved a controversial plan to close nine school buildings, reconfigure grade levels, and overhaul district programming in the coming years. Why it matters: Pittsburgh Public Schools&#x27; (PPS) <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Future-Ready Facilities Plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pghschools.org/about/future-ready-dashboard" data-vars-content-id="b7514d37-bcb0-4dd5-aa44-a846187245ec" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh approves plan to close nine school buildings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pghschools.org/about/future-ready-dashboard" target="_blank">Future-Ready Facilities Plan</a>, years in the making, comes as the district faces falling enrollment, aging buildings and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="budget pressure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wesa.fm/education/2025-12-17/pittsburgh-public-schools-2026-tax-increase-approved" data-vars-content-id="b7514d37-bcb0-4dd5-aa44-a846187245ec" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh approves plan to close nine school buildings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wesa.fm/education/2025-12-17/pittsburgh-public-schools-2026-tax-increase-approved" target="_blank">budget pressure</a>.

Sen. McCormick seeks faster energy approvals

Supporters say the plan could unlock major infrastructure investment.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sen. Dave McCormick" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/08/mccormick-gas-prices-iran-conflict" data-vars-content-id="da892097-1c44-43f4-9d20-aad503c9ef69" data-vars-headline="Sen. McCormick seeks faster energy approvals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/08/mccormick-gas-prices-iran-conflict" target="_self">Sen. Dave McCormick</a>, a Republican, introduced a bill late last month to cut costs and speed up production of energy projects across the nation.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Electricity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/15/how-pittsburgh-s-electric-bills-stack-up" data-vars-content-id="da892097-1c44-43f4-9d20-aad503c9ef69" data-vars-headline="Sen. McCormick seeks faster energy approvals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/15/how-pittsburgh-s-electric-bills-stack-up" target="_self">Electricity</a> and gas utility prices are rising, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="some blame the tepid buildout of power plants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/02/why-electricity-rates-rising-pennsylvania-energy-demand-grid" data-vars-content-id="da892097-1c44-43f4-9d20-aad503c9ef69" data-vars-headline="Sen. McCormick seeks faster energy approvals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/02/why-electricity-rates-rising-pennsylvania-energy-demand-grid" target="_self">some blame the tepid buildout of power plants</a> as the cause.

Punxsy Phil's 2026 prediction: Partly right

Cold February helped Phil, but a warm March hurt his call.

It&#x27;s been six weeks since <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Punxsutawney Phil" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/31/punxsutawney-phil-groundhog-day-survival-guide" data-vars-content-id="d4d7b371-e1f6-4154-8c6d-a40f05fd278f" data-vars-headline="Punxsy Phil&#x27;s 2026 prediction: Partly right" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/31/punxsutawney-phil-groundhog-day-survival-guide" target="_self">Punxsutawney Phil</a> predicted we would get six more weeks of winter.The big picture: Was our famous groundhog correct?

Pittsburgh's allergy season is getting longer

If you're breaking out the Claritin early, you're not alone.

Environment

If you&#x27;re breaking out the Claritin early, you&#x27;re not alone. Pittsburgh&#x27;s spring allergy season is getting longer and stronger.Why it matters: About a quarter of U.S. adults swap fresh spring air for runny noses, itchy throats and puffy eyes as pollination season begins.

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.

Winter warmup will finally thaw Pittsburgh (a bit)

Temperatures will rise above freezing Tuesday, easing snow and ice across the region.

Rejoice! The temperature will rise above freezing for the first time in over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two weeks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/26/pittsburgh-road-conditions-winter-storm" data-vars-content-id="fbdcc6bb-9f75-4666-820b-afc6e1df6961" data-vars-headline="Winter warmup will finally thaw Pittsburgh (a bit)" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/26/pittsburgh-road-conditions-winter-storm" target="_self">two weeks</a>.Why it matters: A near-record-breaking snowstorm <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dumped about a foot of powder" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/02/pittsburgh-snow-removal-delays-oconnor-response" data-vars-content-id="fbdcc6bb-9f75-4666-820b-afc6e1df6961" data-vars-headline="Winter warmup will finally thaw Pittsburgh (a bit)" 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-snow-removal-delays-oconnor-response" target="_self">dumped about a foot of powder</a> across Southwestern Pennsylvania, and the massive piles have not melted, making parking and walking a hassle.

City and county take steps to speed up Pittsburgh snow removal

Emergency declarations allow local governments to move more quickly and efficiently in clearing snow.

Don&#x27;t expect the roads to be completely free of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="snow" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/16/pittsburgh-winter-sledding-skating-trails" data-vars-content-id="09b751e7-b75b-45b2-97f8-88a14fb1e971" data-vars-headline="City and county take steps to speed up Pittsburgh snow removal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/16/pittsburgh-winter-sledding-skating-trails" target="_self">snow</a> Tuesday.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Near-record snowfall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/26/pittsburgh-road-conditions-winter-storm" data-vars-content-id="09b751e7-b75b-45b2-97f8-88a14fb1e971" data-vars-headline="City and county take steps to speed up Pittsburgh snow removal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/26/pittsburgh-road-conditions-winter-storm" target="_self">Near-record snowfall</a> on Sunday ground the Pittsburgh region to a halt, and round-the-clock snow removal efforts improved the situation, but there is still plenty more to go.

Early season snow turns region into a winter wonderland

The region saw between about 2-5 inches of observed snowfall.

December came with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an arctic blast" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/12/01/snowstorm-pittsburgh-tuesday-forecast" data-vars-content-id="ef68e4c9-91d7-45ed-bd6f-4ea08b5587e2" data-vars-headline="Early season snow turns region into a winter wonderland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/12/01/snowstorm-pittsburgh-tuesday-forecast" target="_self">an arctic blast</a>, but at least it looks beautiful.☃️ The big picture: The region saw between 2-5 inches of observed snowfall after a storm brushed through Tuesday morning, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pittsburgh office of the National Weather Service" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/NWSPittsburgh/status/1995904602491752951?s=20" data-vars-content-id="ef68e4c9-91d7-45ed-bd6f-4ea08b5587e2" data-vars-headline="Early season snow turns region into a winter wonderland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/NWSPittsburgh/status/1995904602491752951?s=20" target="_blank">Pittsburgh office of the National Weather Service</a>.

First large snowstorm of season to hit Pittsburgh

The region could see up to 5 inches of snow early Tuesday morning. Roads may be slick.

Here comes the snow.Why it matters: The Pittsburgh region will see its first significant snowfall of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/12/01/pittsburgh-december-events" data-vars-content-id="84aa9a5f-96db-4cdf-a803-f2993b8a2853" data-vars-headline="First large snowstorm of season to hit Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/12/01/pittsburgh-december-events" target="_self">season</a> Tuesday, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pittsburgh office of the National Weather Service" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/NWSPittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="84aa9a5f-96db-4cdf-a803-f2993b8a2853" data-vars-headline="First large snowstorm of season to hit Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/NWSPittsburgh" target="_blank">Pittsburgh office of the National Weather Service</a>.

Pa. hydrogen hubs earn bipartisan backing amid funding threat

Pennsylvania's hydrogen hubs face funding risk despite support from Trump and Biden allies.

Two Biden-era clean energy projects in Pennsylvania have earned support from high-profile Democrats and Republicans, even as they come under President Trump&#x27;s microscope.Why it matters: The Keystone State in 2023 was awarded two hydrogen hub projects expected to funnel $1.7 billion in federal funds to the region, according to advocacy group <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Energy Future PA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.northcentralpa.com/news/over-1-7b-in-federal-funding-for-pa-hydrogen-projects-at-risk/article_9659de6c-51a6-4d2b-95c4-83399c87fa83.html" data-vars-content-id="48353b92-7303-4b97-94f4-49c5da4ddb33" data-vars-headline="Pa. hydrogen hubs earn bipartisan backing amid funding threat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.northcentralpa.com/news/over-1-7b-in-federal-funding-for-pa-hydrogen-projects-at-risk/article_9659de6c-51a6-4d2b-95c4-83399c87fa83.html" target="_blank">Energy Future PA</a>.

Eos moves HQ to Pittsburgh, invests $350M

The battery company is moving from New Jersey into an expanded facility in Marshall Township and an office in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh is gaining a new energy company.Why it matters: Battery company <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Eos Energy Enterprises" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eose.com/" data-vars-content-id="577e9ec6-820b-4b9f-ad59-e912ca105b2a" data-vars-headline="Eos moves HQ to Pittsburgh, invests $350M" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eose.com/" target="_blank">Eos Energy Enterprises</a> announced Tuesday it is moving its headquarters from New Jersey to Pittsburgh&#x27;s North Side and investing over $352 million to boost its local manufacturing operation.

Axios What's Next

Map of change in allergy season length by cities. 24 cities across the country are expected to see their allergy season length decrease. Nine cities are expecting to see increases of 45 days or more. 

Climate 🌿

Sen. McCormick seeks faster energy approvals

Punxsy Phil's 2026 prediction: Partly right

Pittsburgh's allergy season is getting longer

Climate pressures hit Pittsburgh farms and tables

Winter warmup will finally thaw Pittsburgh (a bit)