Episode Details

America’s first Carnegie library is nearing the end of a $21 million renovation, and we got to neb nose all over the 45,000-square-foot space. Hear all about the history of the Braddock Carnegie Library, plus what they’ve got in store for their own opening day in May. Plus, we’re catching you up on big stories from the week: for the first time in a century, city voters won’t have any choices on their primary ballots for City Council; the trial began to determine who’s responsible for paying settlement money after the 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio; Nippon Steel has upped its offer to buy U.S. Steel, while an activist investor tries to oust the U.S. Steel board and CEO; local health and safety NIOSH workers have been hit by federal layoffs; Steelers legend Cam Heyward laughs off an offer to hang out with QB Aaron Rodgers; Homer City is turning an old coal plant into a natural gas-powered facility to help feed the local power grid; and with the return of street-sweeping season comes new AI tools to issue tickets to anyone who doesn’t get their car out of the way.

Notes and references from today’s show:

• Braddock Carnegie Library renovations near completion [90.5 WESA]
• Braddock Carnegie Library capital campaign [BCLA]
• Check out the “Free for All: The Public Library" screening in Cranberry. [CPL]
• Test your knowledge of Pittsburgh history and current events. [Hey Pittsburgh]
• Judge boots off ballot 2 Dems running for Kail-Smith's Pittsburgh council seat [TribLive]
• Make Your Voice Heard! 2025 Funding Crisis [Pittsburgh Regional Transit]
• ACT NOW: Stop Catastrophic Service Cuts [Pittsburghers for Public Transit]
• Nippon, US Steel offer increased investment to Trump officials to close deal [Semafor]
• President Biden Blocks US Steel Sale to Nippon Steel. What Does This Mean for Pittsburgh? [Hey Pittsburgh]
• Trial will determine who pays settlement money for Norfolk Southern train derailment [AP]
• How the Train Derailment Changed East Palestine [City Cast Pittsburgh]
• The Curious Case of Aaron Rodgers [The Ringer]
• Cam Heyward on Aaron Rodgers and a darkness retreat [Instagram]
• Federal HHS layoffs hit NIOSH mine-safety research facility near Pittsburgh [90.5 WESA]
• Homer City