ADL’s 2024 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents
The Anti-Defamation League release its 2024 annual audit of antisemitic incidents, which found that for the fourth year in a row, the United States saw a record number. In 2024, Pennsylvania saw 465 documented antisemitic incidents, a 308% increase from just two years ago, ranking our commonwealth fourth in the nation for the most incidents of antisemitic harassment, vandalism, and assault.
This report is concerning but not surprising. It confirms what many of us in the Jewish community have been feeling for years: antisemitism is not just rising — it’s surging. I’ve heard from constituents who no longer feel safe in their synagogues, who worry for their kids in schools, and who face harassment in their daily lives simply for being Jewish.
It is time Pennsylvania modernizes our anti-hate crime laws, as I discussed last week and the week before. I will continue to work with my fellow legislators, advocate, and leaders across the commonwealth to ensure that we are doing all that we can to prevent and address hate crimes in our state.
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Community Events and Resources
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Citywide Yard Debris Collection Day
Saturday, April 26 | Curbside Pickup
Pittsburgh residents can place eligible yard debris curbside for collection. Collected materials will be turned into mulch and compost for use in city parks and public landscaping projects.
Accepted materials include leaves, grass, brush, and bundled branches under 5 feet long and 4 inches in diameter. Yard debris must be placed in brown paper bags weighing no more than 35 pounds. Bundles should be tied with natural twine.
Plastic bags, rocks, dirt, and other non-organic material will not be collected.
Learn more here.
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Greenfield Earth Day Neighborhood Clean-Up
Saturday, April 26, 9:00 AM | Magee Rec Center Parking Lot
Celebrate Earth Day with the Greenfield Community Association for a clean-up focused on litter removal, recycling, and environmental stewardship. This family-friendly event includes refreshments and opportunities to connect with neighbors.
Learn more and here.
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Vintage Mart Spring Break
Saturday, April 26, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Construction Junction, 214 N Lexington St, 15208
ThriftBurgh's Vintage Mart Spring Break includes over a dozen vintage vendors selling clothing, vinyl, home decor, books, jewelry, collectibles, and more.
Free admission and parking.
Learn more here.
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Pittsburgh VegFair
Saturday, April 26, 11 AM- 4 PM | Rockwell Park, 7514 Thomas Blvd, 15208
Hosted by Justice For Animals, VegFest is a plant-based festival featuring food and cooking demos, yoga, kids' activities, live music, vendors, and more.
Free.
Learn more here.
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Bark & Brunch
Saturday, April 26, 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM | Hazelwood Green Plaza
Hazelwood Local invites the community — and their canine companions — to a family-friendly event featuring a frisbee show by DareDevil Dogs, a doggy costume contest, pet portraits, a vendor market, live music, food trucks, and a wiener dog race. Activities are open to all ages, and dogs must be accompanied by responsible humans.
Free. RSVP encouraged.
Learn more here.
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Arbor Day at Mellon Park
Saturday, April 26, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM |Mellon Park, Beechwood Blvd. & Fifth Ave.
Celebrate trees and community at the Arbor Day Celebration and the fifth anniversary of the Mellon Park Arboretum. Hosted by Friends of Mellon Park, this outdoor family event will feature art and nature activities, music, food trucks, a Pittsburgh fire truck, and more — on the oval just uphill from the corner of Beechwood and Fifth Avenues.
Free. All are welcome.
Learn more here.
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Take Me Out to the Ball Game in the Charles “Teenie” Harris Archive
Saturday, April 26, 2:00–3:00 PM | Carnegie Museum of Art
In a co-presentation with the Clemente Museum, the Carnegie Museum of Art will explore Pittsburgh’s rich baseball history through the lens of photographer Charles “Teenie” Harris. Charlene Foggie-Barnett, the Harris Archive’s Community Archivist, and Duane Rieder, Executive Director of the Clemente Museum, will share stories and images featuring neighborhood youth teams to legends like Roberto Clemente and Willie Mays.
Free with museum admission.
Learn more here.
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Art All Night
Saturday & Sunday, April 26, 4:00 PM – April 27, 2:00 PM | 929 Beaver Ave.,15233
Art All Night is a 22-hour community art festival showcasing work from hundreds of new, emerging, and established artists. The event features continuous performances, live music, short films, and interactive activities for all ages.
Free.
Learn more here.
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Earth Day Inspired Clean Up
Sunday, April 27, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Forbes & Murray, Squirrel Hill Carnegie Library
Join SHUC’s Litter Patrol for an Earth Day-inspired neighborhood cleanup. Participants can work to complete an Earth Day Bingo Card and win prizes like “most trash collected” and “most unusual item.”
Learn more and sign up to help pick up litter here.
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Sensory Sensitive Science Hours
Sunday, April 27, 9:00 AM – 12 PM | Carnegie Science Center
Carnegie Science Center will have Sensory Sensitive Science Hours with adjusted lighting and sound, reduced wait times, and hands-on activities designed to create a calm, welcoming environment for all guests. Visitors can explore the exhibits at their own pace, enjoy sensory-friendly demonstrations, and access Quiet Spaces as needed.
Included with general admission.
Learn more here.
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Save Our Service Rally
Tuesday, April 29, 1:30 PM | 955 Penn Ave., 15222
Join transit riders, workers, elected officials, and advocacy groups for a rally and press conference advocating against potentially devastating cuts to Pittsburgh Regional Transit service.
Learn more here.
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Stories From the Sidewalk: Offerings Left After October 27
Tuesday, April 29, 7:00–8:30 PM |Heinz History Center
Following the October 27, 2018, synagogue shooting, thousands left tokens of consolation outside the Tree of Life building. These heartfelt offerings now form a major artifact collection at the Rauh Jewish Archives.
Join retired CMU history professor Laurie Eisenberg and RJA Director Eric Lidji as they share the origins of the collection and the powerful stories behind individual items. The event will also highlight a new online gallery that aims to foster compassion through remembrance.
Free.
Learn more here.
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Frankel & Costa Satellite Office Hours
Wednesdays, 12 PM-4 PM | Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Squirrel Hill
Senator Costa’s office and mine will be hosting joint satellite office hours to help with a range of services, including notary needs, help with property tax and rent rebate forms, applications for senior bus passes, and more. Please come by and say hello!
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A Roadmap to a Safer Pennsylvania: PA's Office of Gun Violence Prevention's Strategic Plan
Friday, May 2, 2025, 12:00–1:00 PM | Virtual
Join CeaseFirePA and the Pennsylvania Office of Gun Violence Prevention for a virtual briefing to learn about Pennsylvania’s first strategic plan to prevent gun violence. Speakers include Sam Koch, Interim Director of the PA Office of Gun Violence Prevention, and Shantay Jackson of the National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform.
Free.
Register here.
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Breaking Down the Walls 2025
Thursday, May 8, 2025, 6:00 PM | Energy Innovation Center, 1435 Bedford Ave., 15219
Celebrate mental health recovery and raise awareness about stigma with The Branch in support of the Sally and Howard Levin Clubhouse. The evening features music from a live DJ, dinner and drinks, and a silent auction.
Purchase tickets here.
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Tuesday, May 20, 2025, is Primary Election Day.
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Satellite Offices
Allegheny County will be opening Satellite Offices throughout the County. At these offices voters will be able to register to vote, request a mail-in ballot and immediately complete it -- all in one trip.
The offices will be open Saturday & Sunday, May 10 & 11, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Community College of Allegheny County-Homewood
Address: 701 N. Homewood Ave., Pittsburgh, 15208
North Park Ice Rink
Address: 1200 Pearce Mill Road, Wexford, 15090
South Park Ice Rink
Address: 30 Corrigan Drive, Bethel Park, 15102
County Office Building
542 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, 15219
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Ballot Return Sites
Allegheny County will be opening Ballot Return Sites where mail-in ballots can be returned. Voters can return their ballots between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. May 16 through May 19.
911 Center
Address: 150 Hookstown Grade Road, Coraopolis, 15108
Boyce Park Four Seasons Lodge
Adress: 901 Centerview Drive, Plum 15239
Carnegie Public Library–Squirrel Hill
Address: 5801 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh 15217
North Park Ice Rink
Address: 1200 Pearce Mill Road, Wexford 15090
South Park Ice Rink
Address: 30 Corrigan Drive, Bethel Park 15102
Dormont Pool
Address:1801 Dormont Ave., Pittsburgh 15216
Community College of Allegheny County-Homewood
Address: 701 N. Homewood Ave., Pittsburgh 15208
Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank
Address:1 N. Linden St., Duquesne 15110
Avalon Public Library
Address: 317 S. Home Ave., Pittsburgh 15202
County Office Building
542 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh 15219
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Check Your Voter Registration Online
The Pennsylvania Department of State has an online portal that provides voters’ Election Day polling places, the status of mail-in or absentee ballots, and resources to connect with the County Board of Elections if there are any issues.
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Update Your Voter Registration or Register to Vote
The application must be turned in by May 5, to vote in the 2025 Primary Election.
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Voting with a Criminal Conviction in Pennsylvania
Individuals with criminal convictions are eligible to vote in Pennsylvania. You are allowed to vote if you are in jail or prison with a misdemeanor conviction, under house arrest, on probation or parole, in a halfway house or community corrections center, or being held in jail while waiting for trial. Some of these voters will require an absentee ballot.
If you are already registered to vote, you do not need to do anything to regain your voting rights after you have served your sentence for a felony conviction.
Learn more about voting in Pennsylvania with a criminal conviction here.
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Registering to Vote before an 18th Birthday
Pennsylvanians turning 18 by the next election (May 20) can register to vote before their 18th birthday and vote in the election.
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Accessible Voting for Citizens with a Disability
Every polling place in Pennsylvania must have at least one accessible voting system. You can view and learn how to operate Allegheny County’s accessibility voting system on Pennsylvania Department of State’s website.
Not every polling place in Allegheny County is accessible for those with mobility issues. You can check if your polling place is accessible before Election Day.
If you have a permanent disability, you can apply to be added to the permanent absentee voter list by submitting an absentee ballot application. If your application is accepted, you will receive absentee ballots for the elections that take place during the rest of the year. You will also receive an annual absentee ballot application every year that you are on the list.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
152 Main Capitol Building
PO Box 202023
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 705-1875
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District Office
2345 Murray Avenue
Suite 205
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
(412) 422-1774
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