Plus, pothole-filling robots ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
Wednesday, August 26 

Your Daily Guide

Happy Wednesday, friends. We’re experiencing a very wet August, and with heavy rain comes flooding. Pittsburgh Water just kicked off a $6.8 million project with the city to reduce flooding in Carrick and Overbrook, but what about the rest of us? And why must it flood so much anyway?!

We ask a disasterologist. (Yes, that’s a real thing!)

PODCAST

Is Flooding Getting Worse in Pittsburgh?

What Pittsburgh's Talking About

Forest Protections Rolled Back

The Trump administration wants to get rid of the Roadless Rule, a 2001 policy that blocks the development of new roads and logging on more than 44 million acres. In PA, the rule protects about 25,000 acres of the Allegheny National Forest, including an old-growth scenic area. Comment on the change through Sept. 21. [Axios Pittsburgh / Regulations.gov]

  • The USDA calls Trump’s plan “wildfire prevention,” arguing dense growth, insect outbreaks, and disease have turned healthy landscapes into "tinderboxes." Since 2010, fewer than 1% of wildfires in the lower 48 have begun in roadless areas. [USDA / Environment America]

Twice Daily Harrisburg Trips Coming Soon

Starting in mid-November, Amtrak's Pennsylvanian will run twice daily between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. Expanded service follows 12 years of advocacy, lobbying, and a ton of expensive repairs. Tickets will cost $53 each way. [🔒 Post-Gazette]

Zoning Board Rejects Walmart Delivery Depot

Walmart wanted to turn Bloomfield’s former Rite Aid on Howley Street into a hub for online delivery orders, but residents railed against the proposal, arguing it would function as a warehouse, not a grocery store as proposed. The Pittsburgh Zoning Board of Adjustments sided with the neighbors, ruling the project would negatively impact adjacent residential neighborhoods. [City Cast Pittsburgh / 🔒 Business Times]

PSO’s Biannual European Tour

The (Salzburg) hills are alive with the sound of music, and this month that includes the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra! It’s the only U.S. group performing at the famous Salzburg Festival in Austria. The festival is the PSO’s second stop on a nine-city tour, though some worry it’s their last appearance — Salzburg’s artistic director was recently fired. [🔒 Post-Gazette]

City Cast newsletter ad image

43rd Annual Polo Match Tickets on Sale

A Pittsburgh tradition returns! Head to Hartwood Acres on Saturday, September 12,2026, for the 43rd Annual Family House Polo Match presented by F.N.B. Corporation.

Watch a professional polo match, explore a vintage car show, tailgate, shop, and enjoyfood trucks, live music, and family-friendly activities. FREE admission for kids 12 andunder. Every ticket helps Family House offer a "home away from home" to familiestraveling to Pittsburgh for medical care.

Tickets: familyhouse.org/polo.

Support Locally-Owned Pet Stores

The bright green and blue storefront to Lawrenceville Pet Supply.

Lawrenceville Pet Supply shop on Butler Street. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)

Do you love your pet and supporting Pittsburgh businesses? Here are some local shops that have everything you need to feed, care, and play.

🐕‍🦺 Furbes Ave Pet Supply

This small shop on Forbes Avenue (get it?) stocks food, treats, leashes, and more for dogs and cats. If you’re a new pet owner or just welcoming a new animal to your home, you can get set up quickly with dog and cat treat and toy boxes for $70 each.

🐈 Lawrenceville Pet Supply

The Butler Street store is dedicated to your four-legged friends, with more than 25 years of experience in the pet biz. Find food, treats, leashes, toys, and more supplies here. They even harvest and dry their own catnip!

🐕 Petagogy

The independent shop on Penn Avenue in East Liberty has a wide selection of healthy and natural foods, treats, and supplies for dogs and cats. The name comes from the word “pedagogy,” the art or profession of teaching, because the shop owners love learning about the best products for your furry friends. They also have locations just outside the city in McCandless, McMurray, Cranberry, and Greensburg.

Find More Pet Stores
City Cast newsletter ad image

Your Next Adventure-Experience Butler County PA

A weekend road trip is the perfect remedy for end-of-summer blues. Just an hour outside of the Burgh, Butler County, PA is where your adventure awaits. Our historic small towns invite you to stroll Main Street, with shops, cafes, and museums. No matter when you visit, you’ll find something exciting. Street fairs, themed festivals, night markets, live music, and goat yoga- you’ll find it all here. Reconnect to nature with hiking, biking, or boating at Moraine State Park. Indulge in local flavors at one of our many craft breweries and local wineries. Embrace your inner explorer and plan your visit now at experiencebutler.com.

What To Do

Wednesday, Aug. 26

Thursday, Aug. 27

More Pittsburgh Events

Move over Roomba 🤖 Local startup Silly Surfacing says it needs $5 million to get its pothole-filling robots on our streets. In the meantime, report potholes near you to the city’s deputy director of Public Works, who’s never met a Pittsburgh pothole he couldn’t fill.

— Laura Tsutsui

✍️ City Cast’s Laura Kondourajian contributed to this newsletter. Francesca Dabecco wrote the original article about Pittsburgh’s best locally-owned pet stores.

mailtoyoutubeinstagramtiktok