

Seven Pittsburgh places to get vegan ice cream that isn’t sorbet
Being vegan or lactose intolerant presents challenges when it comes to eating out. With the recent heatwave, many are flocking to local ice cream shops to cool off. If you don’t eat dairy for whatever reason, your option is usually an icy, fruit-based sorbet, which can be delicious, but insufficient when you want something creamy.…
Pittsburgh to get e-scooter pilot program thanks to provision included in budget bill
Unlike most other states, electric scooters (which are motorized stand-up scooters with handlebars and a platform that riders stand on) are illegal in Pennsylvania. They don’t currently fit under any classification of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code, so while private versions can be seen zipping around some city streets, Pennsylvania cities don’t have the shareable e-scooters…
Single-use plastics ban cleared for Pa. cities as Pittsburgh moves to eliminate plastic bags
Single-use plastics are a ubiquitous convenience in modern life, but many single-use plastic items are difficult to recycle and often end up in landfills. From there, they break into microplastics that end up in the water, in animals’ stomachs, and in our bodies. For years, banning the materials has been a non-starter in Pennsylvania, but…
Pa. Supreme Court overturns Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction, citing 2005 decision by District Attorney
After spending three years behind bars, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned the sexual conviction of comedian and actor Bill Cosby. In its ruling, the state’s highest court said former Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor’s decision not to charge Cosby in 2005, freeing Cosby to testify in a subsequent civil suit without his…
Three Mexican restaurants in Pittsburgh that serve popular birria tacos
If you consider yourself a foodie, you must have come across birria tacos at least once on your social media feed. According to Charbel Barker, author of food recipes on the website My Latina Table, the wildly popular birria originated in Jalisco (a state in western Mexico) and are typically served at celebrations including weddings,…
New Democratic ad premieres in Pittsburgh market, highlights 4th of July
On Wed., June 30, a new ad from the Democratic National Committee hit Pittsburgh airwaves to highlight the progress the country has made getting Americans vaccinated and reopening businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. According to a press release, the 60-second television spot “highlights President Biden and Democrats’ success in bringing America back together after the…
Tony Moreno, who lost Pittsburgh mayor race as a Democrat, now running as a GOP
After losing the Democratic Primary in May, Pittsburgh mayoral candidate Tony Moreno announced on Tue., June 29 that he has accepted the Republican nomination, and will run as the GOP nominee for the General Election. This isn’t the first time Moreno has shown ties to the Republicans. As WESA reported in March, Moreno was registered…
Irish Centre of Pittsburgh on sale for a reduced price of … $1.5 million
If you’ve gotten lost driving back from Kennywood, you may have wandered past the long, rectangular building on a Squirrel Hill back road with the words “Irish Centre” printed in dark green letters across the gable wall. Now, the Irish Centre of Pittsburgh is for sale — at a reduced price. The Irish Centre of…
A Puerto Rican food truck, a whiskey festival, and more Pittsburgh food news
40 North Restaurant and Bar 40 W. North Ave., North Side. 40northpgh.com The long-awaited opening of 40 North is here. The restaurant/bar announced its opening on June 21 and was met with excitement from Pittsburghers. Executive chef, Bethany Zozula, a James Beard Award nominee with nearly 20 years of experience in the culinary world, is sure to…
Lynn Cullen Live – 6/29/21
Video Archive “If I’m spending money, I try to think about who is getting it, as much as I can” – Lynn on spending money with ethical companies. Lynn and Susan are talking about the 4 million workers who quit their jobs in April. Audio Only Archive Stream or download the last 5 shows on…
Barrel and Flow announces new initiative to foster collaborations between artists and small businesses
Barrel and Flow Fest announced art + biz, a new initiative to connect creators and business owners for future collaborations. On June 27, the festival, which highlights Black brewers and was formerly known as Fresh Fest, created art + biz as a way to provide “year-long support for artists, which is an expansion of what Barrel & Flow…
Lawsuit filed against Allegheny County hotel for allegedly discriminating against trans worker
An Extended Stay America hotel in Western Allegheny County has become the focus of a discrimination lawsuit filed by a transgender former employee. On June 25, Kimberly Grinage, who identifies as trans, filed a suit against the company and her ex-manager Matthew Figurski, according to a legal news website Law360. The suit alleges that Grinage…
Pittsburgh Pirates face backlash for booking homophobic, anti-vax country singer
The Pittsburgh Pirates are celebrating their (re)opening weekend starting Thu., July 1, with a concert that has many Pittsburghers frustrated and calling out the professional baseball team. Big & Rich, the country music duo of Big Kenny and John Rich, is booked to headline the July 1 postgame concert at PNC Park, but John Rich’s…
“We Quit”: Several Pittsburgh workplaces have faced dramatic worker shortages
Sometime about two weeks ago, a sign was taped up in the window of the Subway on Beechwood Boulevard in Pittsburgh’s Greenfield neighborhood reading “We Quit,” and followed by a smiley face emoji. The small poster was signed by seven people, seemingly employees at that Subway location. A tweet sharing the sign went viral, and…
Song Spotlight: “I LIKE YOU” by BjORDAN and Good Sport
This quick, hot track is great for the summer of dance parties ahead of us. “I LIKE YOU” by BjORDAN and Good Sport is a 1:36 song that blasts through your speakers. It starts off laced with sharp piano notes then descends into a carnival-like mashup of twists and whirs. It also contains a dialogue between…
Lynn Cullen Live – 6/28/21
Video Archive Lynn is talking about the horrible tragedy that happened in Miami Florida. Listen to this and more on Lynn Cullen Live! Audio Only Archive Stream or download the last 5 shows on the MP3 downloads page.
CMU to highlight fascinating faculty and alum with new Cut Pathways podcast
Julia Parsons, a Pittsburgh native and World War II codebreaker, grew up in the then heavily industrialized city of the 1930s. “It was just so filthy, but I was born in it and lived in it all my life,” said Parsons. Her statement is immortalized by the Carnegie Mellon University Libraries Oral History Program, described…
Pa. Senate scuttles home grow amendment, but passes other provisions cleaning up state’s medical cannabis law
As part of a rush of last-minute legislation, the Pennsylvania General Assembly on June passed an omnibus bill making numerous tweaks to the state’s medical marijuana law, but an attempt to bring home grow provisions to the law was tabled. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Paul Schemel (R-Franklin) will enshrine in law numerous temporary…
Squabble over new White Whale mural has some accusing original design of being “too communist”
White Whale Bookstore recently transformed the side of their white brick building in Bloomfield into a colorful mural that was inspired by socialist realism imagery. Originally, the artwork included a group of people raising books on a red and white striped background with elements of communist symbolism, like symbols that appear to be golden wheat…
Allegheny Overlook celebrates grand opening with a three day series of live music
On June 24, the grand opening celebration began for the Allegheny Overlook, a new pop-up park located Downtown overseeing the Allegheny River. The Allegheny Overlook’s celebration continues through the weekend with live music, as well as a beer garden and food vendors to enjoy while grooving to the local musicians. The pop-up park is taking over…
Downtown Pittsburgh bus stop reopens with “Respect the Space” art installation by Janel Young
A new art installation is bringing color and life to a bustling bus stop at Smithfield Street and Sixth Ave. in Downtown Pittsburgh. Janel Young, a Pittsburgh native now serving as the Community Artist in Residence at UrbanKind Institute in Pittsburgh, completed “Respect the Space,” a public artwork done in conjunction with the Port Authority, Smart…
Port Authority approves fare increase, along with free transfers starting in 2022
On Fri., June 25, the Port Authority of Allegheny County board unanimously approved changes to fares collected on Pittsburgh-area buses, light rail, and inclines that are expected to go into effect by January 2022. According to a press release, the changes eliminate the 25-cent discount for ConnectCard users, meaning fares for ConnectCard users will be…
City Books announces its fall 2021 Writers-in-Residence
Dade Lemanski is working on a book about “Polish folk magic, dad(die)s, and anti-Blackness among white punks.” Kelsey Swintek is working on her first collection of essays. The two will hone their respective projects and practices as the fall 2021 Writers-in-Residence at the North Side bookseller City Books. The residency, which begins on July 1 and runs through Nov.…
Live shows return to Pittsburgh Public Theater for its 2021-2022 season
The Pittsburgh Public Theater is finally reopening its curtains and filling the stage after The O’Reilly Theater remained in the dark for over a year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Downtown theater announced it will return for its 47th season with five shows, both online and in-person, beginning in October. The success of the…
On the Tahn: Dance parties and live music at KLVN Coffee Lab, Spirit, and more (June 24-27)
Now that many Pennsylvanians are vaccinated, dance parties and live music shows are back. Each week, Pittsburgh City Paper brings you a roundup of dance parties and live or virtual music performances in the city. All you have to do is choose which one to go to. Thu., June 24 Hot Mass + Friends Carnegie…
NFL denies Steelers request to hold preseason camp in Latrobe this year
In 2020, the Pittsburgh Steelers weren’t able to complete their preseason tradition of hosting training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe due to the coronavirus pandemic. And this year will be no different. The National Football League has denied the Steelers request to host fans at the college in Latrobe for the 2021 season, citing…
Lynn Cullen Live – 6/24/21
Video Archive “I’m really looking forward to being dead in that place.” – Lynn on purchasing her cemetery plot yesterday. Lynn’s talking about the workers still stuck aboard the the Ever Given, since it blocked the Suez Canal back in March. Listen to this topic and more on Lynn Cullen Live! Audio Only Archive Stream…
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra returns to Heinz Hall for its 2021-22 season
After celebrating its 125th anniversary through digital performances, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra returns to Heinz Hall for its 2021-22 season, which will feature nine PSO premieres as well as five world premiere performances. The 126th PSO season will open the weekend of Fri., Sept. 24 with an “Opening Weekend Celebration,” featuring Helene Grimauld on the…
Artists can apply for BIPOC Micro-Grant Program, launched in memory of Mac Miller
In 2018, Pittsburgh was rocked by the death of rapper and producer Mac Miller, a Pittsburgh native who, despite reaching worldwide fame, never forgot his hometown. To honor his memory, the Pittsburgh Foundation’s Center for Philanthropy has launched a new arts funding initiative to support local BIPOC artists. The Pittsburgh Foundation announced the BIPOC Micro-Grant…
Lynn Cullen Live – 6/23/21
Video Archive Lynn is talking about the Scott Township man that facing additional charges for taking millions of dollars in PPP loans. Listen to this and more on today’s Lynn Cullen Live! Audio Only Archive Stream or download the last 5 shows on the MP3 downloads page.
Mutual aid groups face challenges to continue supporting local workers
More than a year after Gov. Tom Wolf first shut down restaurants and bars in Allegheny County in March 2020, many of those businesses that survived the pandemic are starting to open for dine-in services. But as people are rejoicing in the ability to go out again, workers are still struggling, and the grassroots mutual…
Beer of the Week: Every Time Only Once: Blackberry + Boysenberry
Beer of the Week: Every Time Only Once: Blackberry + Boysenberry Brewery: Four Points Brewery Location: Western Ave. Taproom. 919 Western Ave., North Side. fourpointsbrewing.com The Pittsburgh craft brewery scene has transformed from a creek to a full blown tidal wave in the last 10 years, with different spots popping up seemingly every week. So…
Seven Days in Pittsburgh: June 24-30
Thu., June 24 FILM • VIRTUAL Maude’s Paperwing Gallery presents a virtual screening of the 1999 film But I’m a Cheerleader. As a part of their North Pittsburgh Pride series, the shop chooses a weekly film to screen on Zoom that falls under one of four categories: a film that is “cute/fun/magical,” “LGBTQIA+ themed,” “WILDCARD,” or…
Sweet kicks, “straight hoodies and sweats,” and vintage Ralph Lauren
Name: Brentin Mock Pronouns: He, Him Work: Writer/editor for Bloomberg CityLab (and Pittsburgh City Paper alum!) Website: twitter.com/brentinmock How would you define your style? ’93-’95 Classic Backpack Era and Dad Who are your style inspirations? Raekwon the Chef, Ill Grand Puba, Thirstin Howl III, Jeff Goldblum Do you have a favorite designer? Who are they,…
Black-led Community Spotlight: Blanket and Board
Summer has officially arrived, and with many Pennsylvania adults fully vaccinated, Pittsburgh parks have been bustling with life and activity again. One of the ways folks can celebrate the season and the surrounding greenery is by booking local business Blanket and Board to create a beautiful charcuterie board and picnic in the park. The event…
Two large air pollution sources will soon be offline. Will Allegheny County’s air quality future be as clean as it can be?
The American Lung Association provides yearly air quality rankings for metro areas across the country, and every year, the Pittsburgh region receives failing grades. Though Pittsburgh shed its “smoky city” moniker decades ago, and the air quality in the region has vastly improved compared to what it once was, there is still a lot to…
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY: June 24-30
CANCER (June 21-July 22): “I was so flooded with yearning I thought it would drown me,” wrote Cancerian author Denis Johnson. I don’t expect that will be a problem for you anytime soon. You’re not in danger of getting swept away by a tsunami of insatiable desire. However, you may get caught in a current…
Lynn Cullen Live – 6/23/21
Video Archive We had an internet interruption this morning but the show must go on! Lynn is joined today by her sister Susan and her brother Bill. They are discussing Bill’s need for speed. They are also discussing the Supreme Court’s ruling on NCAA, Jeff Bazos going to space. Audio Only Archive Stream or download…






