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Step into 19,000 years of human history near Pittsburgh

A groundhog hole helped uncover a landmark archaeological site.

History

A chance discovery in a Pennsylvania groundhog hole rewrote the story of the earliest Americans, and you can explore the site just an hour from Pittsburgh.Why it matters: Few places in the U.S. offer a deeper connection to the past than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village" data-vars-click-url="https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/visit/meadowcroft/" data-vars-content-id="22f8f5ba-a9af-4b7b-a561-919260048904" data-vars-headline="Step into 19,000 years of human history near Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/visit/meadowcroft/" target="_blank">Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village</a>, one of the oldest sites of continuous human habitation in North America.

The lost art of knowing your neighbors

Americans are spending more time at home, yet many have become strangers to their neighbors.

News

Americans are spending more time at home, yet many have become strangers to their neighbors — especially <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="young people" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/16/youth-mental-health-gen-z-hopelab-survey-2025" data-vars-content-id="03866716-1cc4-4903-9f9f-375e3f6173b7" data-vars-headline="The lost art of knowing your neighbors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/16/youth-mental-health-gen-z-hopelab-survey-2025" target="_self">young people</a>, who are increasingly unlikely to socialize with those living feet away.Why it matters: Pittsburgh gave the world its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="greatest neighbor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/19/mister-rogers-neighborhood-youtube-channel-launch" data-vars-content-id="03866716-1cc4-4903-9f9f-375e3f6173b7" data-vars-headline="The lost art of knowing your neighbors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/19/mister-rogers-neighborhood-youtube-channel-launch" target="_self">greatest neighbor</a>, and the city still prides itself on its reputation for neighborliness.<ul><li>But in the digital age, finding community doesn&#x27;t always come easily.</li></ul>

Pennsylvania moves to regulate skill games

Lawmakers must regulate thousands of gaming machines in Pennsylvania

You might see fewer skill games in Pennsylvania&#x27;s convenience stores, gas stations, bars and restaurants soon.Why it matters: Unregulated skill games — machines where users can win cash prizes by besting puzzles and other video games — have spread throughout the state, coinciding with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising rates of gambling addiction" 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="78ffeb93-e0f8-44b4-b1a3-fb48acbd6218" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania moves to regulate skill games" 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">rising rates of gambling addiction</a>.

PIT debuts immersive steel sculptures

The commissioned artwork at PIT's new terminal invites visitors to take a breath — and selfies.

Travel

Three towering steel columns now stand outside Pittsburgh International Airport&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new terminal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/22/pit-new-terminal-curb-to-gate-times" data-vars-content-id="88764c6a-2548-4747-9d52-1429c06f6af4" data-vars-headline="PIT debuts immersive steel sculptures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/22/pit-new-terminal-curb-to-gate-times" target="_self">new terminal</a>, linking the traveler experience to the region&#x27;s landscape and industrial legacy.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Colorado artist Patrick Marold&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.patrickmarold.com/" data-vars-content-id="88764c6a-2548-4747-9d52-1429c06f6af4" data-vars-headline="PIT debuts immersive steel sculptures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.patrickmarold.com/" target="_blank">Colorado artist Patrick Marold&#x27;s</a> &quot;Open Columns&quot; is the final permanent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="commissioned artwork" data-vars-click-url="https://flypittsburgh.com/acaa-corporate/new-terminal-overview/" data-vars-content-id="88764c6a-2548-4747-9d52-1429c06f6af4" data-vars-headline="PIT debuts immersive steel sculptures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://flypittsburgh.com/acaa-corporate/new-terminal-overview/" target="_blank">commissioned artwork</a> to take its place at the $1.7 billion terminal that opened late last year.

Your guide to Pittsburgh's 2026 primary

A quick look at races, voting rules and what's at stake Tuesday.

Primary Election Day is nearly here.Why it matters: There aren&#x27;t any marquee races this spring, but the decisions Tuesday could shape what is set to be an important midterm election in the fall.

Rural wins raise hopes Dems can reclaim former strongholds

Liberal wins in GOP strongholds signal shifting rural momentum.

Politics

Democrats hope <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="strong showings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/05/corey-oconnor-wins-mayor-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="bb205039-71db-4807-9fe3-1ba28bc9c07c" data-vars-headline="Rural wins raise hopes Dems can reclaim former strongholds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/05/corey-oconnor-wins-mayor-pittsburgh" target="_self">strong showings</a> in rural Southwest Pennsylvania on Tuesday signal the party&#x27;s fortunes are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="starting to turn around" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/10/28/pennsylvania-voter-registration-republicans-2025" data-vars-content-id="bb205039-71db-4807-9fe3-1ba28bc9c07c" data-vars-headline="Rural wins raise hopes Dems can reclaim former strongholds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/10/28/pennsylvania-voter-registration-republicans-2025" target="_self">starting to turn around</a>.Why it matters: Despite decades of Democratic dominance, rural counties surrounding Pittsburgh started flipping Republican when Barack Obama ran for president in 2008 and have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sprinted toward President Trump ever since" data-vars-click-url="https://community.triblive.com/news/3665024" data-vars-content-id="bb205039-71db-4807-9fe3-1ba28bc9c07c" data-vars-headline="Rural wins raise hopes Dems can reclaim former strongholds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://community.triblive.com/news/3665024" target="_blank">sprinted toward President Trump ever since</a>.

O'Connor elected mayor; Dems keep court control

Corey O'Connor will succeed Ed Gainey as Pittsburgh's mayor after a strong night for Democrats.

Corey O&#x27;Connor was chosen as Pittsburgh&#x27;s new mayor on a night when Democrats performed strongly throughout Pennsylvania.The big picture: O&#x27;Connor will replace incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey, and Democrats will maintain their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="5-2 state Supreme Court majority" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/10/28/pennsylvania-supreme-court-retention-elections?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_pittsburgh&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="7def20a0-a1b4-4ea5-9fac-1f25a44ed7ab" data-vars-headline="O&#x27;Connor elected mayor; Dems keep court control" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/10/28/pennsylvania-supreme-court-retention-elections?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_pittsburgh&amp;stream=top" target="_self">5-2 state Supreme Court majority</a> heading into year two of Trump 2.0.

A quick Allegheny County election primer

From judges to sheriff, key elections in Allegheny and Pa. will shape future policy.

Election

Supreme Court <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="retention races" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/10/29/pennsylvania-court-races-abortion-voting-rights" data-vars-content-id="02c423c7-7803-4d94-8d10-9becba2903b0" data-vars-headline="A quick Allegheny County election primer" 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/pennsylvania-court-races-abortion-voting-rights" target="_self">retention races</a> are sucking up most of the air, but there are other elections next week, too.Why it matters: Local and statewide contests will shape policy even if you don&#x27;t see political ads about them.

Redistricting fight skips Pennsylvania

Shapiro and a divided legislature block any push to redraw political maps.

Several states are rushing to redraw their congressional districts, but not Pennsylvania.Why it matters: Republicans hold a narrow majority in the U.S. House and are looking to hold off Democrats in next year&#x27;s midterm elections and beyond.

O'Connor ousts incumbent Mayor Gainey in primary

Corey O'Connor is set to become the Steel City's next mayor after beating Ed Gainey.

Pittsburgh will have a new mayor next year.Why it matters: Corey O&#x27;Connor&#x27;s victory in the Democratic primary means he will very likely become Pittsburgh&#x27;s next mayor, showcasing that the city is looking for a change after one term for Mayor Ed Gainey.

What to know for Pittsburgh's primary election

From mayor to courts to water rights, the primary will shape the city's future.

Don&#x27;t sleep on this spring&#x27;s Election Day — which is Tuesday, by the way, if you were asleep.Why it matters: Though just the primary election, it&#x27;s likely Tuesday&#x27;s results will determine who holds office next year thanks to Pittsburgh&#x27;s and Allegheny County&#x27;s strong Democratic leanings.

Allegheny County approves 2025 early voting sites

The primary includes races that could determine the next Pittsburgh mayor.

Early voting for the May primary could start later this month and Allegheny County voters will have several options.Why it matters: The primary includes races that could determine the next Pittsburgh mayor, a slew of new judges and other important local races.

Election 🗳️

Your guide to Pittsburgh's 2026 primary

Rural wins raise hopes Dems can reclaim former strongholds

O'Connor elected mayor; Dems keep court control

A quick Allegheny County election primer

Redistricting fight skips Pennsylvania