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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>.

Shapiro puts new guardrails on Pa. data centers

New projects face tougher rules on power, permits and local approval.

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order Tuesday tightening the rules for data center development in Pennsylvania, a move he said imposes the “strictest guardrails in the nation.”Why it matters: The first-term Democratic governor and potential 2028 presidential contender once <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="courted" data-vars-click-url="https://www.alleghenyfront.org/josh-shapiro-amazon-data-centers-pennsylvania/" data-vars-content-id="0abcd902-84c4-464b-8b16-4ba40ee29a98" data-vars-headline="Shapiro puts new guardrails on Pa. data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.alleghenyfront.org/josh-shapiro-amazon-data-centers-pennsylvania/" target="_blank">courted</a> data center investment in Pennsylvania, but growing public <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="opposition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/poll-majority-voters-say-risks-ai-outweigh-benefits-rcna262196" data-vars-content-id="0abcd902-84c4-464b-8b16-4ba40ee29a98" data-vars-headline="Shapiro puts new guardrails on Pa. data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/poll-majority-voters-say-risks-ai-outweigh-benefits-rcna262196" target="_blank">opposition</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="energy demands" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/14/data-center-backlash-fossil-fuel-protests" data-vars-content-id="0abcd902-84c4-464b-8b16-4ba40ee29a98" data-vars-headline="Shapiro puts new guardrails on Pa. data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/14/data-center-backlash-fossil-fuel-protests" target="_self">energy demands</a> and concerns about local control have led politicians <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nationwide" data-vars-click-url="https://fox40.com/news/national/ap-us-news/ap-governors-races-are-being-increasingly-buffeted-by-the-toxic-politics-of-data-centers/" data-vars-content-id="0abcd902-84c4-464b-8b16-4ba40ee29a98" data-vars-headline="Shapiro puts new guardrails on Pa. data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fox40.com/news/national/ap-us-news/ap-governors-races-are-being-increasingly-buffeted-by-the-toxic-politics-of-data-centers/" target="_blank">nationwide</a> to recalibrate that approach.

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>.

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.

Pirates serve up "Hoist The Cones" ice cream cones

Buy an ice cream cone at remaining Sunday home games to get the limited-edition holder.

Finally, you can hoist a cone into your mouth.The intrigue: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pirates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/07/21/pirates-playoff-hunt-2026" data-vars-content-id="5a70b7d2-1742-4544-bc3e-fe04e825912b" data-vars-headline="Pirates serve up &quot;Hoist The Cones&quot; ice cream cones" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/07/21/pirates-playoff-hunt-2026" target="_self">Pirates</a> have gone viral this season for their &quot;Hoist The Cone&quot; celebration. Fans can now receive a limited-edition, PNC-branded traffic cone holder free with their ice cream purchase at select PNC Park locations in for the last remaining Sunday games this season.

Review: First Costco in Pa. with beer, wine

We checked the prices, selection and whether it's worth the trip.

Pittsburghers can finally buy bulk packs of toilet paper and a bottle of wine at the same time.Why it matters: Look, we know it&#x27;s not that big of a deal for most Americans, but Pennsylvanians have been dealing with the state&#x27;s archaic alcohol laws for decades, and so it feels special to buy booze in Costco.

Caffeena to open Yemeni cafe, grocer Downtown

The new café will feature Yemeni coffee, bakery and grocery items in a large gathering space

Caffeena Coffee House is doubling down on Pittsburgh with plans for a Downtown flagship that owners say will rank among the city&#x27;s largest coffee shops.The big picture: The Yemeni-American coffee chain that announced its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first Pittsburgh café in Oakland " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/02/yemeni-coffee-shop-caffeena-coming-to-oakland" data-vars-content-id="63cf5b99-11b3-405a-9b0a-5c1385a210b9" data-vars-headline="Caffeena to open Yemeni cafe, grocer Downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/02/yemeni-coffee-shop-caffeena-coming-to-oakland" target="_self">first Pittsburgh café in Oakland </a>earlier this year is expanding with a 4,500-square-foot footprint inside the LiveWell Apartments building — the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="former GNC headquarters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/02/20/former-gnc-building-housing" data-vars-content-id="63cf5b99-11b3-405a-9b0a-5c1385a210b9" data-vars-headline="Caffeena to open Yemeni cafe, grocer Downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/02/20/former-gnc-building-housing" target="_self">former GNC headquarters</a> at Sixth Avenue and Wood Street.

Butterfat scoops into North Side

The award-winning gelato maker now has its first permanent shop.

A new ice cream shop has arrived in Deutschtown just as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="summer is really heating up" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/06/24/best-summer-ice-cream-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="ff810a64-cfb3-4cde-8aa3-a63592dedf28" data-vars-headline="Butterfat scoops into North Side" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/06/24/best-summer-ice-cream-pittsburgh" target="_self">summer is really heating up</a>.The intrigue: Butterfat Gelato ran as an award-winning, roaming ice cream cart for years and set up its first brick-and-mortar location in the North Side recently.

Afters Cafe brews up more late-night options

The Lawrenceville cafe serves coffee, waffles and paninis until 10pm daily.

Pittsburgh&#x27;s late-night coffee scene is growing thanks to Afters Cafe.Why it matters: Coffee shops are important &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="third spaces" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/07/07/pittsburgh-social-health-chamber-connection-nonprofit" data-vars-content-id="1a9ee18f-5fd7-47d7-b50d-918dfb507836" data-vars-headline="Afters Cafe brews up more late-night options" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/07/07/pittsburgh-social-health-chamber-connection-nonprofit" target="_self">third spaces</a>&quot; as Pittsburghers look for more places to spend time away from home after work hours.

Make your own pickled tea

Here's the pickle-to-tea ratio that tastes best after testing.

With Picklesburgh over, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Turner&#x27;s Pickled Iced Tea" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/07/16/picklesburgh-creations-to-try-once" data-vars-content-id="316600bc-c5eb-472c-814f-fa6023ab9dda" data-vars-headline="Make your own pickled tea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/07/16/picklesburgh-creations-to-try-once" target="_self">Turner&#x27;s Pickled Iced Tea</a> is unavailable again, so we made our own.The intrigue: The beverage mixed two of Pittsburgh&#x27;s favorite flavors into a combination that should be enjoyed year-round: sugary sweet iced tea and briny pickles.

Tastyland expands with new Monroeville location

A Greensburg favorite expands with burgers, soft serve and a 21+ arcade bar.

Things to Do

<figure><img alt="Tastyland is open with food, ice cream and a barcade in Monroeville. Photo: Chrissy Suttles" height="626" id="0db42dab-bf5e-4ad8-9bd3-e2cc665e6499" src="https://images.axios.com/FWfmqKMU1VZcXGXrnxSxJgFO_V8=/2026/07/20/1784584221818.jpeg" width="1193"/><figcaption>Tastyland is open with food, ice cream and an arcade bar in Monroeville. Photo: Chrissy Suttles/Axios</figcaption></figure>A beloved roadside stand is bringing its signature smashburgers and desserts to Monroeville.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tastyland" data-vars-click-url="https://monroeville.tastyland66.com/" data-vars-content-id="df31c0f4-371d-485e-a905-419859be9ca3" data-vars-headline="Tastyland expands with new Monroeville location" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://monroeville.tastyland66.com/" target="_blank">Tastyland</a> opened its first location outside its longtime home in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Greensburg" data-vars-click-url="https://tastyland66.com/" data-vars-content-id="df31c0f4-371d-485e-a905-419859be9ca3" data-vars-headline="Tastyland expands with new Monroeville location" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tastyland66.com/" target="_blank">Greensburg</a> this summer, debuting a two-story restaurant on William Penn Highway.

Pittsburgh's best secret bars

From bookcase doors to back alleys, these bars reward curious drinkers.

There are thousands of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/18/best-non-smoking-dive-bars-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="0c3a5f43-4e7b-45cb-bd84-c7eaab1c9b52" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh&#x27;s best secret bars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/18/best-non-smoking-dive-bars-pittsburgh" target="_self">bars</a> in Southwest Pennsylvania, but only a handful of them are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hidden in alleys" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/09/04/spot-of-coffee-pittsburgh-hidden" data-vars-content-id="0c3a5f43-4e7b-45cb-bd84-c7eaab1c9b52" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh&#x27;s best secret bars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/09/04/spot-of-coffee-pittsburgh-hidden" target="_self">hidden in alleys</a>, at the back of stores and behind unmarked locales.The intrigue: We selected our favorite secret bars that are completely open to the public.

Riverhounds debut beer in boots

The collectible cups make their debut during Saturday's home game.

Sports

Kick back with some brews at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Riverhounds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/05/riverhounds-usl-championship-defense-charleston-battery" data-vars-content-id="f80e24ed-fce5-4956-bdd0-4d2a674604a2" data-vars-headline="Riverhounds debut beer in boots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/05/riverhounds-usl-championship-defense-charleston-battery" target="_self">Riverhounds</a> game this weekend.The intrigue: Pittsburgh&#x27;s soccer team is debuting beer boots complete with cleats during Saturday&#x27;s match against Rhode Island.

Food and Drink 🍽

New Downtown spot serves sushi, matcha and rooftop cocktails

Pirates serve up "Hoist The Cones" ice cream cones

Review: First Costco in Pa. with beer, wine

Caffeena to open Yemeni cafe, grocer Downtown

Butterfat scoops into North Side