Several communities in the Pittsburgh area have adjusted their trash pickup times as the region is bracing for a heat wave with temperatures and heat indexes expected to be near 100 degrees this week. 

The hottest temperatures of 2026 are expected this week and by Tuesday afternoon, temperatures are anticipated to reach into the 90s. This, coupled with extremely high humidity levels, means the heat index — also known as the “feels like” temperature — will flirt with triple digits.

In Mt. Lebanon, trash and recycling pickup routes will begin earlier than normal to help keep workers safe amid the extreme heat.

“All trash and recycling should be placed at the curb the night before your scheduled collection day, as collection times may occur earlier than usual,” a notice posted on municipality’s Facebook page said.   

Shaler Township said that it received an update from County Hauling that collection crews will begin their routes earlier than normal this week as well. 

“Please place all trash and recycling at the curb the night before your scheduled collection day,” the township said. 

In Robinson Township, trash collection will begin at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, one hour earlier than normal. 

People are being asked to have their trash and recycling at the curb at least one hour prior to their normal pickup time. 

Pleasant Hills Borough said it had adjusted its trash pickup schedule for earlier in the day on Friday to “help reduce employee exposure to hazardous temperatures.”

“This temporary adjustment is being made in the interest of employee health and safety,” the borough said. “We kindly ask that you help notify your residents that all trash and/or recycling should be placed at the curb the night before their scheduled collection day, as collection times may occur earlier than usual.”

In Brentwood Borough, Noble Environmental will begin earlier collection on pickup routes as well.

People are being asked to place their trash and recycling at the curb the night before their scheduled collection day.

The borough added that collection days are not changing, only the start time of the pickup routes.

“Thank you for your cooperation as crews work safely during this week’s heat wave,” the borough said.

The Library Volunteer Fire Company said that trash pickup in South Park Township is being moved earlier on Thursday.

“We kindly ask Township residents to place trash and recycling at the curb the night before Thursday, July 2nd pickup, as collection times may occur earlier than usual,” the notice said. 

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — The City of New Haven is asking for a retrial after a jury awarded a Connecticut man $38 million in May for being wrongfully convicted of murder and imprisoned for 21 years.

Stefon Morant was allegedly wrongfully convicted of a double homicide in 1994. According to the New York-based law firm of Neufeld Scheck Brustin Hoffmann & Freudenberger, LLP, the jury ruled New Haven police officers and the City of New Haven were liable for his wrongful imprisonment.

The jury found that New Haven police detectives made up false evidence to frame Morant and that the city was liable for suppressing evidence favorable to criminal defendants. 

A judge has issued a temporary stay, pausing any payments until the motion is resolved.

PORTLAND (WGME) — The third annual Celebration of America 300 is set for Thursday night at Oxford Plains Speedway.

This race was a favorite of NASCAR star Kyle Busch, who tragically passed away back in May. He was just 41.

Now, a Maine-born driver who worked on Busch’s team is ready to take the 8 car into victory lane.

For the past five years, Windham native Derek Kneeland was Busch’s eye in the sky, working as a spotter for the cup star. Kneeland says his relationship with Busch was like a brotherhood.

“I was fortunate enough where I got to have a personal relationship with him,” Kneeland said. “He came up, and he ran several races with me in late models and stuff at Oxford and Lee Speedway, and we got to do a lot of cool things together.”

Kneeland says dealing with the sudden loss has been both painful and difficult.

“It’s still hard,” Kneeland said. “I’m having a hard time with it. The weekdays are the hardest. At the track is where I’m most comfortable.”

Kneeland will be at the track and behind the wheel Thursday night, competing in the Celebration of America 300, driving the number 8 car.

“You know, a few days after everything went down, his dad called me, and his dad is a man of very few words, and I said, ‘You know, I’m thinking about running the 8 or 51 as long as I have your guys’ blessing, I would like to do that.’ And he said, ‘Short track world knows him as 51, but the world knows him as 8,’” Kneeland said.

Kneeland says it will be an emotional race, but he’s confident he’ll have a special co-pilot leading the way.

“Hoping he’s going to be on my shoulder and give me the guiding way and but to win it for Kyle, I think that would put the stamp on it,” Kneeland said.