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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.

Food and Drink

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.

U.S. Steel details Mon Valley upgrades

The company showcased major improvements planned for its Mon Valley facilities.

News

U.S. Steel is investing $2.5 billion in its Mon Valley Works facilities, and it showcased its planned improvements to the community Thursday.Why it matters: About a year after Japan&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nippon Steel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/18/us-steel-trump-nippon-takeover" data-vars-content-id="65dddd81-bec9-4d5e-878d-9099c3d945b4" data-vars-headline="U.S. Steel details Mon Valley upgrades" 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">Nippon Steel</a> bought U.S. Steel, the region is starting to see portions of the promised $11 billion investment for the Pittsburgh-based icon.

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.

Jerome Bettis helps plug abandoned gas wells

Bettis joined state officials to mark the plugging of 400 abandoned wells.

Steelers Hall of Famer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jerome &quot;The Bus&quot; Bettis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/16/mark-cuban-pittsburgh-ai-showcase-nfl-draft" data-vars-content-id="433bca25-7248-4a92-8c08-c3d7ad73010f" data-vars-headline="Jerome Bettis helps plug abandoned gas wells" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/16/mark-cuban-pittsburgh-ai-showcase-nfl-draft" target="_self">Jerome &quot;The Bus&quot; Bettis</a> is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by plugging the region&#x27;s abandoned gas and oil wells.Why it matters: The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) estimates there are hundreds of thousands of abandoned oil and gas wells in the state — with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a large concentration in Western Pennsylvania" data-vars-click-url="https://gis.dep.pa.gov/PaOilAndGasMapping/OilGasWellsStrayGasMap.html?" data-vars-content-id="433bca25-7248-4a92-8c08-c3d7ad73010f" data-vars-headline="Jerome Bettis helps plug abandoned gas wells" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gis.dep.pa.gov/PaOilAndGasMapping/OilGasWellsStrayGasMap.html?" target="_blank">a large concentration in Western Pennsylvania</a> — leaking greenhouse gases like methane into the atmosphere.

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.

Environment

Canadian wildfire smoke triggers Code Purple alert in Pittsburgh

U.S. Steel details Mon Valley upgrades

Jerome Bettis helps plug abandoned gas wells

What to know about "chaos gardening"

Bat boxes: The backyard upgrade you're missing