Smoke from Canadian and northern Minnesotan wildfires has covered Pennsylvania, leading to very unhealthy air quality.

Why it matters: The entire state is in a Code Purple air quality alert for today, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Projection (DEP).

• Allegheny County was in a Code Maroon alert yesterday.
• Code Maroon (the most severe) or Code Orange (less severe) is possible today depending on your location.

What it means: All residents should avoid long or intense outdoor activities during Code Purple alerts, per DEP.

• Sensitive groups like children, elderly residents, and those with respiratory illnesses should avoid all outdoor activities.
• People should avoid use of gas-powered lawn equipment and burning campfires.

Catch up quick: The smoke hit Butler County late yesterday morning and moved south into the city by early afternoon and then fully enveloped the region by the evening.

• It's forecasted to hover over the region all day today, and possibly start to move out of Southwest Pennsylvania by late tonight, according to the National Weather Service.

What we're seeing: Axios Pittsburgh captured images of Downtown and Braddock yesterday afternoon. The smoky smell was strong throughout the day.

U.S. Steel is investing $2.5 billion in its Mon Valley Works facilities, and it showcased its planned improvements to the community yesterday in Braddock.

Why it matters: About a year after Japan's Nippon Steel bought U.S. Steel, the region is starting to see portions of the promised $11 billion investment for the Pittsburgh-based icon.

Zoom in: A new hot strip mill is planned for the Edgar Thomson Works site in Braddock and will replace an 87-year old mill at the Irvin Plant in West Mifflin that will be decommissioned.

• The "state-of-the-art" mill will nearly double production and will have the ability to create different grades of steel than before, said U.S. Steel environmental director Matthew DeLibero.
• It should also reduce pollutants and emissions compared with the old mill, DeLibero added.
• A new slag recycler — which recycles the steel-making byproduct into materials used in cement and roadwork — will also be built in Braddock.

Zoom out: Nippon expects to spread the multibillion-dollar investment at U.S. Steel's holdings across the country and finish by the end of 2028.

State of play: Nippon's investment appears to have stabilized U.S. Steel, which has retained its union workers, including more than 3,000 in the Pittsburgh area.

• The Mon Valley investment is projected to generate $1.7 billion in economic impact for Pennsylvania and generate $58 million in state and local tax revenue, per U.S. Steel.

Feathered friends: The Irvin Plant's bald eagles will not affected by any of the construction or demolition, said U.S. Steel's Don German, who is in charge of stewarding wildlife in the Mon Valley Works.

What's next: The new slag recycler should break ground this September, said U.S. Steel executive vice president Scott Buckiso.

The other side

🏟️ The Penguins and Pirates schedules for next season were released.

• Another game in the Battle of Pennsylvania starts the NHL season on Sept. 30 when the Pens face the Flyers in Philadelphia. (NHL)
• The Buccos open up at home at PNC Park against the Athletics on March 25, 2027, the first time opening at home since 2016. (SI)

🎰 Pittsburgh's proposed tax on skill games is in limbo after Pennsylvania's state budget deferred regulation of the machines. (TribLive)

📺 "The Pitt" star Noah Wyle received a Dr. Robby bobblehead courtesy of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team is giving away 20,000 Dr. Robby bobbleheads during a July 25 game against the Cubs. (X)

👀 U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Aspinwall, called Sen. John Fetterman's decision to partner with Republican Sen. Dave McCormick on a joint fundraising committee "crazy stuff." (PennLive)

You don't go to Picklesburgh to play it safe, but maybe wait until Code Purple is lifted.

Why it matters: The stranger the food, the better the story.

Here are a few must-try picks this year.

🧁 Patti's Pastries Dilly Dilly Dillicious cupcake

• Vanilla cake with pickles baked into the batter, topped with dill buttercream and a pickle slice.
• 📍 Zone F (Isabella Street, North Shore)
• 💰 $10

🥒 Turner's Pickled Iced Tea

• Turner's signature lemon iced tea with Pittsburgh Pickle Co.'s Picklexir.
• 📍 Zone G (Andy Warhol Bridge)
• 💰 $3

🙂 Eat'n Park pickled Smiley cookies

• Classic Smiley sugar cookies with green pickle-flavored icing.
• 📍 Zone C (Sixth Street, Downtown)
• 💰 $3

If you go: Picklesburgh runs through Sunday. Vendor map here.

Two more pickle creations

The old Commercial Street Bridge came tumbling down yesterday morning.

🌉 Why it matters: The aging bridge along the Parkway East is being replaced as part of an upgrade to one of Pittsburgh's most congested highways.

💥 Zoom in: PennDOT demolished the Commercial Street Bridge in a controlled blast with little fanfare just after 8am yesterday, a day after it was postponed.

🚧 Zoom out: The demolition is a big milestone in the $95 million project. Crews will now clear the debris and slide the new bridge into place.

👉 What's next: The Parkway East has been closed since July 10 and is expected to reopen Aug. 3.

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