Pittsburgh weekly roundup: Shapiro proposes $50M for innovation; Can the electric grid handle the heat?; A pause on student visas

This week in Pittsburgh, developers at PyCon give their take on AI software, an update on the Nippon-US Steel merger and more.

Read on for Technical.ly’s weekly roundup of top news in the region.

📰 News Incubator: What else to know

• Governor Josh Shapiro visited Pittsburgh on Tuesday to announce his proposed budget would create a new $50 million PA Innovation program. It would include a one-time $30 million initiative to spur life sciences job growth and $20 million to provide annual funding to support large-scale innovation. [PA DCED]

• Just one year of federal funding in Pennsylvania generates $5.2 billion in economic activity. Federal cuts to the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health are estimated to cause a $259 million loss for Allegheny County. [Technical.ly]

• With scorching temperatures forecasted for the mid-Atlantic this summer and an increasing demand to power data centers for AI, Pennsylvania’s grid operator said it will have an adequate supply of electricity, but that may fall short in an “extreme planning scenario.” [WESA]

• The Trump administration revoked $210 million in EDA Tech Hubs funding from six regions, including Philly. New funding rounds will open this summer with a national security focus. Pittsburgh has previously applied but wasn’t selected. [Technical.ly]

• The US Department of State’s recent pause on international student visa interviews could affect thousands of students who attend Pittsburgh universities each year. The University of Pittsburgh and other local schools say it’s too early to tell what the impact will be. [AP News/Pittsburgh Biz Times]

• Pittsburgh workers’ rights were in the spotlight this week. Union reps and local advocates spoke in strong support of a bill to expand paid sick leave at a City Council hearing Wednesday. Meanwhile, nurses at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital announced plans to unionize. [WESA]

🗓️ On the Calendar

• Join Pittsburgh’s chapter of Pitch and Run on May 31 in the Strip District. Run (or walk) at this weekly meetup while connecting with other builders in the local ecosystem. [Details here]

• Are you passionate about clean technology? Don’t miss the Clean Tech Symposium at Chatham University’s Eden Hall Campus on June 2. [Attend]

• Learn about one of the most game-changing features coming to C++26 (reflection) with Pittsburgh C++ Meetup Group on June 4 in the Strip District. [More info]

• What does the Pittsburgh of tomorrow look like? Share your thoughts and hear from local leaders, like the Democratic nominee for Mayor Corey O’Conner, at a June 4 event hosted by Pittsburgh Tomorrow. [Register] 

• The Pittsburgh Technology Council and PA CareerLink are teaming up to help displaced government workers find new jobs in PA. A virtual hiring event is happening June 5. [Sign up]