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Pa. travelers urged to take precautions in Mexico

Sen. Dave McCormick urges travelers to enroll in STEP and monitor flight updates.

Politics & Policy

U.S. Sen. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dave McCormick" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/04/28/mccormick-urges-review-of-research-grants" data-vars-content-id="e3a13e27-9aa3-4f7e-9f9e-b03ebb6b7c91" data-vars-headline="Pa. travelers urged to take precautions in Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/04/28/mccormick-urges-review-of-research-grants" target="_self">Dave McCormick</a> is advising Pennsylvanians in Mexico to stay in close contact with the U.S. State Department.The big picture: Violence following the killing of a Mexican cartel leader has erupted in Mexico, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="leaving some Americans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/23/chicagoans-caught-mexico-drug-violence-el-mencho-death" data-vars-content-id="e3a13e27-9aa3-4f7e-9f9e-b03ebb6b7c91" data-vars-headline="Pa. travelers urged to take precautions in Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/23/chicagoans-caught-mexico-drug-violence-el-mencho-death" target="_self">leaving some Americans</a> — and potentially Pittsburghers — stuck in a tough situation.

Climate pressures hit Pittsburgh farms and tables

Farmers and restaurant owners say extreme weather is raising costs and risks.

Climate

Small <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/13/pittsburgh-restaurant-survival-doordash-2025" data-vars-content-id="2b4dfdb3-36cb-462e-ab7d-3b25f32dd1d6" data-vars-headline="Climate pressures hit Pittsburgh farms and tables" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/13/pittsburgh-restaurant-survival-doordash-2025" target="_self">restaurant</a> owners and farmers in Western Pennsylvania are bracing for escalating climate change disruptions that could further strain their bottom lines.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Record heat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/01/30/pittsburgh-breaks-heat-record-2024" data-vars-content-id="2b4dfdb3-36cb-462e-ab7d-3b25f32dd1d6" data-vars-headline="Climate pressures hit Pittsburgh farms and tables" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/01/30/pittsburgh-breaks-heat-record-2024" target="_self">Record heat</a>, sharp temperature swings, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extreme weather" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/04/30/severe-storms-kill-3-cut-power-pennsylvania" data-vars-content-id="2b4dfdb3-36cb-462e-ab7d-3b25f32dd1d6" data-vars-headline="Climate pressures hit Pittsburgh farms and tables" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/04/30/severe-storms-kill-3-cut-power-pennsylvania" target="_self">extreme weather</a> hit small agricultural producers and businesses hard, as many operate on razor-thin margins.

Pittsburgh homebuyers score big discounts

Nearly 62% of homes sold under asking, with average discounts outpacing the national rate.

Real Estate

It&#x27;s a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="good time to buy a home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/02/pittsburgh-homebuyers-down-payment-time" data-vars-content-id="6dae687f-dafc-4761-8fe6-b72556aa7095" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh homebuyers score big discounts" 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/pittsburgh-homebuyers-down-payment-time" target="_self">good time to buy a home</a> in Pittsburgh.Why it matters: Though high mortgage rates are still <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sidelining many buyers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" data-vars-content-id="6dae687f-dafc-4761-8fe6-b72556aa7095" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh homebuyers score big discounts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" target="_self">sidelining many buyers</a>, Pittsburgh home sales have one of the biggest discounts in the nation, according to a new Redfin <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.redfin.com/news/homebuyer-discounts-below-list-price-2025/" data-vars-content-id="6dae687f-dafc-4761-8fe6-b72556aa7095" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh homebuyers score big discounts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.redfin.com/news/homebuyer-discounts-below-list-price-2025/" target="_blank">report</a>.

Pa.'s first passive house debuts in Wilkinsburg

The 700-square-foot home meets rigorous energy standards and runs on all-electric utilities.

News

A home in Wilkinsburg practically powers itself.Why it matters: Known as the Wilkinsburg Residence, it is the first single-family home in the state to earn a Passive House EnerPHit certification, and it debuted last month.

Scoop: Lee questions ICE over detained Brentwood man

The Brentwood man was hospitalized while in ICE detention.

Immigration

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee (D-Swissvale) said in a Wednesday letter to ICE that the agency &quot;illegally detained&quot; a Brentwood immigrant with health issues who, his family says, is authorized to remain in the U.S.The big picture: The arrest of Maklim Gomez Escalante — an asylum seeker from El Salvador who lives with his family in Brentwood — is part of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump administration shift" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/09/trump-immigration-shift-ice-detentions-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="6debe0dc-4c25-41a1-a37c-dac625410217" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Lee questions ICE over detained Brentwood man" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/09/trump-immigration-shift-ice-detentions-pittsburgh" target="_self">Trump administration shift</a> away from immigration policy that traditionally allowed asylum applicants to live and work in the U.S. while awaiting a decision.

Trump policy shift drives ICE detentions in Pittsburgh

A Trump immigration policy shift is hitting Pittsburgh — underscored by the stories of two local immigrants who were recently detained by ICE.

A shift in Trump-era immigration policy is reverberating through Pittsburgh, underscored by the stories of two local immigrants who were recently detained by ICE while awaiting asylum rulings.Why it matters: The cases of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="José Flores" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/04/deluzio-ice-oakmont-immigrant-detention" data-vars-content-id="c86136ff-dddf-4d5a-b72c-f14835283372" data-vars-headline="Trump policy shift drives ICE detentions in Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/04/deluzio-ice-oakmont-immigrant-detention" target="_self">José Flores</a> in Oakmont and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Maklim Gomez Escalante" data-vars-click-url="https://triblive.com/local/salvadoran-family-in-brentwood-in-the-dark-as-father-languishes-in-ice-custody/" data-vars-content-id="c86136ff-dddf-4d5a-b72c-f14835283372" data-vars-headline="Trump policy shift drives ICE detentions in Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://triblive.com/local/salvadoran-family-in-brentwood-in-the-dark-as-father-languishes-in-ice-custody/" target="_blank">Maklim Gomez Escalante</a> in Brentwood — both asylum seekers with valid work permits and no criminal records — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rattled the region" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/03/oakmont-ban-ice-agreements-immigrant-detention" data-vars-content-id="c86136ff-dddf-4d5a-b72c-f14835283372" data-vars-headline="Trump policy shift drives ICE detentions in Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/03/oakmont-ban-ice-agreements-immigrant-detention" target="_self">rattled the region</a> and raised questions about what it means to immigrate &quot;the right way&quot; in Trump 2.0.

Oakmont Bakery wants detained immigrant employee released

"We remain in constant contact with his family and are working closely with his immigration attorney," a statement from the bakery reads.

The employer of José Flores — a local immigrant authorized to work in the U.S. who was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recently detained by ICE" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/03/oakmont-ban-ice-agreements-immigrant-detention" data-vars-content-id="efd9cd3a-038c-4952-be41-235530e40045" data-vars-headline="Oakmont Bakery wants detained immigrant employee released" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/03/oakmont-ban-ice-agreements-immigrant-detention" target="_self">recently detained by ICE</a> — wants him released and brought back to Oakmont.Why it matters: The community has rallied around Flores, a Nicaraguan immigrant who was taken from Oakmont last week by federal agents and who local and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state officials" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/04/deluzio-ice-oakmont-immigrant-detention" data-vars-content-id="efd9cd3a-038c-4952-be41-235530e40045" data-vars-headline="Oakmont Bakery wants detained immigrant employee released" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/04/deluzio-ice-oakmont-immigrant-detention" target="_self">state officials</a> say has a work permit, no criminal record and a current pending asylum case.

Fetterman urges Trump to fire Noem over DHS raid

The senator says Noem's role in a lethal immigration raid shows she's unfit to lead.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) is calling for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to be fired after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alex Pretti" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/minneapolis-ice-shooting-id" data-vars-content-id="280d48b3-80c9-4606-a928-2e655a5ee128" data-vars-headline="Fetterman urges Trump to fire Noem over DHS raid" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/minneapolis-ice-shooting-id" target="_self">Alex Pretti</a> was shot and killed in Minneapolis during a deadly immigration raid, he tells Axios by phone Tuesday morning.Why it matters: Fetterman was one of just a few Democrats to support Noem&#x27;s nomination. He said he hopes his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cordiality with President Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/15/fetterman-democrats-senate-2024-trump" data-vars-content-id="280d48b3-80c9-4606-a928-2e655a5ee128" data-vars-headline="Fetterman urges Trump to fire Noem over DHS raid" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/15/fetterman-democrats-senate-2024-trump" target="_self">cordiality with President Trump</a> means his demands will carry more weight than those of other senators.

Immigration

Scoop: Lee questions ICE over detained Brentwood man

Trump policy shift drives ICE detentions in Pittsburgh

Oakmont Bakery wants detained immigrant employee released

Shapiro says Pennsylvania will be prepared for any DHS surge

Fetterman urges Trump to fire Noem over DHS raid