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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>.

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.

Pa. data center development powering through rising concerns

Developers keep building data centers in Pa. despite noise, energy and pollution concerns.

A tide is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="forming against data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/12/11/ai-economy-data-centers-pennsylvania-poll" data-vars-content-id="a493a517-c4ff-45be-a9fd-db52e23c81be" data-vars-headline="Pa. data center development powering through rising concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/12/11/ai-economy-data-centers-pennsylvania-poll" target="_self">forming against data centers</a>, but Pennsylvania is holding it back — for now.Why it matters: Data centers are attracting more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pushback from locals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/24/springdale-residents-oppose-ai-data-center-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="a493a517-c4ff-45be-a9fd-db52e23c81be" data-vars-headline="Pa. data center development powering through rising concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/24/springdale-residents-oppose-ai-data-center-pittsburgh" target="_self">pushback from locals</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="electric grid monitors" data-vars-click-url="https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/12/03/watchdog-for-electric-grid-in-ohio-other-states-wants-a-pause-on-data-centers/" data-vars-content-id="a493a517-c4ff-45be-a9fd-db52e23c81be" data-vars-headline="Pa. data center development powering through rising concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/12/03/watchdog-for-electric-grid-in-ohio-other-states-wants-a-pause-on-data-centers/" target="_blank">electric grid monitors</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="politicians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/17/democrats-data-centers-ai-fight" data-vars-content-id="a493a517-c4ff-45be-a9fd-db52e23c81be" data-vars-headline="Pa. data center development powering through rising concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/17/democrats-data-centers-ai-fight" target="_self">politicians</a>, but it doesn&#x27;t appear to be slowing them down much in the Keystone State.

How to cut your power bill while keeping your holiday lights

Switching to LEDs and setting a timer can keep your holiday electric bill low.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lighting up the night" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/21/light-up-night-guide-trees-fireworks-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="b0606357-c9ad-42c1-8b75-7c3cf519fef7" data-vars-headline="How to cut your power bill while keeping your holiday lights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/21/light-up-night-guide-trees-fireworks-pittsburgh" target="_self">Lighting up the night</a> might not be the wisest decision.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rising energy prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/09/30/data-centers-grid-electricity-costs-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="b0606357-c9ad-42c1-8b75-7c3cf519fef7" data-vars-headline="How to cut your power bill while keeping your holiday lights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/09/30/data-centers-grid-electricity-costs-pittsburgh" target="_self">Rising energy prices</a> during the holidays have Americans second-guessing if they should scale back on decorations.

Springdale residents oppose AI data center proposal

Locals say the project risks pollution, noise and high water use.

Residents of Springdale Borough are fighting back against a proposed 565,000-square-foot <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/04/16/ai-natural-gas-data-centers-pennsylvania" data-vars-content-id="f66ba298-776e-4fea-8fb9-7cfef6840f89" data-vars-headline="Springdale residents oppose AI data center proposal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/04/16/ai-natural-gas-data-centers-pennsylvania" target="_self">data center</a> that could soon be built near their homes.Why it matters: Springdale&#x27;s ordinances do not include provisions for data centers, leaving room for violations surrounding pollution, noise, electricity and water usage, according to advocates from the environmental group Protect PT.

Pennsylvania's "Grand Canyon" is worth the trip

This 50-mile gorge is one of the East Coast's most dramatic natural wonders.

Things to Do

The Keystone State has more than 2,500 municipalities, and a lot of them have something worth visiting. So you&#x27;ll need to make a bucket list to keep track.The intrigue: Welcome to our PA Bucket List series, where we highlight the state&#x27;s must-visit destinations, spanning natural beauty, historical monuments, cultural attractions, and can&#x27;t-miss experiences.

A guide to viewing Pennsylvania's elk

The start of fall is the best time to view Pennsylvania's roaming elk herd.

Most Pennsylvanians appreciate the fall cooldown, but none more so than our storied elk.Why it matters: The original Keystone State elk population was wiped out in the late 19th century, but the descendants of Rocky Mountain elk reintroduced here over 100 years ago now thrive in North Central Pennsylvania and have become a major tourist draw.

Plastics maker to pay $2.6 million for nurdle pollution

Owners of an idled Pittsburgh-area plastics plant have agreed to pay $2.6 million to settle a citizen-led lawsuit accusing the company of polluting local waterways with microplastics.

Owners of an idled Pittsburgh-area plastics plant have agreed to pay $2.6 million to settle a citizen-led lawsuit accusing the company of polluting local waterways with microplastics.Why it matters: The deal &quot;demonstrates the crucial role that citizen lawsuits play in the enforcement of our core environmental laws,&quot; says Matthew Donohue, the National Environmental Law Center attorney who represented the plaintiffs.

Gas valve failure caused deadly Clairton blast, U.S. Steel says

U.S. Steel says gas valve failure caused blast that killed two, injured 10 at Clairton Coke Works.

A gas valve failure caused the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="explosion at Clairton Coke Works" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/08/11/us-steel-explosion-clairton-coke-works" data-vars-content-id="fa5cb26b-6242-4ade-8e05-fb85123362d4" data-vars-headline="Gas valve failure caused deadly Clairton blast, U.S. Steel says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/08/11/us-steel-explosion-clairton-coke-works" target="_self">explosion at Clairton Coke Works</a> on Monday morning that killed two people, U.S. Steel said Friday.Why it matters: The massive Mon Valley facility — one of the largest coke plants in the world — has a long history of environmental and safety violations. The latest explosion is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fueling renewed scrutiny" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/08/13/clairton-coke-works-explosion-safety-scrutiny" data-vars-content-id="fa5cb26b-6242-4ade-8e05-fb85123362d4" data-vars-headline="Gas valve failure caused deadly Clairton blast, U.S. Steel says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/08/13/clairton-coke-works-explosion-safety-scrutiny" target="_self">fueling renewed scrutiny</a> from regulators and the public over U.S. Steel&#x27;s operations and transparency.

U.S. Steel Clairton plant under scrutiny after deadly blast

The plant has experienced multiple explosions and other safety issues in recent years.

Politics & Policy

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Steel&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/18/us-steel-trump-nippon-takeover" data-vars-content-id="a36b2f8b-b9b2-46f0-a0a0-c4d360a4e363" data-vars-headline="U.S. Steel Clairton plant under scrutiny after deadly blast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/18/us-steel-trump-nippon-takeover" target="_self">U.S. Steel&#x27;s</a> Clairton Coke Works is under fresh scrutiny after an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="explosion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/08/11/us-steel-explosion-clairton-coke-works" data-vars-content-id="a36b2f8b-b9b2-46f0-a0a0-c4d360a4e363" data-vars-headline="U.S. Steel Clairton plant under scrutiny after deadly blast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/08/11/us-steel-explosion-clairton-coke-works" target="_self">explosion</a> killed two workers this week.The big picture: Once a defining part of the Pittsburgh region&#x27;s economy, the nearly 400-acre facility is increasingly criticized for its environmental impacts and past safety incidents.

Ohiopyle named best affordable state park option in U.S.

The Pennsylvania gem earned top honors as an affordable nature getaway.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ohiopyle State Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/ohiopyle-state-park" data-vars-content-id="203ff618-4058-419a-a753-4a20eca60e4f" data-vars-headline="Ohiopyle named best affordable state park option in U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks/find-a-park/ohiopyle-state-park" target="_blank">Ohiopyle State Park</a> is the most affordable option for a quality state park in the country, per vacation rental company <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="HomeToGo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hometogo.com/?hl=en_US&amp;adword=google%2Fus%2Fkwd-301212238526%2Fct%3Dbgs%3Bd%3Da%3Btc%3DUS%3Bln%3Den%3Bmt%3De%3Bcid%3D762df1b82e2b4fd9%2Fn-a%2Fn-a%2Fn-a%2F643652095364%2Fhometogo&amp;mktasp=acid%3D2693559900%3Bcpid%3D1455840191%3Bagid%3D62141830928%3Badid%3D643652095364%3Bdvce%3Dc%3Bkwrd%3Dhometogo%3B&amp;wbraid=CkwKCQjwtMHEBhD2ARI7ANew2hGfSc6wLPhLynipNH9Ytenvl3hgdI5yLJo-W6s4Wut2uE4jRU8rzEDCwhss6f_IzDZI7oRzUH0aAp9-&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADj-DCSsxBXn0_oR3LK_hytD0NyLJ&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=1455840191&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwtMHEBhC-ARIsABua5iRHkDjERUCb5wX-wkIGalUqwOW2bGTzR6yzf-PLFhDRJYZ_NtO6acEaAtU-EALw_wcB" data-vars-content-id="203ff618-4058-419a-a753-4a20eca60e4f" data-vars-headline="Ohiopyle named best affordable state park option in U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hometogo.com/?hl=en_US&amp;adword=google%2Fus%2Fkwd-301212238526%2Fct%3Dbgs%3Bd%3Da%3Btc%3DUS%3Bln%3Den%3Bmt%3De%3Bcid%3D762df1b82e2b4fd9%2Fn-a%2Fn-a%2Fn-a%2F643652095364%2Fhometogo&amp;mktasp=acid%3D2693559900%3Bcpid%3D1455840191%3Bagid%3D62141830928%3Badid%3D643652095364%3Bdvce%3Dc%3Bkwrd%3Dhometogo%3B&amp;wbraid=CkwKCQjwtMHEBhD2ARI7ANew2hGfSc6wLPhLynipNH9Ytenvl3hgdI5yLJo-W6s4Wut2uE4jRU8rzEDCwhss6f_IzDZI7oRzUH0aAp9-&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADj-DCSsxBXn0_oR3LK_hytD0NyLJ&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=1455840191&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwtMHEBhC-ARIsABua5iRHkDjERUCb5wX-wkIGalUqwOW2bGTzR6yzf-PLFhDRJYZ_NtO6acEaAtU-EALw_wcB" target="_blank">HomeToGo</a>.The big picture: The company&#x27;s 2025 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="State Park Index" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hometogo.com/united-states/state-parks/#state-park-index-methodology" data-vars-content-id="203ff618-4058-419a-a753-4a20eca60e4f" data-vars-headline="Ohiopyle named best affordable state park option in U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hometogo.com/united-states/state-parks/#state-park-index-methodology" target="_blank">State Park Index</a> ranks America&#x27;s best state parks for great-value stays according to factors like size, trails, wildlife, solitude and scenic views.

Bat boxes: The backyard upgrade you're missing

💨 County gets F for air quality

Allegheny County gets "F" for air quality

🌼 The hum of spring returns

Hummingbirds head to Pittsburgh

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. 