We have what promises to be an eventful week ahead, as Pittsburgh prepares to welcome a record number of visitors for the NFL Draft. Major events like this have the potential to showcase our city on a national stage and bring a welcome boost to local businesses and neighborhoods. I am especially grateful to the many workers who will be putting in extra hours and effort to make an undertaking of this scale possible.
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Yom HaShoah Commemoration
On Monday, I had the honor of delivering remarks at the civic commemoration of Yom HaShoah in the Pennsylvania State Capitol building. I spoke about a truth we cannot afford to forget: the Holocaust did not begin with mass violence. It began with dehumanization—misinformation, conspiracy theories, and the steady erosion of empathy that made cruelty easier to accept.
Growing up in Squirrel Hill, I never imagined that the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history would occur in my own community. In the years since, we have continued to see harassment, vandalism, and violence directed at Jewish neighbors simply for who they are. Antisemitism is no longer confined to the margins; it is spreading in ways that demand our attention and action.
Yom HaShoah is a time to remember the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and to honor those who resisted. It is also a call to act. We know where dehumanization leads. We see the warning signs. Saying “never again” requires standing up—early and consistently—against hate in all its forms, and for the dignity and safety of every community.
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Community Events and Resources
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Live Animal Meet & Greet
Friday, April 17 | 2–4 p.m.| Schenley Park Visitor Center, 101 Panther Hollow Rd.
Stop by the Schenley Park Visitor Center for a live animal meet and greet featuring local wildlife rescues and community partners. This free, family-friendly program offers a chance to learn about native species and the work being done to protect them—no reservations required. Just stop in and enjoy.
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Community Slow Roll in Homewood
Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. | N. Homewood Ave & Tioga St.
Join POGOH for a 3–4 mile, no-drop community bike ride through Homewood. The event begins with coffee and a brief safety overview, followed by a guided ride at a comfortable pace. Free bike rentals are available with advance registration.
Learn more and sign up here.
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29th Annual Art All Night
Saturday, April 18, 4 p.m.–Sunday, April 19, 2 p.m. | 400 N. Lexington St.
This free, 22-hour festival features hundreds of works from new, emerging, and established artists, along with around-the-clock performances, film screenings, and interactive activities for all ages. With more than 1,000 participants in past years, Art All Night offers a unique opportunity to experience Pittsburgh’s creative community at any hour.
Learn more, view schedules, and explore volunteer opportunities here.
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WYEP Neighborhood Concert
Saturday, April 18, Doors at 5:30 p.m. (music at 7:00 p.m.) | Braddock Carnegie Library
WYEP will kick off its free Neighborhood Concert Series with performances by Oh He Dead and Cisco Kid. The all-ages event highlights local and national talent and is part of a broader series of performances taking place across Pittsburgh throughout 2026.
Get more information and free tickets here.
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Weekly Wellness: Yoga
Wednesday, April 22, 5–5:45 p.m. | The Roundhouse at Hazelwood Green, 4163 Blair St.
Hazelwood Local and OneValley are continuing their free weekly wellness series with community yoga led by instructor Jennifer Vogel. These sessions take place on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month and are open to all experience levels.
Bring a yoga mat, water bottle, and towel, and join neighbors for an accessible way to stay active and connected.
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Draft Event at Soldiers & Sailors
Thursday, April 23–Saturday, April 25, 10 AM–4 PM | Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum will offer free admission during the NFL Draft. Visitors are invited to wear their preferred team’s gear and check in at the front desk, where participation will be tracked throughout the event. A short video on the history of the draft in Pittsburgh will also be available for viewing.
Learn more here.
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NFL Draft in Pittsburgh: Information & Resources
Thursday, April 23–Saturday, April 25 | Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh will host the NFL Draft, bringing large crowds and a full schedule of activities to the North Shore and surrounding areas. Residents and visitors can expect road closures, increased transit demand, and expanded public safety operations throughout the weekend.
Getting There & Around
Traffic restrictions will be in place near Acrisure Stadium and along the North Shore. Public transportation is strongly encouraged. Pittsburgh Regional Transit will operate extended service, with detours and additional routes to accommodate demand.
Parking & Road Closures
Limited parking will be available downtown and on the North Shore. Drivers should review posted detours and allow extra travel time. Consider park-and-ride options or rideshare drop-off locations outside the immediate event zone.
Public Safety & Security
Expect a visible presence from local law enforcement and emergency services. Bag policies and screening procedures may be in place at designated draft event areas.
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Community Events and Resources
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2026 Primary Election, Tuesday May 19th
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Polls open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Any voter in line by 8 p.m. is entitled to vote.
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Voter Reminders: State law requires each voter to return their own ballot. Ballots must be placed in the secrecy envelope — "naked" ballots will not be counted — and the envelope must not be marked in any way. The declaration envelope must be signed and dated, or the ballot cannot be counted.
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ID Requirements: All first-time voters and anyone voting at a new polling location must show ID. Acceptable forms of ID include a Pennsylvania driver's license, state ID, passport, or other government-issued photo ID. Voters who do not have an acceptable ID may cast a provisional ballot.
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Check Your Voter Registration: Registered voters can verify their registration through the Pennsylvania Department of State portal, which also provides Election Day polling locations, mail-in/absentee ballot status, and county Board of Elections contact information.
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Voting with a Criminal Conviction: Pennsylvania allows individuals with misdemeanor or felony convictions to vote, including those in jail or prison (misdemeanor), on house arrest, probation, parole, in a halfway house, or in pretrial detention. No action is needed to restore voting rights after completing a felony sentence. Some voters in these circumstances may need to request an absentee ballot.
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College Students: Students may register and vote at either their college or home address — but only one. Students registered at home may request a mail-in or absentee ballot sent to their campus address.
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Allegheny County Ballot Return Sites: Voters who applied for a mail-in or absentee ballot may return it in person to the Allegheny County Elections Division. Additional drop-off sites will open in the weeks before the election.
Elections Division | County Office Building | 542 Forbes Avenue, Room 312 | Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-350-4500 | Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
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Provisional Ballots: Voters whose registration cannot be verified at the polls or who do not have an acceptable ID may cast a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots are reviewed by the county Board of Elections after Election Day. Voters can check the status of their provisional ballot by calling 1-877-VOTESPA or tracking it online here.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
152 Main Capitol Building
PO Box 202023
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 705-1875
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District Office
2345 Murray Avenue
Suite 205
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
(412) 422-1774
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