Community Corner
🌱 Unemployment Rates + Smoking Ban + Bed Bath And Beyond Closing
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Pittsburgh.
Morning, friends. It's me, Rachel Tasker, your host of the Pittsburgh Daily — here to tell you all the most important things happening locally. In today's issue, you'll find news about...
- Pittsburgh region's unemployment rate flat at 4 percent
- Bed Bath & Beyond closing three Pittsburgh stores
- Local state lawmaker pushing for smoking ban in casinos, private clubs
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Here are the top stories today in Pittsburgh:
1) Pittsburgh's inaugural Youth Civic Leadership Academy is graduating nearly 30 local kids from its program this year. The 15-week program allows students to earn college credits, learn about local government in 'real-world' situations, and fosters the ability for them to propose potential solutions to real issues city departments are facing. "'I wanted to expose these kids to something greater than what they see every day,' Mayor Ed Gainey said during a ceremony honoring the students at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh's Strip District." Topics of discussion for this year's program relate back to problems the city is currently facing, such as gun violence, school safety and more.
(TribLIVE)
2) Pittsburgh's regional unemployment rate remains at one of the lowest thresholds on record since 1976. According to the state Department of Labor & Industry, the steady hold of a 4 percent jobless rate means that more people are both looking for work— and finding it. "While the gains show recovery since COVID-19 hit in 2020, the region still has work to do to grow, Gus Faucher, an economist with PNC Financial Services, said." The decline in the region's population over the last few years also plays a role, and finding solutions to bring new working folks into the area may help address Pittsburgh's weaker employment numbers compared to the rest of the country.
(TribLIVE)
3) Home retailer Bed Bath & Beyond is about to 'be-gone' in a few local areas. Three of the stores located in Bethel Park, North Fayette and Monroeville were among the 87 total that the retailer announced would be closing on Tuesday, as the financially strapped chain attempts to avoid bankruptcy. Information on closure dates and potential end-of-business sales is not yet available. "Surviving Bed Bath & Beyond stores locally — at least for the moment — will be the ones at The Waterfront in Homestead, Cranberry and The Waterworks near Aspinwall."
4) If it were up to State Rep. Dan Frankel, casinos, certain bars and private clubs would have stricter regulations on smoking. The local Pennsylvania state lawmaker is introducing a bill that would amend 'The Clean Indoor Air Act.' A primary goal of this bill is to protect employees of certain establishments from being exposed and negatively impacted by secondhand smoke. If the bill comes to fruition, portions of casinos, certain bars and private clubs would still be exempt, such as allowing smoking on certain parts of the gaming floor.
5) The Pittsburgh Foundation recently announced its commitment to invest $50 million over the next 5 years toward racial equity, justice-related causes. "In addition, the foundation is setting a goal to ensure at least half of grants from its unrestricted grant-making pool of funds go to organizations led by and serving members of Pittsburgh's Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities by 2027." The need for these initiatives comes from the COVID-19 pandemic enhancing the disparities affecting key communities. While specific recipients of funding have not been announced, the foundation said that it will focus its strategic plan grant-making on five community issue areas: basic needs, equity and social justice, environmental action, economic mobility, and arts and culture.
Today in Pittsburgh:
- Chess Club — Mount Lebanon Public Library (6:30 PM)
- Teen Dungeons and Dragons — Brentwood Library (7 PM)
- Drop Dead Book Club — C.C. Mellor Memorial Library (7 PM)
- Pittsburgh Public Theater presents: "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM IN HARLEM" (8 PM)
From my notebook:
- The Andy Warhol Museum: "Vote for us! We have been nominated for 'Best Art Museum' in the 2023 USA TODAY 10 Best Readers' Choice travel awards. You can vote once a day for the run of the contest, which ends Monday, Feb. 13 at 12 p.m. ET: https://bit.ly/3IYVBui" (The Andy Warhol Museum via Facebook)
- City of Pittsburgh: "Sign up to be Snow Angel and you'll be entered into a raffle to win a date to Valentines on Ice, a fun-filled evening skating under the stars. Snow Angels help remove snow from walkways for our neighbors in need." (City of Pittsburgh via Facebook)
- Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy: "Today is Table Top Tuesday! Join us for board games at the Schenley Park Visitor Center from 12-2 p.m. Destress, increase brain function and meet new people for free every Tuesday this January – March 28." (Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy via Facebook)
- Carnegie Science Center: "Eager to learn a new skill and have fun with friends? Look no further than a Fab Lab 101 Workshop! Learn how to use a 3D printer, laser cutter, and more to customize a creation of your own. Sponsored by BNY Mellon." (Carnegie Science Center via Facebook)
- Children's Museum of Pittsburgh: "We've been nominated as one of the best children's museums in the country 🤩 You can vote in the USA TODAY 10 Best poll every day now through Monday, Feb. 13. We appreciate your support! Vote here: https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/bes..." (Children's Museum of Pittsburgh via Facebook)
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That's it 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
