City Cast Pittsburgh

Nippon Steel is paying $14.9 billion for Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel, so what does that mean for the company that helped build the Burgh? Penn Hills is getting new free trash cans, and not everyone is thrilled about it. And we’ve got a few ways to help your neighbors this holiday season. Plus, we want to hear from you about what Yinzer hill you’d be willing to die on. Call or text us at 412-212-8893. Become a founding member of City Cast Pittsburgh. More info at membership.citycast.fm. We always cite our sources: Learn more about the Nippon acquisition and future plans for the Pgh headquarters. The United Steelworkers Union said leadership wasn’t informed about the plan. U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) shared his feelings on X, aka Twitter. Find out what types of trash Pittsburgh Public Works actually accepts, and double check your trash schedule before the holidays! If you live within the city, that info lives online at pgh.st. Check out Project Last Call from Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, and get in touch at [email protected]. Their crisis hotline is also open for more volunteers. Find resources for donating food to local pantries in our Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. 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.

More than 300,000 people will be passing through Pittsburgh International Airport between Dec. 22 and Jan. 1, and getting there can be even more troublesome than the flights themselves. The City Cast Pittsburgh team is sharing our best tips and tricks to making your travel time a smidge less painful, plus, we’ve got the latest on the $1.4 billion renovation at the airport. Check out Marylee’s spicy LGBTQIA book club Find your airport parking spot a little easier by saving the official PIT map Call this number 24/7 if you ever need PIT to jump your car: 412-472-5050 Become a founding member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. 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! Groceries are so much more expensive than they used to be, and new data shows Pennsylvanians in particular are paying more than the rest of the country. Pens and Pirates games have a new TV home, and we’re honoring a remarkable local who devoted her life to public service. Plus, stick around for all the details on City Cast’s next meet and greet on Friday, Dec. 22. We always cite our sources: Consumer Affairs released a grocery analysis that found Pennsylvania is the worst in the nation for price increases. USA Today compared grocery prices from Kevin McCallister’s shopping list in the 1990 film "Home Alone" to today. Starting next year, you can catch Penguins and Pirates games on a new regional TV network. Former assistant police chief Therese Rocco died this week at 97. This week’s guest, Kevin Gavin, talked to her a few years ago when she published a memoir about the discrimination she experienced in the bureau, and how she dedicated her life to finding missing children in spite of the professional challenges. City Cast Pittsburgh is opening its office doors to WZUM for Kevin Gavin’s 47th annual all-request holiday radio show. Come by, meet the team, and have a cookie or four! Become a founding 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 and you can call or text us at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

How long could you last without going to the grocery store? TikTokers Jordan Tony and Silvan Goddin use their skills and public resources to show their more than 800,000 social media followers how to live more sustainably, and for their annual “Living Off the Land” challenge, the duo are seeing how long they can get by eating only wild and homegrown food. Learn about their farming roots and favorite spaces to grow, forage, and hunt in Pittsburgh. Plus, hear their suggestions for getting started. Also, exclusively for City Cast listeners, Homegrown Handgathered is offering a 20% discount code for their online courses, use “CityCast412” for that! 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.

Pennsylvania is getting $1.6 billion in opioid settlement money over the next several years. It’s supposed to help communities address addiction, but a long-standing state ban on some harm reduction practices could make it difficult to get anything done. WESA’s Sarah Boden and SpotlightPA’s Ed Mahon share how Allegheny County gets around the rule, how other regional providers are coping, and exactly what’s in store for our piece of a very expensive pie. Become a founding member of City Cast Pittsburgh today. 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? 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, and of course, he sparked some of the conversation about what region we’re really in. Think you know better? Call or text us at 412-212-8893. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! **This conversation published previously on March 15 and August 29, 2023. Please consider a founding membership to City Cast Pittsburgh. Become a Friendly Neighbor or a Steel City Champion here! 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.

We’re going back to the moon! A Pittsburgh-based aerospace company is sending off a lunar lander right before Christmas. But it’s not our first rodeo in this space — the Steel City has a long legacy in cosmic exploration. Producer Sophia Lo shares Pgh’s role in the Apollo missions, how the upcoming Peregrine launch came together, and what it means to have a budding “space district” on the North Side. Plus, our team has a little launch announcement of our own. We’ve kicked off a new membership program, and you can find all the details (and perks!) at membership.citycast.fm We love to cite our sources! Find out about more ways Pittsburgh and Western PA contributed to space exploration. The Heinz History Center wrote about Congressman James Fulton’s efforts to fund the Space Race. Heinz History Center Curator Emily Ruby did a deep dive into the ways Pittsburgh contributed to the 1969 moon landing. Missed Destination Moon? The Heinz History Center has videos up on their website and a virtual tour. TribLive reported on some updates on Pittsburgh’s “space district.” Over the summer, Astrobotic and ProtoInnovations got NASA grants. Learn more about active astronauts; four of them are from Pgh! Save the date! NASA made an Eventbrite for anyone who wants to mark the lunar launch on their calendar. You can watch a livestream of the launch on December 24. 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! Winter is coming, but is the city prepared with its snow plows? We’re also looking at how Gov. Josh Shapiro has (or hasn’t) lived up to his campaign promises so far, and if you don’t feel like cooking, we’ve lined up a whole day of great local food. Plus, there’s a new chance to hang with the City Cast crew in December! We always cite our sources: Spotlight PA has been tracking how far Shaprio has gotten on his campaign promises. PublicSource has a great story on the push for a higher minimum wage for county employees. We have an episode on why Pittsburgh wanted a Hydrogen Hub. You can read up on the house’s attempt to pass a $15 minimum wage in the AP. The AP’s Marc Levy reported on Gov. Shapiro’s unfinished business with the state legislature. Pittsburgh’s snow plow tracker has some great tips below the map Check out the full list of Scotland’s famous punny plows, or as they call them, gritters The Trib offered an update on the long-delated South Hills snow plow facility. Wise County Cafe opened in Allegheny West and serves a great brunch! Brothmonger is expanding her scope beyond soup at her pop up at Bitter Ends on Monday - 5:00pm - 9:00pm. Leona’s is crowdfunding for their First Scoop Shop and has released holiday flavors. The Post Gazette Strikers are hosting a bake sale! 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.

Where does Mayor Ed Gainey go to unwind? What’s his favorite restaurant? Is he a hockey guy, or a Steelers stan? Which mascot is his all-time favorite, and why isn’t it ALCOSAN’s Frankie the Fish? We kept the mics hot to ask the city’s top official a few of your silliest questions. A couple past shows to check out: Budgets, bridges & why Gainey thinks sidewalks are sexy Why can’t Pittsburgh score an NBA team? 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.

People are worried about downtown Pittsburgh, but Mayor Ed Gainey isn't convinced. We went to the City-County Building to talk about his wish list for more bridge projects, less gun violence, and bringing the NFL Draft to Steelers country. Plus, stick around for our suggestions ahead of his very first e-scooter ride. 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.

Hanukkah starts tomorrow night, and if you head Downtown, the mayor and community leaders are lighting a 12-foot menorah at the City-County Building. But its place on government property wasn’t always so celebrated. In 1986, a team of Pittsburghers brought a lawsuit against city and county governments to remove both it and the enormous creche, which in those days sat outside the County Courthouse. We’re talking with one of the plaintiffs, attorney Jon Pushinsky, about his legal argument and what it felt like to take it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. 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.

Why lead one county when you can influence 10? Outgoing County Executive Rich Fitzgerald announced his new gig with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, which means he won’t be going far. We’re talking about what the SPC actually does, plus how it plans to spend $35 million through 2045. HBO’s latest period drama “The Gilded Age” is adapting the Homestead strike in this week’s episode, and with everyone posting their Spotify Wrapped, we wondered what it would take to get Pittsburgh as your sound town. Did you get Pittsburgh as your Spotify Wrapped Sound Town? Tell us what music you listen to. Call or text us at 412-212-8893. We always cite our sources: You can check out bridge conditions in your county. Check out these Reddit threads about how and who got Pittsburgh as their sound town. Listen to our episode with historian Maura Bainbridge on the impact of the 1892 Homestead strike. You can volunteer as a Snow Angel by signing up through the city’s website. 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.

Lights, camera, action! Now that the Hollywood actors’ and writers’ strikes are over, what does it take to get Pittsburgh’s movie biz rolling again? We're with Pittsburgh Film Office executive director Dawn Keezer to talk about upcoming productions, how they've been supporting their artists, what she hopes to do with money from the state when it eventually comes, and why it’s taken Pgh so long to break a “season three” curse. You can visit the Pittsburgh Film Office’s website to learn more about the opportunities it has to offer, and the Create PA workforce training program supports those looking to break into the industry. 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! PA still doesn’t have a state budget and it’s costing local community colleges and libraries a lot. Zoning changes — more zoning changes! — could be on the horizon for child care facilities, and after a week without Matt Canada, how are the Steelers looking? Plus, we learned something new about Prevention Point Pittsburgh. We always cite our sources: SpotlightPA reports state budget delays are really hurting local community colleges and libraries. The Trib focused on several community colleges in the Pittsburgh region Listen to our previous episode with PublicSource’s Emma Folts on shrinking enrollment at CCAC The city planning commission recently approved child care zoning, and the Trib’s been reporting on its progress Prevention Point Pittsburgh does great work in Pittsburgh. You can get harm reduction supplies at five sites across the city Apply for free Narcan, delivered anonymously right to your door A new collab from SpotlightPA and WESA digs into how opioid settlement money is supposed to expand syringe services, and what’s holding that back 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.

Description: It’s the food show! We’re helping you get into the holiday spirit with Christmas pop-up bar recommendations. Plus, our tips on where to get cookies for holiday parties and events to keep you busy this weekend. Check out Hey Pittsburgh’s best holiday markets for shopping local around the ‘Burgh. 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.

Pittsburghers tend to be pretty nostalgic — we love giving directions based on what used to be somewhere — and our city is filled with these forgotten relics from the past. Local writer Virginia Montanez (aka Jane Pitt or Pitt Girl) decided to change that. She’s sharing her latest passion project, an interactive map called Pittsburgh Remains to Be Seen. Plus, hear how you can get involved! **This episode originally aired Tuesday, August 22, 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.

The Hollywood Theater in Dormont is back in business, temporarily. Developer Brian Mendelssohn is in the preview phase of a more than $1 million renovation of the oddly shaped, weirdly designed one-screen space, and he’s just getting started. We joined him on Potomac Avenue to talk about what he learned from opening Row House in Lawrenceville, how the South Hills community has contributed to his dreams for the Hollywood, and all the fun treats he’s got in mind for its basement, including private spaces for karaoke, gaming, smaller film screenings, and more. Plus, get a taste for the “punk art deco Metropolis” vibe he’s cultivating ahead of its official construction phase in January. 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.

Judicial elections don’t usually take the spotlight. But this year, the race for PA’s Supreme Court between Democrat Daniel McCaffery and Republican Carolyn Carluccio set big new spending records. AP reporter Marc Levy explains how all that cash made a difference and what this election could mean for future judicial races. 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.

Tis the season to shop small! For this month’s City Cast Pittsburgh gift guide, we’re ticking off a swirl of upcoming art and craft markets for holiday shoppers of every stripe. Whether you’re in the mood for huge wall art, intricate glasswork, hand-painted stationary, or beautifully delicate ceramics and pottery, we’ve got your ultimate holiday market guide to help you find the Pittsburgh-perfect gift for all your loved ones this year. Newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco shared an even bigger list of regional markets in the Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. 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.

Over the last couple months, one local name has become synonymous with failure — or at least culpability. The 6-4 Steelers may have a winning record, but few would credit offensive coordinator Matt Canada with their success. What about him inspired thousands of fans to chant “Fire Matt Canada” at both Steelers and Penguins games, or prompt one enterprising Giant Eagle to sell cookie cakes with the same slogan? We’re with WPXI’s Jenna Harner and The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo to talk about how Canada came to Pittsburgh, what went wrong during his tenure, and how long a rabid fan base may have to ride this out. **Editor’s Note: Just after publishing, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced Canada had been relieved of his duties. Our guest, Mike DeFabo, will be updating a story 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. 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.

It’s hard to tell now, but Pittsburgh’s got deep roots in roller skating. We’re talking about the heyday for local rinks, iconic moves like the Pittsburgh Stride, and how a new group called the PGH SK8 Collaborative centers all skating styles, abilities, ages, races, bodies and genders. Plus, guests Dana Bannon and Rico Rucker have a thought or two about both pickleball and the future of the Homewood Coliseum. If, like host Megan Harris, you’re worried roller skates would make you look like a baby giraffe, you can go to skate school! Check out all PGH SK8’s upcoming events here. They’re also raising money for a portable roller rink to bring skating to even more spaces around the city. You can donate to the fundraising campaign 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! The City Cast Pittsburgh team is going deep on Mayor Ed Gainey’s “State of the City” address and which of his priorities perked up our ears. Plus, we explain what the end of Giant Eagle FuelPerks actually means and how to do Light Up Night right. We love to cite our sources! Watch Gainey’s “State of the City” address and read up on his budget. Dive deeper into the myPerks take over. Scope out Light Up Night, and this years festivities and controversies. 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.

Dietary restrictions and food allergies can be a real damper on all of the delicious holiday dishes, but they don’t have to be. Pittsburgh food blogger Liz Fetchin is with us to dish on all of the allergy-friendly recipes in her new e-cookbook, An Octofree Thanksgiving. With a grocery list, timeline, and alternatives to comforting classics, Fetchin will have you ready to serve everyone at your table this season. Follow Fetchin on Instagram at @octofree and buy her e-book at https://octofree.com/shop/. **This conversation originally published on November 16, 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 officially winter, according to Allegheny County’s emergency winter housing plan, which is supposed to expand our capacity to provide for unhoused people when the temperatures start to fall. Officials say we’re ready, that more beds will be available IF temperatures and demand require them, but they haven’t shared where those beds will be. As encampments continue to get cleared, we talk with PublicSource photojournalist Stephanie Strasburg about why biggest overflow space — Smithfield Church of Christ — closed this year, and what the plan is for winter 2023-24. Read PublicSource’s “Shelter Stakes” series here. Stay connected with PublicSource throughout the week when you sign up for their free email newsletters. If you or someone you know is experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness, you can contact The Allegheny Link. Their number is 1-866-730-2368. There’s also a bunch of Resource Guides there that list groups already doing outreach work if you’d rather donate or volunteer your time. 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.

How tall is too tall for a building in Bloomfield? Developer Echo Realty requested a zoning variance to increase the maximum height for a new housing development and grocery store, but Pittsburgh’s zoning board denied the request. TribLive reporter Ryan Deto breaks down what happened with this setback and shares what these zoning decisions say about the process of building housing in the city. 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.

Spin e-scooters were all over Pittsburgh as part of a two-year pilot, and lawmakers could reauthorize them any day — if the Senate can finish the long-overdue state budget. (It’s only 4.5 months late, but who’s counting.) City Cast’s Megan Harris & Sophia Lo talk about the new program, how our lawmakers are feeling, and what one reporter who’s doggedly dug into scooter-related injuries hopes to see from the city in phase two. Ann Belser reported on the potential return of e-scooters for Print and NextPittsburgh, and she’s joined us on the podcast to talk about the end of the initial pilot and her investigation around e-scooter injuries. 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! Earlier this week, voters in Ohio codified access to abortion and recreational cannabis, and we wondered whether Pennsylvania could do the same. The answer is complicated. We’ve got an update on where the commonwealth is on the road to recreational cannabis legalization, plus a fun little airport update — Pittsburghers will soon be able to get flights to Iceland without a layover. A special thanks to City Cast’s interim executive producer Marylee Williams — her first time on mic with us! — and Spotlight PA reporter Ed Mahon for sharing his cannabis reporting. We love to cite our sources! From the Inky, a look at how Ohio voters amended their state constitution The PA House recently considered cannabis again in a public hearing Ohio has more citizen-led direct democracy options PublicSource did a great explainer on constitutional amendments in PA Check out Ed’s previous work on PA’s efforts to raise the minimum wage Prospects of legalization in PA have picked up—but there’s still an open question about how the GOP-controlled Senate might approach reform if the opposite chamber delivered it a bill PA & West Virginia are the only states among our close neighbors to have not legalized now Starting in May 2024, Iceland Air is launching nonstop service to Reykjavík, Iceland. 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.

Whether you want a turkey-less Thanksgiving or a soul food feast that can feed 15 people, newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco and audio producer Sophia Lo have you covered with the best Thanksgiving takeout options in Pittsburgh. Plus, we dip into Heinz’s new ketchup flavor, restaurant openings around town, and what to do this weekend. 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.

You voted, let’s talk about it! Allegheny County is under new leadership. Hear all about who got to celebrate, who conceded, and what it all might mean for Allegheny County Thanks to our guests: Kim Lyons, editor of the Pennsylvania Capital-Star Natalie Bencivenga, journalist, consultant, and City Cast contributor. 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.

To celebrate her 10-year anniversary in Pittsburgh, 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. Don’t forget to vote today! Check out Hey Pittsburgh for a guide to all the voting guides in Pittsburgh and listen to our episode about what to expect on your ballot. Here’s how to find your district and polling place. 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 spend all your time in your backyard birdwatching, you’re probably already halfway to contributing to a citizen science project. From listening to frog calls to catching lanternflies, there are so many ways anyone can collect data for researchers. Writer and museum educator Melanie Linn Gutowski has a list of wildlife-focused projects Pittsburghers can participate in, even with just 15 minutes of spare time. Project Owlnet is ongoing, and you can find more information on the National Aviary’s website. 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 a special Election edition of the Friday news roundup, and it’s our 412th episode! (We love a Pgh holiday.) The polls are open Tuesday in Allegheny County from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the City Cast crew is here to walk you through the region’s biggest races — what the offices do, who’s running, what’s at stake, and why a few of the nation’s top political wonks may be watching Pittsburgh for clues to what could come in 2024. Plus, we’ve got a special audio treat at the very end! Check out Hey Pittsburgh for a guide to all the voting guides in Pittsburgh this week. Here’s how to find your district and polling place. We love to cite our sources! Why do George Soros and Andrew Yang care about Allegheny County’s district attorney? Plus how much they gave to local candidates. What you need to know about Allegheny County's ballot question on council salaries, via WESA. A Pa. Supreme Court race this fall could have big implications for the 2024 presidential election, as well as where the state falls in a handful of issues that could come before the court. The Inky also dug into the Carluccio and McCaffery campaigns, and Spotlight PA created a candidate guide. A super cool and very informative food-pyramid-style graphic to learn about the courts! 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.

As Allegheny County’s Latinx population grows, we’re also seeing more restaurants reflecting our changing demographics. Luz Amanda Hank and Howard Alvarez from Pitt’s Center for Latin American Studies are helping shape Pittsburgh’s Latin American food scene — from organizing festivals to getting restaurants off the ground. Hear their top picks for new and traditional favorites — from the perfect rice and beans to arepas and carne asada — plus grocery staples and so much more. Find their full restaurant list here and recommend more Latin American and Caribbean cuisine via their form. Restaurants, food trucks, and other spots mentioned in this episode: Five Stars Honduran Restaurant Cilantro & Ajo Papelón Pabellón Arepittas Tú y Yo Café Tango Food Truck Antojitos Hondureños El Chucho Leon’s Caribbean Pupusas y Antojitos Helen La Palapa El Chaqueño Las Palmas Reyna Foods Monroy Supermarket La Poblanita Mercearia Brazilian Mini Market Orquidea Latin Market Panadería Jazmin Pisko Peruvian Gourmet El Ricón Oaxaqueño La Calera Mexican Bar and Grill 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.

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.