Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburgh’s First Night celebration is tomorrow. Here’s what you need to know.

Published

3 days ago

December 30, 2024

Pittsburgh’s First Night celebration is tomorrow. Here’s what you need to know.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The Highmark First Night celebration in Pittsburgh will have a lot of activities for just about everybody, including parades, music and 60,000 pounds of ice.

If you are coming Downtown on Tuesday for First Night festivities, expect street closures in the area of the Cultural District along Penn Avenue from Stanwix Street to 10th Street. Officials say to consider parking on the North Shore or Station Square and using public transportation.

What is First Night Pittsburgh?

Those who’ve been to the celebration before say you don’t want to miss it.

“I’ll probably come down, enjoy the lights, enjoy the company, the family, the fun, the food, everything. And have a good time in the city,” McKees Rocks resident Jessica Griffin said.

“I like the parade. I think it was (Pittsburgh) CAPA who gave out little paper matchet babies,” Brooline’s Jane Kilmer said.

According to the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, this year’s celebration will be busy.

“So much stuff. This year we have our outdoor performance with local artist Frzy, who so many people love, and I know he’s excited to put on a full concert for everybody,” Cultural Trust representative Brooke Horejsi said.

Frzy is one of many artists entertaining the more than 22,000-plus people expected to come Downtown on Tuesday night.

“We have fireworks at the beginning of the night and the end,” Horejsi said. “And an ice maze.”

Let’s talk about all that ice.

“(The maze) is over 60,000 pounds of ice,” says Richard Bubin, owner of Ice Creations.

Bubin and his assistants have been sculpting it into an ice maze that pays homage to the commonwealth, with the State Capitol, a Bantam Jeep, the Gateway Clipper, and some notable details from the eastern side of the state.

All of this is happening thanks to the event sponsor, Highmark Health.

“It’s a lot of fun for us. Our team spends months planning along with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust,” said Kannu Sahni, vice president of community affairs with Highmark Health.

And yes, there will be food and activities for children as well.

The event culminates with the Future of Pittsburgh Ball rising to the top of its mast at midnight to symbolize the city’s growth and prosperity in the new year. The events and activities start at 6 p.m. More information can be found here.

Police will have strong presence at Pittsburgh First Night

The year is ending, which means the Highmark First Night celebration is set to bring tens of thousands of people to Downtown Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.

In a news conference on Monday, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police said officers will provide a strong presence to keep everyone safe.

“I don’t have a crystal ball, but I will say Downtown safety continues to improve,” Acting Pittsburgh Police Chief Christopher Ragland said. “And I’m sure that we will have a safe and fun-filled family event.”

There has been a spate of random attacks on innocent people in Downtown this year, and police say they’re pulling out all stops to keep the public safe on New Year’s Eve.

At Monday’s news conference, Ragland and staff unveiled a plan calling for a complement of 80 Pittsburgh police who will patrol in uniform and plainclothes, on horseback, and motorcycles.

They’ll be joined with additional support from the Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Port Authority Police Department and Point Park University Police Department. Law enforcement also is asking the public to do their part.

“We’re hoping it’s going to be a good night,” Pittsburgh Police Commander Tim Novosel said. “It’s a family-friendly event. So, we’re asking adults to accompany children and teens to make it an even better event.”

The police union has complained of overall shortages, which make staffing special events like First Night a challenge. But Ragland says police will be a proactive and visible presence in Downtown Pittsburgh without sacrificing patrols in the neighborhoods. He says safety should be the furthest thing from the mind of the revelers.

“Have fun,” Raglan said.

Rain is in the forecast, but the city and organizers hope that won’t limit the crowds or dampen spirits.

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Cincinnati heads to Pittsburgh in a regular-season finale that has plenty at stake

Published

27 minutes ago

January 2, 2025

Press Room

Cincinnati heads to Pittsburgh in a regular-season finale that has plenty at stake

Cincinnati (8-8) at Pittsburgh (10-6)

Saturday, 8 p.m., EST, ESPN/ABC.

BetMGM NFL Odds: Bengals by 1 1/2.

Against the spread: Bengals 10-6; Steelers 10-6

Series record: Steelers lead 71-39.

Last meeting: Steelers beat Bengals 44-38 on Dec. 1, 2024 in Cincinnati.

Last week: Bengals beat Broncos 30-24 in overtime; Steelers lost to Chiefs 29-10

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) celebrates with Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton (81) after making a touchdown catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. Credit: AP/Jeff Dean

Bengals offense: overall (6), rush (29), pass (1), scoring (8).

Bengals defense: overall (27), rush (21), pass (24), scoring (29).

Steelers offense: overall (16), rush (10), pass (25), scoring (15).

Steelers defense: overall (11), rush (7), pass (23), scoring (7).

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs into the end... — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal (54) during the first half of an NFL football game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Pittsburgh. Credit: AP/Matt Freed

Turnover differential: Bengals plus-4; Steelers plus-15.

Bengals player to watch

QB Joe Burrow is having the best year of his career. The fifth-year pro leads the NFL in completions, yards, and touchdowns and has thrown for 250 yards and three touchdowns in eight straight games, an NFL record.

Steelers player to watch

LB T.J. Watt. The perennial All-Pro has been quiet lately, failing to get a sack in three of Pittsburgh’s past four games. Watt was his usual disruptive self in the first meeting with the Bengals, dropping Burrow twice and forcing a fumble that was scooped up by teammate Payton Wilson.

Key matchup

Pittsburgh’s secondary against Bengals WRs JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase and Higgins, one the best wide receiver duos in the league, combined for 11 receptions, 155 yards and two touchdowns in the first meeting with the Steelers. Pittsburgh’s pass defense was lit up last week by Patrick Mahomes, who threw for 320 yards. Several Steelers veterans — namely safety DeShon Elliott — complained afterward about communication issues that shouldn’t be happening in late December. With Cincinnati’s offense rolling, expect Burrow to test the Steelers down the field repeatedly.

Key injuries

Bengals: DE Sam Hubbard (knee) is out. WR Tee Higgins (ankle/knee), WR Charlie Jones (groin), OT Amarius Mims (ankle/hand), TE Drew Sample (groin) and CB Cam Taylor-Britt (ankle) are questionable.

Steelers: CB Joey Porter (knee) is expected to play after sitting out the loss to the Chiefs. CB Donte Jackson (back) is questionable.

Series notes

Pittsburgh has won four of the past five meetings, including the 44-38 thriller in Cincinnati on Dec. 1 in which Russell Wilson threw for 414 yards. … The Steelers are 36-18 at home against Cincinnati, though the Bengals have won in two of their past three visits to Acrisure Stadium. This is the first regular-season meeting between the two clubs in January. They’ve met twice in January in the playoffs, with the Steelers winning both times (2005 and 2015). … Pittsburgh’s 71 wins over the Bengals are its second most against any opponent (Cleveland, 82).

Stats and stuff

The Bengals have won four straight since they were 4-8 in their first meeting with the Steelers Dec. 1. … Cincinnati can clinch the last AFC wild-card spot with a win over Pittsburgh coupled with losses by Denver and Miami on Sunday. … The Steelers locked up a playoff berth weeks ago, but have dropped three straight to lose their grip on the AFC North. Pittsburgh would need a victory over the Bengals and a loss by Baltimore earlier Saturday to Cleveland to clinch its first division title since 2020. … Otherwise, the Steelers would lock up the fifth seed in the AFC with a victory or a loss by the Los Angeles Chargers to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. … If neither of those things happens, Pittsburgh would drop to the sixth seed, forcing it to travel to Baltimore in the opening round. … Seven of the Bengals’ eight losses have been by one score. … In the win over Denver last week, Burrow was 39 for 49 for 412 yards and three TDs, along with a rushing score. … Chase, who had nine catches for 102 yards against Denver, has had career highs this season in receptions (a team record 117), receiving yards (a team record 1,612; team record) and 16 TDs, one shy of the team record. … Chase also leads the NFL in each of those categories, and has a chance to become the fifth player since the 1970 NFL/AFL merger to complete the receiving triple crown. … A win against Pittsburgh would complete the Bengals’ fourth consecutive regular season with a record better than .500. … Cincinnati CB Mike Hilton played for the Steelers from 2017-20. … Burrow has 26 career games with 300 or more passing yards, the second most in team history behind Andy Dalton’s 28. … With 14 sacks, Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson is tied with the Browns’ Myles Garrett for the NFL lead. … Cincinnati has scored 453 points this season, seven shy of a team-record 460 in the 2021 season. … The Bengals have scored 56 total TDs, three shy of a team record 59 set by the 1988 team that reached the Super Bowl behind QB Boomer Esiason and RB Ickey Woods. … The Steelers are 38-30 on Saturday, including a 26-8 mark at home. … Pittsburgh’s defense took a significant step back in December and is giving up more than 400 yards a game during its three-game skid. … Steelers RB Najee Harris reached the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the fourth straight season last week against Kansas City, but it’s backfield mate Jaylen Warren that seems to be surging late in the season. Warren has 33 touches for 202 yards over the past two games, compared to 24 touches for 123 yards for Harris. … Russell Wilson has fumbled in three straight games and has turned it over three times in the past two weeks. Wilson had three turnovers in his first seven starts with the Steelers. … Pittsburgh WR George Pickens’ 16 receptions of at least 25 yards rank third in the NFL this season behind Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson (17) and Chase (16). Pickens had three receptions for 50 yards last week against Kansas City after missing three games with a hamstring injury. … Watt has 11 1/2 sacks heading into Week 18. His lowest total in a non-injury interrupted season is 7, set during his rookie year in 2017. Watt’s dip in sack production mirrors that of his team. Pittsburgh has just 36 sacks this season, on pace for its lowest total since 2014 (32). … Steelers K Chris Boswell’s 40 field goals are tied for the second most in a season in league history, trailing only the 44 David Akers made in 2011 while kicking for San Francisco.

Fantasy tip

Considering the current state of Pittsburgh’s defense, the roll he’s been on and the stakes for the Bengals, starting Burrow is a no-brainer. Still need convincing? He’s averaging 334 yards passing in his past three starts against the Steelers.

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Steelers Could Make Huge Splash With Rookie RB

Published

8 hours ago

January 2, 2025

Press Room

Steelers Could Make Huge Splash With Rookie RB

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have a decision to make at running back this offseason, choosing who they’ll offer contracts to and how they will go about replacing anyone in their backfield who leaves.

One name that’ll bring plenty of excitement just put on a show during the College Football Playoff. Coming into the Peach Bowl, Arizona State were heavy underdogs to Texas. But behind their superstar running back, the Sun Devils created an electrifying matchup, and took the Longhorns into overtime to decide the winner.

Leaving the tournament, the Sun Devils say goodbye to Cam Skattebo, who will head to the NFL Draft after a Heisman finalist season. With an NCAA-leading 1,711 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns, the 5-foot-11, 215-pound senior will head to the pros, and the Steelers may be a team to watch for him.

2025 Steelers backfield:
RB1 Jaylen Warren
RB2 Cam Skattebo
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I’d sign up for that. pic.twitter.com/NISOPYJVxl
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) January 1, 2025

The Steelers have an easy decision when it comes to Jaylen Warren. As an undrafted free agent just three seasons ago, Warren will head into the offseason as a restricted free agent. He’ll see a nice pay raise compared to his $985,000 salary in 2024, but will still be inexpensive for the Steelers.

If they choose to bring him back, they likely move on from Najee Harris, letting the former first-round pick walk in free agency and head elsewhere for what will likely be a nice payday. From there, their best bet to replace him is the NFL Draft, where Skattebo would be sitting pretty in the second round.

Allowing Warren to be the explosive runner and pass-catcher, while Skattebo comes in as a bigger back who can pound his way for consistent yardage, while also have big play ability, is exactly what the Steelers have wanted. In a draft class that is loaded with talent at the running back position, it makes plenty of sense to try and find a rookie runner, and the NFL world will be waiting to see what the Sun Devils superstar can do at the next level.

Without wasting a first-round pick on a running back, or having to go out and sign someone in free agency, the Steelers can make a splash with an exciting name who just proved he can shine on the bigger stages.

His final college performance included 30 rushes for 143 yards, two touchdowns, and eight receptions for 99 yards. Next, he’ll be looking to make an impact in the NFL. And the Steelers will be looking for a runner to revamp their backfield.

Make sure to bookmark Steelers On SI to get all your daily Pittsburgh Steelers news, interviews, breakdowns and more!

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