😴 It's Monday again, but at least we got an extra hour of sleep.

• Today's the final day of Día de los Muertos. You can visit an ofrenda experience in the lobby of the Greer Cabaret in Downtown or try some pan de muerto (bread of the dead) at CoStar Brewing in Etna.

⛅️ Today's weather: Partly sunny, high near 68.

🎧 Sounds like: "La Llorona," by Ángela Aguilar.

Today’s newsletter is 982 words — a 3.5-minute read.

The U.S. Department of Energy believes Cranberry-based Westinghouse can create cheaper nuclear fuel to power the next revolution in nuclear energy.

Why it matters: As electricity demand rises from homes and energy-intensive data centers, federal officials see expanded nuclear energy production as key to meeting the nation's needs.

Driving the news: Department of Energy (DOE) officials visited Westinghouse's Etna facility last week and announced $50 million for eight projects across the nation that are advancing nuclear fuel technology.

• Westinghouse's PowerBlock program received $7 million to develop nuclear fuel that is made faster and has more flexible uses.

Context: Developing nuclear fuel can take decades, making it more difficult to get new nuclear projects started, said Conner Prochaska, director of DOE's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy department.

• The DOE's goal is to help create nuclear fuel projects that can be completed within seven years, said Prochaska.
• This could lower the cost of fuel and help spur a boom in nuclear reactor development, said Prochaska.

What they're saying: "This is investing in the next generation of fuel," said Prochaska.

Zoom in: Nuclear fuel demand is twofold, said Westinghouse chief technology officer Lou Martinez Sancho.

• New microreactors — like Westinghouse's eVinci and Terra Innovatum's SOLO — are being developed and will need fuel when they're ready for implementation.
• Conventional nuclear power plants — like the Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Station — are outlasting their initial estimated lifespans and will need more fuel to stay operational.

The bottom line: Prochaska believes Pittsburgh is "an active center for the nuclear renaissance."

Zoom out

One of Southwestern Pennsylvania's best New York-style pizzas is inside a Greensburg grocery store.

The big picture: Rocco's Slice House, tucked in a Shop 'n Save, specializes in generously sized slices and full pies built for a quick lunch or feeding a crowd — served from the counter of a former pharmacy space.

Driving the news: The shop, co-owned by Josh DeFelice and Rocco Pifferetti (who also owns Rocco's Pizzeria in Youngwood), beat dozens of competitors to win the "Traditional Thin — New York Style" category at this month's Great American Pizza Challenge in Columbus.

Dig in: Slices have a thin, well-done crust with a delicate crunch, topped with just enough sauce, cheese and seasoning to deliver big flavor without the heft.

• The menu features 20-inch pies with 72-hour fermented dough ($22.99+). Specialties range from classic Margherita to pepperoni, ricotta, hot honey and fresh basil. Build your own with toppings like sausage, mushrooms, onion, fresh mozzarella and garlic-herb ricotta.
• Sicilian and Grandma-style pies start at $23.99.
• Slices start at $3.95.

Pro tip: Pre-order online for pickup or stop in for a slice, but availability is limited, so check social media for updates.

If you go: 730 E. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg

• Tuesday–Saturday, 11am–7pm; closed Sunday and Monday. Hours may vary due to early sellout.

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🗳️ Today's the last day to turn in your mail-in ballot at 13 of Allegheny County's 14 drop-off locations. They're open 11am-7pm. You must return your own ballot, unless you receive authorized state permission to return someone's ballot.

• Check locations here.
• Voters can also drop off ballots tomorrow between 7am-8pm, but only at the County Office Building at 542 Forbes Ave., Downtown.

👶 Four city recreation centers — Ammon, Jefferson, Magee and Ormsby — are offering free child care for families on Election Day. The centers will be open at 8:30am tomorrow, and lunch will be provided.

• Families are asked to register directly with the recreation centers ahead of time. (Press release)

❄️ The winter forecast for Pittsburgh projects reduced snowfall as a strong El Niño is expected to shift storm systems south. (WTAE)

🗳️ Your local reporters are working to help you understand the races, candidates and issues shaping your community.

📍 Become a member today and support journalism that keeps voters informed.

Thank you for reading and supporting local election coverage.

Pennsylvania students must put away their phones throughout the school day starting next fall under a new law signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Why it matters: The move has sparked debate over classroom distractions and student safety, so we asked Axios Pittsburgh readers where they stand.

By the numbers: In our reader poll, 76% of respondents supported the cellphone ban, 18% opposed it and 6% were unsure.

What they're saying: "Cellphones have negatively impacted youth socialization, subjected them to influencers, reduced writing and speaking capabilities, and provided useless distractions preventing youth from exploring books, ideas, nature, etc.," one respondent said.

• "I think it's pretty clear that constant access to social media and cellphones for teenagers reduces attention / ability to focus, increases symptoms of anxiety and depression, and ironically, results in less socialization…," said another supporter of the ban.

The other side: "I want to be able to reach my child and I want my child to be able to reach me at all times," said one reader who opposed the ban.

• Another said: "I understand during class it's not okay to take out your phone, but during lunch and hallway breaks? Why not bring a lock system during class to keep phones?"

What we're watching: How districts enforce the ban and whether it improves students' mental health and learning outcomes.

🎟️ Chrissy snagged Patterson Hood tickets for Dec. 10 at The Oaks Theater.

🦔 Ryan bought a hedgehog alebrije, a Dia de los Muertos symbol, when he visited Mexico last year.

Thanks to Chloe Gonzales for editing this newsletter.