Harrisburg Happenings, Community Events & More

Rep. Dan B. Frankel June 13, 2025 | 2:51 PM

PA Representative Dan Frankel banner image

Friday, June 13, 2025

My office will be closed on Thursday, June 19th in observance of Juneteenth. It will reopen on Friday, June 20th at 9:00 a.m. Happy Juneteenth!

Harrisburg Happenings

House Acts to Rein in Harmful Hospital Mergers

This week, I was proud to help pass the Health System Protection Act (HB 1460) legislation that will give Pennsylvania’s attorney general new tools to protect access to health care across the Commonwealth.

We’ve seen far too many hospitals and nursing homes shut down after private equity and for-profit companies move in and strip them for parts — especially in rural and low-income communities. These closures don’t just harm patients and workers — they also destabilize local economies and create healthcare deserts that are detrimental to public health.

House Bill 1460 would empower the attorney general to review health system mergers and block those that are “against the public interest” — meaning transactions that cut off care, reduce quality, raise prices, or limit competition.

I urge the Senate to take action quickly. We cannot afford to lose more hospitals to Wall Street greed. See my remarks about the bill here.

House Advances Minimum Wage Raise

This week, the House passed long-overdue legislation to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage.

Under the bill (HB 1549), workers in our county would see the minimum wage climb to $12 an hour starting in 2026, reaching $15 by 2028, followed by annual cost-of-living increases. It also boosts pay for tipped workers and ends an outrageous loophole that allowed some employers to pay poverty wages.

We passed a minimum wage increase last session too, but Senate Republicans refused to even consider it. I'm hopeful they’ll listen to the people of Pennsylvania this time around. Every surrounding state has already taken this step — it’s time we catch up.

The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration.

No to Union Busting

Along with other elected leaders, I signed a letter to UPMC's CEO, Leslie Davis, demanding a free and fair union election with no interference for Magee's nurses and advanced practitioners as they form their union. These nurses are advocating for safe staffing, better care, and professional respect.

UPMC executives are spending money on anti-union lawyers and misinformation campaigns -- instead of investing in bedside nurses -- to interfere with the union's formation. In addition, they're trying to argue that the National Labor Relations Board doesn't have the authority to hold the election. These actions are just union busting in a lab coat, and we won’t stand for it. Pittsburgh is union town, and we stand with the nurses.

Community Events and Resources

Movie Night on the Lawn | The Minecraft Movie

Friday, June 13, Gates Open at 6:30 p.m., Movie Starts at 7:30 p.m. | Hazelwood Green, Mill 19

Hazelwood Local and Row House Cinema present a free outdoor screening of The Minecraft Movie (PG). Before the show, enjoy Minecraft gaming with the Pixel Reboot Gaming Truck, complimentary popcorn while supplies last, and face painting.

Free and open to all.

Learn more here.

DinoFest at Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Saturday, June 14 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

DinoFest returns with a full day of family-friendly fossil fun and expert-led programming at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Guests of all ages can enjoy hands-on activities, meet paleontologists, and dive into new scientific discoveries. Highlights include fossil identification stations, Dino Yoga, expert talks on dinosaur coloration and giant-clawed predators, and behind-the-scenes insights from the museum's PaleoLab.

Advance registration is strongly recommended.

Learn more and register here.

No Kings: Nationwide Day of Defiance

Saturday, June 14, 12:30-2:30 p.m. | Various locations around Pittsburgh, including the City-County Building

Volunteer-organized rallies in Pittsburgh will take place as part of a national day of action called “NO KINGS,” a grassroots response to concerns about authoritarianism and corruption. Organized in partnership with Indivisible and other local organizations, the event will emphasize nonviolent protest and civic engagement. Participants are encouraged to bring meaningful or patriotic flags and are asked to uphold a commitment to peaceful demonstration.

Learn more and find a rally here.

Sustainability + Building Tour: Pollinator Friendly Garden
Saturday, June 15, 1:00 – 2:30 PM | Frick Environmental Center

Explore how the Frick Environmental Center—a LEED Platinum and Living Building—creates space not just for people, but for pollinators too. This guided tour will focus on the site's native plant and pollinator gardens as part of a broader conversation on sustainability.

Free. Registration required.

Learn more and register here.

Community Scan Day
Saturday, June 14, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | CLP – Hazelwood

Preserve your family history by digitizing photos, documents, and slides at this free workshop. Staff will guide you through using a scanner and, if you wish, show you how to contribute to the CLP Digital Community Collection.

Free. Registration required.

Learn more here.

Summer Reading Kickoff: Lightning Bugs with Park Rangers
Saturday, June 15, 1:00 – 3:00 PM | CLP – Squirrel Hill

Celebrate the launch of Carnegie Library’s Summer Reading with stories, imagination, and a visit from the Allegheny County Park Rangers. From 2:00–3:00 PM, kids in grades K–5 can learn all about Pennsylvania’s state insect—the firefly—and how to help protect it for future generations.

Free.

Learn more here.

Pittsburgh Juneteenth CommUnity Concert
Saturday, June 14, 1:00 – 5:00 PM | Allegheny Commons East

Enjoy performances from Kanti Kasa and Live from the City, plus kids’ activities, games, a 3-point shootout, and a cookout with Community Kitchen Pittsburgh—free meals for the first 100 guests.

Free.

Learn more here.

Cinema in the Park

Sunday, June 15 & Wednesday, June 18, dusk (roughly 8:45 p.m.)

The City of Pittsburgh hosts free movie nights. Participants are asked to bring lawn chairs or blankets to make themselves comfortable on the lawn. The movies will begin at dusk throughout the summer, so start times will vary slightly from day to day.

Sunday, June 15—Schenley Plaza—Soul (PG)

Wednesday, June 18– Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park— Fences (PG-13)

Learn more here.

Train on the Trail – Birding on the Three Rivers Heritage Trail
Monday, June 16, 8:30 – 10:00 AM | South Side Riverfront Park

Join Friends of the Riverfront and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s naturalist Stephen Bucklin for a morning bird walk along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. Participants will learn to identify birds and explore the surrounding ecosystem. All experience levels are welcome, and binoculars will be available to borrow.

Free. Registration required.

Learn more and register here.

CitiParks Pools
Pools open Monday, June 16

Regular pool hours include adult lap swim and open swim times throughout the week, with varied hours depending on location.

Pools opening this season include: Ream, Ammon, Banksville, Bloomfield, Highland Park, Jack Stack, Magee, McBride, Moore, Ormsby, Phillips, Riverview, Schenley, Sue Murray, West Penn, and Westwood.

Homewood and Sheraden pools will remain closed for renovations.

Pool tags will be available at pool entrances beginning June 16. To save time, residents are encouraged to complete the 2025 Pool Tag Application online before visiting.

Learn more here.

From Slavery to Freedom Film Series: “American Coup: Wilmington 1898”
Tuesday, June 17, 5:30 – 8:30 PM | Heinz History Center

The African American Program at the Heinz History Center presents a free screening of American Coup: Wilmington 1898, a documentary exploring the only successful coup d’état in U.S. history. The film examines the violent 1898 insurrection in Wilmington, North Carolina, and its long-suppressed legacy. A discussion with director Yoruba Richen will follow the screening. Presented in recognition of Juneteenth and as part of Civic Season.

Free with advance registration.

Learn more and register here.

Schenley Park Family Skate Night
Wednesday, June 18, 5:00 – 8:00 PM | Schenley Park Skating Rink

Celebrate the rich history of roller-skating in the African American community with a night of fun, music, and movement. Learn about local initiatives to expand skating access across Pittsburgh and how you can get involved.

Free, but registration is required.

Reserve your tickets here.

Water Workshop – Pittsburgh Water
Wednesday, June 18, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Kingsley Association, 6435 Frankstown Ave., 15206

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority invites residents to a free community workshop to learn more about the quality and safety of local drinking water. The event includes a presentation on the treatment and distribution process, facilitated discussions with water experts, and hands-on activities. ASL interpretation and refreshments will be provided.

Free.

Learn more here.

An Evening with Joellen Schwallie
Thursday, June 19, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Riverstone Bookstore

Join debut novelist Joellen B. Schwallie as she discusses Glimpsing Through Threads, a multigenerational tale of an Irish immigrant family navigating love, loss, and legacy from the 1850s through the 1970s. The author will read excerpts, answer audience questions, and sign books.

Free and registration is required.

Learn more here.

WPA Juneteenth & Black Music Celebration

Thursday- Sunday, June 19-22 | Mellon Park

WPA Juneteenth and Black Music Celebration will feature live entertainment from national artist and local bands, sporting tournaments and a fun-zone for youth, and a more.