August is Black Business Month, dedicated to celebrating and supporting Black-owned businesses across the country. It’s the perfect time to head to local Black-owned restaurants in Pennsylvania (as if you needed an excuse).

These businesses bring both economic and cultural value to our communities while preserving Black foodways, such as rich soul food traditions and African and Caribbean cuisines.

We’re highlighting 13 of our favorite restaurants across the commonwealth, from juice bars and bakeries to casual cafes and sit-down eateries. Visit a few, and you might just find a restaurant where you’ll become a regular.

A Pennsylvania state historical marker and concrete banana split monument in Latrobe, where the banana split was invented. (Shutterstock)

Two of Pennsylvania’s most beloved annual festivals are on tap for this weekend:

The Pittston Tomato Festival runs from Thursday through Sunday, drawing thousands to “The Quality Tomato Capital of the World” to celebrate and sample home-grown tomatoes. Highlights include the Tomato Contest, where ribbons are awarded for largest, smallest, most perfect, and ugliest; the crowning of Little Miss & Mister Pittston Tomato; the Spaghetti Eating Contest; and the big parade through downtown Pittston.

On Saturday and Sunday, The Great American Banana Split Celebration returns to Latrobe—where the banana split was invented at a local pharmacy more than 120 years ago. The two-day festival features music, an appearance by the 2026 Banana Split Princess, kids’ activities, and, of course, lots of ice cream, with a heavy emphasis on the banana split.

• Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order on Tuesday putting guardrails on data centers and development. Catch a clip of his announcement here.

• A recent economic impact study commissioned by VisitPITTSBURGH found the 2026 NFL Draft brought upwards of $177 million to the region. But city and county tax figures paint a more complex picture. Get into the details here.

• The City of York will hold a street dedication ceremony Aug. 28 to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the 63rd anniversary of his “I Have A Dream” speech. Read more here.

Wyatt Schilling, 14, understands the value of archery practice. He has earned state, national, and world honors. (USA Today Network via Reuters Connect)

A Butler County teenager who’s about to enter ninth grade may soon need a larger trophy room for all of his competitive archery honors as he prepares for deer season.

Wyatt Schilling, 14, has earned several state, national, and world championships.

He began shooting when he was 5 and was competing by the time he was in fourth grade.

Learn more about this archery prodigy from Western Pa. in this story.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from Kalena Thomhave, Sean Kitchen, Pittsburgh’s Public Source, and USA Today via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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