City Cast Pittsburgh

For years now, there’s been a Juneteenth celebration in Pittsburgh – marking the date when the last enslaved people in this country finally learned that they were free. But this year, the city is also holding its own event. City Council is expected to cast another vote today toward funding both celebrations. Julia Felton, city hall reporter for TribLive, has been following the whole back-and-forth and joins us to explain. Check out Julia’s reporting on both Juneteenth celebrations. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Our local parks got good marks from a national nonprofit, but they’re throwing us shade in one category. Pro-Palestine protesters were back in Oakland this weekend, and if you’re looking for a new rental or dealing with an iffy landlord, we’ve got some pro-tips to share. We always cite our sources: A record number of people showed up to Pittsburgh’s Pride Parade on Saturday, and First Lady Jill Biden also made an appearance. The pro-Palestine encampment returned to Pitt’s campus this weekend, and one person was arrested while trying to deliver food and water to protestors. Pitt Divest put out a statement about the encampment’s return, and social media posts documented the police getting physically violent with protesters and one officer confirming that he had turned off his body camera. Pitt’s chancellor, Joan Gabel, sent out a message to students, faculty and staff in response to the encampment. Weapons experts told CNN that US-made munitions were used in the bombing of a refugee camp in Rafah. President Biden briefly paused weapons shipments to Israel, but the House overturned his decision. Having issues with your landlord? Just Mediation Pittsburgh offers an alternative to going to court. Pittsburgh’s city parks rank among the nation’s best, and the Pittsburgh Park Conservancy’s Summer Programming Guide has ways to explore them. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Later today, Mayor Ed Gainey is announcing which public pools are opening this summer, and since he’ll be hosting his press conference at Bloomfield Beach, we think that’s a good sign for its triumphant return! But if you want to explore more of Pittsburgh’s city pools this summer, you can make your list based off of Jill Terner’s intensely detailed rubric. She’s ranking her favorites so you can make the most of your Pittsburgh poolside summer. You can find Jill’s full rankings from last summer in Pittsburgh City Paper. Learn more about our sponsor: The 65th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival takes over the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh from May 31 to June 9. It’s 10 days of free art and music from noon to 9 p.m. daily. Learn more at trustarts.org/TRAF. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news roundup! City Cast contributor Meg St-Esprit joins executive producer Mallory Falk and producer Sophia Lo to break down Pennsylvania’s new tourism slogan and share some favorite statewide travel spots. Plus we have a bunch of transit updates – including a permanent discount – and tips to prepare for tick season. (It’s expected to be especially bad this year!) We always cite our sources: Allegheny County residents who use SNAP benefits will be able to get half-price tickets for PRT rides. Advocacy groups are raising issues with the current stroller policy on PRT buses because open strollers limit spaces for wheelchair users. Improvements coming to the Red Line will make T stations more accessible for wheelchair users. Be prepared to check for ticks after outdoor activities and learn how to safely remove them if they’ve taken an unwelcome ride inside. Pennsylvania’s new tourism slogan came with a shiny ad voiced by Broad City actress Abbi Jacobson. Now that data from the Negro Leagues has been incorporated into MLB stats, Pittsburgher Josh Gibson officially has the best batting average. Check out our interview with Josh Gibson’s great-grandson, Sean Gibson, about his work to get Negro League stats counted alongside white players of the same era. If you enjoyed the interview with Rivers of Steel Director of Historic Resources and Facilities, Ron Baraff, learn more here. WIN SOME MONEY! We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. It’s just seven minutes long, and anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag! Learn more about our sponsor: The 65th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival takes over the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh from May 31 to June 9. It’s 10 days of free art and music from noon to 9 p.m. daily. Learn more at trustarts.org/TRAF. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

In a quest to get to know Pittsburgh better, coffee enthusiast and City Cast Pittsburgh founding member Zach Lucas visited a local coffee shop for every letter of the alphabet. He’s sharing his picks for everything from coziest vibes and the most unusual to the all-around best coffee and tea. **This episode originally aired August 10, 2023. WIN SOME MONEY! We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. It’s just seven minutes long, and anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag! Learn more about our sponsor: The 65th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival takes over the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh from May 31 to June 9. It’s 10 days of free art and music from noon to 9 p.m. daily. Learn more at trustarts.org/TRAF. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Pittsburgh community. What’s not to love about summer in Pittsburgh? From camping and berry picking to big celebrations like Pride and Three Rivers Arts Fest, the City Cast Pittsburgh team has a ton of recommendations to help you enjoy June in the Steel City. And if you’ve got some summer weddings on your calendar, check out our recent episode about Pittsburgh cookie tables. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Reach us at [email protected].

Pittsburgh has always had its problems, and complaining about them is one of our favorite sports. But there’s also a long tradition of outsiders coming here — or even just reading about our town — and thinking it’s OK to add their two cents. Local writer Virginia Montanez rounded up some of the funniest and most creative insults lobbed at Pittsburgh over two centuries. She joins us to share her favorites and explain why our city drew so much ire from outside writers, newsmakers, and prominent figures. Can’t get enough old-timey insults? Check out Virginia’s column for Pittsburgh Magazine. **This episode originally published on October 4, 2023 WIN SOME MONEY! We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. It’s just seven minutes long, and anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag! Learn more about our sponsor: The 65th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival takes over the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh from May 31 to June 9. It’s 10 days of free art and music from noon to 9 p.m. daily. Learn more at trustarts.org/TRAF. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news roundup! Former president Donald Trump is making waves again after telling KDKA’s Jon Delano that he would restrict birth control, two very powerful twin brothers are bickering over media drama, and multiple people are suing the city and engineering firms after the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse. Plus, if you like ginger beer, we’re sharing a special event where you could snag a free drink. We always cite our sources: Former president Donald Trump made an appearance on KDKA-TV and made headlines for his response to a question about restricting contraceptives. The PRT driver who was driving the bus over the Fern Hollow Bridge when it collapsed is suing the city and three engineering firms. The Fern Hollow Bridge was one of the few K-frame bridges left in the state. Allan Block was pushed out as the publisher of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by his twin brother, JR Block. JR Block has made the news for taking a photo with Trump on his private plane during his 2016 presidential campaign and for an incident where he showed up at the Post-Gazette newsroom late one night appearing “both intoxicated and enraged.” Allan Block made the news for slapping a union organizer with a fast food bag. Looking for some weekend reading? Allan Block was profiled in the Observer in 1999; the article focuses on his saga of traveling from Toledo to New York City to find a wife. The NFL draft is officially coming to Pittsburgh in 2026! The former Irish Centre finally has a new owner, the Phipps Conservatory. WIN SOME MONEY! We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. It’s just seven minutes long, and anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag! Learn more about our sponsors: Join AIDS Free Pittsburgh and True T Pittsburgh from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in Allegheny Commons East Park for the 6th annual Too Hot for July HIV awareness event, including free HIV and STI testing, music, dancing, performances, and more. Visit TooHotForJuly.com. The 65th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival takes over the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh from May 31 to June 9. It’s 10 days of free art and music from noon to 9 p.m. daily. Learn more at trustarts.org/TRAF. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner, which usually marks the start of wedding season! And there’s no nuptial tradition more beloved around here than the Pittsburgh cookie table. We’re sharing its history, some of our favorite recipes, and as a true act of service, where you can purchase your cookie table cookies if you’re better at buying than baking. Have a favorite cookie table recipe? Let us know what Producer Sophia Lo should bake next! Call or text us at 412-212-8893. We always cite our sources: Pittsburgh has a long history with the cookie table, and they could even make an appearance at church socials, game nights, and PTA meetings. There’s been proposals for Pennsylvania to have an office state cookie. Wondering what treats people love to see on cookie tables? The Pittsburgh subreddit has weighed in. City Paper rounded up some bakeries in Pittsburgh where you can order cookies for your cookie table. WIN SOME MONEY! We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. It’s just seven minutes long, and anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag! Learn more about our sponsors: Join AIDS Free Pittsburgh and True T Pittsburgh from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in Allegheny Commons East Park for the 6th annual Too Hot for July HIV awareness event, including free HIV and STI testing, music, dancing, performances, and more. Visit TooHotForJuly.com. The 65th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival takes over the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh from May 31 to June 9. It’s 10 days of free art and music from noon to 9 p.m. daily. Learn more at trustarts.org/TRAF. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Pride Month might officially be June, but the festivities here in Pittsburgh kick off Memorial Day weekend. Dena Stanley, one of the co-founders of the Pittsburgh Pride Group, is here to give a preview of the Bigger, Gayer Picniq and what to expect as the party gets started. Plus, learn more about the QMNTY Center’s role in creating a safe space for LGBTQ+ people and youth. WIN SOME MONEY! We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. It’s just seven minutes long, and anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag! Learn more about our sponsors: Join AIDS Free Pittsburgh and True T Pittsburgh from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in Allegheny Commons East Park for the 6th annual Too Hot for July HIV awareness event, including free HIV and STI testing, music, dancing, performances, and more. Visit TooHotForJuly.com. The 65th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival takes over the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh from May 31 to June 9. It’s 10 days of free art and music from noon to 9 p.m. daily. Learn more at trustarts.org/TRAF. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

More tornadoes are sweeping through our region – including five this weekend – so why don’t we have a better alert system? Can an exciting new pitcher with a TikTok-famous girlfriend attract new Pirates fans? And why is the Heinz History Center in a pickle after putting a giant ketchup bottle on display? Plus, we’ve got a fun survey for PA pet owners! We always cite our sources: Gen Z and Millennials spend thousands of dollars on their pets each year, and Pennsylvania residents really splurge on their dogs. Pittsburgh’s gotten more tornadoes than usual this year, and we could see an even greater increase because of climate change. But Allegheny, Westmoreland, and Washington counties don’t have many tornado sirens to alert residents. Could the Pirates new pitcher and his athlete-influencer girlfriend renew interest in baseball and bring in more fans? The Heinz History Center made its case to keep up the 52-foot ketchup bottle at a recent city zoning board meeting. The Bloomfield development could be back on the table, but the apartments might not be included in the final plans. Check out our show for more: The Bloomfield Development Setback, Explained WIN SOME MONEY! We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. It’s just seven minutes long, and anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag! Learn more about our sponsors: Join AIDS Free Pittsburgh and True T Pittsburgh from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in Allegheny Commons East Park for the 6th annual Too Hot for July HIV awareness event, including free HIV and STI testing, music, dancing, performances, and more. Visit TooHotForJuly.com. The 65th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival takes over the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh from May 31 to June 9. It’s 10 days of free art and music from noon to 9 p.m. daily. Learn more at trustarts.org/TRAF. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

What makes a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, and what does it take to reinvent one after it declines? Over the last decade, Allentown has been reborn thanks to generous support from fellow small business leaders and neighbors eager to see their main street come back to life. And the new folks? They’ve got a decidedly different way of looking at the world. Today we’re talking about the goth kids, the misfits, and the metal heads, and why they say the hilltop has been the perfect place to set up shop. Thanks to our guests, Kelly Braden — night market organizer and owner of Grim Wizard Coffee and The Weeping Glass — and Zak Bellante, owner of Death Comes Lifting. They recommended a bunch of great places in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood, including: Grim Wizard Coffee The Weeping Glass Dr. Tumblety’s Death Comes Lifting Puvithel Alla Famiglia Onion Maiden (pop-up only) Leon's Caribbean Star Mind Shop Inner Groove Brewing Bottlerocket Social Hall North Ave Candles Soil Sisters Plant Nursery The Open Road Learn more about our sponsors: Join AIDS Free Pittsburgh and True T Pittsburgh from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in Allegheny Commons East Park for the 6th annual Too Hot for July HIV awareness event, including free HIV and STI testing, music, dancing, performances, and more. Visit TooHotForJuly.com. The 65th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival takes over the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh from May 31 to June 9. It’s 10 days of free art and music from noon to 9 p.m. daily. Learn more at trustarts.org/TRAF. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news roundup! A North Side horse took a river plunge this week, and the state DCNR wants you to weigh in on the next five years in park investments. Plus, few sports legends are headed back to the Burgh for a new fundraiser for the Neighborhood Resilience Project, and we’re pouring one out for all of you who bought tickets to the Sudden Little Thrills music festival. (We’re looking at you, Sophia.) We always cite our sources: The Pittsburgh Scanner X account had the play-by-play on a horse that escaped and took a dip in the Ohio River. Learn more about the DCNR’s five-year plan, their access map, and take their survey through May 22. Snag tickets to the Resilience Bowl here. Fr. Paul Abernathy’s work with the Neighborhood Resilience Project started over a decade ago. Learn more about his work in the Hill District and big plans for the future. Friend of the pod Armin Samii shared a video on X of the cyclist recently hit on Smallman Street. Hear Monday’s pod on how the city needs your help to better track close calls and accidents: How Can Pittsburgh End Traffic Deaths? Learn more about our sponsor: Join AIDS Free Pittsburgh and True T Pittsburgh from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in Allegheny Commons East Park for the 6th annual Too Hot for July HIV awareness event, including free HIV and STI testing, music, dancing, performances, and more. Visit TooHotForJuly.com. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Shake Shack is set to open May 20, and there’s been a lot of debate about whether the Strip District can keep its character with so many national chains moving in. We’re revisiting some of your opinions on The Terminal and its newest burger chain, plus the team is sharing a few new and departing restaurants to round out your week. Check out our tour of Jackworth Ginger Beer here: Pittsburgh’s Booze History, Favorite Cocktails & A Spicy New Brewery Learn more about our sponsor: Join AIDS Free Pittsburgh and True T Pittsburgh from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in Allegheny Commons East Park for the 6th annual Too Hot for July HIV awareness event, including free HIV and STI testing, music, dancing, performances, and more. Visit TooHotForJuly.com. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

If you're looking for a place to rent, the time is now! Adam DiBuo with Neighborhood Legal Services says this late Spring, early Summer period is the peak time for moving into a rental here in Pittsburgh, and he’s sharing an essential checklist to help you sort through the details before you sign a lease – plus, stick around for what to do if things with your landlord ever go south. Learn more about our sponsor: Join AIDS Free Pittsburgh and True T Pittsburgh from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in Allegheny Commons East Park for the 6th annual Too Hot for July HIV awareness event, including free HIV and STI testing, music, dancing, performances, and more. Visit TooHotForJuly.com. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

After living in Pittsburgh for more than a decade, host Megan Harris is giving herself a challenge: learn how to say one sentence in a convincing Pittsburgh accent. Actor, voice coach, and speech teacher Don Wadsworth is here to provide a Pittsburghese lesson and break down what exactly makes the dialect so distinct. **This episode originally published on November 7, 2023. Learn more about our sponsors: It’s almost time for the 25th Mattress Factory Garden Party. It’s an epic annual fundraiser and costume party, and the theme this year is MAKE/BELIEVE. Get your tickets now for Friday, June 7 at mattress.org. And join AIDS Free Pittsburgh and True T Pittsburgh from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in Allegheny Commons East Park for the 6th annual Too Hot for July HIV awareness event, including free HIV and STI testing, music, dancing, performances, and more. Visit TooHotForJuly.com. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Earlier this year, city officials committed to a plan called Vision Zero, a promise to completely eliminate traffic deaths. Just a few weeks later, a cyclist died after being hit downtown. So what will it take to make Pittsburgh safer for people on our roads? City Cast Pittsburgh’s Megan Harris & Mallory Falk are pulling from a bunch of past episodes — and their own experiences — to explain why it’s so hard to catalog a road injury, how using 311 could help, and what city planners hope to do about new and known problems all over town. Are you a bike person? Check out a few of our previous shows and roundups: Will More Traffic Calming Money Make Pittsburgh Safer? City Cats, When To Call 311 & Wins for Monroeville and the South Hills Who Will Respect Bike Lanes If Even Police Won't? How To Get a Free Bike Light in Pittsburgh Gear Up for Pittsburgh's Best Biking Events Pittsburgh’s Best Bike Shops Learn more about our sponsors: It’s almost time for the 25th Mattress Factory Garden Party. It’s an epic annual fundraiser and costume party, and the theme this year is MAKE/BELIEVE. Get your tickets now for Friday, June 7 at mattress.org. And join AIDS Free Pittsburgh and True T Pittsburgh from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in Allegheny Commons East Park for the 6th annual Too Hot for July HIV awareness event, including free HIV and STI testing, music, dancing, performances, and more. Visit TooHotForJuly.com. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Hey there! We are excited to share the trailer for a new special limited series from our friends and colleagues at City Cast Denver. If you’re a fan of what we do at City Cast, you’ll want to check it out: You’ve probably heard a story about Congresswoman Lauren Boebert. Like, how she got kicked out of a production of “Beetlejuice” for vaping and groping her date. Or, that time she heckled President Biden during his State of the Union address. Throughout it all, she keeps winning elections and amassing followers, so it’s hard not to watch her meteoric rise and wonder: What does it mean for the future of American Politics? Host Bree Davies and Executive Producer Paul Karolyi have been covering Boebert’s wildest moments on City Cast Denver for years. And with only a month until her make-or-break primary on June 25, they’re talking to former friends and rivals, supporters and detractors, real people throughout Colorado who have been affected by her work in Congress, and hopefully Lauren herself. It’s a new limited series from City Cast, because no matter how you feel about her, you have to admit, it feels like Lauren Boebert Can’t Lose. Subscribe to Lauren Boebert Can’t Lose wherever you get your podcasts. Our first episode drops on May 15.

It’s the Friday news roundup! Ben Roethlisberger is being talked about in connection with Donald Trump’s first criminal trial, and it’s not the first time the former Steelers QB has faced unsavory allegations. There’s a ton of literary love coming to our city this weekend via the Pittsburgh Festival of Books, and we’re recommending a few by local authors. Plus, a few last minute ideas ahead of Mother's Day. Come see us at Open Streets tomorrow on East Carson between 19th and 21st! If you show us you’re a subscriber, you’ll get a sticker. Plus, we’ll have the mics open and we’re giving away a few memberships. We always cite our sources: Politico’s tracking all of former President Donald Trump’s criminal cases, including the hush money trial. Stormy Daniels took the stand during Trump’s trial this week and talked about her alleged sexual encounter with him – and how she met former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger has been accused of sexual assault twice – including an incident in Georgia where the responding police officer allegedly berated the accuser. The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books is taking place this Saturday, May 11 at the Pittsburgh Theological Center in East Liberty. Ever wonder why the East End is flatter than the rest of Pittsburgh? It all goes back to rivers. One of the Heinz ketchup bottles is in hot water again. Learn more about our sponsor! It’s almost time for the 25th Mattress Factory Garden Party. It’s an epic annual fundraiser and costume party, and the theme this year is MAKE/BELIEVE. Get your tickets now for Friday, June 7 at mattress.org. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

The City Cast inbox has been flooded with events and festivals, and we’re highlighting a few that we’re especially excited about. Whether you love Greek food, mac and cheese, strawberries, or beer, there’s probably a weekend for it! We’re chatting through a bunch of early summer events to put on your calendar for May and June. Learn more about our sponsor! It’s almost time for the 25th Mattress Factory Garden Party. It’s an epic annual fundraiser and costume party, and the theme this year is MAKE/BELIEVE. Get your tickets now for Friday, June 7 at mattress.org. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

If you own an old home, there might be offensive language in your deed barring Black people from owning the property. It’s called a racial covenant, and even though this language isn’t enforceable anymore, it’s still on the books in the subdivisions of at least a few Pittsburgh neighborhoods — and especially in our suburbs. Local writer and historian David Rotenstein joins us to talk about what got us here — and a new law that could help homeowners address these ugly remnants of the past. You can read David’s reporting on racial covenants in PublicSource and Pittsburgh City Paper. Learn more about our sponsor! It’s almost time for the 25th Mattress Factory Garden Party. It’s an epic annual fundraiser and costume party, and the theme this year is MAKE/BELIEVE. Get your tickets now for Friday, June 7 at mattress.org. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

The Pittsburgh Marathon may be over, but street closures for 2024 foot races are just getting started. If you were an Art Institute of Pittsburgh student, you might qualify for student loan forgiveness. And City Cast producer Sophia Lo has the latest on local baby animal names, plus one unfortunate penguin eulogy. We always cite our sources: Check out all the winners from the 2024 Pittsburgh Marathon weekend of events here. Former students at The Art Institutes will be eligible for a little over $6 billion in debt forgiveness. About 2,000 students were taking in-person and online classes at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh when it closed in 2019. A “lucky” baby eagle nesting at U.S. Steel’s Irvin plant was recently named by committee, with every vote worth a donation to the Tamarack Wildlife Center. Thanks to the U.S. Steel bald eagle cam, you can check on the nest 24/7. The National Aviary’s first ever African penguin recently died. And the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club is looking for names for Phil and Phyllis’ two groundhog pups. You have until Thursday to weigh in. Learn more about our sponsor! It’s almost time for the 25th Mattress Factory Garden Party. It’s an epic annual fundraiser and costume party, and the theme this year is MAKE/BELIEVE. Get your tickets now for Friday, June 7 at mattress.org. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

On its bad days, Pittsburgh has some weird smells – rotten eggs, from pollution along the Mon Valley. That urine scent from all the ginkgo trees. And sometimes when it rains, it smells like wet dog. But these aren’t the scents that local perfume makers think should define the city. We’re bringing back a conversation with City Cast’s Elizabeth Kauma… to talk about a few Pittsburgh scents that hit all the right notes. We always cite our sources: We spoke with artisanal perfumer Darren Alan, fragrance journalist Patric Rhys, and Scott Kindberg, the artist behind 5:55 Perfumery. Another local perfumer we mention is 837 North. Local journalist Patric Rhys covered the history of fragrance. Loved this episode about scents? Learn more about high-end perfume from Articles of Interest. Niche fragrance is a growing market and has become a billion-dollar industry. Learn more about our sponsor! It’s almost time for the 25th Mattress Factory Garden Party. It’s an epic annual fundraiser and costume party, and the theme this year is MAKE/BELIEVE. Get your tickets now for Friday, June 7 at mattress.org. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news roundup! Change is in store for some big summer events: Pride is moving back to the North Side, and the city isn’t sponsoring the annual Juneteenth celebration at Point State Park. Plus, Pittsburgh is expanding the controversial ShotSpotter technology into a new neighborhood, and a local company is sending self-driving tractor trailers onto a Texas highway. We always cite our sources: Pittsburgh Pride organizers told KDKA-TV that they’re moving back to the North Side after they were denied access to Point State Park, but the state claims they didn’t submit a completed application. The news outlet QBurgh, which is part of the Pride planning group, says it has filed complaints with the state’s LGBTQ Commission over “institutional barriers.” Juneteenth is still taking place at Point State Park, but the city is not sponsoring it this year, and the Black Musical Festival has been canceled. The Pittsburgh-based company Aurora Innovation will be putting self-driving tractor trailers on the road later this year – but for now, only on I-45 in Texas. Pittsburgh City Council approved a contract expansion with the company behind ShotSpotter; the technology will now be installed in Carrick. Don’t miss our episode about ShotSpotter, and PublicSource’s primer on Pittsburgh’s history with the controversial technology Check out the lineup for Allegheny County’s free summer concert series at South Park and Hartwood Acres We talked about the Steelers’ report card on a previous show; players had gripes about a lot of things, including their training facility. Now the space has received a major upgrade. Sign up to meet the team and celebrate women’s role in journalism at the Heinz History Center this Sunday, May 5. Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera. They’re presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson through May 5 at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

The Bloomfield Saturday Market is back this weekend! And in addition to being a go-to spot for fresh produce, fancy cheese, homemade pies, and more, it’s also a resource for customers and vendors at any bustling market to learn how to be a good neighbor and get the most from your selling and shopping experience. The City Cast team is asking all your burning questions: Is there a right way to walk through it? Is it appropriate to ask vendors for recipes? Should you haggle for your tomato? Christina Howell, executive director of the Bloomfield Development Corporation and former market manager, is here to share some farmers market etiquette ahead of opening day. The Bloomfield Saturday Market happens weekly May 4 through November 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Here’s a full list of vendors. Find more about market season elsewhere in the city here. **This episode originally published on May 4, 2023. Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera. They’re presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson through May 5 at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Pittsburgh community. The sun is out, flowers are in bloom, and the City Cast Pittsburgh team has tons of recommendations to help you take advantage of the beautiful weather. From farmers markets to music fests, we’re bringing you the best tips and suggestions for enjoying May in the Steel City. And if you’re looking for even more outdoor activities, don’t miss our recent episode about how to forage mushrooms in Pittsburgh. For even more tips on how to make the most of May in Pittsburgh, check out Hey Pittsburgh’s take on what to do this month. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Reach us at [email protected]

Kennywood is open, and it might be in legal trouble. We’re digging into the new lawsuit from a disgruntled season passholder. Host Megan Harris explains why we don’t need to worry about trillions of cicadas – or their zombies – in our area, but we do need to watch for lanternflies. Plus, producer Sophia Lo shares fun new ways to enjoy a bunch of shows and museums for free all summer long. We always cite our sources: The NFL Draft always features fun videos of students celebrating, and occasionally lamenting, their new employers. Philly’s WTTW Podcast shared a particularly funny one this year. Someone’s suing Kennywood over the Steel Curtain’s closure, and his lawyer argues that people aren’t getting their season pass value if this major roller coaster isn’t running. Two broods of periodic cicadas are coming above ground this year, but you won’t see them in Pittsburgh. Learn more about a fungus affecting periodical cicada broods all over the nation. Scientists from our region were hopeful some of that fungus could be useful for pharmaceuticals someday! Them reported it like this: “A Sexually Transmitted Fungus Is Making Trillions of Cicadas Hypersexual and Gay” It’s almost spotted lanternfly season, but you can squash egg masses before the bugs hatch. RAD is launching a summer staycation program where you can book free tickets to some of Pittsburgh’s museums starting May 1. Pittsburgh CLO’s summer shows and schedules have been announced. The student-led Gaza solidarity encampment is coming to a close, but organizers still plan to pressure the university to divest from Israel. Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera. They’re presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Beaver County’s Shell cracker makes nurdles — those lentil-sized pellets that become our plastics — but the glowing, riverfront facility is just the part we can see. There’s a 97-mile underground pipeline that delivers its raw materials, and state investigators say its construction led to thousands of gallons of hazardous drilling mud spills in all three Pennsylvania counties it passes through. The Allegheny Front’s Reid Frazier explains why whistleblowers came forward, what the Attorney General’s office found, and how these 13 misdemeanor criminal charges could play out in court. Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera. They’re presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news roundup, election edition! City Cast contributor Natalie Bencivenga joins host Megan Harris to talk about the winners and losers, what a few of those victories may tell us about what’s coming in November, and why we should be paying attention to all those write-ins, even if we never get a full or complete accounting of everything they said. We always cite our sources: Allegheny County election results SpotlightPA has great info on the candidates for attorney general. More than 60,000 voters statewide chose the write-in option in the Democratic presidential primary, but we may not get a complete count of how many people voted “uncommitted” because of the way Philadelphia tallies write-ins. Learn more about our sponsors: City of Asylum is hosting International Jazz Poetry Month from May 2 – 23 at Alphabet City. The Pittsburgh Opera is presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Starting a new independent community grocery is tough business, but Manchester’s own Lisa Freeman felt it was a calling. She’s been farming a little lot on Juniata Street since 2014, and is almost to her goal of opening up shop in June. We’re catching up on her vision for the neighborhood, plus getting a taste of what’s new and delicious in the East End, on the South Side, and even along our dreaded McKnightmare. We want to know: Where is your favorite ice cream shop in Pittsburgh? Why do you love it? Email us or leave a voicemail at 412-212-8893 with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the podcast! Learn more about our sponsors: City of Asylum is hosting International Jazz Poetry Month from May 2 – 23 at Alphabet City. The Pittsburgh Opera is presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

If you want to go camping, where should you start? We’re back with Marcus Shoffner, founder of the Outdoor Inclusion Coalition, talking about favorite destinations in and around the city, his tips and tricks for a good experience, ways to borrow and learn how to use the right gear, and other low-stress ideas to get you started. Plus, an update on the overnight camping pilot he started in Riverview Park! Want to hear more about inclusivity in outdoor spaces? Check out our previous conversation with Marcus. Learn more about our sponsors: City of Asylum is hosting International Jazz Poetry Month from May 2 – 23 at Alphabet City. The Pittsburgh Opera is presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

A proposed TikTok ban just cleared the House, and Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering their own statewide restrictions on the video app. We’re wondering what a ban could mean for Governor Josh Shapiro, a “prolific poster” with a few viral TikToks under his belt. Producer Sophia Lo joins host Megan Harris to break down the latest legislation and scroll through the governor’s posts. Plus, a professional TikToker analyzes Shapiro’s account for us. Thanks to Chris Vazquez, audience engagement producer at The Marshall Project, for sharing his insights on Shapiro’s social media. Plus, it’s primary Election Day in Pennsylvania. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Check your polling place here, or listen to our voting guide on your way to vote! Here are a few of the stories we talked about in today’s episode: Over the weekend, the House passed a bill that would ban TikTok if the parent company, ByteDance, doesn’t sell the app. Now that the bill has passed the House, here’s what might happen next in the Senate – and how TikTok could respond. PA billionaire Jeff Yass has a connection to the national ban; he has a big stake in ByteDance. Friend of the pod Stephen Caruso reported on why Pennsylvania’s attempts to regulate social media haven’t been successful. Watch with us! We reviewed Shapiro’s lottery and Béyonce TikToks, and you can find more from the governor on his account. Learn more about our sponsors: City of Asylum is hosting International Jazz Poetry Month from May 2 – 23 at Alphabet City. The Pittsburgh Opera is presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato just marked one hundred days in office – and released a massive, 91-point plan for the county in the coming years. She joins us to talk about her main priorities, from affordable housing to a green economy. We also discuss the school district’s lawsuit against her office seeking a countywide property reassessment, and what she’s watching for in tomorrow’s primary election. You can read Innamorato’s plan and the results of her countywide survey here. Learn more about our sponsors: The Pittsburgh Opera is presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. City of Asylum is hosting International Jazz Poetry Month from May 2 through 23 at Alphabet City. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news roundup! We’re sharing a bunch of fun ways to beautify our natural spaces for Earth Day this weekend. After successfully deflecting Amazon, the former home of Westinghouse Electric is up for auction in Churchill, and the U.S. Coast Guard says we found the missing barge! Plus, host Megan Harris is sharing her joy for President Biden's Sheetz order and the soon-to-be-built, new and improved Davis Avenue Bridge. We always cite our sources: Over the weekend, 26 barges got loose on the Ohio River. One went missing, but the Coast Guard located it earlier this week. The Pittsburgh Business Times predicted the old Westinghouse campus could be used for retail. The 150-acre campus is considered an important example of postwar corporate architecture – and looks like a locomotive. The Davis Bridge was demolished in 2006, but reconstruction recently kicked off! The city says the bridge should be fully open in the fall. Pittsburgh was selected as one of the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities. Find a few ways to celebrate Earth Day around Pittsburgh, including lots of neighborhood cleanups. Pittsburgh’s getting a new music festival! Sudden Little Thrills takes place in September at Hazelwood Green. President Joe Biden made a quick stop at Sheetz during his visit to Pittsburgh. Former president Donald Trump was also in PA, and he’s currently facing four criminal cases. Heinz has a new bright pink limited-edition condiment, but the catch is that it’s only available in the U.K., Ireland, and Spain. Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera, presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Pennsylvania is the No. 1 cultivator of mushrooms in the country, but you can also find all sorts of fungi foraging in the woods. Spring and summer are a great time to look for mushrooms, and Esperanzo Wilcox, founder of the PA Mushroom Company, is here to share his tips for finding and identifying a few more coveted edible delicacies. Check out our website to see pictures of Espo’s favorite mushrooms, plus more resources for beginners. Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera, presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

With the weather warming, crossing a bridge doesn’t feel quite so impossible. So if you want to go out and party this weekend, where should you go? Pittsburgh has options — Spirit, Belvedere’s, Cavo, and Club VIP — but the ‘Burgh used to have way more nightclubs that catered to a wider diversity of party-goers. We’re with City Paper’s Colin Williams about what happened to Pittsburgh’s nightlife scene. **This episode originally published on January 10, 2024. Keep up with the pop-up parties by following Jellyfish, Hot Mass, and Slappers N Bangers on Instagram. Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera, presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s a Presidential election year, and there are a bunch of state and local elections to watch for, too. But before November, we need to get through the primary on April 23! City Cast’s Megan Harris & Mallory Falk are talking through a few key races, plus what’s at stake next week. Check your polling place here, and learn more about the candidates via our Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. Take Spotlight PA’s candidate quiz, and watch WPXI’s debate between Summer Lee and Bhavini Patel for more on their stances on what’s happening in Gaza. A special shout out to WESA’s Chris Potter for his coverage of all these races, too. Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera, presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

There’s a difference between spaces that allow our best pals and the ones that are truly dog friendly. Pet expert Tori Mistick of WearWagRepeat is with us to share her favorite local spots for a paw-fect Pittsburgh day — plus how to pack ahead, what to consider about temperament and environment, and the quick rules for her newly christened four-paw rating system. **This episode originally published on August 1, 2023. Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera, presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5 at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news roundup! Pittsburgh Public Schools is suing Allegheny County to try and force a countywide property reassessment, and we’re breaking down why. The city’s expanding its deer management program, so look out for a call for more archers. Plus, the team’s talking about all the effort that goes into flood clean-up and sharing a couple ways to celebrate 412 Day. Have any questions about property reassessments? Let us know, and your question might get answered in an upcoming episode. Call or text us at 412-212-8893. We always cite our sources: Friends of the Riverfront has a map on their website where you can check on alerts and detours for riverfront trails – and look for bathrooms! Pittsburgh Public Schools is suing Allegheny County and seeking a countywide property reassessment The move comes as the district stands to lose tax revenue from some of the city’s most iconic skyscrapers The City of Pittsburgh released their results for the deer management pilot program, and they’re planning to expand the program into more parks. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Recreational cannabis is still illegal in Pennsylvania, but you gotta eat, right? To mark 420, the City Cast Pittsburgh team has recommendations for places someone under the influence might get a tasty sip, snack, or full-blown comfort meal with their good vibes still intact. Need even more recommendations for munchies? Check out last year’s 420 episode, and if you need help navigating The Open Road, listen to our interview with owner Mel Babitz. Catch up on the push for recreational marijuana legalization in this episode with Ed Mahon from SpotlightPA, plus his more recent reporting here. If we missed your favorite local munchie, let us know what else we should be adding to our list! Call or text us at 412-212-8893. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Will construction ruin your commute? PennDOT recently announced new projects in the Pittsburgh area, and the City Cast Pittsburgh team is breaking down what improvements are coming to our roads and bridges. Plus, we’ve got updates on how to get around now that the Mon Incline is closed – again. We always cite our sources: PennDOT listed what construction projects are coming up and what projects are wrapping up in the Pittsburgh region. The Pittsburgh Union Progress reporter Ed Blazina wrote about PennDOT’s projects and what to expect from the Commercial Street Bridge replacement. Check out what the Commercial Street Bridge will look like once it’s completed and painted in Greenfield Green! Improvements are also coming to other parts of the Parkway East and McKnight Road. Sidewalk repairs are coming to the Hill District and Larimer. The Monongahela Incline’s closed again, and this time, PRT is planning for an independent review of the system. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Kennywood opens for the season on April 20th. To celebrate, we’re revisiting highlights from our conversation with local historian Mark Houser ahead of the amusement park’s 125th birthday last year. Hear how Kenny’s Grove became our beloved Kennywood, how its stewards tow the line between preservation and modernization, and which rides helped usher in a new wave in amusement park shenanigans. Special thanks Pittsburgh Magazine for sharing their work, and to our guest Mark Houser for bringing Pittsburgh’s past back to life. His next antique skyscraper rooftop tour is June 8. Tickets are available here. And check out the Kennywood episode of Defunctland here. It’s super fun and weird. **This episode originally published April 19, 2023. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

We’re heading into peak real estate season at a time when interest rates are really high – so what does that mean for homebuyers in Pittsburgh? Local real estate broker Jessica Baker joins us to share tips for buyers and sellers and talk about which pockets of the city are still somewhat affordable. Plus, host Megan Harris puts Jessica to the test and sees how she would describe some zanier home features…as seen on Zillow. Check out our previous conversation with Jessica to learn whether Pittsburgh potties count as half-baths. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news roundup! City Cast contributor Meg St-Esprit joins the team to talk about how AI is changing the local real estate market – and what it was like to take a virtual reality tour of an iconic Pittsburgh mansion. We also discuss shifting norms around funerals and burials as the Pittsburgh region becomes less religious, and the city’s latest push to hire enough lifeguards to open our pools this summer. We always cite our sources: Read Meg’s reporting about the rise in non-religious funerals in PublicSource. Check out her story about how technology is changing the homebuying process in Pittsburgh Magazine. The City of Pittsburgh is officially recruiting lifeguards for the summer. You can learn more about becoming a lifeguard and start an application here. Lifeguard shortages are a national problem – and in some communities, seniors are stepping up to fill the gap. Vote for us for best podcast in Pittsburgh Magazine’s Best of the ‘Burgh contest! Learn more about our sponsor, Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh-Oakland, and their upcoming Comedy Showcase in the Jones & Laughlin Ballroom. Tickets for Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. are on sale now on Facebook at Facebook.com/HotelindigoPTC. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It is Producer Sophia Lo’s birthday! To celebrate, we’re rounding up some of the best birthday freebies and discounts in Pittsburgh, from sweet treats to full meals. Have a favorite local freebie that we didn’t mention? Let us know, and your answer might be featured on the show! Call or text us at 412-212-8893. Learn more about our sponsor, Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh-Oakland, and their upcoming Comedy Showcase in the Jones & Laughlin Ballroom. Tickets for Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. are on sale now on Facebook at Facebook.com/HotelindigoPTC. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the case of the missing bobbleheads: thousands of miniature Jaromir Jagrs were stolen last month! How does that even happen? With the help of our friend Rob Rossi, senior writer at The Athletic, we’re breaking down the heist that got the attention of Pittsburgh Penguins fans…and even the FBI! Check out Rossi’s play-by-play in the Athletic and find out how you can claim your bobblehead if you received a voucher. Learn more about our sponsor, Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh-Oakland, and their upcoming Comedy Showcase in the Jones & Laughlin Ballroom. Tickets for Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. are on sale now on Facebook at Facebook.com/HotelindigoPTC. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Have businesses actually stopped giving out plastic bags since a citywide ban went into effect? A new report from PennEnvironment provides a first look at compliance rates. Plus, a new documentary looks at the Black birthing experience in Pittsburgh – at the same time the state is expanding access to doulas. And it turns out our city has a high percentage of pranksters (at least according to one study). We always cite our sources: Pittsburgh was rated the top Prankster City in the U.S. by casino.org PennEnvironment studied whether businesses are complying with Pittsburgh’s plastic bag ban TribLive looked into the ban’s rollout and enforcement We discussed the plastic bag ban – and the effectiveness of similar measures – on City Cast Pittsburgh WESA reported on state efforts to expand doula access Learn more about PA’s Momnibus Package Get tickets to Her Dreams: A Story of the Future of Black Birth this Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater. Learn more about our sponsor, Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh-Oakland, and their upcoming Comedy Showcase in the Jones & Laughlin Ballroom. Tickets for Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. are on sale now on Facebook at Facebook.com/HotelindigoPTC. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

From eclipse parties to plant sales to a “dessert beer extravaganza,” there’s plenty to keep you busy in Pittsburgh this month. The City Cast team is here to share the festivals, markets, and cookoffs that caught our eyes – and help you plan your perfect April. Here are a few of the City Casty things we mentioned in today’s show: Solar eclipse viewing at the Allegheny Observatory and Kimpton Hotel Monaco What The Muck?! at Lake Elizabeth in Allegheny Commons Dirt Day! at East End Food Co-op Plant Sale and Indie Mart at WorkshopPGH Vintage Pittsburgh at Heinz History Market Square Spring Market Three Rivers Beer Week Le Tour de Donut along the River Trail Mt. Washington Soup & Chili Cookoff Dessert Wars at the Convention Center Pittsburgh Humanities Festival in the Cultural District Holi Carnival at Carrie Blast Furnaces Steel City Grand Slam at City of Asylum Yinzerfest at the Convention Center For more events, check out Hey Pittsburgh’s guide to April and food festival roundup. Learn more about our sponsor, Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh-Oakland, and their upcoming Comedy Showcase in the Jones & Laughlin Ballroom. Tickets for Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. are on sale now on Facebook at Facebook.com/HotelindigoPTC. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news roundup! A bridge collapsed in Baltimore — could something similar play out here? Mayor Ed Gainey’s trying, once again, to generate taxes from UPMC and other tax-exempt properties. And a new Pittsburgh-based medical drama called “The Pitt” is in the works. Plus, we’ve got some fun Easter news, a comprehensive plan update, and a very happy groundhog arrival. What very Pittsburgh storyline would you love to see from Max’s new show? Call or text us at 412-212-8893. We always cite our sources: Pittsburgh was named one of the best places to celebrate Easter. Mayor Ed Gainey is challenging the tax exempt status of more than 100 more city properties. The Trib wrote about the bridge collapse in Baltimore and how the circumstances compare to what happens along Pittsburgh waterways. Learn more about our river traffic from City Paper’s “Where the Heck are Pittsburgh’s River Barges Going?” PublicSource has a great story about how the city basically ignored warnings about Fern Hollow for years. Max (new HBO) is launching a new medical drama called “The Pitt,” which will be set in Pittsburgh. Check out Reddit’s ideas for some very Steel City storylines. The executive producer, John Wells, graduated from CMU. The Pittsburgh Film Office says it’s not expected to be filmed here. Punxsutawney Phil and his groundhog wife Phyllis welcomed two healthy pups this week. Did you know Phil lives forever? Here are four fun “Phil phacts” from the Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. Here’s how you can get involved with the city’s first ever Comprehensive Plan process. Learn more about our sponsor, the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh and their Racial Justice Challenge, at ywcapgh.org. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

In 2023, chef Nik Forsberg was a James Beard semi-finalist for his pop-up concept Fet-Fisk, aka greasy fish, which prioritizes sustainably sourced seafood, local meats, and veggies from Nik’s own garden. So what does it take to turn a popular pop-up into a thriving brick-and-mortar business? Hear what he grows, how he approaches his menus, and all the plans behind Bloomfield’s newest restaurant. **This episode originally aired Thursday, March 30th, 2023. Learn more about our sponsor, the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh and their Racial Justice Challenge, at ywcapgh.org Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.