Pittsburg, PA

Bill that would legalize marijuana in Pennsylvania stalls out in state senate

Published

1 year ago

May 14, 2025

Bill that would legalize marijuana in Pennsylvania stalls out in state senate

A bill that would have made recreational marijuana legal in Pennsylvania stalled out in the state senate.

The Senate Law and Justice Committee voted it down 7 to 3. That vote means the bill will not be taken up by the full state senate and the bill will not be signed into law by Governor Josh Shapiro.

Bill passes the Pennsylvania State House

Last week, the bill that would have allowed Pennsylvanians 21 and older to purchase marijuana legally passed the Pennsylvania House.

It marked the first time that a recreational weed bill had been approved by either chamber in Pennsylvania.

The main sponsor of the bill was Democrat Rep. Rick Krajewski of Philadelphia, who said it was a “balanced, responsible, and robust framework.”

Republicans in the House opposed the bill.

Governor Josh Shapiro proposed legal marijuana in his budget and counted on Pennsylvania getting around $500 million in revenue from legal marijuana.

The proposal would have allowed direct sales that would be managed by the state-owned liquor store system. However, Fine Wine & Good Spirits locations wouldn’t have become marijuana dispensaries, other retail outlets would have been created for marijuana purchase.

“Toothpaste is already out of the tube.” Democrats in Pennsylvania want legal sales of marijuana

According to one of the sponsors of the bills, Democratic Rep. Dan Frankel, it had the potential to bring in $600 million in revenue.

“The toothpaste is already out of the tube,” he said. Rep. Frankel also cited a state store model, such as Quebec, Canada, where there has been proven success.

He did caution that the longer Pennsylvania waits to legalize marijuana, illegal or quasi-legal places will continue to pop up, and those places have no public health supervision.

“You go right next door, you’ll see a sign on the street with a big marijuana leaf saying no medical card needed here. We need to regulate that. That’s a public health hazard,” Rep. Frankel said.

While the bill failed in the Senate, it’s not clear what comes next or if there will be another attempt at passing a legal marijuana bill anytime in the future.

Patrick Damp

Patrick Damp is a web producer for CBS Pittsburgh. A Pittsburgh native who grew up watching KDKA-TV, Patrick studied journalism at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. After half a decade in sports communication, Patrick decided to pursue his dream of working in journalism in his hometown and joined the CBS Pittsburgh team in 2019.

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Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburgh Marathon organizers open registration for fall 10 Miler

Published

5 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Press Room

Pittsburgh Marathon organizers open registration for fall 10 Miler

P3R, the organization behind the Pittsburgh Marathon, has opened registration for one of this fall’s largest local races.

Runners can now sign up for the 10 Miler and 10K, scheduled for Nov. 8. P3R expects a record-breaking 6,000 participants at this year’s events, according to spokeswoman Kelsey Emch. The events drew more than 5,500 participants last year.

The 10 Miler course begins at Station Square and travels through the North Shore, the Strip District and Downtown, while the 10K begins on the North Shore near PNC Park and follows the 10 Miler route the rest of the way.

Both races finish on Liberty Avenue Downtown – a common ending point for P3R events.

P3R CEO Troy Schooley said in a release that the 10 Miler and 10K have become a “signature fall tradition” for Pittsburghers of all abilities.

“Whether participants are chasing a personal best, enjoying the event with friends or taking part in the walking division, this race delivers an unforgettable experience while showcasing our city at its very best,” he said.

The 10 Miler costs around $66 per person with processing fees, and the 10K costs around $49. Discounts are available through June 9.

Those interested in participating can register on P3R’s website. Registrants receive complimentary racing bibs, branded long-sleeve shirts, and medals.

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Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburgh Regional Transit starting to install new ReadyFare machines

Published

15 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Press Room

Pittsburgh Regional Transit starting to install new ReadyFare machines

Updated on: June 4, 2026 / 1:19 AM EDT
/ CBS Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Regional Transit has started to install its ReadyFare vending machines as the agency prepares to roll out its new fare payment system.

PRT said it’s working to roll out its new ReadyFare system and has started to install the new machine at some of its light-rail stations.

The new machines recently were installed at PRT’s Gateway station in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit has begun installing new ReadyFare machines at stations throughout the agency’s system.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit

PRT said that as it prepares to roll out the new system, current ConnectCard holders will receive a card in the mail with instructions on how to request a ReadyFare card.

The new ReadyFare cards will be able to be purchased at the new machines for $1.

PRT said that riders will be able to transfer any balances they have on a ConnectCard to the new ReadyFare cards using an online balance transfer form.

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Pittsburg, PA

About 5 pounds of bees removed from Acrisure Stadium scaffolding ahead of Morgan Wallen concerts

Published

1 day ago

June 3, 2026

Press Room

About 5 pounds of bees removed from Acrisure Stadium scaffolding ahead of Morgan Wallen concerts

Madeline Bartos

Updated on: June 3, 2026 / 2:19 PM EDT
/ CBS Pittsburgh

Acrisure Stadium is buzzing with excitement ahead of the back-to-back Morgan Wallen concerts. Except it’s not the fans generating all the excitement — it’s about 5 pounds of honeybees.

The Fine Family Apiary in Monongahela said it was contacted on Wednesday about a swarm of bees clustered on the stage scaffolding. The apiary put the swarm in a “nuc box” and took them home before moving the bees into full-size equipment.

Owner Al Fine estimates the swarm weighed about 4 to 5 pounds and consisted of 12,000 to 15,000 bees. All said, it took less than two hours to get the job done.

The Fine Family Apiary in Monongahela removed about 12,000 to 15,000 bees from Acrisure Stadium.

(Photo: The Fine Family Apiary/Facebook)

Why do bees swarm?

Swarming is how honeybees propagate, Fine explained. According to Penn State Extension, during swarming, the queen and about half the workers leave their home to establish a new nest. The bees will form a temporary cluster, hanging out while scouts search the surrounding area for a more permanent home in hollow spaces like tree cavities or, occasionally, the walls of a home.

Swarms can stick around for several hours or days until they’re ready to move, Penn State Extension says. Meanwhile, the colony left behind is temporarily without a leader until a new queen is established.

With the swarm at Acrisure Stadium removed, Morgan Wallen’s show is ready to go on. The country music megastar will bring his I’m The Problem Tour to Pittsburgh on June 5 and June 6, along with multiple acts like Brooks & Dunn and Ella Langley.