Axios Pittsburgh

June 24, 2026
👋 Welcome to Wednesday!
- On this day in 1776, Pennsylvania officials declared independence from Great Britain, 10 days before the entire U.S. Pittsburgh, at the time, was in disputed territory between Pennsylvania and Virginia.
☀️ Today's weather: Sunny, high near 80.
🎧 Sounds like: "Hot Dog," by Buck Owens.
⚽️ Situational awareness: Fans can now register for free tickets to the World Cup Fan Fest watch parties at Acrisure Stadium on July 4, 5, 9 and 19. Register here.
Today's newsletter is 942 words, a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: Scoop — Trump to headline Pa. summit
President Trump will headline Sen. Dave McCormick's Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit at the U.S. Army War College on July 15.
Why it matters: The event builds on the momentum of McCormick's 2025 Energy and Innovation Summit, which drew global CEOs and teed up over $90 billion in Pennsylvania energy investments.
Zoom in: The defense summit in Central Pennsylvania convenes leaders from defense, technology, finance and government.
- JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon will deliver the keynote. The roster features Blackstone president Jon Gray and Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet.
- Others on the lineup include General Dynamics CEO Phebe Novakovic, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, SpaceX director Antonio Gracias and Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar.
What they're saying: "Pennsylvania has the technology, manufacturing, and skilled workforce necessary to advance American military innovation," McCormick tells Axios. "President Trump sees the power of Pennsylvania and how it is central to his vision of peace through strength."
Context: McCormick is a West Point graduate and Army combat veteran who served in the 1991 Gulf War.
Flashback: Last year, Trump headlined McCormick's inaugural Energy and Innovation Summit at Carnegie Mellon.
- The event drew $92 billion in private-sector commitments — the largest single-day investment announcement in Pennsylvania history.
The big picture: This year's summit comes in the wake of strikes against Iran, and as the Trump administration pushes Congress to approve a $1.5 trillion defense budget.
State of play: Pennsylvania is the nation's largest swing state and is home to several battleground U.S. House races for the upcoming midterm elections, including a hotly contested race in central Pennsylvania.
- Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, is also up for reelection ahead of an expected run for the White House in 2028.
What's next: The two-day summit runs from July 14-15.
2. Paul Skenes debuts Big Glizzy hot dog at Sheetz
Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star Paul Skenes dropped by the Sheetz in Shaler yesterday morning to debut the Big Glizzy, the convenience store's new extra-large hot dog.
🌭 The intrigue: The new menu item is inspired by glizzy, online slang for a hot dog, and Skenes said its massive size won't leave you wanting more.
🇺🇸 What they're saying: "There's not much more American than eating hot dogs at 10am," said Skenes.
🍅 Zoom in: He said he prefers just ketchup on his dog.
- Skenes, who is 6-foot-6, said he could probably eat three or four in a sitting but would opt just for one.
- He said he wouldn't eat Big Glizzy before a game because he has a highly regimented warm-up routine, but he said it would be great for fans.

🧀 Dig in: The nearly footlong Nathan's Famous premium beef hot dog can be customized with eight different cheese options, 14 sauces and 20 toppings.
- You can order it as a Coney Dog (with chili sauce and shredded cheese) or as the All-American Dog (with ketchup, mustard and relish) at Sheetz's Made-to-Order kiosks.
💵 Cost: $3.99 and a bit extra for premium toppings.
⏩️ What's next: Sheetz Freakz can order Big Glizzies at all Sheetz locations starting today. The item will be available through this summer.
🤳 Go deeper: Check out Skenes serving glizzies on our Instagram.
3. The Bridge: Andy Warhol Bridge's birthday bash
🎉 Allegheny County is hosting a free festival to commemorate the 100th birthday of the Andy Warhol Bridge. The all-ages party on the bridge will feature contests and games with prizes, performances, art activities, as well as food and drink vendors.
- It's being held from 11am-3pm on Saturday. (Press release)
🏨 The Atterbury Hotel opens today in the Fulton Building at the corner of Sixth Street and Fort Duquesne Boulevard in Downtown. (Pittsburgh Magazine)
🎰 Pittsburgh City Council is moving to tax skill games before state lawmakers potentially set statewide rules that could limit the city's options. (🔐Post-Gazette)
🔪 Canonsburg-based All-Clad Cookware has been selected to represent Pennsylvania in Alliance for American Manufacturing's online showcase for the nation's 250th anniversary.
- All-Clad manufactures cookware, knives and bakeware using U.S.-sourced steel and employs United Steelworker laborers. (Press release)
4. North Shore silent disco to serve up pickle party
A pickle-themed silent disco is coming to the North Shore next month.
The big picture: The Plaza at North Shore will celebrate Picklesburgh weekend on July 18 with Pickle! At the Silent Disco — a dance party featuring specialty cocktails and pickled bites from SugarBird.
How it works: Guests choose their own soundtrack, with multiple headphone channels featuring different genres.
- Show off your style, from pickle-green ensembles to shimmering metallics and beyond.
Zoom in: Try more unconventional briny bites and drinks, including pickle fries with a dill ranch dip, a pickled peach margarita, a pickled pineapple mojito with pickled jalapeños, or the viral Dua Lipa Diet Coke made with Diet Coke, pickle juice and jalapeño juice.
If you go: The Plaza at North Shore is at 151 Mazeroski Way, across from PNC Park.
- The all-ages event will feature two sessions: 7:30–9:30pm and 10pm–midnight.
- Limited tickets available for $18. Advance purchase strongly encouraged.
♫ Chrissy can't wait for the free America250PA concert at Point State Park this Saturday.
📚 Ryan is reading about the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, and thinking about how even the Cathedral of Learning faced criticism from the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright before it was embraced as a Pittsburgh icon.
Thanks to Chloe Gonzales for editing this newsletter.
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