In case you missed it: this week’s good reads about Pennsylvania’s urban issues

Here’s a list of recommended reading for your weekend:

Let’s start with the big stuff —money and leadership:

Blame Pa.’s budget deficit on cell phones, Etsy, and your grandma.

The perils of “top down development” and other insights from the latest round of our “Five Questions with …” series.

Is Wall Street screwing over local governments? Salon takes a look at a recent report that says yes, it is–which means it’s screwing you over, too.

Your legislators might be getting a raise, but it seems there’s some pressure not to take it. (The Patriot-News)

New projects, new deals:

Philly police will be testing body cams (Newsworks/WHYY).

Grist reports Pittsburgh unveiled new protected bike lanes, the latest in its efforts to make the city more bike-friendly. (A short documentary from The Atlantic shows these efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.)

More good news for Pittsburgh: The Post-Gazette reports U.S. Steel is keeping its promise to stay in Pennsylvania with a new deal to move its headquarters to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ former Civic Arena site.

Size matters:

Some city-dwellers might consider themselves anti-big box stores–but it’s not quite as upsetting when it’s a (scaled-down) Target that moves into the city (Next City)

Is smaller better–or at least safer–when it comes to urban delivery vehicles? (City Lab)

A matter of semantics:

WESA reports Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services got a new name.

City Lab reports one Pittsburgher is trying to get the word “jagoff” in the dictionary. (Here’s where this is about semantics: is the word an insult or a term of endearment?)

It’s Thanksgiving week, so let’s wrap this up with some links about food:

Whether or not it sounds delicious, do you agree that Pa. is known for its glazed bacon? (The Patriot-News is skeptical.)

Monday is the first day of deer season. Hunters: here’s how you can get “more pangs for your buck.” (WITF)

Food for thought: between 2007 and 2012, SNAP benefits (food stamps) enrollment has gone up in every Pa. county. 

What are you thankful for? WHYY‘s Chris Satullo is grateful for his community–the city and the suburbs. 

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.