City Cast Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania’s laws can feel like they were written for another time, and that’s because many of them were. From a ban on fishing with dynamite, to a prohibition on for-profit fortune-telling, we get into some of the weirdest state laws still on the books. Host Megan Harris talks with City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri, plus reporter Harrison Cann at City & State PA. Check out Harrison’s reporting on some of Pennsylvania’s most bizarre, outdated laws. Our newsletter editor, Francesca Dabecco, also wrote about weird local laws that are still on the books. **This conversation originally published July 25, 2023. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Happy Halloween! We’re celebrating with two twisted local tales that date back to the Prohibition era. First, folklorist and historian David Rotenstein breaks down the myths behind a Northside spot known as “America’s Most Haunted House” and shares what really happened at the site. Then, Print editor and writer Jan Kurth investigates the unsolved mystery of who is actually buried in William Beck’s grave in Smithfield East End Cemetery. You can find Jan’s story in NextPittsburgh. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Romance readers know the tropes — enemies to lovers, fake dating, there’s only one bed — but finding a story that centers LGBTQ+ identities and experiences isn’t always easy. If you’re looking for literary love and want to see your queer identity on the page, we’ve got the perfect book club for you! Thanks to Not “Gal Pals” founders Marylee Williams and Natalie Deluba for sharing their top picks. Sign up for upcoming events through Not “Gal Pals’” Meetup Group. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows by Olivia Waite Anything by KJ Charles You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi The Wicked Villains series by Katee Robert Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news roundup! The City Cast team is keeping it light heading into Halloween week. We’re bringing you some local lore, extremely insider-y Pittsburgh costume ideas, and our recommendations for lesser-known horror films shot in and around the city. Find more Hallo-weekend fun here: Subscribe to get Monday’s Hey Pittsburgh newsletter and see photos of the mysterious moving morgue Check out old photos showing how they moved the Allegheny County morgue The Gibson Girl and her homicidal husband were both born in Western PA We covered the true story behind the urban legend of Pittsburgh’s glowing “Green Man” Pittsburgh’s weird history of alligators on the loose There’s a new entry in Pittsburgh’s scary movie canon: Lifetime’s “Handyman from Hell” Find Pittsburgh-themed Halloween costumes on the City Cast Pittsburgh website If you decide to dress up as Mr. Yuk, be sure to read up on his origins Want some more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

With fall in full swing, it’s soup season! Sarah McAlee, also known as brothmonger, is considered a soup-lebrity around town. She joins us to share tips for making your own delicious pot of soup or broth at home, plus her favorite spots to grab a warm bowl when you don’t feel like cooking. You can subscribe to the brothmailer newsletter for Sarah’s business updates and recipes, and check out her previous interview on the City Cast to learn more about how she got into the broth biz. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Book bans have been cropping up all over the country, usually brought by conservative parent or community groups appealing to school boards saying they don’t want kids to have access to something for various reasons. Often it’s LGBTQ+ identifying characters, conversations about race, uncomfortable hardships, truths, or lived experiences that some people think students aren’t ready for. But while some parts of the state have been inundated with book challenges, Western Pennsylvania hasn’t. We’re with City Paper’s Colin Williams to talk about his upcoming reporting — including proposed bans in Norwin, Hempfield, Pine-Richland, and Franklin Regional school districts, and how our upcoming election Nov. 7 could set the stage for fights to come. Thanks to the Pittsburgh Media Partnership for funding Colin’s reporting, completed in partnership with Belt Magazine and the Pittsburgh Institute for Nonprofit Journalism. Check out your voting status and make your plan to vote here. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

George Romero’s 1968 movie, “Night of The Living Dead,” is a cult classic. The horror flick is considered the godfather of the flesh-eating zombie genre and it was filmed in Pittsburgh with local talent. As a Halloween season treat, we’re revisiting our conversation with Judith O’Dea — better known as Barbara — about what it was like to star in such an iconic film. **This conversation originally published Oct. 31, 2022. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

The Allegheny County Jail has one of the highest death rates per capita in the country. Last week, the family of Anthony Talotta, one of 21 men who’ve died in connection with the jail since April 2020, filed a federal lawsuit against the county, several doctors, and Allegheny Health Network. Lead producer Mallory Falk explains the family’s legal case and its chief allegation — a pattern of medical neglect. You can read the federal lawsuit over Talotta’s death, along with coverage from the Appeal, the Associated Press, and WESA. Brittany Hailer covered Talotta’s death and reported on issues with a jail physician’s medical licensing for PINJ. She has appeared on City Cast to discuss the high number of deaths at Allegheny County Jail and her push for more transparencyaround these deaths. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news roundup! Archers have taken out a surprising number of deer in Pittsburgh parks; the city school board is considering closures (again); and many of our city’s institutions are striking — or thinking about going on strike. Plus, an update on Pittsburgh’s bid for a new energy production center. We love to cite our sources: WESA covered declining enrollment at Pittsburgh Public Schools Workers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette have been on strike for a year, with ongoing coverage from the strike paper, the Pittsburgh Union Progress TribLive reported that nurses at Allegheny General Hospital voted in favor for a possible strike The Pittsburgh Film Worker Solidarity Market is this coming Saturday We spoke with Spotlight PA reporter Kate Huangpu about why our state wants hydrogen hubs Learn more about the upcoming hydrogen hubs from PublicSource and WESA WESA reported that archers killed four deer during the first weekend of the city’s deer management program Want some more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Something new for yinz! We’re talking all things food — a bunch of new restaurants are opening, a few restaurants are back, there are a couple of classic Pittsburgh brands branching out into new spaces, and the City Cast crew has everything you need to plan your weekend. City Paper ranked all the sandwiches you can order at Sheetz, NEXTPittsburgh has a great roundup of more autumnal events, and the Northside Chronicle did a really great feature on Wilson’s Bar-B-Q and the family behind it. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

There’s an urban legend here about a man — a spectre with a glowing green face — doomed to roam the highways of Western Pennsylvania. He may have been burned by acid or fire or lightning. The details are squishy, but real story behind“The Monster of Beaver County” was a tragic one. City Cast’s Wil Fulton is here to explain how Charlie No-Face left an eerie mark on generations of Pittsburgh-area kids. Special thanks to City Cast's roving producer Elizabeth Kauma for her work on this one. Music and some sound effects courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

There’s a chill in the air. Pumpkin spice is on the menu. It’s the perfect time to buy a gift for the fall enthusiast in your life. From a cozy mug for camping trips to a seasonal spiced wine, the City Cast team is rounding up our favorite local gifts for October. Here’s where to find all of our top picks. Let us know what we should feature next! Things to buy: House plants from Greenhouse Co-op - follow their Instagram account for pop-up sales Ron Donoughe’s Ways of Pittsburgh book The Paris of Appalachia camping mug from Commonwealth Press Stuff to eat and drink: Commonplace Coffee’s Mellon Park Blend The Margaret Apple, Spice and Everything Nice wine from R Wine Cellar The lumps (fresh rolls) with cinnamon pawpaw butter from Butterjoint Stuff to do: Seasonal art workshops — including paper making and printing — at the Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media Pittsburgh Pumpkin Guy’s Carve n’ Sip class at Penn Brewery on Oct. 29 As You Are Botanical’s candle and garland workshop at Back Alley Brewing on Nov. 5 PGH Candle’s Wicks and Sips candle making class at Strange Roots on Nov. 9 Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

A few weeks ago, Pittsburgh (quietly) got a lot bigger — not because some huge influx of people moved here, but because the White House decided to redraw the boundaries of our metro population. Now we’re eight counties instead of seven. But despite the new boundaries, Pittsburgh as a city isn’t growing. And that got us wondering why growth is so important, and whether it might actually be a good thing to be a city settled in its size. We took our questions to Chris Briem, a regional economist at the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Social and Urban Research. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then 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 controversial diorama at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History is being removed after a new decision about displaying human remains. But questions remain about the fate of the Christopher Columbus statue in Schenley Park. Plus, Downtown isn’t getting its long-awaited movie theater after all. We love to cite our sources! TribLive reported on the fate of the diorama at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History Listen to our previous conversation about “Lion Attacking a Dromedary” with museum director Gretchen Baker We also looked into why it’s so complicated for the museum to return human remains WESA and The Pitt News covered the decision to remove the Columbus statue in 2020 TribLive and WESA reported on Wednesday’s court hearing over the future of the Columbus statue Pittsburgh City Paper asked two Indigenous women for their perspectives on the Columbus statue We talked with Hamza Walker of LAXART about the future of Pittsburgh’s Stephen Foster statue The plans for the cineplex Downtown got canceled, but smaller theaters are making a comeback in Mt. Lebanon and Dormont Francesca shared all the details on where to watch Halloween movies this year Want some more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It's cider donut season! To celebrate, we're bringing back one of our tastiest episodes, when the City Cast crew tried 21 different donuts from all corners of Pittsburgh. From old standards like cinnamon sugar and glazed to more creative fare like huckleberry and buckeye, tune in to find out which we crowned our favorites. **This conversation originally published June 1, 2023. Special thanks to all the shops we sampled, plus those we missed that were recommended by our Hey Pittsburgh readers: West End: Better Maid (Crafton Heights) and Big Daddy’s Donuts (Crafton) East End: Olivers (Lawrenceville), Kaibur (Polish Hill), Dana's (Homewood), Stoeckleins (Penn Hills) South Hills: Just Good Donuts (South Side), Party Cake (Brookline), Grand View Bakery (Mt. Washington), Duck Donuts (Upper St. Clair), Madsen (Castle Shannon & South Fayette) North Hills: Father & Son Family Bakery (Observatory Hill), Lincoln Bakery (Bellevue), Oakmont Bakery (Oakmont), Oram's (Beaver Falls) Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

If you polled a bunch of Pittsburghers and asked who’s the most beloved person in our city, it’s safe to say today’s guest would show up on that list. Rick Sebak is known for his TV documentaries on WQED. And now, he’s dipping his toes into audio. Rick joins us to talk about his new podcast Gumbands, the one Pittsburgh story he’s still dying to tell, and the local rites of passage that make someone a true Pittsburgher. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

If you plan to buy something in the city this weekend, come prepared, because Pittsburgh’s plastic bag ban goes into effect on Saturday. But who has to comply? Will paper bags cost us? Are stores ready for the change? And with cities all over adopting policies like this, what do we know about the bans’ effects on the environment? City Cast lead producer Mallory Falk is ready to explain! We love to cite our sources! The city’s website answers common questions about the plastic bag ban. Pittsburgh Magazine covered City Council’s decision to ban plastic bags last year. Planet Money asked “Are Plastic Bag Bans Garbage?” Vox also looked into whether plastic bag taxes and bans are actually effective. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news roundup! Lawmakers in Washington have been up in arms — about the possibility of a shutdown, yes — but also the state of John Fetterman’s shorts; Pennsylvania’s favorite amphibian, the snot otter, is getting some official state love on local cars; and if you’ve ever wanted to buy 100 single air pods, the county airport auction is just for you. We’re lucky to have socially conscious journalist and media consultant Natalie Bencivenga on mic today. She’s also the newest City Cast contributor! Welcome, Natalie! You can hear her very own show every Saturday at 2 p.m. on KDKA-AM. We love to cite our sources! Lawmakers voted to create an official dress code last week, aimed primarily at Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman, who regularly wears hoodies and gym shorts to the U.S. Senate floor. Forty-six Republican senators (all but three) sent a letter to Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer demanding he reverse the change. Politico reported the code was dubbed the SHORTS Act, or “Show Our Respect To the Senate.” During shutdowns, federal employees can’t get paid. The Trib’s Ryan Deto reported there are about 19,000 federal employees in the Pgh region, and WHYY found 1.9 million Pennsylvanians would lose access to SNAP benefits. Fetterman’s online store is now doing pre-orders for “I vote in this hoodie” apparel, printed by Commonwealth Press. Note: Proceeds go to his campaign, so only buy it if you want to support his cause. The state just released its new specialty license plate options, and the newest includes the eastern hellbender, Pennsylvania’s official state amphibian. If you want to know more about how vanity and other special license plates work in Pennsylvania, we did a crossover podcast with City Cast Philly about them awhile back. It’s so fun — it takes $85 to apply for one, and there are a LOT of ways and reasons the state can deny you. Highly recommend! This is the weekend for the county's annual airport auction. The full list of sale items includes a ton of cars, electronics, and even designer items like bags and coats. Pittsburgh Magazine shared some additional history on finds of previous years. If you’re heading to Fall Fest on Bigham Street, check out other Mount Washington recommendations in newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco’s neighborhood guide. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Pittsburgh Coffee Week kicks off October 15, and we’ve got all you need to know to celebrate our local shops. Barista Clarisa Espinoza-Delgado shares some tips on how to order efficiently, how much to tip, and just how long you can camp out at a table. Check out Pittsburgh Coffee Week’s website for a full lineup of events and drink specials. The coffeeshops we recommended include Trace Brewing, Commonplace Coffee, Inkwell, De Fer, La Prima, and Soluna. For even more recommendations, listen to our episode on the ABCs of Pittsburgh coffee where Zach Lucas tries a coffeeshop for every letter of the alphabet. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

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. In fact, dumping on the Steel City actually goes back over 230 years. 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 and her great Substack, fresh every Wednesday. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

District attorney isn’t typically a sexy race, especially in Allegheny County where the same person has held the office since the late 1990s. But this year, incumbent Democrat Stephen A. Zappala has a big challenge. Not only because he already lost the party nomination in April to fellow Democrat and public defender Matt Dugan, but also because a tremendous amount of outside money is suddenly pouring in. Why do George Soros and Andrew Yang care about our upcoming election, and will it make any difference on Election Day Nov. 7? We’re with PublicSource reporter Charlie Wolfson to find out! Check your voter registration and polling place ahead of Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7. Stay connected with PublicSource throughout the week when you sign up for their free email newsletters. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

The Steel City loves to revel in its own history, but many of those stories are rooted in colonialism and the generations of immigration that followed. Why don’t we learn more about the Indigenous peoples who preceded them? Ahead of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we’re revisiting this conversation between City Cast’s Elizabeth Kauma and Miguel Sague from the Council of Three Rivers Indian American Center, about whose land we’re actually on. **This conversation originally published October 11, 2022. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news roundup! Allegheny County leadership is at odds again — this time, over the fate of the Shuman juvenile detention facility in the East End; the new covid boosters are allegedly available, but Pittsburghers are having a lot of trouble finding them both in stock and covered by their insurers; and Banned Books Week kicks off this weekend, as state lawmakers consider ways to make it both easier and harder for individual school districts and libraries to be subject to those bans. Plus, did you know the whole commemoration began with a Pittsburgher? We love to cite our sources: PINJ and the Pittsburgh Independent have been doing great reporting about the plan to renovate Shuman and County Council’s impending lawsuit County Executive Rich Fitzgerald sued Council previously for passing an increase in the minimum wage for county workers, which he said he supports, but not in this manner Rollout of the new Covid booster has had issues nationwide, including insurance denials and canceled appointments One health and policy expert explained one cause for NPR: This is the first year the vaccine is being commercialized One person looking for the booster in Miami said it seems like the American health care system is ”circling the drain” Pittsburgh native Judith Krug was a banned books crusader before her death in 2009 The Washington Post analyzed book challenges nationwide and found the majority were filed by just 11 people The latest report from PEN America, which tracks book bans, found that almost 75% of reported book bans in the last school year were connected to organized efforts, mainly from advocacy groups, elected officials, or enacted legislation Lancaster Online reported on the legislation around book bans in PA, including a proposed bill to ban book bans at libraries and public schools and another bill that would require schools to notify parents about "sexually explicit content" in curriculums Our own Mallory Falk did a deep dive on an attempted book ban in Central York for WHYY’s Schooled podcast last year, and and the Inky looked at where Pennsylvania ranks with book bans nationwide Check out the Carnegie Library’s plans for Banned Book Week, including the 30 Books in 30 Minutes event online and in person Oct. 7 at 10:30 a.m. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Maybe you like IPAs or lagers. Maybe a seasonal or sour is more your taste. Or maybe you’re just in it for the lawn games. Trace Brewing’s Aadam Soorma is here to share his favorite breweries for fall, including spots to watch a game, take a hike, pet some pigs, and of course — have a great-tasting bevvie alongside it all. This is the third in a three-part series on the best fall getaways in our region. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

The nights are longer and there’s a chill in the air… it’s almost Halloween! And that means scare season for local haunt actors Stacey Federoff and Dave Archer. They’re sharing their love of the holiday, which area haunts are worth a day trip from Pittsburgh, and how you and your friends can safely (and creepily?!) experience the frights and delights of their favorite “haunted” attractions. This is episode is the second in a three-part series on the best fall getaways in our region. For hard-core horror lovers: Chippewa Lake — east of Akron, Ohio (former slaughterhouse) Field of Screams — outside of Lancaster, PA, near Hershey Crawford School of Terror — Connellsville, PA Less scary, still fun: Rich’s Fright Farm — Smithfield PA in Fayette County Factory of Terror — Canton, Ohio (excellent themed haunts like Friday 13th/Valentine’s Day/St. Patrick’s Day, and there are bars inside the haunt) Quirkiest: Hopewell Windmill — Beaver County, PA (mini golf and ice cream) Freddy’s Haunt — Beaver County, PA (Stacey’s favorite for 90s feel) Kid-friendly: Haunted Hills Hayride — North Versailles, PA Castle Blood — Monessen, PA (theatrical vignettes in a former funeral home) Hobgoblin Hikes — Westmoreland County Parks Hallowboo at Idlewild — Ligonier, PA Kennywood Fall Fest — West Mifflin, PA ZooBoo at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium — Highland Park Boo Barn at Triple B Farms — Monongahela, PA Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s officially fall, which means leaf-peeping season is almost upon us. If you’re looking for outdoorsy autumn getaways, the City Cast Pittsburgh team has got you covered. Host Megan Harris, newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco, and producers Mallory Falk and Sophia Lo are here with our favorite trips within four hours of the ‘Burgh. This is episode is the first in a three-part series on the best fall getaways in our region. Our picks close to Pgh: McConnells Mill State Park (near Portersville) — Cheeseman Farm is also in this area Looking for a place to stay? Check out The Lodge at Water’s Edge Laurel Caverns/Barton Cave (Farmington) Find out more about cave tours with Pittsburgh Grotto Ohiopyle State Park Find out more about the Legends of Ohiopyle events this Friday (looking for the extra spooky version? Get your thrills and chills here) Harmony, PA Check out the Sleepy Hollow Fest on Oct. 14 Our picks a little farther afield: Davis, WV Blackwater Falls State Park The Purple Fiddle for food, drinks, and live music If you want to venture a little farther south, check out New River Gorge, the nation’s newest national park PA Grand Canyon (Wellsboro, PA) Pine Creek Rail Trail Stargazing at Cherry Springs State Park (Coudersport, PA) Get a Night Sky Tour at this dark-sky certified spot You can also reserve a campsite there Kinzua Bridge State Park Keuka Lake, NY Check out the Village of Penn Yan The Smoky Mountains map estimates that peak foliage hits Oct 9-23, depending on where you are in the state. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

In 2008, the city and its foundations made a promise to all Pittsburgh kids – if you attend class and get decent grades, we’ll help you pay for college or trade school. But last week, the officials behind those gifts told parents in a one-page letter that the money is almost out. We’re talking about why with journalist Mary Niederberger and James Fogarty, executive director of A+ Schools. For more background on the Pittsburgh Promise’s results and past fundraising efforts, check out Mary’s previous reporting for PublicSource. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then 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 had on impact on the whole dang state when we elected a new representative this week; Pennsylvanians will be automatically registered to vote at the DMV; our five most recent former governors would love to open our primary elections; the “revolving door” for lawmakers to become lobbyists is an increasing problem in Harrisburg; and Gov. Josh Shapiro opened a text line for constituents — if you have an iPhone. We’re with Stephen Caruso of SpotlightPA and Kim Lyons, the new executive editor of the Pennsylvania Capitol-Star. We love to cite our sources: Stephen did a great summation of the 21st House District race Kim shared the new motor voter law for The Pennsylvania Capitol-Star Stephen points out for SpotlightPA that PennDOT isn’t exactly set up to absorb the change SpotlightPA’s Kate Huangpu reported on PA’s most recent five governors' shared letter in support of open primaries You can text Gov. Josh Shapiro at 717-788-8990 through the app Community Current state law bars elected officials and employees from lobbying their previous workplaces for a year, and Stephen reports there’s a bipartisan bill to extend the ban to two years Want some more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s harvest season, and if you’re looking to preserve your bounty, we’ve got some tips for you! Richard Kralj, a food safety educator at Penn State Extension, joins us to talk about why there’s a renewed interest in canning, the best ways to get started, and why you may not want to rely on your grandma’s preserved peach recipe. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Pittsburgh played a pivotal role in labor history, and we continue to innovate today. City Cast content director Wil Fulton discusses Pittsburgh’s vanguard approach to employee ownership with our sponsor, The Pennsylvania Center for Employee Ownership. He speaks with PA Center for Employee Ownership CEO Kevin McPhillips, and Erika Strassburger and Sara Innamorato, two members of the Center’s citywide task force. They discuss the Center’s mission to educate Pittsburgh on the benefits of employee ownership, not just for the employees but for business owners too. Visit pghtaskforce.org to learn more about the taskforce and how employee ownership can benefit you! Want some 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.

Did you know Pittsburgh is the backdrop for one of the most thrilling movies ever made? The Silence of the Lambs was mostly filmed around Pittsburgh in the early 1990s. When the house of the film’s skin-conscious serial killer, Buffalo Bill, went up for sale a few years ago, a fan bought it. Filmmaker Chris Rowan recreated parts of the set — including the infamous basement well — and converted the house into a “boutique accommodation and a cinematic destination.” City Cast got a special tour. **This conversation originally published October 13, 2022. Silence of the Lambs star Brooke Smith — who played the woman trapped in the basement well — is making a special appearance at Buffalo Bill’s House this Friday through Sunday. You can sign up here to meet Brooke and take a guided tour. Not free this weekend? Chris is offering guided tours through the end of October, and you can book an overnight stay at Buffalo Bill’s House all year round. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Did we just become best friends?! Making new connections as an adult in Pittsburgh can be really hard, but hobbies can help! Writer and City Cast Pittsburgh contributor Meg St-Esprit has a bunch of great ideas to help you find a fun new pastime, plus tips for breaking the ice among your soon-to-be best pals. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

South of Schenley Park and just across the river from Page’s Dairy Mart, there’s blank plot of land — currently known as Hazelwood Green — that the city, its foundations, and developers have been dreaming about for a long time. It used to be a center of industry, one of dozens of steel-making centers along our waterways. But what it should become next is still up for debate. PublicSource reporters Emma Folts and Eric Jankiewicz join us to discuss plans to transform the site from “Steel Valley” into “Bio Valley,” and concerns about whether Hazelwood residents will benefit from new development. You can read their reporting here. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then 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 is getting a trans-focused fertility clinic, and City Council passed a pair of bills to protect trans health — though it’s not clear how much power the city really has. The new COVID boosters are available and finally hitting shelves in Pittsburgh. Plus, neighbors who are still anxious about plans to build condos at the old Irish Centre site may have an unlikely hero in Phipps Conservatory. We love to cite our sources! A trans-focused fertility clinic is coming to Pittsburgh City Council passed two ordinances to make Pittsburgh a sanctuary city for gender-affirming health care NPR answered common questions about the latest COVID booster You can find places to get a free COVID vaccine under the CDC’s Bridge Access Program Phipps Conservatory has an alternative plan for the Irish Centre site We talked to Trib reporter Ryan Deto about the controversy around the current Irish Centre plan Want some more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Pittsburgh homes are a mixed bag — some are lavish and others very lived in. Sisters Hope Perri and Annie Perri Colehave made a study of neighborly nebbiness with their hyper-popular Instagram account @HousesofPittsburgh, and they’re taking us behind the scenes on how they take a neighborhood home tour, their approach to content creation, and tips and tricks for making the most of any home-scouting trip in the Burgh. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

This week 67 years ago, President Dwight D. Eisenhower launched the sister cities program, and in the decades since, Pittsburgh has become an especially popular international partner. How do these diplomatic hook-ups happen, who greenlights the match, and how did Pittsburgh end up with so many? Kathy Risko, director of the Sister Cities Association of Pittsburgh, says some of it is personality and a lot comes back to steel. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

When Andrew Carnegie started opening libraries in southwest Pennsylvania in the 1890s, he wanted to bring books and knowledge to everyone — not just those who could afford to pay. Now libraries are taking that spirit beyond the printed word, offering everything from power tools to ukuleles to genealogy databases. We’re exploring the unique collections available for you to check out at local libraries. **This conversation originally published May 30, 2023. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Labor Day is over and Pittsburghers are in full-fall mode — buying their Halloween candy and getting their pumpkin spice fix, even if it’s still best served over ice. But the city has its eye even further out, because officials are hunting now for our next enormous Christmas tree. Bobby Cherry, the local writer behind itsChristmas365.com, shares how Public Works anoints its annual evergreen, plus his top tips for holiday events you may want to plan for in advance. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news roundup! Kenny Pickett’s getting paid to look at new sofas and Cutch’s place with Pittsburgh may be in the past. We’ve got a snapshot of host Megan Harris’ hot sports goss, plus an update on the state of the South Side now that the summer is unofficially over and producer Sophia Lo’s suggestions for the best ways to enjoy RAD Days over the next few weeks. We love to cite our sources: The Trib covered Carson City Saloon’s plan to reopen Kiley Koscinski has been covering various approaches to public safety on the South Side for WESA Check out the calendar of free events and book your tickets for RAD Days, which run from September 8 to October 17 Listen to our interview with police chief Larry Scirotto, where he shares his coming out story, and our follow-up conversation with reporter Jordana Rosenfeld, where she looks at whether Scirotto’s gay identity matters to Pgh’s queer community Want some more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Have you ever tried a pawpaw? The fruit is ripe for tasting this time of year, and they grow right in our backyard, in our forests, and near our waterways. Hey Pittsburgh editor Francesca Dabecco is here to share some history of this native tree, plus some tips and tricks for finding or foraging its tropical flavor. We love to cite our sources! Become a pawpaw nerd like Francesca and read “Pawpaw, In Search of American’s Forgotten Fruit,” by Pittsburgh author Andrew Moore. Learn about pawpaw’s Indigenous roots with The Allegheny Front Here’s a YouTube guide for how to find pawpaws in the wild Pittsburgh Reddit suggested a bunch of spots to find them in Pgh, but we have not vetted them! Taste and celebrate at these regional events: Grow Pittsburgh’s Paw Paw Parties at Garden Dreams in Wilkinsburg - 9/12 & 9/19 8th Annual Paw Paw Festival in Fredrick, MD 9/16 Ohio Pawpaw Festival in Albany 9/15 - 9/17 York County’s 19th Annual Pawpaw Fest 9/23-9/24 2023 WV Pawpaw Festival at WVU Core Arboretum - 9/30 Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

The federal government is giving away billions of dollars to build hydrogen hubs across the country, and Pennsylvania lawmakers want in. They’re excited about hydrogen as a cleaner energy source than fossil fuels — and about the potential for new, well-paying jobs throughout the Commonwealth. But some environmental advocates worry that without the right regulations in place, these hydrogen hubs won’t actually be as environmentally-friendly as they seem. Kate Huangpu, government reporter for Spotlight PA, joins us to break it all down. Find her ongoing coverage of our state’s bid for hydrogen hubs here. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Almost a decade after it was created, Pittsburgh’s land bank made its first few sales this summer. Why did the land bank take so long to get off the ground, and does this portend a more productive future? Jon Moss, co-editor of the Pittsburgh Union Progress, shares the renewed hopes and continued challenges for the city’s grandest residential housing experiment. Find Jon’s reporting on the land bank here. He and others remain on strike from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Act 47 is Pennsylvania’s state oversight program to help financially distressed municipalities, but thankfully, Pittsburgh got out of Act 47 in 2018. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It’s the Friday news roundup! Many months after a study found we’re short on bathrooms downtown, city officials think they’ve finally found a solution — and they also want city residents to creatively take care of their deer problem. Plus, there’s a viral video floating around that asks a question Penn State fans should be very, very familiar with. We love to cite our sources! Pittsburgh has a new public restroom proposal for Downtown We talked about the lack of Downtown restrooms on the podcast last year Officials are proposing a controlled bowhunting pilot program in Frick and Riverview parks ahead of the fall hunting season Pennsylvania partners with Hunters Sharing the Harvest to coordinate donations to food banks. You have to use an approved meat processor, so check out their local options in advance. The Penn State Nittany Lion mascot took some heat in comedian Josh Mancuso’s latest spoof video. And, we think, for good reason. Check out the mascot vs the real animal Want some more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

How do you mark the start of fall in Pittsburgh? The first crisp morning? The moment the leaves start to change? Or maybe even earlier than that — as soon as pumpkin spice lattes are back on the Starbucks menu and Halloween decorations hit store shelves. If you’re in the latter camp, then fall is already here! And the City Cast team is sharing some of our favorite local treats to get you into the autumn spirit. Our picks: Commonplace Coffee’s fall drink specials, including their maple cinnamon and brown sugar apple spice lattes Apple butter and other fall spreads from Triple B Farms Maple soft serve, apple dumpling sundaes, and other fall treats from Page Diary Mart Bruster’s fall ice cream flavors, including caramel apple crunch and cinnamon bun Pumpkin beer from Southern Tier Brewing Company, Mike’s Beer Bar, or Bierport, hard cider from Arsenal Cider House, and the Mischievous Brown Ale from Helltown Brewing Sweet potato empanadas from the PA Market Noodle soup from Everyday Noodles Pumpkin and mascarpone ravioli or butternut squash sachetti from Penn Mac DiAnoia’s gnocci pumpkin bowl Mad Mex’s gobblerito Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Days after a standoff in Garfield over a home ejectment, the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group released a studythat found corporate home buyers have been buying more and more property in the region. Lead producer Mallory Falk joins host Megan Harris to break down the impact of corporate purchases on homeowners, including when buying practices become predatory. We love to cite our sources: Check out Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group’s new study on corporate home buyers in the region The New York Times covered the ways first-time home buyers are losing out in markets where investors and corporations are buying up houses ProPublica did a deep dive on the “We Buy Ugly Houses” company and how it targets desperate homeowners The P-G’s editorial board found a local example of a family who’d been pressured into a home sale at a vulnerable moment Bloomberg covered a new tactic some Pittsburgh flippers may be taking to try to get homeowners to sell Philadelphia requires flippers to provide prospective sellers with a homeowner bill of rights Senator Sherrod Brown introduced legislation to crack down on larger corporate investors Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Where officially is the Steel City? It's a conversation we've all had plenty of times, everyone thinks they're right, and no one is ever fully satisfied with the answer. So we made it an official debate. We’re throwing it back to one of our favorite conversations ever on this show that, of course, came on the heels of a very silly social media moment. What do you think- Midwest, Appalachia, East Coast, or Mid-Atlantic? Or as @pittsburghpersonified says, “a secret third thing,” lol. We’ve got two guests who each feel passionately that they know they answer. James Santelli is the communications manager for the Allegheny Regional Asset District, and Ryan Deto is a reporter for the Pittsburgh Trib. Think you know better? Call or text us at 412-212-8893. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! **This conversation originally published March 15, 2023. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

A record number of Pennsylvania teachers left the profession last school year, and experts say there aren’t enough qualified candidates to replace them. City Cast Philly and City Cast Pittsburgh are teaming up to unpack the problem, the causes, the consequences, and a few potential solutions. We always cite our sources: Check out PA’s teacher retention data for yourself, courtesy of Penn State’s Center for Education Evaluation and Policy Analysis Here’s the latest from WHYY on staffing at Philadelphia Public Schools, and from the Post-Gazette on staffing in Pittsburgh Chalkbeat did a great two-part breakdown on the problems and potential solutions The Learning Policy Institute shared suggestions for how to improve teachers’ first years The Hechinger Report wrote about a couple PR campaigns trying to change public opinion about teaching The Center for Black Educator Development is based in Philly and does a lot of great work around recruiting teachers of color It’s still pretty tough to navigate the licensure process if you’re moving state-to-state, but the AP reports some states are trying to ease Ten years ago, it wasn’t uncommon to see 3,000 to 4,000 applicants pop up for a single job listing on PA-educator.net, the PA’s main jobs board Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then 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 new study found Pennsylvanians eat dinner surprisingly early so we asked yinz what time you eat. Big layoffs and a store expansion put a spotlight on Dick’s Sporting Goods this week. Plus, Duquesne City School District could get its high school back — which may bode well for other schools still struggling financially from our unconstitutional funding formula. We love to cite our sources! Andrew Goldstein has been following the Duquesne City news for awhile, first for the PG and now for the Pittsburgh Union Progress After years of budget cuts, Erie schools considered closing all their high schools in 2016 PublicSource wrote about Sto-Rox’s plan to recruit charter school students back to the school district After a Commonwealth Court judge decided Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional, we teamed up with City Cast Philly to break down what comes next Dick’s announced layoffs early this week citing lower-than-expected quarterly earnings, but it was right on the heels of a new store launch Nike and Puma both promised to stop using kangaroo leather in their shoes a few years ago; the animal welfare group Center for a Humane Economy made a short but graphic video about the practice, which they’re calling on Dick’s to take a stand against Find the PA dinner time analysis and reader feedback in the Hey Pittsburgh newsletter Want some more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Fermentation might sound tricky, but in Pittsburgh, we have an expert to guide you through everything from pickles and pop to kimchi and miso. Trevor Ring of Community Cultures hosts workshops that give you a tingly taste of the art of fermentation. Listen along as the whole City Cast Pittsburgh team makes delicious blueberry pop, and get the recipe to try at home! You can check out Trevor’s upcoming workshops or book a private fermentation class at the Community Cultures website, and pick up his fermented sodas at the Bloomfield Farmer’s Market. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

We’re in the final few days of summer, school’s about to start, and traffic in Oakland is about to get a whole lot worse. But if you’re looking for a way to celebrate, the City Cast Pittsburgh team has got you covered with the perfect gifts to refresh, relax, and recharge. Support these local businesses: Virginia Montanez’ new book, “Nothing. Everything” Fresh flower picking at Shenot Farms, Soergel Orchards, and Triple B Farms. Tote bags from Nalonkuru Get a delicious dessert from Ritual House Eye drops from Revitalize Energy Play a round at Kniess Mini Golf or Puttery, or one of these other spots Barmy Soda at East End Brewing L'Épicurien’s zucchini & ramp spread from Chantal’s Cheese Shop Take a stroll up Canton Avenue, one of the world’s steepest streets Want some more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.