Good morning, Pittsburgh.

Don Scelza leads Pennsylvania Strike Team 1 — a group of 102 trained local volunteers who conduct technical search and rescue operations.

The state-funded team from Carnegie continues to train and respond to emergencies, ensuring safe recoveries during challenging calls.

After 50 years serving neighbors in need, the Washington Heights Ecumenical Food Bank opened a new permanent home at 6 Boggs Ave on Mount Washington after a Thursday ribbon cutting; its first distribution event runs today from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

A cash bash fundraiser is scheduled for Aug.

29 at the Circleville Volunteer Fire Department from 6 to 9 p.m. to help North Huntingdon firefighter Corey Scherff, who is recovering from a stroke after a fungal infection. Jamie’s Dream Team, a nonprofit from McKeesport, organizes the event.

SmartAsset’s study finds that Pittsburgh families will spend $25,139 a year raising a child, up 1.66% from 2025.

The analysis shows that costs vary widely (San Francisco tops at $43,171), giving local households insight into child-rearing expenses.

Homer-Center School District postponed its first day of school to Sept.

1 after mold was found at the elementary building — officials say warm, humid weather caused the issue and a cleaning company is already working to fix it.

Pittsburgh Arlington PreK-8 school near Mt. Oliver showed marked progress last school year after recording over 130 fights.

Principal Crystal Caldwell said the school will continue its efforts to build on this turnaround in the coming months.

Federal changes affect student loans as of July 1.

Pitt students now face higher monthly payments with longer forgiveness periods under the new Repayment Assistance Plan, while Parent PLUS and graduate loans have new borrowing limits (with a $20,000 annual cap for Parent PLUS loans).

A second daily Amtrak train between New York City and Pittsburgh will start mid-November as PennDOT nears completion on construction—ticket sales open in October.

Officials say the service gives passengers more travel options.

Allegheny County is hosting the Fifth Annual International Overdose Awareness Day Resource Fair on Monday, Aug.

31 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Allegheny Commons Park (over 45 local health and social service providers will offer overdose prevention resources).

The Allegheny County Health Department will spray for mosquitoes in Hazelwood, Carrick, Mt. Oliver, Beltzhoover, Knoxville, and Mt. Washington on Wednesday, Aug.

26 from 8 to 11 p.m. after positive West Nile Virus tests were found (using a pesticide deemed safe by state regulators).

Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Drew Allar are battling for backup roles behind Aaron Rodgers as sports columnist Tim Benz says keeping all four quarterbacks may give Pittsburgh extra depth.

The debate unfolds during preseason as the team sharpens its roster.

Pitt football will open its season on Sept.

5 at Acrisure Stadium against Miami University of Ohio and aim to avoid past late-season collapses with a refreshed roster of returning players and new talent + prepare for challenging midseason tests against Florida and Georgia Tech.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said on Monday that Joey Porter Jr. remains on the PUP list (with contract talks still at an impasse less than three weeks from the season) as Jalen Ramsey returned to boost the defense.