Getting the most out of barrier-free tours for yourself or someone with a disability
BERLIN — For people living with disabilities, barriers to tourism can range from the obvious — such as an out-of-service elevator — to the unseen, like an outing that’s too long or a setting that’s too loud. As the baby boom generation ages, the travel industry is increasingly catering to...
NFL Draft-driven restaurant traffic a tale of haves and have nots
McFadden’s Irish pub boasted a line down North Shore Drive on Thursday afternoon. The bar between PNC Park and Acrisure Stadium usually doesn’t get jam-packed until late at night, but business was booming most of Thursday and Friday. The reason why is hard to miss. McFadden’s is within eyesight of...
Meet the artists behind this season’s Pittsburgh Penguins community gamesVideo
This week may have been all about football in Southwestern Pennsylvania, but the first round of the NHL Playoffs have also been ruling the thoughts of hockey fans who love their hometown team. And the Pittsburgh Penguins love their city back, which is why the team holds a number of...
Food21 explores building a dairy hub in Western PennsylvaniaVideo
Pittsburgh nonprofit Food21’s mission is to improve the design, operation and regulation of local and regional food economies, and to work to find funding to achieve it. A recent feasibility study commissioned by the group examined ways to establish a dairy processing plant, agricultural research center and demonstration farm, potentially...
Western PA experts offer what to serve at your Kentucky Derby party
The Kentucky Derby may be nicknamed “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” but hopefully your Derby party will last significantly longer than 120 seconds. This year will be the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby, which takes place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The race takes place May...
Silo turned into an Airbnb stop on the Sewickley House Tour
Jennifer DeSalvo wanted to create a space that was unique and that also honored the history of the former farm she owns. So, she purchased a silo. “One of my favorite parts of the property is the woods surrounding it,” DeSalvo said. “The silo becomes one with its surroundings.” The...
NFL Draft’s Pittsburgh food vendors proud to be ‘local 1st’
Pittsburgh fans perusing the food options at the NFL Draft Experience might recognize a few restaurant names. Six local eateries are serving concessions at Point State Park through Saturday, and five more make up a Taste of Pittsburgh concessions area on the North Shore — offering food ranging from pizza...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: April 24-26
Most Pittsburghers will fall into one of two camps this weekend: those excited to attend the NFL Draft and those on “snowstorm protocol,” staying home with lots of snacks. But never fear — there is a happy medium. Here are some events to check out if you don’t want to...
Exploring barefoot trails on 2 continents as a way to connect with nature this Earth Day
GUTACH, Germany — At the edge of a trail in Germany’s picturesque Black Forest region, waterlogged steps sink into ankle-deep water and mud, requiring careful footing. An ocean away, a sandy trail in the ponderosa forests of northern Arizona demands treading just as deliberately when walkers reach a line of...
Researchers have spent decades breeding better potatoes for chips, and their work isn’t done
EAST LANSING, Mich. — There’s a surprising amount of science in a bag of potato chips. Researchers have spent decades developing potatoes for chip makers that can grow in all kinds of climates, avoid diseases and pests, sit in storage for months and still deliver a satisfying crunch. They’ve also...
New seafood restaurant coming to Pittsburgh’s Cultural District
A new coastal seafood restaurant is coming to Downtown Pittsburgh. Meredith Boyle and Fernando Navas, owners of the Argentine eatery Balvanera in the Strip District, will open another concept, Casa Anchoa. Set to launch this fall, the restaurant will take over the space formerly occupied by Nine on Nine at...
Consumers are lost at sea as seafood sustainability grows more complex
BOSTON — Don’t overfish. Don’t trawl the seabed. Keep aquaculture healthy for the fish as well as the ocean. Some aspects of sustainable seafood are obvious and well-trod, even if the how-to intricacies likely are lost on most consumers. But sustainability today is complicated terrain, as much about business as...
The Onion launches new bid to take over Alex Jones’ Infowars and turn it into a parody platform
The satirical news outlet The Onion is back with a new plan to take over the Infowars platforms of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones as his company faces liquidation over more than $1 billion in defamation judgments owed to relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Under a...
What to know about psychedelic retreats, a booming business with few safety guardrails
WASHINGTON — Surging interest in the purported benefits of psychedelic drugs has given rise to books, documentaries and conferences dedicated to the mind-altering substances. Now add one more business to the list: psychedelic retreats. Hundreds of outfits across the world are offering multiday trips where attendees pay for drug-assisted experiences...
Where to eat on the South Side during the 2026 NFL Draft
Tourists visiting Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL Draft, and seeking to avoid the North Shore crowds by staying in Pittsburgh’s historic South Side, have plenty of walkable dining options in the neighborhood. East Carson Street — known as one of the nation’s longest Victorian-era main streets — is lined with...
Primanti’s for beginners: Do’s, don’ts, tips and tricks for eating Pittsburgh’s legendary sandwichVideo
The region’s restaurants have been busy preparing for a massive influx of guests. Frequently topping visitors’ “must-try” lists is Primanti Bros., maker of the so-called “Pittsburgh sandwich” that has become synonymous with the city itself. As locals well know, the iconic sandwich, served on thick-cut Italian bread, features grilled meat,...
To make hosting less stressful, strive for connection and not perfection
Inviting friends and family members over for a celebration, holiday or routine dinner provides an opportunity for connection, but pressure to serve good-tasting food in a clean and welcoming environment can deter many people from hosting or prevent them from being fully present with their guests when they do. But...
Life jacket worn by a passenger who survived the Titanic auctioned off for over $900,000
LONDON — A life jacket worn by a passenger on RMS Titanic as she escaped the sinking steamship on a lifeboat sold at auction on Saturday for 670,00 pounds ($906,000). The flotation device was worn by Laura Mabel Francatelli, a first-class passenger on the doomed ocean liner, and is signed...
Trump’s dyslexia barbs stir anguish and anger, perpetuating a myth about the learning disability
WASHINGTON — Lauryn Muller was scrolling on social media when she saw a clip of President Donald Trump belittling California Gov. Gavin Newsom for having dyslexia. It stirred a well of emotion for the 18-year-old Muller, bringing back memories of her own struggles learning to read and the times she...
Harry Potter-themed Airbnb brings the magic in New KensingtonVideo
Calling all muggles. Harry Potter fans — and those just looking for whimsical digs — can book a stay in a two-story Harry Potter-themed Airbnb rental created by uber-fan Kim Waits and her boyfriend, AJ Rassau, both of New Kensington. It’s the latest creative Airbnb endeavour for the couple, who...
Here are some places to dine in the North Hills during NFL Draft
North of Pittsburgh lies an array of restaurants for NFL Draft visitors seeking a break from the crowds. The North Hills suburbs include Ross, Shaler, McCandless, Pine and Hampton. Within these areas are a wide variety of cuisines, from Thai joints to Italian establishments. Here is a selection: Barrel Junction...
Could more cattle cause record beef prices to drop? Ranchers say it’s not that simpleVideo
MANDAN, N.D. — It’s never been so expensive for Americans to buy a steak or hamburger, but cutting those costs requires ranchers like Stephanie Hatzenbuhler to raise more cattle — and that’s not an easy ask. For a host of reasons, Hatzenbuhler and other ranchers across the country are reluctant...
Gatorade, inventor of the sports drink, is getting a rebrand targeting non-athletes
Sixty years after it invented sports drinks, Gatorade is making a surprising pivot: It’s no longer focusing primarily on athletes. PepsiCo, Gatorade’s parent company, said Thursday that the brand wants to broaden its reach to non-athletes who are looking for ways to hydrate, whether they’re on a long flight, going...
F&F Pizzeria in Mt. Lebanon introduces spring spritz menu featuring olive oil cocktail
When F&F Pizzeria opened in Mt. Lebanon six months ago, its famed slices and Italian fare made a splash with their fresh ingredients and artisanal style. The Brooklyn-based pizzeria boasts a 72-hour fermented sourdough crust, and even has its own brand of olive oil produced and cold-pressed in Sicily. The...
How the rich shrink their tax burden
With the IRS expecting 164 million individual income tax returns this year, there’s a common conception that rich people pay less tax in the U.S. than what many would consider fair. It’s a sentiment that shows up in polling on Americans’ attitudes about the federal tax system and animates a...
