For the 56th consecutive year, the March of Dimes’ March for Babies returned to Pittsburgh, this time at Highmark Stadium. 

Thousands gathered to make a difference for families and make a powerful reminder of just how strong they can be. The event raises critical funds to provide research, programs, education, and advocacy so moms and babies get the best possible start to life.

One of the people at the walk was Amanda Dunn and her family, who have returned for almost two decades because of their daughter.

“We walk for Erin. She was born at 24 weeks, and she weighed 1 pound, 12 ounces. So, she started our walk with March of Dimes,” said Dunn, this year’s John Bricker Legacy Award Winner.

For 19 years, they have been involved with the March of Dimes, helping raise funds and creating awareness. On Sunday, she didn’t walk alone but rather with her family and was joined by thousands walking for the nonprofit.

“They helped us a lot with the research and the development of how far it’s come. I don’t know if Erin would have survived,” said Dunn.

March for Babies is the nation’s largest charitable walk, and a critical one. It spotlights the urgent maternal and infant health crisis in the United States.

“The fight for the health of newborn babies and mothers is important. The ability to bring everyone here is awesome,” said Mark Twerdok, Chair of Walk for Babies.

The walk has been going for 56 years strong and is only growing. This year’s goal is to raise $1 million, and on Sunday, they were over $650,000. It all goes into education, research, hospitals, programs, and more.

“It’s touching. A lot of the returning families have been affected by the mission, and you see the thousands of people here today, really all here to support each other,” said Twerdok.

At the end of the day, this event helps give more first steps, more first birthdays, and more futures.

“Babies and mothers, and that means something to you. We’d love the support. It’s a great cause, a wonderful charity. We’ve been blessed to be a part of it for 19 years,” said Dunn.

If you want to get involved or help donate, you can do so at this link.

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have acquired a top wide receiver in each of the past two offseasons. This year, it was a trade with the Indianapolis Colts that landed them Michael Pittman Jr.

Last season, the Steelers swung big by acquiring DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks. It cost them a second-round draft pick and a massive new contract, but they landed a home run hitter on the outside by bringing Metcalf in.

But according to Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports, the Steelers might be considering a move for the big receiver. In a recent article, he outlined why the Washington Commanders are the ideal trade partner.

“Metcalf was a bit of a disappointment last season with just 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns as Rodgers struggled to find him downfield,” he wrote. “He’d have better luck with the younger, stronger Jayden Daniels throwing him the ball. And the Commanders are desperate for a WR opposite Terry McLaurin. Metcalf cost the Steelers a second-round pick. But after a down year, and with three years and more than $100 million left on his contract, something less would do.”

Would Steelers Move Metcalf?

Vacchiano has a fundamental misunderstanding of the Steelers’ plans for 2026, and that’s what fuels this analysis. In his article, he writes about the Steelers deciding between going all-in once again with Aaron Rodgers and rebuilding.

The only problem, the Steelers have already made that decision. They are attempting to win this year, with no plans to rebuild whatsoever.

If that is the main reason the Steelers would consider moving on, consider that case closed. The Steelers aren’t trading him.

Another reason to consider is that the Steelers have maintained their commitment to Metcalf, even when they’ve had easy avenues to opt out. Following the interaction with the Detroit Lions fan that drew a ton of buzz, the Steelers could have used it to activate clauses in his deal that would negate nearly half of the money he was owed.

Instead, the Steelers kept that guaranteed money in his deal. Not only was it a showing of good faith from the organization, but it was also a commitment to the player over the life of the contract.

What Would A Metcalf Trade Look Like?

Vacchiano projected a deal would net less than what the Steelers paid for Metcalf’s services. While the Steelers sent Seattle a second-round pick, Vacchiano believes that the Commanders could acquire Metcalf for a third-round pick in the upcoming draft and a fifth-round pick in the following draft.

The Steelers already have an incomplete wide receiver room with Metcalf as the number one option. Even with him and Pittman Jr. on the roster, the need for another playmaker is glaring.

There’s simply no way the Steelers move on from Metcalf unless the veteran pass-catcher specifically wants out of Pittsburgh. Until that happens, any trade speculation is just gossip.

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NFL draft construction is underway in Point State Park, closing off a portion of the park as crews start setting up for what will be a major part of the “NFL Draft Experience.”

Fences are beginning to surround the park lawns. The portion of the trails along the Monongahela River near the Fort Pitt Museum is completely closed off, with access to the museum and Fort Pitt Block House open.

The southbound side of Commonwealth Place is also closed to allow for a staging area, leading to traffic, at times, around the Wyndham Hotel.

A walk through the park on Saturday meant dodging forklifts that were bringing materials around. Meanwhile, people continued to enjoy a nice day at the park, having picnics, resting, or just looking at the rivers.

KDKA-TV’s crew even found one man, Conrad Lloyd, hanging out in a tree.

“Most times I come here when it’s not icy or snowy because I feel like it’s a nice way to feel like a child again,” Lloyd said.

From his perch, he had a view of all the construction. KDKA-TV watched as parents kept their kids away from a platform.

“I just hope they are practicing the best they can with safety because I think there are a lot of crazies downtown who wouldn’t be afraid to steal a forklift,” Lloyd said.

Safety was also on the minds of the crews. They told KDKA-TV it’s the reason the main lawn would be closed starting Sunday as construction intensifies. A Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources spokesperson confirmed there would be additional closures on Sunday, but did not specify exactly where.

“I did not know that, and that is not the best,” Lloyd said. “It’ll be annoying, I guess, at the very least. I will be treeless for a few weeks.”

“It’s a bummer, but we’ll just wait it out, get back here once it’s open again,” River Samek, who was enjoying the park with his family, said.

A map on the NFL OnePass shows that access will remain open in some capacity to the fountain at the point in some capacity.

The map, however, did show that there would not be easy access to the Fort Duquesne pedestrian bridge, forcing people to walk to the Roberto Clemente Bridge if they want to cross from one part of the NFL draft footprint to the other.

The Gateway Clipper will also run across the Allegheny River, but a source familiar with the city’s planning told KDKA-TV it won’t be running for the entirety of the draft.

Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor was asked about draft construction in the morning. Roads are being reconstructed, and fencing and signs are going up, he said.

“We’re using weekends to do a lot of it because there’s not as much traffic downtown as there would be during the week,” O’Connor said.