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Shapiro, RFK Jr. clash over measles deaths

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

News

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.

Cars, gadgets and odd finds at Pittsburgh airport's auction

A curious collection of things left behind at Pittsburgh International Airport is on the auction block.

A curious collection of things left behind at Pittsburgh International Airport is on the auction block, from jewelry and electronics to abandoned cars.The big picture: Each year, thousands of unclaimed lost-and-found items are auctioned off alongside retired airport vehicles and surplus equipment.

Dolly Parton corn maze opens near Pittsburgh

The fall attraction benefits Parton's Imagination Library.

Culture

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dolly Parton-inspired corn maze" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dce_UTbOwP5/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="034c6c87-e024-487a-bd90-fceee5c8b1ff" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton corn maze opens near Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dce_UTbOwP5/?hl=en" target="_blank">Dolly Parton-inspired corn maze</a> an hour from Pittsburgh opens Friday, celebrating the country music legend and 31 years of her<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Imagination Library" data-vars-click-url="https://imaginationlibrary.com/" data-vars-content-id="034c6c87-e024-487a-bd90-fceee5c8b1ff" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton corn maze opens near Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://imaginationlibrary.com/" target="_blank"> Imagination Library</a>.The big picture: Irons Mill Farmstead in New Wilmington, near the Lawrence-Mercer County line, joins a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1547704596579471" data-vars-content-id="034c6c87-e024-487a-bd90-fceee5c8b1ff" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton corn maze opens near Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1547704596579471" target="_blank">national</a> corn maze initiative celebrating Parton&#x27;s literacy program.

Mystery surrounds our "Star Wars" vending machine

What happened to Pittsburgh's beloved Star Wars vending machine?

The popular &quot;Star Wars&quot; vending machine in Mt. Washington has been replaced. Or has it?The intrigue: An apparent new vending machine with an artistic rendition of the original cover art — which features a young Anakin Skywalker and his pod-racing nemesis Sebulba — now sits outside Pittsburgh Firehouse 27.

Allegheny County ordered to reassess all properties

A court ruling requires the county to start a new property reassessment by 2027.

Allegheny County will finally reassess over 585,000 properties and will now do so on a regular basis.Why it matters: Pennsylvania’s second-largest county hasn’t completed a countywide reassessment since 2012, leading to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flurries of large properties losing value" data-vars-click-url="https://triblive.com/local/judge-orders-allegheny-county-to-begin-full-property-reassessment-by-2027/" data-vars-content-id="2b2f092d-7efe-449a-ae89-61f3a0c0100b" data-vars-headline="Allegheny County ordered to reassess all properties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://triblive.com/local/judge-orders-allegheny-county-to-begin-full-property-reassessment-by-2027/" target="_blank">flurries of large properties losing value</a>, revenue for municipalities and school districts plummeting and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local taxes increasing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/01/16/allegheny-county-property-tax-increase" data-vars-content-id="2b2f092d-7efe-449a-ae89-61f3a0c0100b" data-vars-headline="Allegheny County ordered to reassess all properties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/01/16/allegheny-county-property-tax-increase" target="_self">local taxes increasing</a>.

Pittsburgh stands out for luxury homes under $1 million

Luxury buyers still get more home for their money in Pittsburgh.

Real Estate

Pittsburgh is one of only five major U.S. metros where <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="luxury homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/06/01/luxury-home-demand-pittsburgh-housing-split" data-vars-content-id="d3bb9a00-3241-4d12-ba3f-57482a383005" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh stands out for luxury homes under $1 million" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/06/01/luxury-home-demand-pittsburgh-housing-split" target="_self">luxury homes</a> still sell for under $1 million.Why it matters: Southwestern Pennsylvania remains a relatively <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="affordable" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/19/pittsburgh-homebuyers-biggest-discounts-nation" data-vars-content-id="d3bb9a00-3241-4d12-ba3f-57482a383005" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh stands out for luxury homes under $1 million" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/19/pittsburgh-homebuyers-biggest-discounts-nation" target="_self">affordable</a> housing hub, including for luxury buyers.

Luxury home boom hits Pittsburgh

Wealthy buyers are driving demand while many others hold off on home purchases.

Luxury homes in Pittsburgh and across the nation are becoming more popular than middle-market houses — which still feel increasingly out of reach to most people.Why it matters: The rising stock market and AI boom are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="driving a lot of this" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/27/ai-luxury-homes-k-economy" data-vars-content-id="9bf445e5-2a56-41b4-91d4-10ad1d834662" data-vars-headline="Luxury home boom hits Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/27/ai-luxury-homes-k-economy" target="_self">driving a lot of this</a>.

LadderUp Housing expands into Pittsburgh region

The company renovates homes and helps renters prepare to buy.

A real estate development company working to widen paths to homeownership is moving into Southwestern Pennsylvania with the help of a $250,000 philanthropic boost.The big picture: The Richard King Mellon Foundation investment will help Toledo-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LadderUp Housing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ladderuphousing.com/" data-vars-content-id="90f2476c-c8ec-40bf-b238-31bba365cc43" data-vars-headline="LadderUp Housing expands into Pittsburgh region" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ladderuphousing.com/" target="_blank">LadderUp Housing</a> expand into Allegheny and Westmoreland counties — supporting its work to help low- to moderate-income families buy homes.

Pittsburgh homebuyers score big discounts

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

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>.

WDVE sign comes down from Parkway perch

The WDVE sign in Green Tree is gone, but the station is still rocking from its new home.

Music

<figure><img alt="The number 2 being removed from the 102.5 WDVE sign off of a gold-glass building outside of Pittsburgh, PA" height="450" id="791cbb85-d3e6-4dc9-b30e-dad4f185db1d" src="https://images.axios.com/PpGFDGpsEVtPLGxm4WYJzI0KrFU=/2025/09/04/1757016808521.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>So long to a Parkway West landmark, but WDVE is still broadcasting. GIF: Courtesy of Chad Tyson of WDVE</figcaption></figure>The 102.5 WDVE sign on a gold-glass building in Green Tree is coming down.Why it matters: The sign is a landmark for drivers on the Parkway West (I-376 west of Downtown) heading into the city.

More older adults in Pittsburgh are choosing to rent

Renting gives some older adults more freedom and less upkeep.

Roughly 18% of Pittsburgh-area renters were 65 or older in 2023, up from about 16% a decade earlier, per a new report by rental listing site <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Point2Homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.point2homes.com/news/research/senior-age-group-up-over-2-million-renters-in-a-decade.html" data-vars-content-id="e26af73f-d1f7-4288-9c2a-c5395d2e9179" data-vars-headline="More older adults in Pittsburgh are choosing to rent" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.point2homes.com/news/research/senior-age-group-up-over-2-million-renters-in-a-decade.html" target="_blank">Point2Homes</a>.Why it matters: More older Americans are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="renting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/06/apartment-rent-prices" data-vars-content-id="e26af73f-d1f7-4288-9c2a-c5395d2e9179" data-vars-headline="More older adults in Pittsburgh are choosing to rent" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/06/apartment-rent-prices" target="_self">renting</a>, trading ownership for flexibility.

This Mount Washington house has a "one-in-a-million" view

A buildable parcel overlooking Pittsburgh's skyline is on the market.

Pittsburgh&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="skyline view" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/02/18/fnb-center-pittsburgh-skyscraper-opens" data-vars-content-id="c635dea2-c495-41b6-b955-38c8588d7de0" data-vars-headline="This Mount Washington house has a &quot;one-in-a-million&quot; view" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/02/18/fnb-center-pittsburgh-skyscraper-opens" target="_self">skyline view</a> is craved by many and you have a rare chance to buy it, but it will cost you.The intrigue: A parcel at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="316 Cola Street" data-vars-click-url="https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/316-Cola-St-Pittsburgh-PA-15203/164389313_zpid/?view=public" data-vars-content-id="c635dea2-c495-41b6-b955-38c8588d7de0" data-vars-headline="This Mount Washington house has a &quot;one-in-a-million&quot; view" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/316-Cola-St-Pittsburgh-PA-15203/164389313_zpid/?view=public" target="_blank">316 Cola Street</a> in Mount Washington is up for sale, and the property has breathtaking views of PPG Place, the Steel Tower, and the rest of the city&#x27;s iconic skyline.

New Pittsburgh apartments are much smaller

New Pittsburgh apartments are smaller than they were a decade ago, but rents per square foot remain cheaper than the U.S. average.

New <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="apartments" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/39614216.115/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjQvMDkvMjMvYXBhcnRtZW50LWJ1aWxkaW5nLWNvbnN0cnVjdGlvbi1yZW50LXByaWNlcz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/677cf8069128d2417d079074Bc8adbaca" data-vars-content-id="33e98d68-1036-463d-a495-1ebe420bcc8a" data-vars-headline="New Pittsburgh apartments are much smaller" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/39614216.115/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjQvMDkvMjMvYXBhcnRtZW50LWJ1aWxkaW5nLWNvbnN0cnVjdGlvbi1yZW50LXByaWNlcz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/677cf8069128d2417d079074Bc8adbaca" target="_self">apartments</a> in Pittsburgh are 12% smaller than they were in the last decade, RentCafe <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="found" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/39614216.115/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucmVudGNhZmUuY29tL2Jsb2cvcmVudGFsLW1hcmtldC9tYXJrZXQtc25hcHNob3RzL25hdGlvbmFsLWF2ZXJhZ2UtYXBhcnRtZW50LXNpemUvP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/677cf8069128d2417d079074C4400cc29" data-vars-content-id="33e98d68-1036-463d-a495-1ebe420bcc8a" data-vars-headline="New Pittsburgh apartments are much smaller" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/39614216.115/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucmVudGNhZmUuY29tL2Jsb2cvcmVudGFsLW1hcmtldC9tYXJrZXQtc25hcHNob3RzL25hdGlvbmFsLWF2ZXJhZ2UtYXBhcnRtZW50LXNpemUvP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/677cf8069128d2417d079074C4400cc29" target="_self">found</a>.Why it matters: The size of apartments has shrunk in most of the 100 U.S. cities researchers analyzed, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="squeezing" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/39614216.115/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjUvMDMvMTEvYWZmb3JkYWJsZS1ob3VzaW5nLWNyaXNpcz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/677cf8069128d2417d079074Be01ed619" data-vars-content-id="33e98d68-1036-463d-a495-1ebe420bcc8a" data-vars-headline="New Pittsburgh apartments are much smaller" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/39614216.115/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjUvMDMvMTEvYWZmb3JkYWJsZS1ob3VzaW5nLWNyaXNpcz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/677cf8069128d2417d079074Be01ed619" target="_self">squeezing</a> many renters who already pay steep prices.

Cash home sales increase

The share of cash home purchases in Pittsburgh hit its highest level in a decade.

More Pittsburgh homes are being paid for in cash, according to a new report.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="On a national level, cash buyers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/10/covid-home-prices-trends" data-vars-content-id="72bb2946-a3d1-4dc8-a290-205a092e0608" data-vars-headline="Cash home sales increase" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/10/covid-home-prices-trends" target="_self">On a national level, cash buyers</a>, many of them investors, have pulled back after a pandemic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shopping spree" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/18/investors-homes-wealth-families" data-vars-content-id="72bb2946-a3d1-4dc8-a290-205a092e0608" data-vars-headline="Cash home sales increase" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/18/investors-homes-wealth-families" target="_self">shopping spree</a>.

A line chart that shows annual changes in median U.S. home sale prices for luxury and non-luxury homes from March 2014 to April 2026, using a three-month moving average. Luxury peaks at 24.9% in June 2021 and falls to 3.6% by April 2026; non-luxury peaks at 16.2% in April 2022 and eases to 1.4%.

Annual change in median U.S. home sale price

Data: Redfin; Note: Luxury homes are those estimated to be in the top 5% of their metro area's price range, while non-luxury homes fall into the 35th–65th percentile; Chart: Emily Peck/Axios

A bar chart showing the average price difference among homes that sold below their original list price. On average, homes sold for 7.8% less than asking. Homes in West Palm Beach, Fla, Detroit and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. went for 10-11% below asking. Homes in the Seattle metro area went for 5.7% below asking.

Real Estate 🏠

Allegheny County ordered to reassess all properties

Pittsburgh stands out for luxury homes under $1 million

Luxury home boom hits Pittsburgh

LadderUp Housing expands into Pittsburgh region

Pittsburgh homebuyers score big discounts