Pittsburgh is a city well-acquainted with decline. Like a punch-drunk boxer climbing back into the ring despite repeated knockouts, the Steel City has endured multiple economic collapses over the past century – after the 1919 “hunky strike,” the periods preceding and following World War II, and most cripplingly in the wake of the 1980s steel industry implosion. Now, Pittsburgh finds itself on the ropes once again, this time felled not by labor unrest or global competition, but by a more prosaic foe: dwindling school enrollment.
The Pittsburgh Public Schools’ proposal to shutter 16 schools is more than just an administrative reshuffling. It’s the canary in the coal mine, signaling deeper issues that threaten to unravel the city’s fragile recovery. Recent census data reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette paints a stark picture. While Pittsburgh proper saw a minuscule population increase of just 300 people (0.1%) between 2020 and 2023, Allegheny County overall lost nearly 7,800 residents in a single year from 2022 to 2023. This 0.63% decline made it one of the top 10 counties in the U.S. for population loss during that period.
Low-income students will likely bear the brunt of these school closures, further widening educational disparities as community schools dwindle and the assorted magnet programs that have kept affluent, lottery-winning parents involved begin to disappear. Indeed, the impact may soon ripple outward, potentially triggering a new wave of white flight from the city. Of course, this exodus will go unacknowledged publicly. Well-off parents will scold each other on neighborhood Facebook groups for even considering a move to the suburbs. But quietly, many will be scrolling through Zillow listings for homes in Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair. The irony is that their departure will accelerate the urban decay they claim to abhor.
What’s left behind would be an increasingly hollowed-out city – rising housing costs pricing out long-time residents, an influx of childless millennial remote workers from richer areas claiming the existing housing stock, a growing homeless population, and an ever-widening chasm between the tech elite and everyone else. It’s a far cry from the “most livable city” accolades Pittsburgh basked in just a few years ago. […]
— Read More: www.wnd.com
Three Reasons a Coffee Gift Set From This Christian Company Is Perfect for Christmas
When you’re searching for a Christmas gift that’s meaningful, useful, and rooted in faith, you don’t want to settle for anything generic. This season is filled with noise — mass-produced products, last-minute picks, and trends that fade as quickly as they appear. But one gift stands apart because it blends genuine quality with a message that matters: a coffee gift set from Promised Grounds Coffee.
This small Christian-owned company has become a favorite among believers who want to support faith-driven businesses while giving friends and family something they’ll actually enjoy. Here are three reasons a Promised Grounds Coffee gift set may be the most thoughtful and impactful present you give this year.
1. It’s Truly Delicious Coffee
Too many “gift-worthy” coffees look beautiful in the package but disappoint when the cup is poured. Promised Grounds takes the opposite approach — exceptional taste first, thoughtful presentation second.
Their beans are sourced with care, roasted in small batches, and crafted to bring out a rich, smooth flavor profile that appeals to both casual drinkers and true coffee lovers. Whether someone enjoys bold, dark roasts or lighter, more delicate blends, every sip reflects quality that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the biggest specialty brands.
Simply put: this coffee is good. Really good. Some say it’s absolutely fantastic. If you want a gift that won’t be re-gifted, ignored, or shoved in a cabinet, this is it.
2. It Spreads the Word While Serving a Real Purpose
There are many Christian gifts that are meaningful… but not exactly practical. There are also useful gifts that have nothing to do with faith. Promised Grounds Coffee bridges both worlds beautifully.
Each gift set delivers an encouraging, faith-centered message through its packaging and presentation — a simple but powerful reminder of God’s goodness during the Christmas season. The cups are especially popular and serve as a daily reminder of the blessings from our Lord. At the same time, the product itself is something people will actually use and appreciate every single day.
It’s a gift that uplifts the spirit and fills the mug. A gift that points loved ones toward Scripture while still being part of the normal rhythm of life. And in a culture that increasingly pushes faith to the margins, giving a gift that quietly but confidently honors Christ can make a deeper impact than you might expect.
3. It’s Affordable, Valuable, and Elegantly Presented
Many people want to give something meaningful without breaking their Christmas budget. Promised Grounds Coffee strikes that perfect balance — the sets look and feel premium, but the price remains accessible.
The packaging is classy, clean, and gift-ready, making it ideal for:
- Family members of all ages
- Co-workers or employees
- Church friends or small-group leaders
- Hosts, neighbors, and last-minute gift needs
It’s the kind of gift that feels more expensive than it is — and more thoughtful than most of what you’ll find on store shelves.
The Perfect Blend of Faith, Flavor, and Christmas Cheer
A coffee gift set from Promised Grounds Coffee checks every box: a gift that tastes amazing, conveys your faith, supports a Christian business, and brings daily enjoyment to the person who receives it. In a season when so many gifts are forgotten, this one stands out for all the right reasons.
If you want a Christmas present that reflects your values and delivers genuine joy, Promised Grounds Coffee is the perfect place to start.
Visit:Seattle, a tourist group spend $1 million in 2023 or 2022 to urge tourists to visit Seatte —- you know how many people have been randomly shot in the Puget Sound region the past several weeks???
Boggles the mind, and it is far worse in Chicago and Oakland, probably!