City Cast Pittsburgh

“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!

It’s the Friday news roundup! City Cast host Morgan Moody and producer Mallory Falk are joined by Pittsburgh City Paper’s Jordana Rosenfeld to discuss her recent reporting on a new proposal to enforce Pittsburgh’s youth curfew, concerns about LGBTQ book censorship in Moon Township, and the Twitter storm around an Allegheny County Council race. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Jordana Rosenfeld’s reporting in Pittsburgh City Paper on Pittsburgh’s youth curfew, Moon Library Township censoring books, and the controversy around Joanna Doven’s Twitter history. City Cast Philly’s episode about teen curfews. Ryan Deto in TribLIVE on the Twitter storm surrounding the county council race. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

One of the city’s most popular vegan spots, Apteka, is shifting into burger mode. Crapteka is a three-weekend-long event where the nationally celebrated Bloomfield restaurant switches out its typical Eastern European fare, like pierogi and schnitzel, for burgers. The vegan patties are so popular, they've developed a cult following. Kate Lasky, co-owner and co-chef at Apteka, joins us to talk about how she and her partner built a beloved restaurant and pop-up by following their own recipe — and how things have (or haven’t) changed since Apteka was named one of America’s Best Restaurants in The New York Times. Crapteka runs Fridays through Sundays from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m between January 20th and February 5th. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Pittsburgh’s local healthcare giants — UPMC and Allegheny Health Network — are investing billions of dollars to expand throughout the city and surrounding counties with several new specialized and neighborhood hospitals. TribLIVE senior reporter Deb Erdley joins us to talk about how these elaborate construction costs could be added to your next hospital bill. You can read Deb’s reporting on hospital expansions here. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

In the weeks since Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest after a hit during a Monday Night Football game, the McKees Rocks native has recovered enough to go home and the NFL has kept on playing. But what does the future look like for the young athlete, who was just starting his career? And can we continue to justify watching a sport that leaves so many players with life-changing injuries? Martenzie Johnson, senior writer for ESPN’s Andscape, joins us to talk it all through. You can read Martenzie’s article, “The Racial Makeup of the NFL is Why the Games Go On,” in Andscape. 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! City Cast host Morgan Moody and producer Elizabeth Kauma are joined by Brian Conway of the Pittsburgh Independent to discuss his reporting on the fate of Pittsburgh’s iconic “orange-lemon flavored drink” and the historic bakery that owns the recipe. Plus, they talk about the latest updates on conditions at the Allegheny County Jail and the Gainey administration’s ambitious plan to put more money toward affordable housing. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Brian Conway with the Pittsburgh Independent on what happened to Lemon Blennd: https://pghindependent.com/what-happened-to-lemon-blennd/ Brian Conway with the Pittsburgh Independent on Byrnes & Kiefer firing its workers: https://pghindependent.com/historic-western-pa-bakery-byrnes-kiefer-fires-workers-by-the-dozen-over-holidays/ Julia Zenkevich with WESA on possible rights violations in the Allegheny County Jail: https://www.wesa.fm/courts-justice/2023-01-06/jail-board-members-raise-concerns-about-potential-constitutional-rights-violations Julia Zenkevich with WESA on the attempt to censure Bethany Hallam: https://www.wesa.fm/politics-government/2023-01-11/county-council-delays-bill-to-censure-hallam-for-vulgar-remark-at-jail-oversight-board The Confluence interview with Rich Fitzgerald: https://www.wesa.fm/show/the-confluence/2023-01-05/allegheny-county-executive-rich-fitzgerald-reflects-on-his-three-terms-growth-under-his-tenure Our episodes about deaths at the County Jail, featuring PINJ reporter Brittany Hailer: https://pod.link/citycastpittsburgh/episode/a0ad088bf379a45e00e1a0ac2c6f0c13 and https://pod.link/citycastpittsburgh/episode/f771da06780bf0755905bd34d41632e1 Margaret J. Kraus with WESA on the Gainey administration’s investment in affordable housing: https://www.wesa.fm/development-transportation/2023-01-10/gainey-administration-plans-a-massive-investment-in-affordable-housing Our episode about inclusionary zoning: https://pod.link/citycastpittsburgh/episode/0b917935ab5e0fba4d2e3b425d6094fb Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

With big local startups like Argo AI and Fifth Season closing last year, remote work enabling people to do their jobs anywhere, and the possibility of a recession looming large, we started wondering whether the death knells are ringing for Pittsburgh’s tech and startup industries. We took the question to Becca Szkutak, a senior writer at TechCrunch+. She joins us to discuss our city’s future as a tech hub. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

City Cast Pittsburgh launched one year ago today! To celebrate, the team is sharing some interesting things we’ve learned about the Steel City — with help from our very first guest, writer Damon Young. In the newscast, we mention the new digital archive documenting the attack at Tree of Life synagogue. You can access the website here: https://october27archive.org Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

City officials and daily commuters celebrated the reopening of Fern Hollow Bridge last month, but dozens more Pittsburgh bridges are rated poor and in need of repair. Don’t expect to see construction soon though; Mayor Ed Gainey’s 2023 budget doesn’t include much funding for fixing our bridges. So how nervous should we be to cross them? And why isn’t the city budgeting for repairs right away? Charlie Wolfson, the local government reporter for PublicSource, is here to explain. You can read Charlie’s reporting on bridge repairs here: https://www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-bridge-collapse-condition-fern-hollow-mayor-gainey-budget/ Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Our beloved alternative weekly, Pittsburgh City Paper, just got bought by the same company that owns the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — where union members have been on strike for better working conditions since October. The purchase has raised eyebrows…and questions about the paper’s future under the controversial Block family. Ryan Deto, former managing editor at City Paper and current journalist at the Trib, is here to help us make sense of the deal and figure out what it means for Pittsburgh media. 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! City Cast host Morgan Moody and producer Mallory Falk are joined by writer and historian David S. Rotenstein to talk about why reopening Fern Hollow Bridge is so important to Pittsburgh’s Jewish community. Plus, they discuss the surprising pick for PA’s new Speaker of the House and how to help Bicycle Heaven after the local gem (and world’s largest bicycle museum) got flooded. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. David S. Rotenstein in Next Pittsburgh on Fern Hollow Bridge and the Jewish community: https://nextpittsburgh.com/pittsburgh-for-all/reopening-of-fern-hollow-bridge-reconnects-vital-link-for-pittsburgh-jewish-community/ The Spotlight PA Staff on Mark Rossi: https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2023/01/pa-house-speaker-mark-rozzi/ and https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2023/01/pa-midterm-election-2022-house-majority-democrats-speaker-election/ Ryan Deto in the Tribune-Review on the flood damage at Bicycle Heaven: https://triblive.com/local/bicycle-heaven-looking-to-raise-money-after-major-flood-damage/ You can donate to help Bicycle Heaven recover from flood damage here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/bicycle-heaven-museum-flooded-devastating-damaged Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

It’s been two years since the Jan 6. insurrection at the Capitol. More than 60 Pennsylvanians have been charged in the attack, which was fueled by far-right groups like the Oath Keepers. David Harris, a Pitt Law professor focused on police behavior and national security, joins us to talk about the legal challenges of prosecuting rioters and what’s being done about local law enforcement officers with ties to extremist groups. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Imagine you could rent an apartment without ever speaking to a human being. The entire process would be totally automated, from viewing the rental to paying a deposit to picking up keys. That’s already happening here in Pittsburgh and a few other post-industrial cities, where “automated landlord” companies are buying up properties and outsourcing management to apps and algorithms. And while it might sound like a dream if you’ve ever had a nightmare landlord, freelance journalist Nick Keppler says this trend could put home ownership further out of reach for Pittsburgh residents. He joins us to discuss his recent reporting for Vice. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

The new year is a time for resolutions, and as much as we love this city, we think a little self-improvement could go a long way. Turns out, a lot of you do too! The City Cast team is sharing your goals for the Steel City in 2023, along with our own. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

All this week, the City Cast team is treating you to some of our favorite food and drink episodes from 2022. If you're hungry for a story about making the local culinary scene more inclusive and accessible, consider this your holiday gift. The Hazelwood nonprofit Community Kitchen Pittsburgh says it uses food as “the foundation to change lives and strengthen communities.” It does this through culinary training, hunger relief, catering, a cafe, and more. City Cast's Megan Harris spoke with executive director Jennifer Flanagan and Community Kitchen student Christopher Hickman about their training programs, how they tackle hunger, and more. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

All this week, the City Cast team is treating you to some of our favorite food and drink episodes from 2022. What list could be complete without a field trip to the yinzer fuel factory? For generations of Pittsburghers, nothing quite quenches their thirst like Turner’s Premium Iced Tea from those iconic, brigh-orange cartons. Producer Mallory Falk and newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco got the tea on how our city's most beloved beverage is made at the Turner's facility in Penn Hills from marketing director Steve Turner. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

All this week, the City Cast team is treating you to some of our favorite food and drink episodes from 2022. If you're hoping to ring in the new year with a craft beer instead of champagne, we've got you covered. Not long ago, you’d be hard-pressed to find a Pittsburgh brew pub with an all-local rotation — let alone one with a fire pit or board games or dogs and babies at the bar. But today, it’s not just normal, it’s expected. We're revisiting our conversation with City Cast contributor Hal B. Klein to learn why locals are hopping to start breweries. Read Hal's excellent piece in Pittsburgh Magazine here. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

All this week, the City Cast team is treating you to some of our favorite food and drink episodes from 2022. We're starting off with — what else? — Heinz ketchup. Can you imagine sitting down with a crispy plate of fries, reaching for your trusty bottle of ketchup, and watching it explode? It was a real problem in the late 19th century! But our very own H.J. Heinz figured it out — or rather, he had one very special fan who did it for him. We're revisiting our conversation with Gastro Obscura's Sam Lin-Sommer about how it all went down. Check out Sam's story, "When Every Ketchup But One Went Extinct," which draws a ton from a book by Andrew F. Smith called "Pure Ketchup: A History of America's National Condiment." Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

As 2022 draws to a close, the City Cast team is sitting down to revisit some of our best episodes from the past year. From a flight of city steps to the field at Steelers training camp, we’re rounding up some of our favorite interviews and field trips. Plus, we pay tribute to Franco Harris, who died just days before the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception. Our favorite episodes include: The First Public Transportation in Pgh? City Steps Pgh’s Chinatown (Finally) Gets Historic Recognition Talking Internet Safety with ASMR Artist Lily Whispers Meet the Pgh Tattoo Artist Covering Up Hate Road Trip: Your Guide to Steelers Training Camp We also mention signing up for a City Steps Walking Tour. You can learn more on the Mis.Steps website. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!