Friday, Dec. 12: City Budget Clash + Zoning Shift + Return-to-Office Worries
Friday, Dec. 12
Your local news briefing
5 Headlines You Should Know Today
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Pittsburgh council clashes with mayor over tight 2026 budget
Pittsburgh City Council remains divided over Mayor Ed Gainey’s proposed 2026 budget, with members debating whether a tax hike or spending cuts are needed to address an estimated $30 million shortfall. At a budget hearing Wednesday, Budget Director Jake Pawlak defended the plan, arguing the gap is overstated and partially offset by payroll savings from vacant jobs. He acknowledged the budget leaves little room for error but called it credible without raising taxes. Some councilors disagreed, calling the assumptions unrealistic. A final vote is set for December 21.
Crafton adopts revised zoning to grow business and housing
Crafton Borough Council voted last night on a sweeping zoning reform, eight years in the making, aimed at revitalizing its tax base and encouraging business development. The proposal would permit multi-family housing in new Transit and Mixed Use zones, ease restrictions on townhomes in Community Residential areas, and reduce minimum lot sizes in the main Residential zone. In response to public concerns, officials removed plans for accessory dwelling units and banned short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods. Some residents still remain opposed.
PNC staff fear full office return as mandate rumors grow
PNC Bank employees are bracing for a possible five-day return to the office, following CEO Bill Demchak’s recent remarks suggesting remote work “harms the company.” Though no official change has been announced, speculation has surged on thelayoff.com, an anonymous employee forum. PNC has spent two years coaxing workers back with incentives like free parking, but Downtown offices remain underused. Nationally, 24% of job postings offer hybrid work — and in Pittsburgh, that share is even higher at 32%. Workers worry a mandate would buck these trends. A company announcement is expected in January.
Zeromile Cooperative plans Lawrenceville food hub to boost resilience
A group of Pittsburgh food systems workers is launching Zeromile Cooperative, an ambitious community-powered food hub in Lawrenceville designed to decentralize access to fresh, affordable food. The cooperative plans to combine bulk buying, shared infrastructure, and community-led programming to reduce food costs, support small producers, and build local food resilience. As federal hunger-relief funding declines, Zeromile’s founders aim to replace unstable grant cycles with a circular economy grounded in cooperation. A fundraising campaign is underway to make the hub’s vision a reality.
Kamin Science Center debuts Sports360 exhibit on athletic performance
A new long-term exhibit exploring the science behind athletic performance opens this weekend at the Kamin Science Center on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. Dubbed Sports360, the 9,500-square-foot experience is the largest of its kind at the center and includes interactive features across football, hockey, soccer, and more. Visitors can test their skills with NFL combine-style challenges, simulators, and even a virtual Zamboni. The exhibit marks the first major launch since the center’s renaming and $65 million donation from Daniel and Carole Kamin. A family-friendly tailgate kicks off the opening Saturday.
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