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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.

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.

Report: NFL draft generated $177M

Analysts say the event delivered economic gains and long-term exposure.

Many locals <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="believed the NFL draft would be a bust" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/21/pittsburgh-nfl-draft-fears-traffic-yinzers-relax" data-vars-content-id="1de2d530-a9d5-42db-bbe1-41156d2c8661" data-vars-headline="Report: NFL draft generated $177M" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/21/pittsburgh-nfl-draft-fears-traffic-yinzers-relax" target="_self">believed the NFL draft would be a bust</a>, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.steelers.com/news/pittsburgh-sets-a-new-standard" data-vars-content-id="1de2d530-a9d5-42db-bbe1-41156d2c8661" data-vars-headline="Report: NFL draft generated $177M" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.steelers.com/news/pittsburgh-sets-a-new-standard" target="_blank">reports</a> released Monday reveal the April event generated $177 million.Why it matters: The state, county and city <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spent over $19 million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.publicsource.org/nfl-draft-spending-public-investments/" data-vars-content-id="1de2d530-a9d5-42db-bbe1-41156d2c8661" data-vars-headline="Report: NFL draft generated $177M" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.publicsource.org/nfl-draft-spending-public-investments/" target="_blank">spent over $19 million</a> preparing, running and marketing the three-day event, and some public officials said the costs would not be recouped.

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.

Pirates are back in the playoff hunt

Pittsburgh has its best postseason chance in nearly a decade.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pirates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/26/pirates-season-preview-hope-playoff-run" data-vars-content-id="a162183b-9c8c-49ea-b1e7-9d706b4fbe6b" data-vars-headline="Pirates are back in the playoff hunt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/26/pirates-season-preview-hope-playoff-run" target="_self">Pirates</a> are still in the race for a playoff spot — so if you dropped off, yinz better start paying attention again.Why it matters: The Pirates haven&#x27;t made the postseason since 2015, but the team is closer than it has been in a decade.

New Pens owners will keep team in Pittsburgh, want hotel near PPG

The Hoffmann family also said it wants to build a hotel near the arena.

A day after officially purchasing the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Penguins" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/13/penguins-playoff-return-2026-season-turnaround" data-vars-content-id="3692cb6c-fad5-46c6-b0bc-acdef0f1ed06" data-vars-headline="New Pens owners will keep team in Pittsburgh, want hotel near PPG" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/13/penguins-playoff-return-2026-season-turnaround" target="_self">Penguins</a>, the Hoffmann family said at a press conference that they will keep the city&#x27;s beloved hockey team in Pittsburgh.Why it matters: Rumors about a potential relocation to Florida swirled when the Hoffmanns announced they were buying the team, because their company is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="headquartered in the Sunshine State" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2026/06/24/key-details-pittsburgh-penguins-sale-florida-company/90674102007/" data-vars-content-id="3692cb6c-fad5-46c6-b0bc-acdef0f1ed06" data-vars-headline="New Pens owners will keep team in Pittsburgh, want hotel near PPG" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2026/06/24/key-details-pittsburgh-penguins-sale-florida-company/90674102007/" target="_blank">headquartered in the Sunshine State</a>, but the new team owners pushed back against that notion.

Paul Skenes debuts Big Glizzy hot dog at Sheetz

The massive hot dog arrives after a launch event with Paul Skenes.

Food and Drink

Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Paul Skenes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/10/10/mlb-card-collecting-paul-skenes" data-vars-content-id="8a024d25-74e4-446d-a66b-725f3db610b9" data-vars-headline="Paul Skenes debuts Big Glizzy hot dog at Sheetz" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/10/10/mlb-card-collecting-paul-skenes" target="_self">Paul Skenes</a> dropped by the Sheetz in Shaler on Tuesday morning to debut the Big Glizzy, the convenience store&#x27;s new extra-large hot dog.🌭 The intrigue: The new menu item is inspired by glizzy, online slang for a hot dog, and Skenes said its massive size won&#x27;t leave you wanting more.

Why Pittsburgh should watch the World Cup

The world's biggest sporting event starts this week and runs through July.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup games" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/08/how-to-watch-world-cup" data-vars-content-id="787562e4-d6c9-42d8-bbae-a6929b207ada" data-vars-headline="Why Pittsburgh should watch the World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/06/08/how-to-watch-world-cup" target="_self">World Cup games</a> start Thursday, and we think the soccer tournament should be your new summer obsession.The big picture: The U.S., Canada and Mexico are hosting the games. It&#x27;s been 32 years since the world&#x27;s biggest sporting event was played on American soil.

By the numbers: NFL draft

Fans traveled far and spent big as the draft set records across the region.

Visit Pittsburgh released a slew of statistics about the city hosting the draft over three days in late April.The intrigue: Pittsburgh broke <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="attendance records for the NFL draft" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/27/nfl-draft-pittsburgh-record-crowd" data-vars-content-id="fc8c2249-6fae-4043-884f-b6bbeb0d63c4" data-vars-headline="By the numbers: NFL draft" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/27/nfl-draft-pittsburgh-record-crowd" target="_self">attendance records for the NFL draft</a>, but the numbers go beyond that.

Snag a Dr. Robby bobblehead at PNC Park

Fans heading to PNC Park on July 25 can score a limited-edition Dr. Robby bobblehead.

Culture

Fans heading to PNC Park for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pirates-Cubs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mlb.com/pirates/tickets/promotions/bobbleheads/the-pitt?partnerId=it-20260521-18209618-pit-1-A&amp;utm_id=it-20260521-18209618-pit-1-A" data-vars-content-id="4dccfe59-746b-43e3-9616-61b45709f583" data-vars-headline="Snag a Dr. Robby bobblehead at PNC Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mlb.com/pirates/tickets/promotions/bobbleheads/the-pitt?partnerId=it-20260521-18209618-pit-1-A&amp;utm_id=it-20260521-18209618-pit-1-A" target="_blank">Pirates-Cubs</a> game on July 25 can score a limited-edition <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dr. Robby" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/15/the-pitt-where-does-dr-robby-live-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="4dccfe59-746b-43e3-9616-61b45709f583" data-vars-headline="Snag a Dr. Robby bobblehead at PNC Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/15/the-pitt-where-does-dr-robby-live-pittsburgh" target="_self">Dr. Robby</a> bobblehead from HBO Max&#x27;s Pittsburgh-set medical drama, &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Pitt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/16/the-pitt-finale-predictions-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="4dccfe59-746b-43e3-9616-61b45709f583" data-vars-headline="Snag a Dr. Robby bobblehead at PNC Park" 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/the-pitt-finale-predictions-pittsburgh" target="_self">The Pitt</a>.&quot;The big picture: The first 20,000 fans at the ballpark will get the collectible inspired by actor Noah Wyle&#x27;s character, Dr. Michael &quot;Robby&quot; Robinavitch, senior attending physician at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center.

Throwback Thursday: A Pirates game without food, drinks, or umps

One of the oddest games in Pittsburgh baseball history played out on this date 50 years ago.

One of the oddest games in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pittsburgh baseball" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/26/pirates-season-preview-hope-playoff-run" data-vars-content-id="1f1ac5ba-5f72-4f8f-9b94-5861030f78a3" data-vars-headline="Throwback Thursday: A Pirates game without food, drinks, or umps" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/26/pirates-season-preview-hope-playoff-run" target="_self">Pittsburgh baseball</a> history played out on this date 50 years ago.Flashback: Four-hundred concession vendors at Three Rivers Stadium voted May 21, 1976 to go on strike shortly before a Friday night game.

Sports 🏅

Pirates serve up "Hoist The Cones" ice cream cones

Report: NFL draft generated $177M

Riverhounds debut beer in boots

Pirates are back in the playoff hunt

New Pens owners will keep team in Pittsburgh, want hotel near PPG