The weekend is here and the weather looks pretty nice across the commonwealth, so I hope you’ve got something fun planned. If you don’t have any plans yet and are looking for something to do (bacon fest, anyone?), we’ve got some ideas in this story.

As for my weekend plans, a whole mess of mulch was just delivered outside my front door. So there’s that.

Once I’ve mulched until I can mulch no more (until the next delivery), I’ll be settling in Saturday night to watch something that hasn’t happened since 2018: the Flyers and Penguins facing off in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Both teams have experienced a playoff drought in recent years. The Pens haven’t been to the playoffs since the 2021-22 season, while the Flyers haven’t been since the 2020 COVID bubble.

The Flyers’ are riding a youth movement into the playoffs. Just two weeks ago, 19-year-old sensation Porter Martone starred at Michigan State and now could be a dangerous weapon in the first-round series against Pittsburgh.

The Penguins are giving the trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang another chance after three years without a postseason berth.

We’ve got more on Flyers storylines to watch in this story, and more about the Penguins here.

Who knows? Maybe we’ll get another five-overtime playoff game between Pennsylvania’s two NHL teams.

Did you get your free cup of Wawa coffee yesterday in honor of the Delco-based convenience store’s 62nd birthday? We’ve been doing our part to honor the occasion with our QOTW: What’s your go-to Wawa order?

Here’s what you’re saying:

“I like their Italian subs with hot peppers, oil and vinegar, but NEVER mayonnaise on a sub. I will often add a chocolate milkshake to that.”

— Lou Wheeland, South Whitehall Township

“I may be in the minority, but I like Wawa’s pizza a whole lot.”

— Rick H., Bristol (Ed. note: Rick, given your feelings on Wawa’s pizza, you may want to check out the next edition of Pizzavania, our newsletter dedicated to the best in Pennsylvania pizza.) 

“My local Wawa sells beer, so, typically, a 6-pack of Miller Lite and a meatball sub.” 

— Eric, Wilkes-Barre

“I never start a workday without my large Wawa coffee (two sugars, a little bit of cream) and bacon, egg, and cheese Sizzli.”

— Brenda G., Coatesville

“When I worked late nights years ago, I’d always grab a turkey hoagie and some Herr’s salt and vinegar chips on my way home. Now that I’m a 9 to 5’er, a coffee and Sizzli is my go-to.”

— Tom, Lancaster County

We’ll be back with another QOTW on Monday.

The signature pickle balloon of Picklesburgh floats over festivalgoers in downtown Pittsburgh. (Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership/Visit Pittsburgh)

This weekend’s Art All Night event in Pittsburgh kicks off an exciting festival season across the state, with events like Artsfest in Harrisburg, Picklesburgh, Bethlehem’s Musikfest and more set for the remainder of spring and into the summer.

Our Kalena Thomhave has the details on these and other popular Pa. festivals.

• A report issued by Americans for Tax Fairness found that US House Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-Luzene) is set to save $6 million in taxes after voting for President Donald Trump’s tax cuts last year. Learn more, including how those tax cuts will impact thousands of Bresnahan’s constituents, in this story.

• A little more than one year after immigration officials began cracking down against members of Central Pennsylvania’s Nepali-speaking Bhutanese community, its leaders joined Dauphin County officials to speak out against the recent detention of two Bhutanese men. Our Sean Kitchen has the story here.

• A report by members of the Police Chiefs Association of Bucks County found that Quakertown officers responded appropriately to a student walkout Feb. 20 that led to a violent clash with police. A separate review from the Bucks D.A.’s office is pending. Find out more here.

• The owner of West Chester-based home shopping network pioneer QVC is planning to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection amid the network’s struggles to adapt to the rapid shift by consumers now tuning in to livestreams on TikTok or online marketplaces like Shein. Get the story here.

“The World’s Largest Rubber Duck” is returning to Pittsburgh for a “Duck Tailgate Party” that’s open to the public on April 18 and 19 at Wolfe LLC offices in Green Tree. (USA Today Network via Reuters Connect)

And you thought the NFL Draft was the biggest thing to hit Pittsburgh. The World’s Largest Rubber Duck is in town for a tailgate party this weekend to celebrate the upcoming draft.

The 61-foot-tall inflatable yellow duck is nicknamed “Mama Duck,” and is joined by her 10-foot baby duck companion.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from Kalena Thomhave,  Sean Kitchen, The Associated Press, and USA Today via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Brook Bolen.

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