City Cast Pittsburgh

Mayor Ed Gainey is making good on a campaign promise to go after tax-exempt properties that the city says shouldn’t qualify under state law — including one of our city’s biggest employers and property owners, UPMC. The city is reviewing 17,600 properties in all, and they just announced the first 26 up for a closer look. Dan Davis of Pittsburgh United is one of the activists in favor of overturning their tax-exempt status. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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! Lead producer Megan Harris is joined by Hey Pittsburgh newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco and producer Elizabeth Kauma to cover the biggest stories from Pittsburgh this week, including unemployment numbers going down, and a controversial debate around trans rights that has given rise to college protests. Also, the team helps you get your spring garden going with some composting advice.

Chef Nik Forsberg is a semi-finalist for Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic Region by the James Beard Foundation for his pop-up concept Fet-Fisk, which prioritizes sustainably sourced seafood, local meats, and veggies from Nik’s own garden. City Cast’s Megan Harris explores what he grows, how he approaches a constantly changing menu, and his plans to open a new brick-and-mortar in Bloomfield. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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 knew Pittsburgh was home to the nation’s first Black-owned and operated professional sports stadium, but it turns out, another one — also in Pittsburgh — predates it. Historian David Rotenstein takes us back in time to the Central Amusement Park, circa 1920, and shares how the family’s descendants are now looking for the recognition they deserve. Special thanks to NEXTpittsburgh for David's great reporting. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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.

Not all roads in PA lead to getting a vanity license plate the green light. Today, Pittsburgh is teaming up with City Cast Philly to explain how it works, what it costs, and what phrases, acronyms or combination of up to seven letters and numbers get approved — and rejected — by the state. The state has a tool to check if someone already has the license plate you want. You have to mail in form MV-904 to get a vanity license alongside a check or money order to Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Special Tag Unit, P.O. Box 68293, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8293. The Do Not Issue List is updated annually. Penndot also has more general information about vanity license plates on their website. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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.

During the pandemic, many of us clung to the phrase “Follow The Science,” and trusted that our doctors would do the same. But a new study from the University of Pittsburgh found that even when doctors tried to do that, their conclusions were influenced by their political beliefs. City Cast’s Megan Harris is with Dr. Jeremy Kahn, one of the co-authors on the study and a practicing ICU physician in the city, to talk about how politics sway our physicians and what that means for our trust in the health care system. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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 fund to help communities deal with polluted air could get poached by the county, historians finally found the namesake of the Carrie Blast Furnaces, and if you’re looking for love, there’s a new on-camera opportunity in town. City Cast’s Megan Harris and Elizabeth Kauma are with PublicSource journalist Quinn Glabicki. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Check out Quinn’s story on the messy finances behind the Clean Air Fund, plus how inversions worsen the impact of pollution in the Mon Valley. Historians finally uncovered the mystery behind the namesake of the Carrie Blast Furnace after 25 years. Rivers of Steel, the furnace’s modern-day managers, is publishing a series of blog posts on Carrie’s life. Very Local is an affiliate of Hearst and WTAE. All their programming is free, including Season 2 of Ed and Day in the Burgh. And they’re still casting for the Pittsburgh version of Local Love. Producers say all ages, identities, and orientations should apply. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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.

From knife skills and mother sauces to composting and the global supply chain, there’s a culinary arts training program in McKees Rocks hoping to inspire the next generation of Pittsburgh foodies. The Steel Chef Cook-off Competition puts local teens through a 10-week intensive cooking class taught by local chefs before a final, reality TV-style competition next week. And the best part? You can taste and judge it all! Project manager Jenifer Davison is here to share the deets. The final showdown is Monday, March 27, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Father Ryan Arts Center in McKees Rocks. Get your tickets here. Here’s how to spend a Saturday learning about Frankie Pace, one of Pittsburgh’s gospel greats. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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.

With one look down, it’s obvious that Pittsburgh’s sidewalks need some work. The city just announced that it’s getting $3 million in state grant money for infrastructure projects, but only a small portion of it will go to toward making these paths more accessible. Newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco is talking with disability advocate and leader of Access Mob Pittsburgh, Alisa Grishman, about what it’s like to be a wheelchair user in Pittsburgh, and what our neighbors — with or without disabilities — can do to help to create a safer, more accessible city. The 10.27 Healing Partnership, which was created in the aftermath of the mass shooting at Tree of Life synagogue, plans to keep working another five years. You can listen here to our interview with Director Maggie Feinstein about processing grief. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

It’s National Fragrance Day, and we’re talking niche perfumes, what they are, and why they’re having a moment right now in Pittsburgh. Producer and niche fragrance collector Elizabeth Kauma talks with lead producer Megan Harris about all of this while they try out several local fragrances. You’ll also hear from artisanal perfumer Darren Alan, fragrance journalist Patric Rhys, and Scott Kindberg, the artist behind 5:55 Perfumery. Another local perfumer we mention is 837 North. Here’s the Articles of Interest podcast we talked about, featuring Avery Trufelman. And check out this Financial Review article about the fragrance industry. If you want to do a deep dive into the market research behind this trend, this report from 2020 has some good data. Patric also wrote an in-depth article detailing the history of fragrance. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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.

Governor Josh Shapiro is a huge sports fan. He recently sat courtside at a Sixers game and cheered for the Eagles at the Super Bowl. But who paid for those tickets? City Cast’s Megan Harris chats with Stephen Caruso, capitol reporter for Spotlight PA, about the rules around gifts and campaign contributions to elected officials. The Shapiro administration insists the governor did not violate his own gift ban when he went to the Super Bowl, and the administration called the recent Sixers game a “political meeting.” Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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! City Cast’s Elizabeth Kauma and Megan Harris are with NHL writer Sean Gentille talking about broadcasting bankruptcies, Pittsburgh’s budding hoops dreams and who’s (not?) responsible for abandoned boats in our waterways. Special thanks to some fun writing: Pgh Sports Now’s 13 local ties to the 2023 NCAA men’s tournament A printable bracket, in case you need to proclaim your greatness near and far The Trib’s Rob Owen on the intricacies of Bally and AT&T Sports Net’s financial woes Andy Sheehan tried to track down who’s responsible for the abandoned boat WESA had a great story about the latest Clairton Coke Works fines And a Sewickley couple is behind the new comedy-driven Burgh bus Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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’re a plant-based eater in Pittsburgh, you’re probably mourning the loss of some favorite haunts. Our resident vegetarian, newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco, is here to explain what’s going on, plus recommend some new spots to help fill the void. Hungry for more? Read Kristy Locklin’s piece in Pittsburgh Magazine. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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.

In the first of a few debates, we consider an age-old question: Where officially is the Steel City? Midwest? East Coast? Mid-Atlantic? Or Appalachia? 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 Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Since 1990, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History has been working to repatriate more than 700 human remains and funerary objects from Indigenous Peoples, but so far, only 104 have been made available for return. City Cast’s Elizabeth Kauma explains why it’s taking the museum so long — and how they got them all in the first place. Special thanks to Amy Covell-Murthy, collection manager of archaeology and head of the section of anthropology at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and Carrie Wilson, NAGPRA Director for the Quapaw Tribe, for speaking to City Cast Pittsburgh. We love to show our work: The Native American Graves and Repatriation Act is carried out by the National Park Service. The original law as passed in 1990 only allowed for affiliations to be made by lineal descendent, but the 2010 addition allows for affiliations to be made by geographical connection. There is currently a proposed change that would place time limits on museums to affiliate remains as a way to prevent the research loophole that allows for destructive research on the remains. That proposal has been lauded by some, Carrie was very critical of the new regulations and said that these time limits could lead to rushed, and possibly false, affiliations and were an example of the federal government ignoring native sovereignty. Carrie was also critical of the ProPublica article and database, because she thinks they gloss over the hard work that institutions and Native tribes and nations have done to repatriate remains and paints institutions as the villain with too broad of a brush. The Carnegie Museum of Natural History also released a notice with more details about how the Quapaw remains ended up in the museum’s collection. You can visit the native-led exhibition “Apsáalooke Women and Warriors“ at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History until May 29th. And here’s our last episode on the Carnegie’s Museum of Natural History’s use of human remains in a diorama. diorama “Lion Attacking a Dromedary.” Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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.

Tim Pearce doesn’t really think about being a social media sensation—he is too busy thinking about snails! Section head and curator of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s mollusk department joins us to talk about how he got started studying nature's underdogs, why our warm winter might make them particularly rambunctious, and what it is like to go viral (online). And Picklesburgh has been nominated AGAIN for Best Specialty Food Festival by USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Travel awards, and voting will be open until March 20th. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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! If you like crowds, crowdsourcing, or hanging in the sun, golly is this the weekend for you. We’ve got all you need to know about the nation’s allegedly 3rd largest St. Patrick’s Day parade, a great new way to inform city officials about our roadways, and the secret Steel City history — and potential future! — of Daylight Saving Time. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Check out the history of Pittsburgh’s St. Patrick’s parade. A Pittsburgh businessman is the father of daylight saving. The Mayo Clinic did a study on the adverse medical events following daylight saving. There are a bunch of 311 events at 311.org You can contact 311 anytime on the city’s website. Listen to our episode with Dashcam For Your Bike CEO Armin Samii and what inspired him to serve fellow cyclists. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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.

Pennsylvania may not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of maple syrup, but we're actually the 6th largest producer in the country. Will we stay that way with the effects of climate change affecting our trees? Penn State Extension forest resources educator Scott Weikert explains why our sugaring season is evaporating, how tap into syrup harvesting as a hobby, and the Pennsylvania products to snag. Hey Pittsburgh editor Francesca Dabecco explains the maple sugaring process in a recent newsletter. The Somerset County Maple Council is hosting a full weekend of tasting and touring events this Saturday and Sunday, including representatives from 24 local producers. See maple sugaring for yourself on Saturday at Knob Hill Community Park in Marshall Township. And there’s a whole Pennsylvania Maple Festival in Meyersdale in April. Check out its run of show here. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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.

“No matter what you look like, who you love, what your religion, or where you’re from: you’ve got a friend in Armstrong County.” That’s the message deemed so objectionable that it needed to be taken off a billboard. But there’s one across the street that isn’t subject to the same rules. Plus, we're less than 90 days from Pride! We’re with QBurgh founder Jim Sheppard. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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.

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman is being treated for clinical depression, but a lot of us struggle with feeling our best after months of cold, gray, Pittsburgh weather. How do you identify whether your experience is clinical or seasonal, and how can you seek help? And what does it mean to be a good ally for friends and loved ones who come to you for support? Our guest is Chris Michaels, CEO of NAMI Keystone PA, the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Governor Josh Shapiro is delivering his budget address today at 11:30 a.m. Listen in on the PCNC TV livestream. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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.

Cannabis law in the Keystone state is different depending on where you live in the state, but lawmakers are talking about some pretty big changes. City Cast’s Megan Harris and Trenae Nuri are with Ed Mahon, investigative reporter for Spotlight PA, to talk about what’s in the works and what could still take years to come together. Want to watch the Governor’s budget address? Check out the PCNC TV livestream. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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! This week we are talking about the EPA’s latest efforts to clean up the East Palestine train derailment, how the state is trying to be more flexible with mandatory testing requirements (but is really putting a strain on already underfunded schools), and how to keep celebrating Black history and excellence all year long. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Here’s the NYT’s latest explainer on what’s happening in East Palestine, Ohio. If you want to read more, the Pittsburgh Independent shared a bunch of great reporting about the derailment on Thursday. WESA has also had some really great coverage — their collected stories live here. And the Allegheny Front is doing great work, too. Check their online feed often, or catch their full show via podcast or on Saturdays on 90.5 FM in Pittsburgh. PublicSource’s Dakota Casto-Jarrett did a great job explaining the new rules around Act 158 and how it affects PA’s Keystone exams. Read historian David Rotenstein’s NEXTPittsburgh article about the first Black baseball field in Pittsburgh here. There are lots of great ways to learn Black Pittsburgh history in a recent Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. And check out tonight’s August Wilson archive event here. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.

What does brine, brews, and baklava all have in common (besides the b)? They are all a part of Pittsburgh’s enormous festival scene. Food historian Julia Hudson-Richards dives into why we have so many food festivals and the historic and economic forces that drive them. Plus, she shares which upcoming festivals to save room in your stomach for. You can listen to our episode about the Ohio Train derailment here. And check out our episode with the CEO of Dashcam for Your Bike, Armin Samii, about bike lanes and cyclist safety. 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’ve got one from the vault! Ten years ago, a new children’s show premiered on PBS starring Daniel Tiger, son of the beloved puppet from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” The animated series was the first TV show from Fred Rogers Productions since Rogers died in 2003 — 20 years ago this week (!!) — and the team behind it wanted to honor his legacy while making the story fresh for a new generation. Chris Loggins, supervising producer on “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” explains how it got started and how the team is still celebrates the Steel City behind the scenes. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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.

In Pennsylvania, public school teachers can’t legally wear religious garb while working. We’re the only state that still has such a ban. City Cast’s Trenae Nuri talks with education reporter Aubri Juhasz about a push to get rid of the ban this legislative session. Read Aubri’s great reporting here. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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.

A hundred years ago, at the height of industry in Pittsburgh, immigrants of different religious backgrounds, packed places of worship in their neighborhoods. Some of those formerly holy buildings have since been repurposed into bars, clubs, concert venues and creative spaces. We’re with freelance writer, Taylor Fowler—talking about challenges of turning hundred year old sanctuaries into a hot spot. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning 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! The full squad is here celebrating the return of beloved Pirate Andrew McCutcheon and looking into how a revamped city commission could bring more equitable artworks to the area. Plus, how to look for unclaimed cash that could be waiting for you. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. You can find the state’s website for unclaimed money here. See the utterly chill-inducing moment in 2013 when Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto dropped the ball in front of a blackout crowd in Pittsburgh. And here’s a deeper explanation of what was going on in Pirates ball that year. If you’re interested in a season preview for the Pirates, check out Jason Mackey’s article Find out more about the reorganized Art Commission in the Department of City Planning’s legislation proposal: https://pittsburghpa.gov/press-releases/press-releases/5940 Learn more about Mikael Owunna’s work from our episode with the visual artist Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.

Lent is the month long period leading up to Easter involving fasting, asking for forgiveness and prayer. So when did fish fries come into the picture? We’re bringing back this episode with writer Rossilynne Skena Culgan to find out why this deep-fried spring tradition is so important in the Burgh. Check out Code for Pittsburgh's 2023 fish fry map here! And get to know the Codfather here. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.

Urban "renewal" changed the Lower Hill from a bustling neighborhood filled with nightclubs and bars to a parking lot — and soon, a behemoth skyscraper and multimillion dollar concert venue. Author and historian David Rotenstein is here to harken back to the nightlife of 100 years ago and two nefarious brothers who bankrolled it all. Check out David's full story for NEXTpittsburgh. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.

What do non-Pittsburghers want to know about our city? Does anyone here still make steel? Where did the Pirates get their name? What famous people were born here? Does everyone work for UPMC? We’ve got all the answers for City Cast CEO David Plotz, plus Morgan and Megan explain the difference between being nice and being kind. Hear more about the downtown curfew here and proposed enforcement here. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.

It’s the Friday news roundup! This week, learn the history of paczki, take a tour of Chinese treats ahead of the upcoming new year parade, and entertain a real-time sip of a Southern classic with the City Cast Pittsburgh team. Lead Producer Megan Harris is back and on mic with Elizabeth Kauma, Francesca Dabecco, and Mallory Falk talking about some of our favorite foods of the season and a few ways to spend your three-day weekend. Plus, hear Morgan Moody check in with the owner of Party Cake Bakery in the South Hills. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Check out Squirrel Hill’s lineup for this year’s Lunar New Year parade A fun primer on New Year treats, savory and sweet! Learn more about the history of Pittsburgh paczki and where to find them The Hey Pittsburgh newsletter featured Party Cake Bakery in our Brookline neighborhood guide Melissa McCart’s amazing 2018 piece about Mike Chen’s chef visa challenges And find something fun among this list of Mardi Gras events happening this weekend and next! Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.

Earlier this month, a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in a town 50 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Residents within miles of the crash were evacuated while officials released those potentially deadly fumes into the air to avoid an explosion. Since then, many people living in East Palestine have been feeling sick. finding dead animals, and expressing concerns over their water being contaminated. We’re with environmental reporter, Kristina Marusic to find out if the dangerous chemicals will pollute Pittsburgh, and if a derailment like the one in Ohio, could happen in the city. Special thanks to the TikTok channel @moreperfectunion and creator @HeyJohnRussell for the great reporting and sound. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.

Pittsburgh doesn’t have the threat of hurricanes and wildfires but our muddy hillsides could wash away as flooding and heavier rainfall surge with climate change. So how much should we worry? And what’s being done? We’re talking about the impact these landslides could have on local homeowners with PublicSource climate reporter Quinn Glabicki. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.

If you’ve been striking out on the dating apps, some small adjustments to your profile might be the way to help you find love. We’re bringing back an episode with journalist and poet, Dani Janae, for her tips to find romantic love — or even a budding friendship — just by being yourself. Plus, check out a Valentine’s Day love letter from our listeners and newsletter readers answering why they fell in love with Pittsburgh. Read Dani's original piece here. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.

A Commonwealth Court judge recently ruled that the way Pennsylvania funds public schools is unconstitutional. Pittsburgh’s Mallory Falk and Philly’s Trenae Nuri are joined by Dale Mezzacappa, senior reporter for Chalkbeat Philadelphia, to talk about how this ruling could affect students here and throughout the state. You can read Dale’s reporting on the landmark court decision here, and all of her school funding trial coverage here. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.

It’s the Friday news roundup! City Cast’s Morgan Moody and Elizabeth Kauma are joined by the founder of Pittsburgh Independent, Brian Conway, talking about why the North Side fest is going by a new name, plus we break down the power shift in the Pennsylvania House following this week’s special election and share an amazing local guide to common grocery store goodies. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Brian’s article for Pittsburgh Independent about Deutschtown changing hands Stephen Caruso of SpotlightPA on the latest House races And check out @Hereforthebeers Reddit Post for the best local bargains. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Whether you prefer wood fired, deep dish, square cuts, or Ohio Valley style with cold cheese (where are our Beto’s fans at?), there’s a slice for everyone in the ‘Burgh. In honor of National Pizza Day, Pittsburgh Magazine food editor Kristy Locklin joins us to dish on her favorites. Kristy's recommendations: Wood Fired by Lorelei Strange Roots Blue Sparrow Driftwood Oven Caliente Pizza and Draft House Spak Brothers Michael’s Pizza Bar Lelulo’s Pizzeria Frank’s Pizza and Chicken Black Lotus Pizza Rockaway Pizza Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Did you know Pittsburgh more public staircases than any other American city? Some of them are looking a little shabby these days, but the city recently received $7 million in federal funding to restore and repair city steps. As the city figures out which stairways to prioritize, we’re resisting our conversation with Laura aka Mis.steps to learn how Pittsburgh became the staircase capitol. You can sign up for a city steps walking tour with Laura or scroll through her Instagram account for lots of staircase great photos. Laura was inspired to start the Mis.Steps project after reading Bob Regan’s “Pittsburgh Steps: The Story of the City’s Public Stairway.” It’s the original guide to Pittsburgh’s 739 steps. You can listen to our episode about Shell’s ethane cracker in Beaver County here. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.

What’s that in the Pittsburgh air? No, it’s not smog. It’s love. Next week brings two opportunities to celebrate our loved ones: Galentine’s Day and Valentine’s Day. If you need plans, the City Cast team is rounding up our favorite local treats, activities and gifts for both romantic partners and pals. Our recommendations from the episode: For Galentine’s/Palentine’s Day Grab a croissant from Madeline Bakery & Bistro and head over to Biddle’s Escape for a strawberry dirty chai with your bestie Make flower bouquets with your friends at Atithi Studios’ Valentine Market Sip beer and create custom candles at the Galentine’s Edition of Wicks & Sips at Cinderlands Beer Co. Stop by the Galentine’s Party at Trace Brewing for tacos, tunes, and toys Order an ice cream sundae party box from Millie’s Check out the 412 Poetry Slam Meet up with your friends at a nostalgic hangout spot like Aspinwall Beans ‘N’ Cream For Valentine’s Day Head to Valentine’s on Ice at the Schenley Park Skating Rink Share Valentine’s Day Cheese Plate from Chantal’s Cheese Shop Give your loved one Valentine’s Day Yinzer Pins from Pittsburgh City Paper Take a Make-It-Now Valentine workshop at the Pittsburgh Glass Center Split a berry heart pie from the Butterwood Bake Consortium Learn how to screen print Valentine’s Day cards at the CommonWealth Press Love Inks workshop Pick up a Forma Pasta Valentine’s Day dinner kit Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

When the city closed a tent camp along Stockton Avenue late last year, officials only gave the people living there a few days’ notice. Crews cleared anything left behind with front loaders, inadvertently scooping up a woman who was still inside her tent. Now two legal advocacy groups have stepped in to ask whether officials violated residents’ civil rights. Amelia Winger, a reporter with PublicSource, joins us to discuss the fight for better policies around encampment closures. You can read Amelia’s reporting here. Special elections for three open State House seats happening tomorrow, Feb. 7. All three districts are in Allegheny County. Want to know if there’s an election in your district or how to cast a ballot? You can find that information here. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

It’s the Friday news roundup! The City Cast team is talking about how anxiety dominates the state’s medical cannabis industry, why a bridge rumored to be unsafe in 2018 is only now getting closed, and how one local artist is turning regional folklore into a tarot deck. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Ed Mahon in Spotlight PA on anxiety disorders and medical cannabis Our episode with Ed Mahon on misleading claims about cannabis treatment for opioid use disorder. Oliver Morrison with WESA on the City of Pittsburgh shutting down The Charles Anderson Memorial Bridge in Oakland after it failed a safety analysis. Matthew Monroy in Pittsburgh City Paper on Killerpancake Illustration’s Appalachian Tarot Deck. Want to get your hands on the Haunted tarot deck? You can check out the Kickstarter here. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Every February 2, the lore of a mythical groundhog draws thousands of spectators from all over the world to a small town 80 miles north of Pittsburgh. Punxsutawney Phil sits on his stump and predicts the weather; if he doesn’t see his shadow, that means an early spring. But how accurate are his predictions — and why does PA ride so hard for a rodent? We're teaming up with City Cast Philly this Groundhog Day to learn whether Punxsutawney Phil is the true "seer of seers" or just a groundhog who digs meteorology. They’re joined by two people who spend a lot of time around groundhogs: AJ Dereume, who is Phil’s handler, and Dr. Stam Zervanos, who has studied groundhogs for two decades. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

In Pennsylvania, there’s one cemetery that can offer a sustainable afterlife – and it’s just outside of Pittsburgh in Verona. City Cast host Morgan Moody and producer Mallory Falk are touring the grounds of Penn Forest Natural Burial Park, the state’s only certified green cemetery, to find out why more people are going out green. And if you want to become a volunteer river ice spotter, check out the National Weather Service's virtual training here. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Pittsburgh is packed with medical centers and doctors, but it can still be a challenge to get an appointment with a trained mental health professional. It was even trickier in the early days of COVID, until the pandemic gave rise to third-party psychiatric platforms. Remote therapy and virtual prescriptions helped increase access to mental healthcare. But as freelance journalist Meg St-Esprit reports, some of the platforms are starting to come under scrutiny. She joins us to discuss her recent article for PublicSource. You can read Meg's reporting here. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Pittsburgh prides itself in our strong steel background, but before this city was the world leader in steel production, we were known for a much more delicate material: glass. Anne Madarasz, chief historian at the Heinz History Center, joins us to discuss Pittsburgh’s legacy as “Glass City U.S.A.” You can learn more Pittsburgh glass history at the Heinz History Center exhibit Glass: Shattering Notions. And if you’re a fan of Blown Away — the popular glassblowing competition on Netflix — there’s a new exhibition featuring artwork from Season 3’s top three finalists at the Pittsburgh Glass Center. It opens this Friday, and there’s a free artist talk with the finalists at 6:30 p.m. More information is available here. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then send us a text at 412-212-8893.

It’s the Friday news roundup! The City Cast team is discussing one school’s attempt to keep cell phones out of classrooms, why more teens are gathering Downtown, and Mayor Gainey’s plan to review whether Pittsburgh non-profits should start paying property taxes. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Terryaun Bell in PublicSource on cell phone bans in schools An-Li Herring and Sarah Schneider with WESA on high schools students spending more time Downtown — and the reaction from local businesses Kiley Koscinski with WESA on city council shifting its focus from enforcing a youth curfew to opening resource centers Kiley Koscinski with WESA on Gainey’s plan to review tax-exempt properties Charlie Wolfson in PublicSource with more on Gainey’s plan Our episode “You Pay Taxes, So Why Don’t Colleges & Hospitals?” Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

If you’re planning to get something sweet for Valentine’s Day, need to load up the cookie table at your Pittsburgh wedding, or just want to know where to get the flakiest croissants in the city, the City Cast team has you covered. We're rounding up some of the best treats we've tried from local bakeries that cater to everyone. Our recommendations in this episode: Jean-Marc Chatellier's French Bakery in Millvale Five Points Artisan Bakeshop in Squirrel Hill Enrico Biscotti Co. in the Strip District Nancy B’s Bakery in West Homestead Bethel Bakery in Bethel Park Allegro Hearth Bakery in Squirrel Hill 350 Bakery on the South Side The Butterwood Bake Consortium in Lawrenceville La Gourmandine Bakery in Lawrenceville, Mt. Lebanon, Hazelwood and Downtown Prantl’s Bakery in Shadyside, Squirrel Hill and on the North Side Madeline Bakery & Bistro in Wilkinsburg Paddy Cake Bakery in Bloomfield Country Pie Shoppe in Mount Pleasant and Donegal Driftwood Oven in Lawrenceville Pink Box Bakery in Squirrel Hill Piebird in Lawrenceville Giant Eagle sheet cakes Eat’n Park pies You can listen to our episode about why local hospitals and universities don't pay property taxes here. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

This time of year, it can seem like Pittsburgh’s been stripped of every color except gray. But if you look closely enough, you might catch a pop of color from a ghost sign. They’re the faded, old-timey advertisements painted on the sides of brick buildings. To beat the winter blues, we’re revisiting our conversation with City Cast contributor (and self-proclaimed ghost sign hunter) Rossilynne Skena Culgan about how to find these relics, what they teach us about Pittsburgh’s history, and what it could mean if we lose them. If this episode inspires you to spend a winter day searching for Pittsburgh ghost signs, let us know what you find! Take a photo and tag us on Instagram @CityCastPgh. You can check out Rossilynne’s photos of these fading local treasures on Instagram @ghostsigngrrl Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

The Pennsylvania House is in disarray. Lawmakers haven’t been able to agree on basic rules and the House has recessed indefinitely. Now, Speaker Mark Rozzi is going on a listening tour to address the partisan gridlock — and his first stop is in Pittsburgh. Spotlight PA’s Capitol Reporter, Stephen Caruso, joins us to explain how Allegheny County inadvertently set this chaos in motion and where we go from here. You can read Stephen’s ongoing coverage of state politics here. Want to make your voice heard? Rozzi and members of a bipartisan work group will meet tomorrow, January 25th, at 6 p.m. at the Simmons Auditorium at CMU’s Tepper School of Business. The public is invited to attend and will be allowed to comment. You can listen to our episode on City Steps (which we mention in today’s newscast) here. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

As a college student, poet and archivist Silas Maxwell Switzer realized he knew almost nothing about Pittsburgh’s queer history — even though he’d grown up here. And when he set out to fix that, he realized there were gaps in the history. Silas’ forthcoming poetry collection, "Nine Parts Water, One Part Bleach," focuses on the AIDS crisis in Pittsburgh and its erasure. He joins City Cast Producer Elizabeth Kauma to talk about digging into the archives and tracking down elders to create his new collection. You can pre-order "Nine Parts Water, One Part Bleach" here. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!