Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Members

Membership

blue

Axios Pittsburgh Partners

Axios Pittsburgh Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Pittsburgh Alerts

Alert

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Pittsburgh with Alexis Johnson, Ryan Deto, and Chrissy Suttles.

Axios Pittsburgh

Standard

Readers crown Fiori's best Pittsburgh pizza spot

Axios readers voted Fiori's the region's top pizzeria in a week-long bracket.

Food and Drink

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fiori&#x27;s Pizzaria" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fiorispizzaria.com/" data-vars-content-id="e5352f9b-71b0-4eb5-823e-d5af23784f19" data-vars-headline="Readers crown Fiori&#x27;s best Pittsburgh pizza spot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fiorispizzaria.com/" target="_blank">Fiori&#x27;s Pizzaria</a> carried its legacy to victory, earning Axios Pittsburgh readers&#x27; vote as the region&#x27;s top pizza spot.The big picture: The finals came down to two pizzerias that embody the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="evolving" data-vars-click-url="https://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2026/02/24/best-pizza-pittsburgh-1/stories/202602160047" data-vars-content-id="e5352f9b-71b0-4eb5-823e-d5af23784f19" data-vars-headline="Readers crown Fiori&#x27;s best Pittsburgh pizza spot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2026/02/24/best-pizza-pittsburgh-1/stories/202602160047" target="_blank">evolving</a> pizza scene — from beloved <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="neighborhood" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/FiorisPizzaria/" data-vars-content-id="e5352f9b-71b0-4eb5-823e-d5af23784f19" data-vars-headline="Readers crown Fiori&#x27;s best Pittsburgh pizza spot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/FiorisPizzaria/" target="_blank">neighborhood</a> institutions to artisan shops pushing the craft to new heights.

Help pick Pittsburgh's worst sidewalk

Cast your vote for the city's most frustrating stretch of sidewalk.

Transit

Pittsburgh is a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fairly good city for pedestrians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/10/17/1-photo-to-go-walk-this-way" data-vars-content-id="2f74967c-9118-40bd-ab72-be345e41a8c9" data-vars-headline="Help pick Pittsburgh&#x27;s worst sidewalk" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/10/17/1-photo-to-go-walk-this-way" target="_self">fairly good city for pedestrians</a>, but there are still plenty of sidewalk stretches that make navigating on foot treacherous.Why it matters: Many of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city&#x27;s sidewalks surveyed by volunteers" data-vars-click-url="https://safe-sidewalks-survey-map.netlify.app/?layers=density%2Cstreets&amp;mode=condition" data-vars-content-id="2f74967c-9118-40bd-ab72-be345e41a8c9" data-vars-headline="Help pick Pittsburgh&#x27;s worst sidewalk" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://safe-sidewalks-survey-map.netlify.app/?layers=density%2Cstreets&amp;mode=condition" target="_blank">city&#x27;s sidewalks surveyed by volunteers</a> are in poor condition, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Safe Sidewalks Crew" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pittsburghwalks.org/safesidewalks" data-vars-content-id="2f74967c-9118-40bd-ab72-be345e41a8c9" data-vars-headline="Help pick Pittsburgh&#x27;s worst sidewalk" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pittsburghwalks.org/safesidewalks" target="_blank">Safe Sidewalks Crew</a>, a partnership between BikePGH, Access Mob Pittsburgh and the City of Pittsburgh&#x27;s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure.

Eat'n Park debuts pickle Smiley cookie

The limited-edition pickle Smiley Cookies will be topped with green pickle-flavored icing.

Eat&#x27;n Park is giving its iconic Smiley cookie a green, pickle-flavored makeover to celebrate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Picklesburgh" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/06/02/picklesburgh-2026-dates-locations-expansion" data-vars-content-id="775b8bb4-fa45-42ba-8862-ff5de6639f3e" data-vars-headline="Eat&#x27;n Park debuts pickle Smiley cookie" 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">Picklesburgh</a>.Zoom in: The limited-edition pickle Smiley cookies will be topped with green pickle-flavored icing and Smiley&#x27;s signature grin.

Lemieux, Harris to join Pittsburgh Walk of Fame

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

Culture

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.

New grads could be finding more work in Pittsburgh

New data suggests Pittsburgh is becoming more attractive to young workers.

News

Pittsburgh jumped into the top 20 for regions where new graduates can find work last year, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new study" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/04/college-graduates-job-metros" data-vars-content-id="7c89cce0-fde1-4a4e-bc15-237202d04ad0" data-vars-headline="New grads could be finding more work in Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/04/college-graduates-job-metros" target="_self">new study</a>.Why it matters: The region has long struggled with &quot;brain drain&quot; (the inability to retain educated young professionals) despite being home to several major universities.

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>.

Why Pitt students are tracking Artemis II

Students built an antenna to track Artemis II signals during its trip around the moon.

Yinzers are tracking <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Artemis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/04/01/artemis-nasa-space-moon-huntsville" data-vars-content-id="eb402bbe-a93f-47df-b482-f4c3d2487ba8" data-vars-headline="Why Pitt students are tracking Artemis II" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/04/01/artemis-nasa-space-moon-huntsville" target="_self">Artemis</a>.The big picture: Artemis II <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="set a distance-from-Earth record" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/artemis-ii-distance-record-apollo-13" data-vars-content-id="eb402bbe-a93f-47df-b482-f4c3d2487ba8" data-vars-headline="Why Pitt students are tracking Artemis II" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/artemis-ii-distance-record-apollo-13" target="_self">set a distance-from-Earth record</a> for human spaceflight Monday, and it&#x27;s providing important learning opportunities for students in Pittsburgh and around the globe.

Cursive mandate hits Pa. schools in April

Cursive is making a comeback in Pennsylvania classrooms.

Cursive is making a comeback in Pennsylvania classrooms this April under a new state law.Why it matters: Spending valuable class time teaching students to put pen to paper is a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nationwide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/07/25/cursive-makes-a-comeback" data-vars-content-id="bae64e4c-bcc9-4613-a3ef-cb4f5b452887" data-vars-headline="Cursive mandate hits Pa. schools in April" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/07/25/cursive-makes-a-comeback" target="_self">nationwide</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="trend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/06/25/cursive-writing-returns-to-georgia-classrooms" data-vars-content-id="bae64e4c-bcc9-4613-a3ef-cb4f5b452887" data-vars-headline="Cursive mandate hits Pa. schools in April" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/06/25/cursive-writing-returns-to-georgia-classrooms" target="_self">trend</a>, despite students using computers for a growing share of assignments.

CMU leads in Trump's new foreign funding data

The Education Department released foreign funding data submitted by colleges and universities for 2025.

The Trump administration is casting new scrutiny on foreign funding at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. colleges and universities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/21/colleges-research-funding-trump-threat" data-vars-content-id="cb413462-8736-4a4e-a935-c3db3b4f667f" data-vars-headline="CMU leads in Trump&#x27;s new foreign funding data" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/21/colleges-research-funding-trump-threat" target="_self">U.S. colleges and universities</a> — a push critics say is part of a broader effort to assert control over higher education under the guise of national security.Catch up quick: The Education Department on Wednesday released foreign funding disclosure data submitted by colleges and universities for 2025, &quot;documenting over 8,300 transactions worth more than $5.2 billion in reportable foreign gifts and contracts.&quot;

International enrollment dips at Pitt, CMU

Fewer international students could mean big losses for Pa.'s economy.

Pittsburgh&#x27;s largest universities are among <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="many U.S. schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/11/17/international-student-enrollment-colleges" data-vars-content-id="239eb954-72c6-47e3-bb0c-d2861a84c7c9" data-vars-headline="International enrollment dips at Pitt, CMU" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2025/11/17/international-student-enrollment-colleges" target="_self">many U.S. schools</a> that saw dips in international student enrollment this fall — the first full academic year of President Trump&#x27;s second term.Why it matters: Having fewer international students could hurt cities like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pittsburgh that depend on higher ed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/03/05/nih-cuts-pittsburgh-economy-impact" data-vars-content-id="239eb954-72c6-47e3-bb0c-d2861a84c7c9" data-vars-headline="International enrollment dips at Pitt, CMU" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/03/05/nih-cuts-pittsburgh-economy-impact" target="_self">Pittsburgh that depend on higher ed</a> and international talent.

Rediscovering Kurt Vonnegut's early Pittsburgh ties

New records highlight a little-known part of Vonnegut's journey.

Before becoming one of America&#x27;s defining literary voices, Kurt Vonnegut was a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="young Army private" data-vars-click-url="https://live-cmu-news.pantheonsite.io/stories/archives/2025/october/kurt-vonneguts-little-known-carnegie-mellon-connection?auHash=1H6xAqr7bK0Yxojs0UPBJzM2MvCou72uYBWOY1Ml9B0" data-vars-content-id="d7dd89af-d46b-4bd1-8232-73a227bd3032" data-vars-headline="Rediscovering Kurt Vonnegut&#x27;s early Pittsburgh ties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://live-cmu-news.pantheonsite.io/stories/archives/2025/october/kurt-vonneguts-little-known-carnegie-mellon-connection?auHash=1H6xAqr7bK0Yxojs0UPBJzM2MvCou72uYBWOY1Ml9B0" target="_blank">young Army private</a> studying in Pittsburgh — a formative period that shaped his later masterpieces.Why it matters: Freshly unearthed archives from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Carnegie Mellon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2025/october/kurt-vonneguts-little-known-carnegie-mellon-connection?utm_campaign=2025-11-06+Piper&amp;utm_source=head&amp;utm_medium=all&amp;utm_content=cmuhistory_hss_0&amp;utm_term=0_0&amp;utm_id=Kurt+Vonnegut%E2%80%99s+Little-Known+Carnegie+Mellon+Connection" data-vars-content-id="d7dd89af-d46b-4bd1-8232-73a227bd3032" data-vars-headline="Rediscovering Kurt Vonnegut&#x27;s early Pittsburgh ties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2025/october/kurt-vonneguts-little-known-carnegie-mellon-connection?utm_campaign=2025-11-06+Piper&amp;utm_source=head&amp;utm_medium=all&amp;utm_content=cmuhistory_hss_0&amp;utm_term=0_0&amp;utm_id=Kurt+Vonnegut%E2%80%99s+Little-Known+Carnegie+Mellon+Connection" target="_blank">Carnegie Mellon</a>, then the Carnegie Institute of Technology, reveal how the campus became a World War II training hub.

Community center named after baseball legend proposed for McKees Rocks

A foundation named for local baseball legend planning a new center with sports, learning and senior services.

The hard-hit borough of McKees Rocks lost its Boys and Girls club in 2020, but a new community center could be on its way thanks to a local baseball legend.The big picture: The Josh Gibson Foundation — started in honor of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hall of Famer and Negro League legend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/01/negro-league-josh-gibson-estate-licensing-mlb" data-vars-content-id="f9a48d40-c9dd-464b-a3ad-a75ae5f61415" data-vars-headline="Community center named after baseball legend proposed for McKees Rocks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/01/negro-league-josh-gibson-estate-licensing-mlb" target="_self">Hall of Famer and Negro League legend</a> — has proposed a 37,000-square-foot indoor community center in McKees Rocks, potentially doubling the size of the former facility, foundation executive director Sean Gibson tells Axios.

Pittsburgh universities climb in college rankings

Carnegie Mellon, Pitt and Point Park are rising up the ranks of the nation's top colleges.

Carnegie Mellon, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="University of Pittsburgh" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/09/19/pitt-new-rec-center-gym-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="f1a94e2d-2d55-47c1-9f2e-29906eab86b8" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh universities climb in college rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/09/19/pitt-new-rec-center-gym-pittsburgh" target="_self">University of Pittsburgh</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Point Park University" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/03/11/point-park-expands-arts-programs" data-vars-content-id="f1a94e2d-2d55-47c1-9f2e-29906eab86b8" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh universities climb in college rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/03/11/point-park-expands-arts-programs" target="_self">Point Park University</a> are moving up the ranks among the nation&#x27;s top colleges, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. News &amp; World Report" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/41672587.108/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNuZXdzLmNvbS9iZXN0LWNvbGxlZ2VzP3NyYz11c25fcHImdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/677d14e33dd238439d08deaaC22799d79" data-vars-content-id="f1a94e2d-2d55-47c1-9f2e-29906eab86b8" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh universities climb in college rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/41672587.108/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNuZXdzLmNvbS9iZXN0LWNvbGxlZ2VzP3NyYz11c25fcHImdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/677d14e33dd238439d08deaaC22799d79" target="_self">U.S. News &amp; World Report</a>.The big picture: The annual Best Colleges report — one of the nation&#x27;s most closely watched and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hotly debated rankings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/education/2024/09/25/why-the-u-s-news-college-rankings-have-sparked-controversy-criticism/75375117007/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="f1a94e2d-2d55-47c1-9f2e-29906eab86b8" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh universities climb in college rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/education/2024/09/25/why-the-u-s-news-college-rankings-have-sparked-controversy-criticism/75375117007/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_blank">hotly debated rankings</a> — now puts more weight <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="on outcomes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usnews.com/media/ai/education/2026BC-methodology" data-vars-content-id="f1a94e2d-2d55-47c1-9f2e-29906eab86b8" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh universities climb in college rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usnews.com/media/ai/education/2026BC-methodology" target="_blank">on outcomes</a> like student debt, earnings and graduation rates.

First Look: Pitt unveils new Recreation and Wellness Center

Esports, yoga, climbing and more at Pitt's massive new rec center

<figure><img alt="Modern multi-story building with reflective glass windows and a large rectangular wooden inset on a clear, sunny day, surrounded by green trees and nearby older buildings." height="1871" id="ba6c98c2-c81e-4477-a688-2e4ecddeaef3" src="https://images.axios.com/Nf97G6tQIoK7WwjrPHXtGnsqc5Y=/2025/09/18/1758219758227.jpeg" width="2596"/><figcaption>Pitt&#x27;s new Recreation and Wellness Center in Oakland. Photo: Chrissy Suttles/Axios</figcaption></figure>The University of Pittsburgh this week opened its nine-story, 270,000-square-foot Recreation and Wellness Center <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="built to" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reccenter.pitt.edu/" data-vars-content-id="b59600fa-d3b9-40c1-bf62-00e93ce11438" data-vars-headline="First Look: Pitt unveils new Recreation and Wellness Center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reccenter.pitt.edu/" target="_blank">built to</a> serve everyone from gym rats to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="esports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/25/riot-games-league-of-legends-raul-fernandez" data-vars-content-id="b59600fa-d3b9-40c1-bf62-00e93ce11438" data-vars-headline="First Look: Pitt unveils new Recreation and Wellness Center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/25/riot-games-league-of-legends-raul-fernandez" target="_self">esports</a> gamers.Why it matters: Pitt expects the roughly $240 million complex to help attract and keep students and further distinguish the university <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="at a shaky time" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nasfaa.org/news-item/37233/A_Perfect_Storm_Higher_Ed_Faces_New_Headwinds_as_Academic_Year_Begins" data-vars-content-id="b59600fa-d3b9-40c1-bf62-00e93ce11438" data-vars-headline="First Look: Pitt unveils new Recreation and Wellness Center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nasfaa.org/news-item/37233/A_Perfect_Storm_Higher_Ed_Faces_New_Headwinds_as_Academic_Year_Begins" target="_blank">at a shaky time</a> for American higher ed.

Education 📚

New grads could be finding more work in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh approves plan to close nine school buildings

Why Pitt students are tracking Artemis II

Cursive mandate hits Pa. schools in April

👽 1 gif to go: Otherworldly engineering