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What is a gum band?

This is a question that plagued Capi Cloud Cohen after a girl asked her for one in gym class during the 1970s. Cohen's family had recently relocated to Pittsburgh from Venezuela, and she had not encountered this local coinage before. 

In a first-person essay, Cohen shares how this encounter would send her on a path of kindness to newcomers.  

Also this week, PublicSource shared details of Allegheny County’s latest plans for addressing homelessness, announced days after a fire displaced about 180 people from the Second Avenue Commons shelter. 

Additionally, PublicSource examined the transformation on East Ohio Street from empty buildings to restaurant row. And, alongside Pennsylvania Capital-Star, we reported on what it could mean for some incarcerated people when the state Supreme Court weighs felony murder's mandatory life sentence.

Finally, we wrote about the University of Pittsburgh's response to the most recent Pro-Palestinian encampment per its leaders and whether the school's athletic program will keep up with the millions potentially available to student athletes pending the result of a NCAA class-action settlement. 

Read all of these stories and more below. ⬇️

Stretching the gum band: Rejection in ’70s Pittsburgh steeled me for later success

500 people in homelessness to be housed in 500 days, per new Allegheny County plan

Unhoused residents moving to convention center following shelter fire
 

One big sale sped East Ohio Street’s transformation to restaurant row
 

Pa. Supreme Court to weigh life sentences for felony murder

Pitt encampment leaders say chancellor’s push for elevated police presence prompted dispersal

NCAA settlement may pressure schools to pay out millions to top athletes. Will Pitt keep up?

Prescription for trouble: Pa. pharmacists say PBMs are driving pharmacy closures
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ICYMI FROM LAST WEEK
  • Allegheny County made an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice last fall to provide medications for opioid use disorder to all in jail for whom it would be "medically appropriate." Still, people in the jail's custody, doctors and advocates say its process could undermine recovery.
  • In a first-person essay, Jerome Maynor wrote about his horrific detox in jail and how it now inspires him to help others. 
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