Pittsburgh is a fairly good city for pedestrians, but there are still plenty of sidewalk stretches that make navigating on foot treacherous.

Why it matters: Many of the city's sidewalks surveyed by volunteers are in poor condition, according to Safe Sidewalks Crew, a partnership between BikePGH, Access Mob Pittsburgh and the City of Pittsburgh's Department of Mobility and Infrastructure.

What they're saying: "The collected data helps the city identify where sidewalks need to be improved or built, prioritize pedestrian infrastructure projects, and make the case for funding. Meanwhile, the volunteers who collect the data are building a community to advocate for the infrastructure we need to thrive," said BikePGH spokesperson Julie Walsh.

By the numbers: There are over 1,300 miles of sidewalks in the city, according to BikePGH.

• Over 3,000 sidewalk blocks — one side of a street between two cross streets — have been surveyed.

Between the lines: Pedestrian deaths rose nationally between 2008 and 2023, according to data collected by the Governor's Highway Safety Association, but regions that have worked on improving sidewalks and road conditions like Pittsburgh have seen declines.

Zoom in: We want to know what you think Pittsburgh's worst sidewalks are.

• We picked eight stretches that lack concrete sidewalks, offer no buffer from traffic or force users to cross the street.
• Voting ends Friday at 2pm.

What's next: Safe Sidewalks Crew's goal is to survey 20,000 sidewalk blocks, which the group believes will cover about 65% of the city's total sidewalks.

Vote here

A Warburg Pincus-led investor group has agreed to acquire controlling interest in Robinson Township-based PANTHERx Rare for approximately $7 billion.

Why it matters: PANTHERx, a rare disease pharmacy and care platform, is a powerhouse in the Pittsburgh area's life sciences sector. It's one of our fastest-growing companies and employs just under 1,000 people locally.

Follow the money: New York-based Warburg is partnering with the sovereign-wealth fund Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, WSJ previously reported.

• PANTHERx Rare had been owned by an investor consortium made up of private equity firms Nautic Partners and General Atlantic as well as investment firm The Vistria Group since 2022.

Flashback: Founded by Pitt alumni in a Beaver County garage in 2011, PANTHERx Rare has become one of the nation's largest independent specialty pharmacies, with an estimated $8 billion in 2025 revenue, per Drug Channels.

• Headquartered in a 65,000-square-foot building at Settlers Corporate Campus in Robinson Township, it provides drugs and other treatments for rare diseases.

How it works: The company also has technology it says can deliver individualized and proactive engagement for patients as well as data, reporting and insights for manufacturers.

What's next: The deal is expected to close in the coming months.

Read more in Axios Pro Deals

💥 PennDOT is exploding the Commercial Street Bridge today sometime between 1pm-9pm with hundreds of charges of dynamite to make way for the replacement bridge. (TribLive)

• Watch a live stream here.

⚛️ State lawmakers passed a bill updating nuclear fees for small modular reactors and micro reactors, which sponsors say will make the projects more affordable and easier to build. It now heads to Gov. Josh Shapiro's desk. (Press release)

👮 Deputy warden Connie Clark will serve as interim warden of the Allegheny County Jail starting Aug. 1, Executive Sara Innamorato announced yesterday. Clark will take over for warden Trevor Wingard, who is leaving for a job in North Carolina. (Press release)

🎃 The creative team behind ScareHouse has struck a multi-year partnership with the Plaza at North Shore to launch Halloween Hangout, an October celebration with haunted attractions, horror movies, themed food and drinks, and more. (Press release)

An unexpected neighbor might be closer than you think: Eastern coyotes roam all 67 Pennsylvania counties, including in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

The big picture: Coyotes have moved farther into urban and suburban settings in recent decades, though their instinct to avoid people means they're rarely seen.

• A growing number of sightings have put them on more Pittsburghers' radar.

What to expect: Coyotes are medium-sized canines with pointed ears, a bushy, drooping tail and, typically, grayish-brown fur with reddish patches behind the ears.

• Eastern coyotes are larger than their western counterparts, with adult males typically weighing 45 to 55 pounds, per the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
• Coyotes rarely attack people and typically avoid humans. But sick, scared or food-conditioned animals can become aggressive, per the Game Commission.
• Their diet consists mostly of roadkill and deer, small mice, voles, rabbits and other small mammals.

Zoom in: If you see a coyote, Humane Action Pennsylvania suggests these tips to avoid confrontation.

• Don't feed them (obviously).
• Keep garbage sealed tightly. Remove outdoor food sources like pet food and spilled bird seed. Rodents are drawn to the food, and coyotes are drawn to the rodents.
• Keep pets close. Keep dogs leashed on walks and don't leave them unattended outdoors, even in fenced yards. Keep cats indoors. Coyotes are opportunistic predators that can mistake pets for their natural prey.
• Don't run if you encounter a coyote. Shout and wave your arms until it leaves.
• Call animal control or police only if the coyote appears injured, aggressive or is an immediate threat to public safety. Signs of aggression may include unprovoked barking, snarling, growling or lunging.

The bottom line: Even city dwellers can't escape nature entirely. Coexist — without letting your guard down.