A day after officially purchasing the Penguins, the Hoffmann family said at a press conference that they will keep the city'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 headquartered in the Sunshine State, but the new team owners pushed back against that notion.

What they're saying: "The Penguins are going to be in Pittsburgh and always going to be in Pittsburgh as long as the Hoffmanns are a part of it," said Geoff Hoffmann at a press conference Thursday.

Context: The Pens saw some scares in the mid-2000s with potential moves out of Pittsburgh — possibly to Kansas City, Las Vegas or Hamilton, Ontario.

• The team's lease at PPG Paints Arena runs through 2040.

Yes, but: The Hoffmanns said they want the Pens' ECHL minor league hockey affiliate club to become the Florida Everblades, indicating the Wheeling Nailers won't be the affiliate for much longer.

Zoom in: The Hoffmanns also said they are committed to building a hotel near the arena.

• "With four sports teams, three colleges, it doesn't look like you have enough hotels. We're very interested in building a hotel here," Geoff Hoffmann said.

State of play: The Penguins relinquished rights to developing the parking lots across PPG Paints Arena after development plans stalled.

• The area was a vibrant, predominantly Black neighborhood after the industrial revolution, but it was razed in the late 1950s to make way for Civic Arena, the Pens' first home.
• Since Civic Arena's demolition in the early 2010s, redevelopment plans have been complicated as private owners, elected officials and community leaders have struggled to come to a consensus — though some development has been completed recently.

The bottom line: The Hoffmann family gave several signs they are committed to Pittsburgh and investing in the region and the team.

• Geoff Hoffmann said he is buying a home in Squirrel Hill and should be closing on the property sometime next week.
• He also said general manager Kyle Dubas will "have whatever resources he needs" to improve the team.

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Mayor Corey O'Connor unveiled a five-year, $45 million capital funding partnership with Highmark and UPMC yesterday to support citywide emergency response.

Why it matters: The deal with the region's two largest health care providers marks the most significant commitment yet from Pittsburgh's nonprofits under O'Connor, as city leaders grapple with mounting budget pressures.

Zoom in: Highmark will invest $20 million over five years to support first-response services. The initial investment will focus on upgrading the city's fire department vehicles.

• Following its $10 million January gift for ambulances, which freed up city funds for new snowplows, UPMC will donate an additional $25 million over five years for EMS vehicles and equipment.

The big picture: The city's nonprofits don't pay property taxes, despite occupying roughly 20% of Pittsburgh real estate. Efforts to secure financial support from the biggest players have spanned multiple administrations, but the tactics have varied.

• O'Connor has pursued mission-aligned voluntary contributions from the city's large nonprofits — an approach similar to former Mayor Bill Peduto's.
• O'Connor's strategy has diverged from his predecessor, former Mayor Ed Gainey, who sued the nonprofits, hoping the courts would force payments. The city spent more on legal fees than it recovered in taxes during that process.

By the numbers: O'Connor has now secured more than $70 million in nonprofit commitments, including a $5 million, five-year partnership with Pitt, $2 million from the PNC Foundation for snowplows, $3 million from Carnegie Mellon, and millions more from other organizations.

Between the lines: The city is headed toward a $24 million deficit despite a 20% property tax hike and budget overhaul, TribLive reports.

• A recent Keystone Research Center report found that if the region's five largest nonprofits lost their tax exemptions, they would generate about $133 million a year for the city, Allegheny County, and Pittsburgh Public Schools.

What we're watching: Whether nonprofit contributions can meaningfully ease Pittsburgh's long-term fiscal woes.

What they're saying

🚧 The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission approved $4.7 billion in transportation spending for the 10-county region over the next four years.

• Funding will support highway improvements, bridge repairs and replacements, bus and rail maintenance, flood mitigation at the Parkway East "bathtub" area and more. (Post-Gazette)

🗳️ Allegheny County voters will decide in November whether to repeal limits on County Council's budget and access to county-funded staff, district offices and benefits after council voted to place two home rule charter amendments on the ballot. (TribLive)

⚡ State lawmakers are pushing to eliminate nearly $1.7 billion in taxes that electricity companies pass on to customers to help lower energy costs. (Capital-Star)

🏊 CitiParks is offering free swim lessons for youth ages 6-15 at city pools. The two-week program runs Monday through Friday, June 29-July 10. Register in person at your local pool. (Press release)

Nebby's birding... sort of.

Zoom in: Can you place this colorful view? Bonus point if you can name the piece.

Hit reply with your guesses for a chance to win a Nebby sticker!