• Although most of the political ads flooding Pittsburgh-area airwaves are geared to picking the next White House occupant, multiple millions have recently flowed into state races in Pennsylvania.
• Anita Zhu struggled under the weight of her immigrant parents' expectations during her childhood in West Deer. But, she writes in a first-person essay, since her acceptance at a leading university she's gained a new perspective on their tough love methods.
• Zoning contretemps are a staple of city politics as local leaders grapple with the ongoing housing crisis. New plans to modestly encourage density and development in Crafton, though, show similar reverberations in the suburbs.

ICYMI FROM LAST WEEK

• Gabe Mazefsky's earliest memories involve Pirates games watched with his dad during headier times for the Pittsburgh franchise in the 1980s. Now, any hopes he has for his father to enjoy another World Series rest on owner Bob Nutting selling.  
• Establishing public restrooms Downtown emerged as a single point of consensus when stakeholders and advocates considered approaches to a growing unhoused population last year. But, emails show, the ensuing pilot was nearly thwarted by funding disputes, even as the city and partners eyed expansions.

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