🌱 Madonna In Pittsburgh + Stamp Prices Rising + Saved Disney Trip

Hi all. I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through the most important things happening these days in town. In today's issue, you'll find these stories and more:

• Disney trip back on for group of Indiana County high school students
• The price of a stamp is going up again, starting Sunday
• Heinz History Center among finalists for Best History Museum

Let's get into it!

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Morning rain, then a t-storm. High: 55 Low: 35.

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Here are the top stories today in Pittsburgh:

1) Madonna's "Celebration Tour" will make its way to Pittsburgh on Aug. 7. The show will take place at PPG Paints Arena. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Jan. 27 at ticketmaster.com. Presales will begin on the 23rd of that month. The concert will take fans through four decades of Madonna's greatest hits, marking the musician's first Pittsburgh performance in 11 years.

(WTAE)

2) Students attending an Indiana County high school got some great news recently — their previously canceled Disney trip, due to fundraising monies mysteriously going missing, is back on. A neighboring school turned the bad luck into an opportunity for generosity. After the funds weren't able to be found, Penns Manor High School invited United students to march with them during their upcoming Disney parade. The United School Board, administration and additional donors also raised money to help the students. State police are still working to figure out who took the original money.

(WTAE)

3) If you're looking to send postal mail any time after Sunday, expect stamps to cost more than you remember. On that day, the United States Postal Service will raise the price of a first-class Forever stamp from 60 cents to 63 cents. This price increase marks the third change in the past four years, from 55 cents in 2019, to 58 cents in 2021 and 60 cents in 2022. Postcard prices will also climb from 44 cents to 48 cents. Other changes include increases to certified mail, shipping insurance and post office box rental fees.

(TribLIVE)

4) Bruce Kraus, longtime Pittsburgh councilman, has announced that he will not be seeking re-election in 2023. He has served in his current role for District 3 since 2008. "I believe it was time to create opportunity for those that want to come after us and in order to do that we have to clear the way," Kraus said. As for his council seat, one of his staff members has already announced he will be running in May.

(WPXI Pittsburgh)

5) The U.S. Sen. John Heinz History Museum has left its mark as a reputable Pittsburgh institution as a finalist for the Best History Museum contest run by USA Today. Online voters have until Feb. 11 to select their favorite nominated museum at 10best.com. "Heinz History Center preserves the history of Western Pennsylvanians and helps educate visitors with interactive exhibits spread across six floors," explains the latest USA Today Readers Choice competition. According to the museum's social media director, Hienz officials there are "thrilled" to be named as a finalist.

(Ellwood City Ledger)

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Today in Pittsburgh:

• 55 Live! Double Points Thursday (All Day)
• Taps & Apps Happy Hour (5 PM)
• Zumba — Plum Community Library (6:30 PM)
• Mystery Lovers Book Group — Northland Public Library (6:30 PM)
• Banned Books Book Club — Northland Public Library (6:30 PM)
• Crazy for Comics — Mount Lebanon Public Library (6:30 PM)
• PBR Mashup Thursdays (8 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Bike Pittsburgh: "Keep an eye on our #giveaways this year, because this could be YOU! 🚲 Congrats to ✨Laura Zimmerman✨ the winner of this beautiful REI Co-op bike from our October membership campaign." (Bike Pittsburgh via Facebook)
• Pittsburgh Regional Transit: "Schedules for more than 25 bus routes will be adjusted on Sunday, Feb. 19. Additionally, buses will no longer serve Century III Mall Park & Ride beginning Feb. 6. For a complete list of changes, visit rideprt.org/ServiceUpdates " (Pittsburgh Regional Transit via Facebook)
• Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures: "Just announced! Ibram X. Kendi will return to Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures on Thursday, March 9 to discuss his new adaptation of 'The Making of Butterflies.' 🦋 " (Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures via Facebook)
• City of Pittsburgh: "If you live in Sheraden, Esplen, Elliot, Chartiers City, Windgap and Crafton Heights share your opinion about the future of Sheraden Park! Make your voice heard today: engage.pittsburghpa.gov/sheraden" (City of Pittsburgh via Facebook)
• Friends of the Riverfront: "A message from our wonderful Trail Stewardship Program Manager, Alex Toner, at yesterday's first Trail Tuesday of 2023! Volunteers helped to clear debris, litter, and maintain vegetation along River Avenue. 😄👍 " (Friends of the Riverfront via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Rachel Tasker

About me: Rachel is a native Pennsylvanian with stops in Erie and State College before making Pittsburgh her home in 2020. She's got a background in a little bit of everything... from working in media newsrooms and public health to the 2016 Presidential election in Washington, D.C. and the 2019 Super Bowl where (surprise!) Tom Brady won... AGAIN. She loves good coffee, bad reality T.V., attending local events and trying new food in the 412. She resides in the South Hills.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Pittsburgh Daily? Contact me at pittsburgh@patch.com