Pittsburgh Local Pulse: Crosby Sidelined, Rents Rise, and Draft Season Begins

Good morning, this is Pittsburgh Local Pulse for Thursday, February 26th. We kick off with tough news from the Penguins as Sidney Crosby heads to injured reserve after a lower-body injury at the Milan Cortina Olympics. The captain spoke to the media yesterday at PPG Paints Arena, saying the team has stepped up all year through injuries, and theyre second in the Metropolitan Division. They face New Jersey tonight to start a grueling 13-game stretch in 24 days. Coach Dan Muse calls this squad relentless, built to survive without him. Shifting to our economy, the gig sector is booming here, with over 12,000 direct jobs citywide and nearly 37,000 active workers in the metro area, per Pittsburgh Telegraph reports. Ride-hailing on Uber and Lyft leads with 25,000 drivers, but freelancers in design and delivery are surging too, promising double-digit growth through 2026. It means more flexibility for us, though leaders push for better benefits. On real estate, rents climbed to about $1,430 median last month, up nearly 3 percent year-over-year, according to Realtor.com. Vacancy dropped to 7 percent from high demand, making affordability tighter, especially around East Liberty and Shadyside. City Hall faces headwinds after an $8.6 million budget deficit last year, prompting a 20 percent tax hike in the 2026 plan to cover overtime and utilities on streets like Liberty Avenue. The Housing Authority approved their February activity report this week, focusing on public comments. For public safety, WPXI 11 Investigates highlighted lagging homicide solve rates in neighborhoods like Brighton Heights and Homewood North over the past five years. Councilmen Bobby Wilson and Khari Mosley urge more community partnerships with police Chief Jason Lando, noting progress but calling for witness trust. New business buzz downtown includes 13 restaurants expanding outdoor vending ahead of the NFL Draft, led by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. Weather today stays chilly at 35 degrees with light flurries, so bundle up for events, and expect clearing skies by evening. Looking ahead, catch community gatherings at Point State Park this weekend. Congrats to Pitt students on gig training programs with Carnegie Mellon. And a feel-good nod to the Pittsburgh Survey legacy, spotlighting immigrant workers stories that improved our lives a century ago. Thanks for tuning in, listeners, and remember to subscribe. This has been Pittsburgh Local Pulse. Well see you tomorrow with more local updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai. For more http://www.quietplease.ai Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.