Axios Closer Newsletter

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The Bridge: News from the 'Burgh

14 hours ago | axios.com | Chrissy Suttles |Alexis Johnson |Ryan Deto

Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axiosâ Rite Aid plans to close at least eight stores in the Pittsburgh region, including one on Butler Street in Lawrenceville and two in the South Hills, as part of Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. (Patch)ğº "The Pitt" hospital drama will air its first season on TNT starting this fall, becoming the first HBO Max streaming show to run on the cable network.
Weekender: Beats, bites and bargains

14 hours ago | axios.com | Chrissy Suttles

Illustration: Brendan Lynch/AxiosFridaySupport local artists at the Millvale Music Festival â a two-day spotlight on Pittsburgh music with 300+ acts, 30 stages and 60 visual artists. ğ Millvale; stage map hereâ° Friday-Saturday, full schedule hereğµ FreeRoot for the city's new women's soccer team, the Riveters, as they debut at Highmark Stadium against the Cleveland Force. ğ 510 W.
DOGE cuts Pittsburgh-area EPA grants

15 hours ago | axios.com | Chrissy Suttles

Illustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has scrapped a grant that would have delivered at least $2 million to environmental justice initiatives in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Why it matters: Abrupt cuts to programs like Thriving Communities, launched under President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, could stall community-led air and water quality monitoring, job training and food security programs in areas overburdened by pollution and poverty.
Riverrock and Lebanese fest lead packed RVA weekend

15 hours ago | axios.com | Karri Peifer

Dominion Riverrock is Richmond at its best - and it's running all weekend in RVA. Image: Courtesy of Sports Backers It's Riverrock and Lebanese Food Festival weekend in RVA, which means there are so many things to do. Fridayğ§ââï¸ Dominion Energy Riverrock â Richmond's favorite three-day outdoor sports, live music, extreme sports and dog jumping watching â festival is here. Events start Friday at 5pm and run through Sunday at 5pm, on and around Brown's Island.
Richmond launches area's first pollen tracker to aid allergy care

15 hours ago | axios.com | Karri Peifer

A snapshot of Richmond's pollen counting station in downtown RVA. Image: Courtesy of VCU The region's first-ever pollen-counting station is now live and collecting samples atop the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Why it matters: Richmond is one of the worst cities in the nation for people with seasonal allergies, and the data collected here could ultimately help local allergy sufferers find better relief.
Inside Tom Cotton's pressure campaign on an Iran nuclear deal

1 day ago | axios.com | Stef W. Kight

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.). Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty ImagesSen. Tom Cotton is trying to build a public pressure campaign to encourage the Trump White House to hold the line on an Iran nuclear deal. Why it matters: Key players hope President Trump's desire for a deal doesn't end with too much compromise. Cotton (R-Ark.) has influence in Trump circles but represents a hawkish brand of Republican going out of style in the MAGA movement.
Texas Dems want to ban Sen. Ted Cruz from college playoffs

1 day ago | axios.com | Jay Jordan

Ted Cruz watches Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals in 2018. Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston ChronicleTexas Democrats are trying to ban U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican, from attending college playoff games, saying he's "a well-known curse" for teams in the state. Why it matters: Cruz's love for Houston teams has become a thorn in his side. State of play: Cruz likes watching live sports but sometimes draws the ire of die-hard fans who believe he's a curse on Texas teams in crucial moments.
These local restaurants are the newest additions to California's Michelin Guide

1 day ago | axios.com | Kate Murphy

Yi Sangh, a prosperity salad, from 24 Sun's celebratory Lunar New Year menu. Photo: 24 SunsFour San Diego area restaurants can now add "Michelin" to their resumes as the latest additions to the 2025 California Michelin Guide, which were unveiled in a sneak peak released Wednesday. Why it matters: The prestigious food guide recognizes some of the best restaurants around the state, and added some of North County's newest eateries to this year's list.
Calley Means says he has "spiritual mandate" to reform U.S. health system

1 day ago | axios.com | Sareen Habeshian

Calley Means at Axios' Future of Health Summit in D.C. on May 14. Photo: AxiosThere is "a war on the American public having transparency," White House health advisor Calley Means said Wednesday at Axios' Future of Health Summit in D.C.Why it matters: The former health influencer turned White House aide has become an ally of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who shares his disillusionment with the U.S. medical system.
These detained foreign nationals have been released from ICE custody

1 day ago | axios.com | Sareen Habeshian

Rumeysa Ozturk at Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts on May 10 following her release. Photo: Joseph Prezioso / AFP via Getty ImagesSome foreign nationals who were arrested in recent weeks under the Trump administration's immigration crackdown have since been ordered released by judges. The big picture: The freedom of a handful of these detainees throws a wrench in the administration's efforts to detain and deport people who are legally in the U.S..