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| |  | Barring a last-minute change, skill games will no longer be legal in convenience stores like this one. (Marla Kauffman / City Cast Pittsburgh) |
| | Whither the Fate of Skill Games? | Today is the last day that “skill games” — the video gambling machines that seem to be in every convenience store, dive bar, and gas station in the state — can operate in PA without a license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. State police say they will start seizing machines (like actually physically removing them) after the deadline passes. [NBC] | - The state Supreme Court ruled in June that the slot machines (how the high court described them) are illegal. Lawmakers on both sides have advanced proposals to legalize, regulate, and tax the machines — so far without consensus. [WESA]
- Do skill games cause or contribute to gambling addiction? This is something I’ve always wondered about, and the answer appears to be yes. Gamblers Anonymous says many new attendees cite skill games as one of the main contributors. [Casino.org / 🔒 Pennlive]
- While PA absolutely needs more revenue to fund essential public services, it seems weird to me that the supposed panacea is to tax these machines that extract money from ordinary Pennsylvanians and — in some cases — severely harm them. So are there other revenue streams? Democrats proposed applying a sales tax to digital ads that supporters say would mainly target big tech companies like Google, Meta, and Microsoft. [TribLive]
- The only time I ever gambled is when I paid a dollar to play a video slot machine at the Squirrel Hill Sports Bar, won one dollar, printed out a voucher, and handed it to the bartender — who then gave me one dollar. I broke even!
| | Gov. Josh Shapiro and Treasurer Stacy Garrity both criticized each other on their stance on skill games during last week’s debate — which we recapped, along with their takes on other topics like data centers, school vouchers, the sale of weapons to Israel, and more. | | | |
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| What Else Pittsburgh’s Talking About |
| Pittsburgh is Halloween Heaven | With its crumbling houses, overgrown forests, and post-industrial ruins, our beloved city is arguably the “Halloween capital” of the country. We all know that George A. Romero’s zombie classics and The Silence of the Lambs were shot here — but did you know that more than 100 horror movies have been shot in Pittsburgh? Spoooooooky. [Axios Pittsburgh / Beaver County Times] | - Look for trick-or-treat events starting Oct. 24, as well as a Halloween house decorating contest. If I had a house and disposable income (which I don’t), I would set up a monitor at the front door that just plays “You remind me of my father … I HATED MY FATHER” on an endless loop. [City of Pittsburgh]
| | O’Connor Calls for Independent Police Review | The mayor says an outside expert will review two police officers’ arrest of a 31-year-old man in Downtown. The man, his family members, and an eyewitness who filmed the arrest said police pushed him to the ground before punching and kicking him. He sustained injuries that required hospitalization. Police claimed Cosby was reaching towards his waistband for a weapon. They didn’t find one. [WPXI / TribLive] | - A separate review commenced this weekend after a different arrest Downtown on Friday. [WPXI]
| | Vance Targets Pitt for Supposed ‘Visa Fraud’ | Vice President J.D. Vance announced that nine universities — including Pitt — are under investigation for allegedly using J-1 student visas to “bring in foreigners … to undercut the wages of American residents.” J-1 visa holders can participate in graduate work and other academic research as visiting scholars. A 2024 study found that increased immigration creates more jobs and higher wages for U.S.-born workers. [WESA / Harvard International Office / American Immigration Council] | - Restrictions on international students are up since Trump took office, particularly those in the U.S. under J-1 and F-1 visas. [Pitt News]
| | | | | A Few Stories We’ve Been Following | - Paid parental leave in Allegheny County is one step closer to reality. The council’s health committee approved the policy 5-1; the bill now heads to a final vote by the full, 15-member council. [WESA]
- Electrical workers ended a rare strike by approving a new five-year contract with Duquesne Light. Union workers wanted better wages, health care, and other benefits. [WTAE]
- The county’s second measles case was reported at a private Christian school. You can receive the MMR vaccine from the health department’s immunization clinic Downtown. [Public Source / ACHD]
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| |  | I like how the orange, crescent-shaped piece looks a bit like a paint palette, with the soda cans acting as different paints. (Marla Kauffman / City Cast Pittsburgh) |
| Let’s play a game! Where have you seen this bold, colorful mural made with recycled materials like soda cans and tabs? | | | | 🌟 Congratulations to Jeffrey P., Meg S., and Mark H. for correctly guessing last week’s photo ⬇️ | |  | I personally would go for the smiling bubble tea if I won this carnival game. (Mallory Falk / City Cast Pittsburgh) |
| You can win this skull with blood-red eyes and nose sockets during Phantom Fall Fest at Kennywood if you daaaaaaaaaare (and if you can actually win the game). |
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One last Anne Carson note: when she spoke at City of Asylum last October, an audience member asked if she had any advice for young writers who’re just starting out. | | To which she responded: | | “No.” |
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