Good morning, Pittsburgh.

Spirit Halloween hosted a party — it gave patients and families at UPMC Children’s Hospital fun treats and games that brightened the day.

The event strengthened community ties as local guests enjoyed the celebration.

The Etna Center for Community opened in Etna after a 10-year development funded by a $6 million capital campaign (marking a long-awaited milestone for local groups).

Community leaders say the new center will expand local services.

The state ban on skill games has forced small business owners in western Pennsylvania to face major revenue drops, with Kish Patel—who runs 20 stations and convenience stores—considering store closures and layoffs, while bar owner Jay Barto braces for fewer customers.

Miller Steering Committee and a community coalition urge Pittsburgh Public Schools to save Miller School — they stress its historic role and call on school officials to act quickly.

Drones and boats searched the Allegheny River for two escaped pelicans, Felicity and Joey, that left Pittsburgh Zoo on Saturday, Oct.

17. Zoo staff say the birds have not been found yet.

Allegheny County and its Conservation District secured nearly $500K in state grants to fund projects in 12 counties that boost environmental resilience against flooding, landslides and extreme heat.

The grants will support technical help plus green infrastructure investments, with contracting starting early 2027 and work beginning mid-2027.

Commercial Street in Swisshelm Park reopened Saturday afternoon (four hours ahead of schedule) after a closure from Friday night between Whipple Street and Summerset Drive.

Roadwork repaved and realigned the street during summer construction on the nearby Commercial Street Bridge; the $95 million project will conclude next summer.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has opened bonus applications for the Child Care Works program, allowing certified providers to secure at least $540 per worker; applications must be submitted online via local Early Learning Resource Centers by Nov.

30 with $30 million funding + $5 million more.

Researchers in Allegheny County will launch a $13.3 million trial in early 2027 to test semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) for treating opioid and alcohol use disorder in up to 1,200 adults, with the study measuring recovery and social outcomes.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth is now questionable after suffering a calf injury ahead of the upcoming game against the Buccaneers (he may be replaced by Robert Tonyan or rookie Riley Nowakowski).

The Pittsburgh Steelers placed Roman Wilson on injured reserve with a finger injury and boosted the roster by elevating Brandon Johnson & Brandon Smith while signing running back Lew Nichols.

Michael Pittman Jr. & Ben Skowronek are also sidelined by injuries.