Storm Outages Linger, University Closures Loom, and Unique Student Opportunities in Pittsburgh

Good morning, this is Pittsburgh Local Pulse for Saturday, May 17, 2025. Nearly three weeks after that massive storm tore through southwestern Pennsylvania, some residents in Churchill are still without internet and cell service. The late April storm claimed three lives and knocked out power to more than 400,000 people across the region. While most services have been restored, the lingering outages highlight the storm's devastating impact. It's a cloudy Saturday in Pittsburgh with overcast skies and temperatures reaching around 75 degrees today, dropping to 57 tonight. There's a slight chance of precipitation at 55%, so you might want to keep an umbrella handy if you're heading out to weekend activities. Wind speeds will be around 11 mph with a high UV index of 9, so don't forget your sunscreen despite the cloud cover. In education news, Penn State University's Board of Trustees is preparing for what will likely be a controversial meeting regarding possible campus closures. Seven commonwealth campuses could be affected by these decisions, creating uncertainty for students and faculty alike. A local restaurant received a consumer alert this week after health inspectors reported finding dead mice and rodent droppings during their inspection. This serves as a reminder of the importance of food safety regulations in our community. Looking for weekend activities? The CCAC Automotive Scholarship Car Cruise is coming up, offering car enthusiasts a chance to enjoy classic vehicles while supporting education. Also, a new musical called "Madame Clicquot" is premiering in Pittsburgh, bringing fresh artistic talent to our cultural scene. Pennsylvania lawmakers are working on new regulations for the pet cremation industry to better protect animals and provide peace of mind to pet owners during difficult times. Some good news for those interested in unique educational opportunities – Keystone Oaks students are preparing to travel to Michigan for the world finals of Odyssey of the Mind, a competition focused on creative problem-solving. We're proud to see our local students showcasing their talents on a global stage. In ongoing investigations, the FBI's Pittsburgh office has released a missing person poster for Gretchen Fleming, who disappeared over two years ago after leaving a lounge in Parkersburg. Authorities are encouraging anyone with information to come forward. This has been Pittsburgh Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.