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More Pittsburgh Amtrak service starts Nov. 18

The new service gives Pittsburgh two daily trains to Harrisburg, Philadelphia and NYC.

News

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="second daily train" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/04/amtrak-second-pittsburgh-nyc-train" data-vars-content-id="ad28d0ba-977c-4bef-8055-328865e5ecd7" data-vars-headline="More Pittsburgh Amtrak service starts Nov. 18" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/04/amtrak-second-pittsburgh-nyc-train" target="_self">second daily train</a> between Pittsburgh and New York City via Harrisburg and Philadelphia will start Nov. 18, PennDOT announced Tuesday. Why it matters: This is the first time in decades that Pittsburgh is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="adding passenger train service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/24/second-daily-amtrak-pennsylvanian-november-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="ad28d0ba-977c-4bef-8055-328865e5ecd7" data-vars-headline="More Pittsburgh Amtrak service starts Nov. 18" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/24/second-daily-amtrak-pennsylvanian-november-pittsburgh" target="_self">adding passenger train service</a>.

New exhibit brings Fred Rogers' lessons to life

A new Children's Museum exhibit turns kindness, bravery and patience into play.

Culture

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Children&#x27;s Museum of Pittsburgh" data-vars-click-url="https://pittsburghkids.org/" data-vars-content-id="74c573cc-5780-4d81-bc75-9c76a725fc2e" data-vars-headline="New exhibit brings Fred Rogers&#x27; lessons to life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pittsburghkids.org/" target="_blank">Children&#x27;s Museum of Pittsburgh</a> is debuting a new Fred Rogers-inspired exhibit that will tour the country.Why it matters: Rogers&#x27; ideas about childhood still influence the museum&#x27;s exhibits, including his belief that play should honor children as whole people and speak to the child in all of us.

Fall colors creep closer to Pittsburgh

Here's when to expect peak fall colors and where to see the brightest leaves.

Leaf-peepers, get ready: Fall colors are creeping into Pittsburgh. The intrigue: Some recent cold nights have spurred foliage to peak in the coldest parts of the state, and vibrant fall colors are getting closer to the Pittsburgh area, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/newsroom/2026-fall-foliage-oct-8#table" data-vars-content-id="2cb6b88f-f8a5-4f39-93c6-6c6c7356f399" data-vars-headline="Fall colors creep closer to Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/newsroom/2026-fall-foliage-oct-8#table" target="_blank">Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources</a>.

Shapiro and Garrity clash in only Pa. governor debate

The hourlong showdown comes less than a month before Election Day.

Democratic Gov. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Josh Shapiro" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/19/josh-shapiro-ai-data-centers-pivot" data-vars-content-id="9b41fd5d-12a3-4dee-aca2-ef307b5557bb" data-vars-headline="Shapiro and Garrity clash in only Pa. governor debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/19/josh-shapiro-ai-data-centers-pivot" target="_self">Josh Shapiro</a> and Republican state Treasurer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Stacy Garrity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/12/02/pennsylvania-treasurer-stacy-garrity-future" data-vars-content-id="9b41fd5d-12a3-4dee-aca2-ef307b5557bb" data-vars-headline="Shapiro and Garrity clash in only Pa. governor debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/12/02/pennsylvania-treasurer-stacy-garrity-future" target="_self">Stacy Garrity</a> traded barbs over data centers, taxes, skill games, and gas prices in an hourlong debate, setting the stage for November&#x27;s gubernatorial election.The big picture: Wednesday night&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="debate filmed at ABC27 studio in Harrisburg" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/@WHTM-abc27News/videos" data-vars-content-id="9b41fd5d-12a3-4dee-aca2-ef307b5557bb" data-vars-headline="Shapiro and Garrity clash in only Pa. governor debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/@WHTM-abc27News/videos" target="_blank">debate filmed at ABC27 studio in Harrisburg</a> is likely to be the only debate in this year&#x27;s Pennsylvania governor contest.

Summer Lee wants a data center pause

The congresswoman says communities need safeguards as AI infrastructure expands.

<blockquote>&quot;Leading on AI doesn&#x27;t mean building more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/09/25/data-centers-local-opposition-western-pennsylvania" data-vars-content-id="e2508a50-9f2d-45f1-8ea2-6cadc83b8b92" data-vars-headline="Summer Lee wants a data center pause" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/09/25/data-centers-local-opposition-western-pennsylvania" target="_self">data centers</a> at any cost or racing toward superintelligence without considering the consequences. It means making sure that AI actually improves life for all of us, not just the CEOs or oligarchs.&quot;</blockquote><cite>— <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rep. Summer Lee" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/12/summer-lee-ice-detention-brentwood-asylum-seeker" data-vars-content-id="e2508a50-9f2d-45f1-8ea2-6cadc83b8b92" data-vars-headline="Summer Lee wants a data center pause" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/12/summer-lee-ice-detention-brentwood-asylum-seeker" target="_self">Rep. Summer Lee</a> (D-Swissvale) said last week during Carnegie Mellon University&#x27;s Community-Centered AI Infrastructure Summit</cite>

Problem gambling rises in Pennsylvania

Nearly 9,700 Pennsylvanians were on the state's self-exclusion list last year.

The number of Pennsylvanians seeking help for gambling problems has increased significantly over the last year, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new data" data-vars-click-url="https://gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov/sites/default/files/2026-09/117300%20PGCB%20Annual%20Report%20Final.pdf" data-vars-content-id="f422115e-72a9-4ce6-bf02-8bb94fc16913" data-vars-headline="Problem gambling rises in Pennsylvania" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov/sites/default/files/2026-09/117300%20PGCB%20Annual%20Report%20Final.pdf" target="_blank">new data</a> from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.Why it matters: The state&#x27;s gambling addiction hotline<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" saw record-high calls 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="f422115e-72a9-4ce6-bf02-8bb94fc16913" data-vars-headline="Problem gambling rises in Pennsylvania" 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"> saw record-high calls last year</a>, and problem gambling is continuing to increase as online betting, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="skill games" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/09/22/skill-games-pennsylvania-gambling-deadline-ban" data-vars-content-id="f422115e-72a9-4ce6-bf02-8bb94fc16913" data-vars-headline="Problem gambling rises in Pennsylvania" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/09/22/skill-games-pennsylvania-gambling-deadline-ban" target="_self">skill games</a> and sports betting proliferate.

New Pa. lawmaker pushes statewide Flock ban

Brandon Dukes is backing one of Harrisburg's strictest proposals for license plate readers.

Fresh off an upset win in Butler County, state Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Brandon Dukes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/19/brandon-dukes-cranberry-special-election-upset" data-vars-content-id="ef58b98e-f95c-402e-b480-bb2c8c4a6669" data-vars-headline="New Pa. lawmaker pushes statewide Flock ban" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/19/brandon-dukes-cranberry-special-election-upset" target="_self">Brandon Dukes</a> (D-Cranberry) will soon introduce a bill banning <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/21/flock-cameras-license-plate-reader-backlash" data-vars-content-id="ef58b98e-f95c-402e-b480-bb2c8c4a6669" data-vars-headline="New Pa. lawmaker pushes statewide Flock ban" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/21/flock-cameras-license-plate-reader-backlash" target="_self">Flock</a> and most other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="automated license plate readers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/09/15/flock-cameras-license-plate-readers-privacy-allegheny-county" data-vars-content-id="ef58b98e-f95c-402e-b480-bb2c8c4a6669" data-vars-headline="New Pa. lawmaker pushes statewide Flock ban" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/09/15/flock-cameras-license-plate-readers-privacy-allegheny-county" target="_self">automated license plate readers</a> in Pennsylvania.Why it matters: Flock cameras and other ALPRs are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="facing several other bans and restriction proposals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/09/pennsylvania-flock-camera-legislation-ban-regulations-shapiro-capitol/" data-vars-content-id="ef58b98e-f95c-402e-b480-bb2c8c4a6669" data-vars-headline="New Pa. lawmaker pushes statewide Flock ban" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/09/pennsylvania-flock-camera-legislation-ban-regulations-shapiro-capitol/" target="_blank">facing several other bans and restriction proposals</a> in the state Legislature, and Dukes&#x27; is one of the strictest.

Local data centers test if there's a "right way" to build

Opposition is still strong to local data centers despite on-site power and community benefits.

Western Pennsylvania&#x27;s two biggest data center projects are making strides to mitigate opposition, but it might not be working.The big picture: As backlash against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hyperscale data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/12/18/pennsylvania-data-center-expansion" data-vars-content-id="ab5670ec-29c6-43a2-8e2f-fcd914b325f4" data-vars-headline="Local data centers test if there&#x27;s a &quot;right way&quot; to build" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/12/18/pennsylvania-data-center-expansion" target="_self">hyperscale data centers</a> grows, some Pennsylvania companies are responding by generating their own power and water and choosing sites that previously housed dirtier industry.

Shapiro calls for federal AI guardrails

The governor says federal leaders need to address the risks of rapidly advancing AI.

Gov. Josh Shapiro called on Congress and the federal government to implement &quot;strict guardrails&quot; on AI during a speech in Pittsburgh on Thursday.Why it matters: Shapiro has gone from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="promoting AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/19/josh-shapiro-ai-data-centers-pivot" data-vars-content-id="d17be38d-e6e0-402c-a6c6-2637ea2b1ee8" data-vars-headline="Shapiro calls for federal AI guardrails" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/19/josh-shapiro-ai-data-centers-pivot" target="_self">promoting AI</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="enacting state regulations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/27/data-centers-local-opposition-rules-pennsylvania" data-vars-content-id="d17be38d-e6e0-402c-a6c6-2637ea2b1ee8" data-vars-headline="Shapiro calls for federal AI guardrails" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/27/data-centers-local-opposition-rules-pennsylvania" target="_self">enacting state regulations</a> against it, as public opinion has turned against data centers and some AI companies are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sounding the alarm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/09/anthropic-insiders-warn-ai-could-kill-all-humans" data-vars-content-id="d17be38d-e6e0-402c-a6c6-2637ea2b1ee8" data-vars-headline="Shapiro calls for federal AI guardrails" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/09/anthropic-insiders-warn-ai-could-kill-all-humans" target="_self">sounding the alarm</a> on their own tech.

McCormick backs MMR vaccine as measles deaths rise

Pennsylvania has reported four measles-associated deaths and nearly 700 cases this year.

Republican U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick reiterated his support for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine after two more deaths in Pennsylvania were associated with measles.Why it matters: His support comes as Gov. Shapiro and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="continue to trade jabs over the measles-associated deaths" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/27/shapiro-rfk-measles-deaths-vaccines" data-vars-content-id="af49c5fe-8d80-4f97-b916-4d1d5751dfa2" data-vars-headline="McCormick backs MMR vaccine as measles deaths rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/27/shapiro-rfk-measles-deaths-vaccines" target="_self">continue to trade jabs over the measles-associated deaths</a>.

Why Pa. Democrats aren't punishing Fetterman

His GOP convention appearance drew attention, but Pa. Democrats see little upside in a formal rebuke.

Politics

Sen. John Fetterman&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="appearance at the GOP midterm convention" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/09/fetterman-video-gop-convention-trump?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_pittsburgh&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="7a5c8c0f-4931-4774-bcd0-2e04749c4b24" data-vars-headline="Why Pa. Democrats aren&#x27;t punishing Fetterman" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/09/fetterman-video-gop-convention-trump?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_pittsburgh&amp;stream=top" target="_self">appearance at the GOP midterm convention</a> further inflamed tensions with Pennsylvania Democrats — but party leaders have shown little appetite for formally rebuking him.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fetterman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/27/fetterman-noem-dhs-shooting" data-vars-content-id="7a5c8c0f-4931-4774-bcd0-2e04749c4b24" data-vars-headline="Why Pa. Democrats aren&#x27;t punishing Fetterman" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/27/fetterman-noem-dhs-shooting" target="_self">Fetterman</a>&#x27;s video message defending working with President Trump and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="praising Republican Sen. Dave McCormick" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/14/inside-fetterman-appearance-gop-convention" data-vars-content-id="7a5c8c0f-4931-4774-bcd0-2e04749c4b24" data-vars-headline="Why Pa. Democrats aren&#x27;t punishing Fetterman" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/14/inside-fetterman-appearance-gop-convention" target="_self">praising Republican Sen. Dave McCormick</a> for boosting America&#x27;s steel industry is the latest in a string of actions by Fetterman applauding Trump and Republicans.

Exclusive: Deluzio nabs Working Families Party endorsement

The endorsement adds to intrigue around the congressman's growing political profile.

Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chris Deluzio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/20/deluzio-trump-response-threat" data-vars-content-id="1d3fbabc-695f-4cb4-b898-146c215b537d" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Deluzio nabs Working Families Party endorsement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/20/deluzio-trump-response-threat" target="_self">Chris Deluzio</a> (D-Aspinwall) was endorsed by the national progressive group Working Families Party, Axios learned Monday.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Deluzio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/04/deluzio-ice-oakmont-immigrant-detention" data-vars-content-id="1d3fbabc-695f-4cb4-b898-146c215b537d" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Deluzio nabs Working Families Party endorsement" 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">Deluzio</a> is expanding his political base ahead of his election against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Republican Tony Guy" data-vars-click-url="https://tonyguyforcongress.com/" data-vars-content-id="1d3fbabc-695f-4cb4-b898-146c215b537d" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Deluzio nabs Working Families Party endorsement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tonyguyforcongress.com/" target="_blank">Republican Tony Guy</a>, which could carry him beyond the U.S. House and on to higher ambitions.

Shapiro, RFK Jr. clash over measles deaths

A dispute over two measles-associated deaths has fueled a broader fight over vaccine messaging.

Gov. Josh Shapiro and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are squaring off over vaccines.Why it matters: The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed two measles-associated deaths — including one infant — in Lancaster County earlier this week.

How Pa. went from data center darling to strict controls

Community opposition is reshaping how Pennsylvania handles its data center boom.

To paraphrase &quot;The Graduate&quot; — I&#x27;ve got two words for you, Pennsylvania: local control. That&#x27;s the past, present and probably future.The big picture: The Keystone State was set to be a key player in the next economic revolution thanks to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$90 billion in AI and energy investment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/07/15/pittsburgh-pennsylvania-ai-energy-investment" data-vars-content-id="1b4a7bb9-8a2e-499c-bad8-53ef49a9fcff" data-vars-headline="How Pa. went from data center darling to strict controls" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/07/15/pittsburgh-pennsylvania-ai-energy-investment" target="_self">$90 billion in AI and energy investment</a> announced in Pittsburgh last year, but grassroots uprisings, fear of changing local communities, and shifting feelings about tech have combined to put Pennsylvania on a new course of anti-data-center backlash.

Politics 🇺🇸

Summer Lee wants a data center pause

Problem gambling rises in Pennsylvania

New Pa. lawmaker pushes statewide Flock ban

Local data centers test if there's a "right way" to build

Shapiro calls for federal AI guardrails