Adam Babetski

1 week ago | post-gazette.com | Madaleine Rubin |Adam Babetski |Joe Lister |Jimmy Cloutier

After years of planning, months of construction, and seven rounds of golf, the U.S. Open packed up its operations at Oakmont Country Club. Putting the event together required thousands of volunteers, hundreds of public safety officials and leaders from Pittsburgh, Plum and Oakmont. Fighting through poor weather during the championship rounds, the tournament’s reach encompassed far beyond Oakmont residents and businesses — not all of whom enjoyed the tournament’s impact.

1 week ago | post-gazette.com | Mark Belko |Adam Babetski

Kraft Heinz will be pulling artificial dyes from its U.S. products starting in 2027 and will no longer roll out new products with the dyes. The move comes nearly two months after U.S. health officials said that they would urge foodmakers to phase out petroleum-based artificial colors in the nation’s food supply.

2 weeks ago | post-gazette.com | Paul Zeise |Madaleine Rubin |Joe Lister |Adam Babetski

Oakmont looks and feels like a golf town this week. Signs welcoming golfers and fans alike are sprinkled throughout the business district. The Oaks Theater will show “Happy Gilmore” on Wednesday and “Caddyshack” on Thursday. Pennsylvania state troopers line the roads leading in and out of the borough hosting the 2025 U.S. Open. And on the second day of practice rounds at Oakmont Country Club, some businesses in town said they are already starting to feel a slight uptick in attention.

3 weeks ago | post-gazette.com | Madaleine Rubin |Adam Babetski

Golf fans won’t need to break the bank on a ticket to the U.S. Open at Oakmont to empty their wallets for the event’s merchandise. Anyone hoping to get their hands on Open merchandise — without having to pay the entry fee for the practice rounds or the now sold-out championship rounds — can do so through Sunday at the championship’s 34,000-square foot merchandise pavilion located by the venue’s main entry between the second and third holes. Another benefit of going now: shorter lines.

3 weeks ago | post-gazette.com | Adam Babetski |Ford Turner

Starting next year, Pittsburgh workers could start earning more paid time off due to an extension in the city’s Paid Sick Leave Act. Pittsburgh City Council gave preliminary approval Wednesday morning. Currently, the law reads that employers with more than 15 employees have to award one hour of sick time for every 35 hours worked, up to 40 hours a year, unless the employer permits more. For businesses with less than 15 employees, the paid sick leave time was capped at 24 hours per year.