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Dems appear to flip state House seat in Cranberry

The apparent victory adds to a string of Democratic overperformances in special elections.

News

With all precincts reported but still some ballots left to count, Democrats appear to have flipped a conservative state House district north of Pittsburgh.The latest: Democrat <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Brandon Dukes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dukesforpa.com/" data-vars-content-id="9c203bde-c1ce-402b-8120-7da7912a1ce2" data-vars-headline="Dems appear to flip state House seat in Cranberry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dukesforpa.com/" target="_blank">Brandon Dukes</a> led by 88 votes against Republican Scott Timko on Tuesday night with over 99% of the votes counted, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Associated Press" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/08/18/us/elections/results-pennsylvania-state-house-district-12-special.html" data-vars-content-id="9c203bde-c1ce-402b-8120-7da7912a1ce2" data-vars-headline="Dems appear to flip state House seat in Cranberry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/08/18/us/elections/results-pennsylvania-state-house-district-12-special.html" target="_blank">Associated Press</a>.

The growing fight over Flock cameras

License plate readers are drawing scrutiny over how police access and store data.

Mounting privacy concerns are fueling bipartisan opposition to license plate readers made by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock Safety and similar companies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" data-vars-content-id="ef991656-2957-4f87-a902-de5dfaaa7fcb" data-vars-headline="The growing fight over Flock cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" target="_self">Flock Safety and similar companies</a>.The big picture: Automated license plate readers (ALPRs) from several vendors have operated across Southwestern Pennsylvania, including Allegheny County, for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over a decade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wesanews.org/2012-08-02/da-zappala-calls-automatic-license-plate-readers-public-safety-tools" data-vars-content-id="ef991656-2957-4f87-a902-de5dfaaa7fcb" data-vars-headline="The growing fight over Flock cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wesanews.org/2012-08-02/da-zappala-calls-automatic-license-plate-readers-public-safety-tools" target="_blank">over a decade</a>.

Shapiro: Mail voting unchanged for 2026 after SCOTUS ruling

Pennsylvania voters can still cast mail ballots as usual this November.

A U.S. Supreme Court <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ruling favoring President Trump&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/24/supreme-court-mail-in-ballot-rules" data-vars-content-id="951a2366-0689-4996-9d1d-fd450e14c7d9" data-vars-headline="Shapiro: Mail voting unchanged for 2026 after SCOTUS ruling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/24/supreme-court-mail-in-ballot-rules" target="_self">ruling favoring President Trump&#x27;s</a> push to restrict mail-in voting won&#x27;t impact the upcoming midterm elections, Gov. Josh Shapiro said Tuesday. Why it matters: On Monday, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SCOTUS cleared" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/24/trump-usps-federal-power-state-elections-mail-voting" data-vars-content-id="951a2366-0689-4996-9d1d-fd450e14c7d9" data-vars-headline="Shapiro: Mail voting unchanged for 2026 after SCOTUS ruling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/24/trump-usps-federal-power-state-elections-mail-voting" target="_self">SCOTUS cleared</a> one roadblock for Trump&#x27;s push to restrict mail-in ballots via the U.S. Postal Service, sowing uncertainty about how states will carry out their elections.

Pa. kindergarten vaccine exemption rate tops national rate

Measles is surging in Pennsylvania as kindergarten vaccination rates remain below key targets.

Pennsylvania’s kindergarten vaccine exemption rate held steady at 6% in the 2025-26 school year, but remains above the national rate, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CDC data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html" data-vars-content-id="268f6062-b33e-4f7b-adfa-129599445935" data-vars-headline="Pa. kindergarten vaccine exemption rate tops national rate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html" target="_blank">CDC data</a>.Why it matters: Pennsylvania’s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="307 measles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/diseases-conditions/infectious-disease/measles" data-vars-content-id="268f6062-b33e-4f7b-adfa-129599445935" data-vars-headline="Pa. kindergarten vaccine exemption rate tops national rate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/diseases-conditions/infectious-disease/measles" target="_blank">307 measles</a> cases this year, nearly 20 times last year’s total and the most in at least three decades, underscore how falling U.S. immunization rates are reviving a disease <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eliminated" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/history.html" data-vars-content-id="268f6062-b33e-4f7b-adfa-129599445935" data-vars-headline="Pa. kindergarten vaccine exemption rate tops national rate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/history.html" target="_blank">eliminated</a> in 2000.

New Downtown spot serves sushi, matcha and rooftop cocktails

Grab coffee, book omakase or head to the rooftop at Okane.

Food and Drink

You can spend lunch, dinner and late-night all at one new spot near Market Square.The intrigue: Okane took over for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sushi I spot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/05/20/pittsburgh-rent-abatement-sushi-restaurant" data-vars-content-id="36043aa9-3bd9-45e2-a05b-63fda23b7d1b" data-vars-headline="New Downtown spot serves sushi, matcha and rooftop cocktails" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/05/20/pittsburgh-rent-abatement-sushi-restaurant" target="_self">Sushi I spot</a> on Fourth Street, and offers three different Japanese food experiences: casual grab-and-go, fine dining and a social vibe with cocktails and bites.

Pittsburgh is getting its first cat tour

Pittsburgh Cat Walk will turn Brighton Heights into a neighborhood cat crawl.

Culture

Brighton Heights cats will have their day in the sun at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pittsburgh’s inaugural cat walk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/pittsburghcatwalk/" data-vars-content-id="dc201503-409d-4e5d-9bc7-da8ea7546661" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh is getting its first cat tour" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/pittsburghcatwalk/" target="_blank">Pittsburgh’s inaugural cat walk</a>, a parade of feline fanfare.The big picture: Inspired by Minneapolis&#x27; popular <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wedge Live! Cat Tour" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/axiostwincities/reel/C8udZFlsQ64/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="dc201503-409d-4e5d-9bc7-da8ea7546661" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh is getting its first cat tour" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/axiostwincities/reel/C8udZFlsQ64/?hl=en" target="_blank">Wedge Live! Cat Tour</a>, organizers Heather Costello and Carlin Christy will lead a 90-minute stroll designed for prime cat-spotting while raising money for local cat rescues.

Borrow power tools and more from area libraries

Local libraries want to help residents save money, so they encourage patrons to "try before they buy."

Things to Do

If you need a drill for handiwork or a telescope to stargaze, you can check those out from Pittsburgh-area libraries.Why it matters: Local libraries want to help residents save money, so they encourage patrons to &quot;try before they buy,&quot; check out tools they will only use once, or check out games for parties and gatherings, according to the Allegheny County Library Association&#x27;s website.

Lost Lizard brings video rentals back to Pittsburgh

The shop is delivering a rewind steeped in horror nostalgia.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lost Lizard Video" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/lostlizardvideo/" data-vars-content-id="d55a6ef1-ca2a-4d15-9158-2111ccf55e0c" data-vars-headline="Lost Lizard brings video rentals back to Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/lostlizardvideo/" target="_blank">Lost Lizard Video</a> is bringing Pittsburgh&#x27;s video rental era back from the dead with a Lawrenceville shop devoted to VHS tapes, DVDs, Betamax and cult cinema.Why it matters: As streaming splinters into pricier, ad-filled platforms, shop owner Vincent Santis is delivering a rewind steeped in horror nostalgia.

Top August events: Barrel & Flow, Banana Split Fest and more

Fill your late summer calendar with festivals, food, art and live music.

August is stacked with reasons to get out, from Restaurant Week deals and Barrel &amp; Flow pours to art crawls, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="concerts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/26/pittsburghs-biggest-concert-guide-2026" data-vars-content-id="c77c780a-4754-4456-9dcc-a4bea2aef790" data-vars-headline="Top August events: Barrel &amp; Flow, Banana Split Fest and more" 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/pittsburghs-biggest-concert-guide-2026" target="_self">concerts</a> and plenty more across Pittsburgh.Fill your social calendar with these picks.

First look: Kamin Science Center's indoor go-karts

Axios Pittsburgh took the first laps inside the new racing attraction. 🏎️

<figure><img alt="A go-kart racing across an indoor track with red and white lights flashing in the background." height="450" id="b30ca908-e7ef-44a2-a908-dd4a21a61027" src="https://images.axios.com/9i8v_BiwtjYbT70veHvXVoZ67_o=/2026/07/30/1785435623233.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>How fast can you take the turns on the 800-foot track? GIF: Ryan Deto/Axios</figcaption></figure>The Kamin Science Center is debuting indoor go-karts on Saturday, and Axios Pittsburgh got behind the wheel for a test drive.The intrigue: The North Shore <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="science center" data-vars-click-url="https://kaminsciencecenter.org/" data-vars-content-id="a888f13e-e7f7-4288-a77d-c633389eb87c" data-vars-headline="First look: Kamin Science Center&#x27;s indoor go-karts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kaminsciencecenter.org/" target="_blank">science center</a> updated its former Sports 360 building into the new 21,000-square-foot Science of Speed complex complete with an 800-foot kart track spanning three levels, a Formula 1 racing simulator, interactive racing exhibits, and a full bar and cafe.

See Phipps' rare agave "death bloom"

The 50-year-old Agave americana is blooming for the first, and last, time before it dies.

One of Phipps&#x27; oldest residents is showing off before the curtain falls for good.Why it matters: The conservatory&#x27;s 50- to 60-year-old <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Agave americana, or &quot;century plant,&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbLwuWXp-Xs/" data-vars-content-id="0e663ade-f6ca-48b0-95ea-9c4cee5263bc" data-vars-headline="See Phipps&#x27; rare agave &quot;death bloom&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbLwuWXp-Xs/" target="_blank">Agave americana, or &quot;century plant,&quot;</a> is in the midst of its only bloom — a spectacular event sometimes called a &quot;death bloom&quot; that signals the end of the plant&#x27;s life cycle.

Pirates are back in the playoff hunt

Pittsburgh has its best postseason chance in nearly a decade.

Sports

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pirates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/26/pirates-season-preview-hope-playoff-run" data-vars-content-id="a162183b-9c8c-49ea-b1e7-9d706b4fbe6b" data-vars-headline="Pirates are back in the playoff hunt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/26/pirates-season-preview-hope-playoff-run" target="_self">Pirates</a> are still in the race for a playoff spot — so if you dropped off, yinz better start paying attention again.Why it matters: The Pirates haven&#x27;t made the postseason since 2015, but the team is closer than it has been in a decade.

Lemieux, Harris to join Pittsburgh Walk of Fame

The newest class spans sports, arts, science and business.

The next class of honorees for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pittsburgh&#x27;s Walk of Fame" data-vars-click-url="https://pittsburghwalkoffame.org/" data-vars-content-id="ec55b13a-1025-42c7-abad-010878b638d4" data-vars-headline="Lemieux, Harris to join Pittsburgh Walk of Fame" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pittsburghwalkoffame.org/" target="_blank">Pittsburgh&#x27;s Walk of Fame</a> is set, spanning arts, science, sports and business.The big picture: The Walk of Fame honors people with ties to Southwestern Pennsylvania who helped shape American culture. Each inductee will be immortalized with a bronze star embedded at the Strip District Terminal sidewalk along Smallman Street.

What to eat, see and do at Picklesburgh

Pickle pandemonium is back for its 11th year, serving up inventive gherkin-inspired eats, vendors, contests and the return of a bucking pickle Thursday through Sunday.Why it matters: Picklesburgh is set to pack Downtown and the North Shore with more than 200,000 visitors for what&#x27;s expected to be its biggest festival yet, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expanding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/06/02/picklesburgh-2026-dates-locations-expansion" data-vars-content-id="4d16aa6a-4a48-4792-8f73-e13be74b699f" data-vars-headline="What to eat, see and do at Picklesburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/06/02/picklesburgh-2026-dates-locations-expansion" target="_self">expanding</a> into the newly renovated Market Square and Arts Landing.