"Breaking news, mayoral race, weather, and community events in Pittsburgh"

Good morning, this is Pittsburgh Local Pulse for Thursday, October 23rd, 2025. Let’s start with breaking news that’s come to us overnight. Pittsburgh police are searching for a wanted man who managed to leave a local hospital undetected after leading officers on a high-speed chase that ended in a crash over the weekend. His escape has triggered heightened patrols near Forbes and Shady avenues, so let's make sure to be alert in that part of town today. In another incident, an O’Hara Township man faces attempted homicide charges after authorities say he tried to set a pool deck and a family member on fire earlier this month, reminding us all of the importance of checking in on those around us. Turning to City Hall, there’s a big change headed our way: for the first time in years, Pittsburgh is set to have a new mayor. Corey O’Connor is the Democratic nominee after knocking out incumbent Ed Gainey in the primary, and Tony Moreno is challenging him as the Republican candidate. The final decision comes in just a few weeks, so expect campaign volunteers to be out in force from Market Square to Squirrel Hill. Meanwhile, City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to designate the iconic Roberto Clemente, Andy Warhol, and Rachel Carson bridges as historic landmarks. This is a proud move to preserve the heart of Pittsburgh’s skyline and honor our connection to these legendary names. Now, about today’s weather—it’s a brisk start with temperatures around 50 degrees, broken clouds, and a chance of a light sprinkle through the morning. Expect gusty winds that’ll keep it feeling even cooler, and pack a jacket if you’re headed out. The forecast shows brighter skies by midday with highs only reaching the mid-50s, and tonight drops into the low 40s. A chilly end to the week is ahead, so those outdoor evening plans might need a warm layer. If you’re driving along Fifth Avenue near the U.S. Steel building, heads up that crews are restarting Battery 14 at the Clairton plant after a deadly explosion over two months ago. Operations resume today under heavy scrutiny and new safety procedures. Over in the Lower Hill District, there’s buzz about the Penguins letting their long-awaited redevelopment rights expire for land around the arena, putting the future of that major project in the hands of the Urban Redevelopment Authority. On the job front, we’re seeing steady hiring in healthcare and tech, but real estate listings downtown and in Lawrenceville are down by about 10 percent compared to last fall as fewer homes hit the market. That’s keeping sale prices higher, so if you’re selling, now is still a strong time. We’ve got some vibrant community events this week. Tomorrow night, the Pittsburgh Opera hosts One Bite, One Day—bringing together more than 25 top chefs and bartenders for food, cocktails, and live music, all for families dealing with cancer. On Monday, the Heinz History Center turns into a showcase of Pittsburgh jazz and R&B, featuring performances from over This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.