Power Outages, Tech Boom, and Crime: A Monday Roundup in Pittsburgh

Good morning, this is Pittsburgh Local Pulse for Monday, December 30, 2024. We're starting off with some breaking news from the last few days in our city. Thousands of Pittsburgh-area residents are without power due to strong wind gusts and stormy weather. As of last night, over 55,000 people were affected, with Duquesne Light and FirstEnergy working around the clock to restore service as quickly and safely as possible[4]. In other news, a family in Fayette County is dealing with a heartbreaking loss after a house fire on Christmas Eve killed six of their pets. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time. Let's take a look at today's job market snapshot. The tech industry in Pittsburgh is booming, with a 203% growth in tech investments to $3.12 billion in 2023. Software Engineering, especially in AI and robotics, is the most in-demand job for 2024. Companies like Google, Apple, and Uber have set up shop in Pittsburgh, investing big bucks in research and development. If you're looking for a career in tech, now is the time to level up your skills in areas like Python programming and Agile methodologies[5]. Moving on to real estate, there are a few notable developments to mention. A Development Activities Meeting is scheduled for tonight at 6:00 pm at 824 Peralta Street to discuss a proposed conversion from a single-family to a two-family home in the East Allegheny neighborhood. Additionally, the Zoning Board of Adjustment has a meeting scheduled for January 2, 2025, to discuss a projecting sign at 841 California Avenue in the California-Kirkbride neighborhood[3]. From city hall, we have an update on the efforts to make housing more affordable. While critics say the Gainey administration's efforts have fallen short, the city remains committed to addressing this issue. The weather is certainly having an impact on today's activities and events. With strong winds and stormy weather, it's a good idea to check for any cancellations or delays before heading out. Looking ahead, we can expect more of the same today, so make sure to bundle up and stay safe. In business news, Pittsburgh Popcorn's food processing facility has been shut down, and another restaurant in Station Square is closing its doors. However, a pair of businessmen has plans to breathe new life into the former Redbeard's on Mount Washington. Upcoming community events include the New Year's Eve celebration in downtown Pittsburgh, which promises to be a winter wonderland. We'll have more details on that in the coming days. In local sports, the Pittsburgh Steelers are reeling after a 29-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day. However, we do have some good news from the University of Pittsburgh, where a research group is perfecting a robot to help people with ALS live better lives. In a feel-good community story, we want to highlight the incredible generosity of our listeners, who have helped raise over $90 million for the Free Care Fund at UPMC Children's Hospita This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.