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Storm Damages
Tuesday night’s storm was short-lived but powerful, leaving widespread damage and knocking out power for over 400,000 homes. Duquesne Light is working around the clock and has brought in additional crews to restore service as quickly and safely as possible. Full restoration is expected by early next week.
In response to the storm, the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County have declared disaster emergencies. These declarations allow emergency response and recovery teams to act quickly without red tape.
While restoration efforts are ongoing, please keep the following tips in mind:
- Stay away from downed wires, broken poles and other safety hazards. No one should approach a downed wire or any objects that are around or touching a wire, including puddles.
- Call 9-1-1 for any emergency medical needs.
- Use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns for lighting — avoid candles or other fire hazards.
- Operate generators outdoors, far from windows or enclosed spaces like garages.
- Check in on elderly or vulnerable neighbors, friends, and family members.
CitiParks Recreation Centers will be open with expanded hours for residents without power. Magee will be open from 10 AM to 8 PM.
On Wednesday, I joined Governor Shapiro, Lt. Governor Davis, and local officials to assess storm damage in Regent Square. We were guided by some generous neighborhood experts who not only shared their insights but also offered us some lemonade.
Stay safe and thank you for looking out for one another!
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Impact of NIH Funding Cuts
Members of the Allegheny County Delegation met with researchers at the University of Pittsburgh this week to discuss the serious consequences of the Trump Administration’s proposed cuts to NIH funding. During our visit, we toured Pitt’s world-class medical research labs and witnessed firsthand the groundbreaking innovations happening right here in Pittsburgh.
The University of Pittsburgh is the sixth-largest recipient of NIH funding in the country, making it particularly vulnerable to the proposed reduction. These cuts threaten not only lifesaving research but also a key economic engine for our region. If federal funding dries up, the Commonwealth simply doesn’t have the capacity to fill that gap — not in resources, infrastructure, or personnel.
This isn’t just about science; it’s about jobs, public health, and the future of medical advancement. I will keep up the fight to put the health and well-being of Pennsylvanians first and preserve NIH funding, and I hope you will, too.
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Community Events and Resources
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Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend
Today, May 2- Sunday, May 4
The Pittsburgh Marathon will be hosting races and activities all over Pittsburgh this weekend, including a health and fitness exhibition, a pet walk, a toddler trot, a kid’s “marathon,” and the actual marathon.
Learn more and register for the races or activities here.
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Drive-In Movies in the Allegheny County Parks
Today, May 2, around 8:15 PM| Boyce Park
Saturday, May 3, around 8:15 PM| Settlers Cabin Park
Families are invited to enjoy a free screening of Inside Out 2 (Rated PG) at Allegheny County Parks’ drive-in movie nights. Parking opens at 7:00 PM, and movies begin at sunset (8:16 PM). Guests can bring their own snacks and tune their car radios to 87.9 FM to hear the film. Closed captioning is available upon request.
Free admission.
Learn more here.
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Sensory Friendly Weekend
Saturday & Sunday, May 3 & 4, 10 AM- 5 PM | Carnegie Museum of Natural History
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History welcomes families with sensory processing needs for a weekend featuring reduced audio and visual elements throughout the galleries. Calming spaces and support materials such as fidget toys, ear plugs, and sunglasses will be available, and museum educators will be on hand to share insights on dinosaurs, rocks, animals, and more at guests’ pace.
Advance registration is encouraged to receive a detailed welcome packet.
Included with $25 museum admission.
Learn more and get tickets here.
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Spring Artists' Market at Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media
Saturday, May 4, 10 AM- 4 PM | 1047 Shady Avenue
The Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media will host a spring market featuring handcrafted work from dozens of local artists and makers, with everything from ceramics and jewelry to prints, photography, and glass art. Guests can also enjoy tacos from El Sabor’s food truck and craft beverages from Two Frays Brewery.
Rescue and Relax will also be on-site, sharing information about pet adoption and their rescue efforts.
Free admission.
Learn more here.
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Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration
Saturday, May 3, 1:00–2:00 PM | CLP – Main (Oakland)
Celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month with a special performance by the Flying Strings Youth Ensemble, a group of young musicians who blend traditional Chinese and Western music. Doors open at 12:30 PM, and a reception with light refreshments will follow the performance.
Free admission.
Learn more here.
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Opening Reception of Magical Realism in Print Media
Saturday, May 3, 6:00–8:00 PM | Bottom Feeder Books, 415 Gettysburg St., Point Breeze
An opening reception for a group exhibition featuring the work of Pittsburgh-based printmakers Leslie Golomb, Patricia Bellan-Gillen, Valerie Lueth, and Tresa Varner—each exploring magical realism through woodcut, lithography, intaglio, and screen printing.
Free to attend.
Learn more here.
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Sunrise Gratitude Walk & Write
Sunday, May 4, 6:00–8:00 AM | Frick Environmental Center
Write Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Park Conservancy invites the public to greet the day with gratitude and creativity. This early morning walk through the natural beauty of the Frick Environmental Center offers a chance to reflect in community and express those reflections through writing. Inspired by Ross Gay’s Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, the program celebrates renewal, memory, and joy in nature.
Free to attend.
Learn more here.
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Frankel & Costa Satellite Office Hours
Wednesdays, 12-4 p.m. | 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/Rent Rebate forms, applications for senior bus passes, and more. Please come by and say hello!
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12th Annual Disability & Mental Health Summit
Thursday, May 8–Friday, May 9 | CCAC Allegheny Campus
Now in its 12th year, Rep. Dan Miller’s Disability & Mental Health Summit is a free event that brings together hundreds of individuals, organizations, and experts to share resources and insight into a wide range of disability and mental health topics. This year’s Summit features informative breakout sessions, legislative panels, a general resource fair, and an Assistive Technology Fair showcasing tools that support independence and opportunity.
I will be attending as a panelist on the Legislative Panel at 2 PM on Thursday.
Free to attend.
Learn more and register here.
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Pittonkatonk May Day Brass Picnic
Friday–Saturday, May 9–10 | Vietnam Veterans Pavilion, Schenley Park
The 12th Annual Pittonkatonk May Day Brass Picnic will feature a dynamic lineup of local, national, and international bands, including Lemon Bucket Orkestra, Kaleta and Super Yamba Band, and the Detroit Party Marching Band. Attendees can expect family-friendly activities, workshops, food vendors, and a vibrant community atmosphere where music meets the call for change.
Free and open to the public (donations encouraged).
Learn more 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 were 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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