Fans of legendary filmmaker George Romero are pushing to preserve a piece of horror film history — a suburban mall with an uncertain future.

Why it matters: Romero filmed his groundbreaking 1978 zombie classic "Dawn of the Dead" at the Monroeville Mall, which has become a cultural landmark.

• Thousands of fans gather there each year to celebrate the Pittsburgh icon at Living Dead Weekend, a convention with movie screenings, cast meet-and-greets, vendors and tours.

Driving the news: Walmart recently purchased the 186-acre mall for $34 million; a Dallas-based development firm will manage the site and possibly redevelop it into a mixed-use retail, commercial and entertainment destination.

• Plans are still in the works, but managers are exploring all options and may consider at least partial demolition of the mall.

The big picture: Kevin Kriess, founder of Living Dead Weekend and The Living Dead Museum, tells Axios he expects a high turnout for the June convention as passionate film buffs rush to visit before redevelopment starts.

• Kriess hasn't heard from the mall's new managers yet, but he hopes they leave "at least some parts" of the mall intact to honor the film's influence. "I'm just hoping we can find a way to fit within their plans. I want them to know I'm willing to work with them and make that happen," he says.

What they're saying: Michael Lancaster hosts a YouTube channel dedicated to Romero from his home in Indiana. He says visiting the Monroeville Mall feels like meeting the lead character in his favorite film — one that inspired his love of filmmaking.

• Living Dead Weekend is "the one time of year Romero fans can come together and speak the same language," he says. "It's our Disneyland."
• No matter what happens, he wants this year's Living Dead Weekend to be its biggest yet. "Even if it can't go on after this year, we're passionate enough to make sure (Romero's) legacy lives on," he says. "We'll still gather somewhere."

What's next: If Kriess' lease isn't renewed next year, he said he'd consider returning to Evans City in Butler County, where Romero's "Night of the Living Dead" was filmed, but he'd prefer to stay in Monroeville — the mall itself "is the museum," he says.

Go deeper

😍 Pittsburghers love pizza. Valentine's Day is about love and hearts. Why not combine these things on this lovely holiday?

Here are six restaurants offering heart-shaped pies today.

Alta Via Pizzeria

Grab a slightly spicy pizza — vodka sauce, pepperoni, hot honey and pecorino Romano. Available today through Sunday. Can be made gluten-free.

💵 $25

📍169 Bakery Square Blvd. in Larimer

Caliente Pizza & Draft House

Order a customizable heart-shaped pizza on its own or the full V-day package with ice cream and a giant cookie or brownie. Available throughout February.

💵 $21 for pizza only, $29 for pizza and dessert

📍Multiple locations

Pizzeria Davide

Transform your small pizza into a loving heart — or a broken heart if you are feeling down. Available today.

💵 $13-16

📍2551 Penn Ave. in Strip District

Pizza Parma

You can get a large heart-shaped pie, as well as salad, wings and appetizers in heart-shaped containers. Available through tomorrow.

💵 $20 for the pizza

📍963 Liberty Ave. in Downtown and 217 South Highland in Shadyside

Spak Brothers

Order a heart-shaped pizza and bring it next door to Two Frays Brewery to receive a box of Sweethearts candy and a flower. Available today.

💵 Check website

📍5107 Penn Ave. in Garfield

Spirit

Heart-shaped pizzas are available today for dine-in or take-out. Enjoy a "Heartbreak Hotel" honky tonk in Spirit's hall or a Spaghetti Disco in the lodge after your pizza.

💵 Check with location for prices

📍242 51st St. in Lawrenceville

⚖️ Gov. Josh Shapiro is suing the Trump administration over a broad federal funding freeze he said jeopardizes at least $5.5 billion in Pennsylvania. (Axios)

📄 Elon Musk is taking aim at a converted limestone mine that houses federal paperwork in Butler County. (USA Today)

🧵 Fabric and crafts retailer Joann will close at least 30 stores in Pennsylvania, including most in the region. (TribLive)

😷 Days after issuing a mask mandate, UPMC now says masks are recommended but not required at its facilities. (PennLive)

President Trump's campaign promise to dismantle the Department of Education could prove costly for Pennsylvania.

Why it matters: Funding for public schools primarily falls to local and state governments but federal funds work to fill the gaps.

• Cuts could force school administrators to balance budgets by raising taxes or slashing spending.

State of play: K-12 schools in Pennsylvania spend about $36.3 billion annually, or $21,441 per pupil, according to the Education Data Initiative.

• And they receive more than $4.6 billion, or $2,757 per student, from the federal government, the data shows.

Catch up quick: Trump regularly floated eliminating the Department of Education on the campaign trail.

Context: A president does not have the authority to create or dismantle a federal agency, only Congress.

Read more

👋 Ryan here with a cocktail I enjoyed recently that made me feel cosmopolitan in our mid-size city.

Dig in: The Tum Tugger cocktail at Lorelei combines black rum, alpine amaro, black walnuts, nutmeg and Drambuie, a liqueur made from Scotch.

The vibe: It's all about the windows at Lorelei. Floor-to-ceiling panes over excellent views of East Liberty Presbyterian Church and scores of passersby exploring the neighborhood.

Pro tip: Grab a spot near the window and soak in the city.

Where: Lorelei, 1204 South Highland Ave. in East Liberty

Cost: $15

Six-word review: Smoky, sweet and a pleasant sipper