Good morning, Erie.

The Flagship City Comedy Fest returns for five days with national headliners and local acts in Erie—organizers say the event will offer a mix of well-known comedians and fresh talent delivering unfiltered laughs.

Erie Arts and Culture named Susannah Faulkner as its new executive director on Monday.

The 36-year-old former City Council member who worked for the Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network succeeds Anne O'Dell, who stepped down in October.

Erie's CRIZ program will divert rising tax revenue above 2024 levels for local projects — expected to bring up to $15 million a year and over $750 million in development over 30 years.

More than 200 businesses must file their 2024 tax data and will get help from an accounting firm while informational meetings are set at the Blasco Library on April 24 at 8:30 a.m., noon and 4 p.m.

Millcreek Township is looking for developers to create the new Presque Isle Gateway District—a mixed-use area with restaurants, shops and homes—to boost business and improve access to Presque Isle State Park.

The township is finishing demolition and using state funds for work, with final proposals due in May.

A Gannon student filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Erie to challenge the termination of her student visa by the federal government on April 8th—she alleges U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and acting ICE director Todd Lyons illegally ended her status. Colorado immigration attorney Brian Green filed the suit on Tuesday on behalf of Zeel Patel, seeking a temporary restraining order to restore her status while hundreds of international students face similar visa revocations.

Millcreek Township will hold public open houses at the Municipal Building (April 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. and April 30 from 9 to 11 a.m.) to share findings from its Shrine Club feasibility study as it mulls buying the 40,000-square-foot property (priced at $3.6 million) for a community center. Residents can view proposed designs and ask questions before township supervisors decide by late May.

At a City Council meeting on Wednesday, some residents said more must be done to protect immigrants after a man (who moved here four months ago) claimed he saw ICE detain a friend on Parade Street.

City of Erie Mayor Joe Schember said police do not work with ICE unless a crime is committed (video evidence has not been released) and urged residents to report any future incidents.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission said they banded nearly 1,000 turkeys this winter—heavy snow helped trap the birds—and that spring gobbler hunting will start with a youth hunt on April 26 and a statewide season on May 3.

Hunters may find more quiet older turkeys this season as strong recruitment two years ago means more jakes and fewer loud gobblers.

Room 33 Showcase

6-7:30 p.m. — Room 33 Speakeasy — Check event site for cost — Enjoy a night of laughter with comics from across the nation at the Flagship City Comedy Festival kickoff.

Seed Starting Workshop by Steph's Sprouts

6 p.m. — 814 Vintage Marketplace — Free entry — Learn the essentials of starting seeds for your garden in this hands-on workshop.

Black Monk Comedy Showcase

5-7 p.m. — Black Monk Brewery — Free entry — Enjoy an evening of laughter at this entertaining comedy showcase sponsored by the brewery.

Windowsill Herb Garden Workshop

6-7 p.m. — Werner Books and Coffee — $35 — Grow your own indoor herb garden and elevate your cooking with fresh flavors.

The D'Angelo Concerto

4-7 p.m. — Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center — Tickets from $85 — Experience a captivating performance by the Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra.

Festival of the Birds

Various times — Presque Isle State Park — Ticket required — Experience the wonders of spring migration with workshops, field trips, and expert-led birding activities.

Attorneys & Kids Together 5K Run/Walk

1:00 PM – 3:59 AM — Erie County — Charitable donations encouraged — Support Erie County students experiencing homelessness through a community-focused 5K event.