City Cast Pittsburgh

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!

Nat King Cole singing “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” is a classic sound associated with the holidays, yet for many the tradition is no more than a line in the song. Newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco joins host Morgan Moody to share how the American chestnut tree was once rooted in the culture and landscape of Appalachia — and how, thanks to the hard work of regional researchers, it might be making a comeback. You can share your public comment on bringing back the American chestnut tree here: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/APHIS-2020-0030-8291 Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Gun violence in Pittsburgh continues to overwhelm the loved ones of victims and our city's officials. Mayor Ed Gainey wants to get guns off the streets, and mental health professionals want to address the violence at its core. Julius Boatwright is trying to create solutions by addressing mental wellness within the Black community through his organization, Steel Smiling. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Santa may have his sleigh, but Pittsburgh has a spirited Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus. PRT driver Amy Jackson spends her own money and time decking the hall of her city bus every year. We hopped aboard the Collier Christmas Bus to learn a little bit more about the magic of spreading good tidings on public transit. 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! We're talking about what the increase to the 2023 Pittsburgh Public Schools budget means when the district's already at a deficit, the fire in the Roosevelt building downtown, and the new historical markers coming to the city. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Public School Budgets: https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/pittsburgh-public-schools-2023-budget-stabilizes-district-for-another-year-future-funding-still-uncertain/Content?oid=22968580 https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/pittsburgh-public-schools-2023-budget-stabilizes-district-for-another-year-future-funding-still-uncertain/Content?oid=22968580 https://www.wesa.fm/show/the-confluence/2022-11-21/pittsburgh-public-schools-proposed-2023-budget-spends-more-with-one-time-federal-funding Roosevelt Building Fire: https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2022/12/12/downtown-pittsburgh-roosevelt-building-fire/stories/202212120048 https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/elderly-woman-dies-high-rise-fire-roosevelt-building-while-trying-escape/3XLBUPIXQNELVM7R22MJHXHZEQ/ https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/crews-responding-5-alarm-fire-downtown-pittsburgh-apartment-building/UTRG2ZDVMJDYZFNZ36QISWGLNQ/ https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/nearly-30-apartments-uninhabitable-after-high-rise-fire-roosevelt-building/YNPCTSZEM5G23GRQAIV7SRTR4Q/ Pittsburgh Pirates 1971 Lineup: https://triblive.com/sports/on-sept-1-1971-the-pirates-made-history-with-baseballs-first-all-black-starting-lineup/ PA Historical Markers: https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/phmc-details.aspx?newsid=422 https://paheritage.wpengine.com/article/century-marking-history-100-years-pennsylvania-historical-marker-program/ Teenie Harris: https://cmoa.org/art/teenie-harris-archive/ Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Winter is a time of hibernation, but if you spend the season bundled up in bed, you’ll be missing out. The City Cast team is here to soften the blow that the snowiest season can bring to our social lives by sharing some of our the favorite winter activities in the ‘Burrrgh. Activities we mentioned: The Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden at Phipps Conservatory Dazzling Nights at the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden Kennywood's Holiday Lights Show Skiing and snow tubing at Hidden Valley, Seven Springs, and Boyce Park Ice skating at the UPMC Rink at PPG Place and the Schenley Park Skating Rink Visiting Fallingwater Going on a guided winter hike with the Audubon Society or Allegheny County Parks Ordering a tea set at Ka-Fair Cafe Warming up with a wintery latte from Adda Coffee & Tea House, De Fer Coffee & Tea, or Commonplace Coffee The Miracle on 6th pop-up Christmas bar The Tipsy Elf Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

How do you design a concert for people who are sensitive to light and sound? For years, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has been a leader in making performances more inclusive and accessible for people with sensory sensitivities — including through its sensory-friendly Holiday Pops concerts. Suzanne Perrino, the Senior Vice President of Learning and Community Engagement at the PSO, joins us to talk about creating a safe space for everyone to experience art. You can still buy tickets for this year’s sensory-friendly Holiday Pops concert, which takes place at Heinz Hall this Saturday, December 17th at 2:30 p.m. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Across the Commonwealth, a rivalry has raged on. No, it's not the Eagles vs. the Steelers or the Flyers vs. the Penguins. It’s much deeper than sports: it's about our gas stations. With the help of your hot takes, we're hosting the ultimate Sheetz vs. Wawa battle with our sister podcast City Cast Philly. City Cast's Content Director (and gas station food connoisseur) Wil Fulton serves as an impartial judge as hosts Morgan Moody and Trenae Nuri attempt to settle the debate once and for all. You can read Wil's exhaustive reporting on the Sheetz vs. Wawa rivalry in Thrillist. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Our city has a complicated claim to gas station fame. Many believe the first ever drive-in gas station was on Baum Boulevard in East Liberty. There’s even a state historical marker at the site…which is now a parking lot. But the truth is a little more complex. Brian Butko, Director of Publications at the Heinz History Center, joins us to explain what’s fueling this local myth. Want to fill up on the full story? Check out Brian’s recent blog post: “Was the World’s First Gas Station in Pittsburgh? It’s Complicated.” 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! Host Morgan Moody is with producer Elizabeth Kauma and Pittsburgh City Paper’s Jordana Rosenfeld to talk about the challenges facing the city's unhoused community and conditions inside the Allegheny County Jail. Plus, we get the scoop on a local mugshot of the late comedian Richard Pryor. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Jordana Rosenfeld's reporting on the unhoused community in Pittsburgh City Paper: https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/short-and-long-term-barriers-impede-path-to-stable-housing-for-pittsburghs-growing-homeless-community/Content?oid=22922224 and https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/why-many-seeking-housing-spend-years-without-shelter/Content?oid=22922241 And her reporting on freezing conditions in the Allegheny County Jail https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/cp-jail-watch-freezing-on-pod-3b-medication-expanded-causes-of-death-unveiled/Content?oid=22887231 Rick Sebak in Pittsburgh Magazine on Richard Pryor's time in Allegheny County Jail https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/pryor-conviction-a-famous-comics-pittsburgh-jail-stay/ Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Struggling to find the perfect holiday gifts for your loved ones? We’ve got you covered! From seasonal candles and holiday beer packs to pierogi bracelets and Titty Sphinx pins (trust us, they’re a crowd pleaser!), we’re breaking down the best gifts from local shops and artists. Pittsburgh City Paper’s Amanda Waltz joins City Cast’s Morgan Moody and Francesca Dabecco to share recommendations for the foodies, fashionistas, adventurers, and homebodies in your lives. You can find links to all our gift suggestions and more in today’s newsletter. For more great local gift ideas, check out City Paper’s holiday gift guide. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Whether served on a dish and stuffed with potato and cheese, or racing around between innings at a Pirate’s game, the pierogi is an iconic Pittsburgh treat. But how did it become such a local staple? Dr. Julia Hudson-Richards, a food historian and instructor in the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of History, joins us to trace to the pierogi’s path from Polish kitchens to Pittsburgh bellies. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Despite nationwide calls for police to be less involved in responding to mental health crises, new reporting shows Pittsburgh officers are actually filing more 302 petitions — for involuntary psychiatric commitment — than just a few years ago. The overall number of petitions increased by 21% from 2015 to 2021, but the number filed by police grew more than any other group. PublicSource health reporter Amelia Winger joins us to talk about her reporting digging into the data and why it’s difficult to pinpoint what’s behind the rise in 302s. You can read Amelia’s reporting on what could be causing the rise here: https://www.publicsource.org/allegheny-county-302-involuntary-outpatient-treatment-western-psych-mental-health-pa/ And you can find her story looking into police involvement here: https://www.publicsource.org/police-intervention-behavioral-health-crisis-response-pittsburgh-allegheny-302-involuntary/ Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Racist myths around the difficulty of tattooing melanated skin has created a toxic culture in the industry, and there are businesses in Pittsburgh where Black people are actually denied service or discouraged from getting inked. Rita Santana, a tattoo artist and co-owner of Three Fates Tattoo Studio in East Liberty, joins us to bust those myths and talk about what local artists are doing to create safe spaces for people of color. Want to give feedback on the future of the Allegheny Riverfront Park? You can register here for a community design session happening this Wednesday, December 7th. 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! Today the team’s discussing the controversy around funds for Pittsburgh parks, why Republicans will have a (temporary) majority in the state House even though Democrats won control, and where to get local holiday gifts. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Ladimir Garcia, Terryaun Bell, and Jack Troy with PublicSource on the city’s park tax: https://www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-budget-city-parks-tax-conservancy-mayor-ed-gainey-equity/ Kiley Koscinski with WESA discussing park funding on The Confluence: https://www.wesa.fm/show/the-confluence/2022-11-30/pittsburgh-parks-conservancy-questions-citys-spending-of-parks-tax-funding-on-equipment Stephen Caruso with Spotlight PA on why PA Dems will lose their majority in the state house, at least temporarily: https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2022/11/pa-election-2022-results-democrat-house-control-speaker-election/ and https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2022/11/pa-election-2022-democrats-majority-summer-lee-austin-davis/ Stephen Caruso’s interview on The Confluence: https://www.wesa.fm/show/the-confluence/2022-11-23/airport-travel-is-up-but-not-yet-rivaling-pre-pandemic-passenger-volume Chris Potter with WESA on the debate over setting a special election date to replace late state rep. Tony DeLuca: https://www.wesa.fm/politics-government/2022-12-01/special-election-scheduled-for-late-pa-rep-tony-delucas-seat Our own Francesca Dabecco’s list of local holiday markets: https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=47857f2c492a1dda05a4762b9&id=1fd734c75a Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Between eggnog, spiked cider, and mulled wine, the holiday season is a time for cheers and indulgence. But for those of you who prefer to take part in the happiest season sober - or just want the occasional break from booze - the City Cast team is rounding up our favorite Pittsburgh mocktails. Plus, we answer the question: what's the fuss about a fussfungle and why should more Pittsburghers know about this drink? In today's episode we mentioned these restaurants, bars and bottle shops: Open Road Onion Maiden The Foundry Hidden Harbor Yuzu Adda Kaya Bar Botanico Pusadee’s Garden Apteka Spork Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Tereneh Idia has been a voice for local Black women through her art and writing, but she is taking a break from the city. In her last column for the Pittsburgh City Paper, she decided to answer a question she's been posed before: “What would I tell a Black woman about moving to Pittsburgh?" Idia opens up to us about the challenges of being a Black woman in our city and where she's headed next. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

The Pittsburgh Glass Center may be the hottest recurring character on reality shows this year. The local institution has been renowned in the glass art community for years, but the average Pittsburgher might not have realized what a gem we had in our city. That changed with shows like Netflix’s “Blown Away” and the Disney+ Christmas Special “Best in Snow,” which feature glass artists from the center. Heather McElwee, the executive director of Pittsburgh Glass Center, joins us to talk about what the exposure has meant for the art studio, what it was like to be a guest judge on "Blown Away," and how Pittsburghers can try their hands at glassmaking this holiday season. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Getting a tattoo requires trust and vulnerability, and some tattoo artists have taken advantage of that. The #TattooMeToo movement started several years ago, when women and queer folks began speaking up about the sexual abuse they’ve faced in tattoo shops. Around that time, local tattoo artist Susie Humphrey opened Sanctuary in Lawrenceville with the goal of providing a safe space for people to get inked. Susie joins us to talk about what it takes to build an inclusive tattoo studio. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Let’s face it, the holiday season can be stressful. Whether you’re visiting family or spending it alone, we’ve got tips on how to find peace this winter from former Pittsburgh ballerina Eva Trapp, who left the competitive dance world to found the new Sneha Yoga and Wellness Collective in Lawrenceville. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

In the 1960s, sick or injured people would get taken to the hospital in the backseat of a cop car or hearse — if they were picked up at all. It wasn’t until a trailblazing group of Black men from the Hill District started saving lives in their own community that the country began to develop a system for emergency medicine. Known as the Freedom House Ambulance Service, this team of Pittsburghers became the nation’s very first paramedics. Kevin Hazzard, author of “American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America’s First Paramedics,” joins us to talk about the group’s lasting legacy in our city and beyond. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Have you ever gotten a tattoo that you regret? It's the risk that comes with permanently inking your skin, and local tattoo artist Jess Scutella wants to help cover up harmful imagery. They join us to talk about designing beautiful coverup tattoos, free of charge, for people who've had a change of heart and want to erase symbols of hate or violence on their body. You can find Jess on Instagram and at Kyklops Tattoo on the South Side. 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 team's getting you prepped for Light Up Night this weekend, sharing some fun funicular history as we wait for the Monongahela Incline to reopen, teasing a cool new walking tour on Downtown’s Fourth Avenue, and tackling how to have a holiday with less food waste. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Our own Francesca Dabecco on how to help your hungry neighbors: https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=47857f2c492a1dda05a4762b9&id=eae0a4d5da And Thanksgiving takeout options: https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=47857f2c492a1dda05a4762b9&id=bda7890da8 & https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=47857f2c492a1dda05a4762b9&id=dd44dff26c Katie Blackley in WESA on the rise and fall of Pittsburgh’s inclines: https://www.wesa.fm/arts-sports-culture/2018-08-07/the-rise-and-fall-of-pittsburghs-inclines Ed Blazina in the Pittsburgh Union Progress on upgrades to the Mon incline: https://www.unionprogress.com/2022/11/14/mon-incline-may-open-for-light-up-night-but-work-remains-to-be-done/ Julia Felton in the Tribune-Review on Light Up Night plans: https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-unveils-plans-for-light-up-night-saturday/ Richard Cook in Pittsburgh Magazine on weekend road closures: https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/want-to-know-which-roads-will-be-closed-this-weekend-for-light-up-night/ Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

We just had our first snow day in Pittsburgh! While some local ski bums might be ready to hit the slopes, both Seven Springs and Hidden Valley are set to open later than in previous years. Why? You can probably guess: climate change. Vail Resorts, which bought both hills, announced that they wouldn’t open Seven Springs until after Thanksgiving and Hidden Valley until December 23rd. Charles Donnellan, the head coach of Western Pennsylvania Racing Club, is here to talk about what change looks like on the hill. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

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/. You can find our episode on the Ethane Cracker in Beaver County here: https://pod.link/citycastpittsburgh/episode/15bef512652791d0755c2c9feaf1b475 Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Pittsburgh’s immigration court closed six months ago, forcing people to either travel across the state to make their case in Philadelphia or attend their hearings virtually, which can be a challenge for immigrants without a computer or stable internet connection. Laura Perkins from the Latino advocacy group Casa San Jose joins us to discuss where things stand six months since the closure and how her team has stepped up to fill in the gaps. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

From sandwiches to salads, Pittsburgh has a long history of putting fries on just about everything. City Cast Pittsburgh host Morgan Moody speaks with Sarah Grey, a development editor for O'Reilly Media, about the city’s obsession with fries. You can read her fantastic article about Pittsburgh’s unique culinary tastes and history 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! A blue wave swept through Pennsylvania on Election Day. Democrats won both the races for governor and U.S. Senate, and they even seem poised to take back control of the State House. City Cast Pittsburgh host Morgan Moody and City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri speak with Spotlight PA’s Capitol Reporter Stephen Caruso about what the blue wave means for the future of politics in Pennsylvania. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Funeral director Sarah McAlee is a soup-lebrity on the North Side. She goes by brothmonger, and you’ll have to sign up for her newsletter if you want to where to snag her hearty creations. Hear about her journey from the morbid kid to comfort-maker-in-chief, plus all her best-kept, soup-making secrets. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Ahead of the election, all eyes were on the Keystone State thanks to competitive races for US Senate, governor, and more. So, what happened yesterday? From the gubernatorial race to local contests, the City Cast Pittsburgh team is breaking down which way the swing state swung. If you want to read up a bit more on our elections, WESA has been covering them in detail. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

This time of year stinks in Pittsburgh, and not just because it’s election season. City Cast Pittsburgh producer Elizabeth Kauma is with Ana Hoffman, Director of Air Quality Engagement at CMU’s CREATE Lab, to talk about the other source of stench in our city: pollution. The CREATE Lab worked on an app that lets Pittsburghers report and track smells across the county. Here is the link to check whether you mail-in ballot was undated or had the wrong date: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/elections/incorrect,-no-date-ballots.aspx And here's more information on what to do if you need to fix your ballot: https://www.wesa.fm/politics-government/2022-11-06/allegheny-county-posts-lists-of-voters-whose-mail-in-ballots-are-at-risk-offers-remedy Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Mid-term elections are tomorrow! While our statewide races are getting a lot of national attention, we wanted to help you make sense of some of the local contests and ballot questions that matter. The City Cast Pittsburgh team is breaking down everything you need to know ahead of November 8th. Here are a few great resources for getting up to speed on the election: Pittsburgh City Paper’s Election Guide: https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/election-guide/Category?oid=14973309 WESA’s Voter Guide: https://www.wesa.fm/pa-election-guide-2022 PublicSource on the Wilkinsburg ballot question: https://www.publicsource.org/wilkinsburg-home-rule-ballot-question-referendum-november-annexation-pittsburgh/ You can check your voter registration status, polling locations, and districts here: https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/pages/voterregistrationstatus.aspx And you can find our episode about Wilkinsburg and annexation here: https://pod.link/citycastpittsburgh/episode/3e2d20781f0bd725cdf199515fd314b5 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! Election Day is around the corner, so our own Morgan Moody is breaking down some of the biggest statewide races with the help of City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri. Looking to move past the ridiculous campaign ads, cut through the misinformation, and get down to where the candidates actual stand on important issues? We’ve got you covered. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great journalism. Steven Lee Meyers in the New York Times on disinformation in PA elections: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/31/technology/midterm-disinformation-pennsylvania.html Katie Meyer in WHYY on Shapiro and Mastriano’s stances on crime: https://whyy.org/articles/pa-governor-midterm-election-shapiro-mastriano-on-gun-trafficking-crime-public-safety/ Charles Thompson in PennLive on Mastriano’s approach to the opioid epidemic: https://www.pennlive.com/news/2022/06/doug-mastriano-touts-three-part-plan-to-fight-opioid-abuse-in-capitol-appearance.html Caroline Vakil for The Hill on Oz closing gap with Fetterman in new Pennsylvania poll https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3694903-oz-closes-gap-with-fetterman-in-new-pennsylvania-poll/ Bo Koltnow with WFMZ on Dr. Oz ads criticizing opponent John Fetterman's stance on criminal justice reform https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/pennsylvania/behind-the-ballot-dr-oz-ads-criticize-opponent-john-fettermans-stance-on-criminal-reform/article_8b80ed34-2e2d-11ed-9996-d34781b33cab.html Matt Enright in the York Dispatch on more women registering to vote in Pa. since Roe reversal https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2022/09/12/more-women-registering-vote-pa-since-roe-reversal-changing-political-dynamic/8021956001/ Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!