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The Allegheny County Jail’s population has risen about 40% since the end of 2022 ([link removed]) , a major reversal after it declined for more than a decade and county leaders committed to shrinking the facility’s footprint — even committing $700,000 to an overhaul study.
Judges released hundreds of nonviolent detainees as a safety measure at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the jail’s population later hit a historic low at 1,497. The count has risen to 2,053 as of Wednesday ([link removed]) .
Theories on the cause range from a possible increase in crime to judges growing more hesitant to let people out on bail. A design firm’s plan to drastically reduce the jail’s physical capacity ([link removed]) hasn’t been fully released.
** OUR TOP STORY
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** Why is Allegheny County Jail getting more crowded? ([link removed])
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** CLAIRTON EXPLOSION
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** In Clairton, officials say the air is normal, but residents, advocates are wary ([link removed])
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** Explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Works leaves two dead, 10 hurt ([link removed])
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🎊 The Pittsburgh Taco Festival 2025 is back ([link removed]) — bigger, bolder and bursting with flavor! With 25 taco vendors, live music and family-friendly fun, it’s a full-on celebration you don’t want to miss. Come hungry, leave dancing! 🎶💃
** WANT MORE? WE’RE ON IT
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* Pittsburgh City Council could move to regulate short-term rentals like Airbnbs ([link removed]) when it returns from its recess in September.
* Activists demonstrated outside a Downtown homeless shelter last Friday, criticizing the city’s homeless encampment clearance program ([link removed]) .
** NEW AND NOTEWORTHY
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Public Source photojournalist Stephanie Strasburg has been nominated for Best Creative Photographer — Editorial ([link removed]) in Pittsburgh City Paper’s “Best of PGH” awards.
Check out a few of her remarkable photos ([link removed]) and cast your vote here ([link removed]) .
** LOCAL EVENTS
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This week: 👩🍳 Restaurant Week ([link removed]) Dozens of Pittsburgh restaurants are offering special, fixed-price menus in mid-August. (Aug. 11-17 | See website for restaurants | Reservation policies and prices vary)
This weekend:
* 🇮🇹 Little Italy Days ([link removed]) Liberty Avenue replaces cars with dozens of vendors selling Italian delicacies and, yes, some wireless plans and funnel cakes. (Thursday-Sunday | Liberty Avenue, Bloomfield | Free admission)
* 🦜 Hummingbird Day ([link removed]) Celebrate the world’s smallest bird with the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (9 a.m.–12 p.m. Saturday | Powdermill Nature Center | Free)
* 🏈 Steelers return to Acrisure ([link removed]) The Black and Gold play their first home game of the preseason, offering a first glimpse of this year’s team and much cheaper tickets than regular season action. (7 p.m. Saturday | Acrisure Stadium, North Shore | vs. Tampa Bay)
Throughout August:
* 🏙️ RAD Summer Staycation ([link removed]) Enjoy free admission to select Pittsburgh institutions using your Allegheny County Library card and a RADpass reservation.
* 🎼 Sunday in the Park with George ([link removed]) The classic Sondheim musical is playing at the New Hazlett Theater with eight performances in August. (Aug. 14-24 | New Hazlett Theater, Allegheny Center | Tickets are $50, discounts available for artists and students)
Check out our local events calendar ([link removed]) to discover more events in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.
** GREAT READ
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** The hidden costs of cutting Medicaid ([link removed])
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** FROM OUR ARCHIVES
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** U.S. Steel’s acquisition will end a difficult marriage that forged — and constrained — Pittsburgh’s identity ([link removed])
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Thank you to those who became supporters of Public Source’s journalism for Aug. 4-11: Annette, Bree, Carye, Caryl, Eileen, Grace, Isabella, Joanna, Josie, Keren, Kit, Laura, Lea, Lizzie, Marie, Matt, Patricia, Racheallee, Sauvik, Stacy, Steven, Susan, Taylor and Virginia. Join them by giving today! ([link removed])
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Pittsburgh’s Public Source informs and inspires the Pittsburgh region through the power of deep, independent journalism. Read more about us ([link removed]) .
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