City Cast Pittsburgh

A new Pittsburgh-shot film is premiering this weekend! “Dear Zoe” follows Tess, a teenage girl played by “StrangerThings” star Sadie Sink, who grapples with the tragic death of her younger sister, Zoe. It’s based on the book by Pittsburgh author Philip Beard, who joins us to talk about what inspired the story and how it got to the big screen. Plus, our very own Morgan Moody talks about her experience working on set. The Oaks Theater in Oakmont is holding a special screening of “Dear Zoe” tonight at 7:30 p.m., followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. You can also catch the film at The Manor Theatre, Waterworks, Cranberry, and Century Square Luxury cinemas. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

While Philly sports teams are killing it on the other side of the state, Pittsburgh’s on the struggle bus. And we’re wondering: would things be different if we had a professional basketball team? So we’re revisiting our conversation with Steel City transplant Tyler Batiste about the ‘Burgh’s on-court legacy and whether — someday — we just might get a team of our own. Tyler is the managing editor of the Athletic's NBA vertical. You can check out all his basketball coverage here: https://theathletic.com/author/tyler-batiste/ Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

It’s officially raccoon hunting season in Pennsylvania. While these garbage-loving creatures make some of us uneasy, wildlife advocates want us to think twice before laying traps. Rebecca Reid, cofounder of Scrap the Trap, is here to talk about dealing with our furry frenemies more humanely. Here are Rebecca’s top tips for responsible wildlife management: Think preventatively. Just because you don’t have wildlife issues now doesn’t mean you won’t later, so inspect your house for any holes in or around your basement and keep your doors closed. If you have urban agriculture, protect it. Try putting a wobbly fence around your vegetable garden; if a fence is too structurally sound, creatures can easily climb it and munch on your future lunch. Another fun fact: hardware cloth will keep your poultry protected better than chicken wire. If you don’t want a raccoons biting into your old banana bread, wait to put your garbage out until collection day or keep your trash secured. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

George Romero’s 1968 movie “Night of The Living Dead” is a cult classic. The horror flick is considered the godfather of the flesh-eating zombie genre and it was filmed in Pittsburgh with local talent. Judith O’Dea, better known as Barbara in the movie, may have been turned into a ghoul in the end, but she’s joining us to talk about what it was like making the iconic film. Consider this your Halloween treat! You can catch a Halloween screening of "Night of the Living Dead" tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Row House Cinema. 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! Prepping for Election Day is stressful but not to worry, the City Cast team is clearing up some candidate confusion and talking about important voting deadlines. Plus, we’re learning why Pittsburgh pigeonsshould be revered and discussing the the Pens’ 90s throwback jerseys. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Pigeons at Acrisure Stadium: https://triblive.com/sports/faster-than-a-steeler-or-buccaneer-a-flock-of-pigeons-stayed-in-the-game-sunday/ Rob Rossi’s article for the Athletic about the Robo Penguins logo: https://theathletic.com/3709886/2022/10/20/penguins-reverse-retro-jersey/ Where to see your sample ballot on the Allegheny County website: https://apps.alleghenycounty.us/website/ElectPollPlace.aspx The City and State PA explainer on the Keystone Party: https://www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/2022/08/what-keystone-party-city-state-explainer/376294/ More Information about the saga of the two Mike Doyles: https://www.wesa.fm/politics-government/2022-10-13/mike-doyle-pa-congress-2022-election Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Four years ago today, a gunman killed 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill. The city of Pittsburgh, and especially the Jewish community, is still grappling with grief from that tragic day. City Cast’s Mallory Falk grew up attending services there. She spoke with Maggie Feinstein, director of the 10.27 Healing Partnership, about how to process heavy emotions and honor the memory of those we lost. The 10.27 Healing Partnership is hosting a Commemoration Ceremony at 4 p.m. this afternoon on Prospect Drive at Schenley Park. You can find more information here: https://1027healingpartnership.org/event/commemoration-ceremony/ Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

After years of teaching abstinence as the “expected norm,” Pittsburgh Public Schools recently updated its sex ed curriculum to be more comprehensive and inclusive. But some of our listeners are still scarred by what they learned — or didn’t! — in schools throughout the region. Mary Jo Podgurski, director of the Washington Health System Teen Outreach Program, is the sex ed teacher we wish we had. With the help of listeners’ stories, she breaks down some of the most harmful lessons young people can receive in sex ed, how schools should be approaching the subject, and why it all got so complicated in the first place. In today’s newscast, we mention our June episode on how the pandemic widened learning gaps in Pittsburgh. You can listen here: https://pod.link/citycastpittsburgh/episode/6022e188d65db755d5562e0910d78aa6 Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Does it seem like election ads are getting worse and more unavoidable every election...and like candidates get away with stretching the truth or outright lying? Stephen Caruso, Capitol Reporter for Spotlight PA, is here to talk about the wild claims ads make, who they're intended for, and what the memeification of campaigns could mean for future elections. You can find all of Stephen's election coverage here: https//www.spotlightpa.org/authors/stephen-caruso/ Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Both state officials and Bigfoot believers have a bone to pick with a batch of fraudulent flyers posted across Pennsylvania state parks and forests since August. Trib reporter Mary Ann Thomas explains the dangers and what both sides see as an affront to wildlife management. Check out Mary Ann’s reporting here: https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/state-officials-bigfoot-isnt-lurking-in-pennsylvania-parks-and-forests-fake-flyers-reported/ And a website run by Bigfoot researcher Stan Gordon here: https://www.stangordon.info/wp/ 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! If you’re scrambling to come up with a last-minute Halloween costume and plans, we’ve got you covered. The team has everything you need for a scary weekend, from pumpkin carving tips to Pittsburgh-centric costume ideas to bone-chilling events and parties for all ages. Check out the Halloween activities we mentioned in the show: Brendan Conaway aka Pittsburgh Pumpkin Guy will be live carving pumpkins all around tahn. You can get the full rundown of events on his Facebook page. Buffalo Bill’s House is holding guided tours on Halloween weekend. Check out our episode all about the “cinematic destination” where some of the most iconic scenes from Silence of Lambs were shot: https://pod.link/citycastpittsburgh/episode/bbbec4bcf6f7f7c1fe50d6ad47c25a94 Southside Works and Fred Rogers Productions are hosting a full day of free family fun with pumpkin carving and painting, a Great Pumpkin Patch, and an outdoor screening of new Halloween programming on 10/22. The event will also celebrate the 10th anniversary of “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.” Check out our episode all about that: https://pod.link/citycastpittsburgh/episode/ed8fef927fb61a930d76a6745e00fc4f POGOH is hosting a Bike or Treat Halloween Scavenger Hunt on 10/29. Beers of the Burgh and Brew Gentleman are throwing a Scary Furnace Halloween Party at Carrie Blast Furnaces on 10/22. Arie Cole will be DJ-ing at Zombie Prom on 10/28 and Slappers N Bangers on 10/29. Cobra is hosting a Halloween party on 10/29. Pittsburgh’s ultimate haunted house, ScareHouse, is open Friday-Sunday through early November. And here's Lisa Cunningham's statement on her departure from Pittsburgh City Paper: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TZQI5gNB5l3bANdsTwBWIJwNll0wKXG7nTNyVmm11o8/edit Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Ten years ago, a new children’s show premiered on PBS starring 4-year-old Daniel Tiger, the animated son of the beloved puppet from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” The series was the first TV show from Fred Rogers Productions since Rogers died in 2003, and the team behind it wanted to honor his legacy while reinventing the neighborhood for a new generation. Chris Loggins, supervising producer on “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” talks about his creative process, shares some Pittsburgh Easter eggs in the series, and invites the city to help celebrate 10 years of a fuzzy new friend. Stop by South Side Works on Saturday for a family-friendly celebration, including show trivia, art, a Great Pumpkin Patch, pumpkin carving, and more — plus a free outdoor screening of new Halloween programming at 5:30 p.m. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

What would it mean to lose a fixture in Pittsburgh news? It's a grim future we’re getting a glimpse of as portions of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newsroom, represented by the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, walked out in the city’s biggest newspaper strike since 1992. NEXTPittsburgh media columnist Andrew Conte joins us to talk about how this will affect the community — and working journalists — who depend on the outlet to “tell our stories from birth to death and everything in between.” City Paper did a great write-up about the labor strike, which more deeply considers the perspective of folks who are opting out of the strike: https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/post-gazette-reporters-leave-union-over-striking-disputes/Content?oid=22630472 Here's the PG's 30th anniversary story about the Pittsburgh Press strike in 1992: https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/insight/2022/05/22/great-newspaper-strike-30-years-later-post-gazette-press/stories/202205220031 This is the fantastic Art Rooney investigation that explores how the Steelers founder made his initial fortune. We learned belatedly that it was written by journalist Sean Hamill: https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/investigation-art-rooney-steelers/ And if you're curious about all those references to Styx's "Renegade," check out our episode on the song's affect on the Steelers here: https://pod.link/citycastpittsburgh/episode/ce46373ef70afbba6a6d53a4755f75ee Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

We can’t stop talking about ghosts during spooky season, but we’re inviting City Cast contributor Rossilynne Skena Culgan on the pod to discuss a different kind of ghost…the faded old-timey advertisements on building across Pittsburgh known as ghost signs. A self-proclaimed ghost sign hunter, Rossilynne shares how these relics help us learn more about our history and what it could mean if we lose them. 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!

From having the most coffee shops per capita to being center stage for the coffee union movement, the Steel City has a lot to celebrate in its 8th annual Coffee Week. City Cast’s Francesca Dabecco and Morgan Moody share some fun history, plus lots of events all focused on community collaboration. Here's where they're getting a boo and a brew. Coffee & wine tasting at Adda in the North Side | Today | 7 p.m. Movie night at Redhawk in Sharpsburg | Today | 7 p.m. Aeropress competition at Colombino Coffee in the Strip District | Tomorrow | 5 p.m. Coffee release celebration at La Prima in Downtown | Wednesday | 5 p.m. Sustainability seminar at KLVN Coffee Lab in Larimer | Thursday | 5 p.m. Coffee & cocktails at De Fer in the Strip District | Friday | 6 p.m. Plant popup at Hilltop Coffee in Arlington | Saturday | 10 a.m. Closing party & latte art throwdown at Trace Brewing in Bloomfield | Saturday | 11 a.m. 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 is talking about John Fetterman’s first on-air interview since his stroke — and the ableist response — plus the Penguins’ return to the ice. We also explain why Pennsylvania’s the best place in the world for fall foliage. (No, really!) If you want to read up on some of today’s topics, check ‘em aht! Buzzfeed on ableism in Fetterman rhetoric: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/davidmack/fetterman-nbc-closed-captioning-ableism More on the history of how politicians’ medical records became a common part of campaigns: https://time.com/4472265/clinton-trump-health-reports-history/ Pennsylvania DCNR’s latest fall foliage report: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Conservation/ForestsAndTrees/FallFoliageReports/Pages/default.aspx And two great lists for spots around Pittsburgh to peep your heart out, HERE: https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/a-leaf-peepers-paradise-your-ultimate-guide-to-fall-foliage-in-pittsburgh-and-beyond/ and HERE: https://www.post-gazette.com/life/outdoors/2022/10/15/best-fall-foliage-spots-pa/stories/202210140087 CORRECTION: An earlier version of this episode said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was the longest tenured coach in the NFL. We fixed it, but thought you might wanna know — he’s actually the second longest. New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has been with that team for 22 years. So Tomlin’s gotta log a few more in the hot seat before he catches up! Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Did you know Pittsburgh is the backdrop for one of the most thrilling horror movies ever made? The Silence of the Lambs was mostly filmed around Pittsburgh in the early 1990s. When the house of the film’s skin-conscious serial killer, Buffalo Bill, went up for sale a couple of years ago, a fan bought it. Filmmaker Chris Rowan recreated parts of the set — including the infamous basement well — and converted the house into a “boutique accommodation and cinematic destination.” City Cast’s Mallory Falk and Morgan Moody join him for a tour. Dying to learn more about Buffalo Bill’s? Chris is leading special guided house tours on Halloween weekend. You can book a tour here: https://buffalobillshouse.com/upcoming-tours/ He’s also hosting an event with paranormal investigator Brian J. Cano on Halloween eve. Snag a ticket here: https://buffalobillshouse.com/upcoming-events/ You can book an overnight stay at the Buffalo Bill House here: https://buffalobillshouse.com Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

There’s a locally developed app called Dashcam for your Bike and it works by recording your rides and reporting any hazards like cars parked in bike lanes, to 3-1-1. One of those reports showing a Pittsburgh police officer parked in the bike lane, and when the creator of the app—Armin Samii— approached him about moving it, the officer told him to “get a life.” We spoke with Samii about the incident, cyclist safety in Pittsburgh, and what we can all do to make the city more bike friendly. Here is a link to the full Video, and here is a link Dashcam for your Bike’s website. You can download the app here. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

The Steel City loves to revel in its own history, but many of those stories are rooted in colonialism and the generations of immigration that followed. Why don’t we learn more about the Native peoples who preceded them? The Council of Three Rivers Indian American Center’s Miguel Sague is with City Cast’s Elizabeth Kauma to talk about whose land we’re actually on.

It’s the Friday news roundup! Do you know the history of the Point of View statue on Mt. Washington? Plus, a judge ruled city officials can remove the Christopher Columbus statue in Schenley Park after years of fighting, and one of Pittsburgh’s native sons is on the docket for the U.S. Supreme Court. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. A good primer on the Andy Warhol case via The Art Newspaper: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/10/05/supreme-court-briefs-andy-warhol-lynn-goldsmith-prince TribLIVE’s Paula Reed Ward on the decision to remove Columbus from Schenley Park: https://triblive.com/local/judge-pittsburgh-officials-have-right-to-remove-christopher-columbus-statue-in-schenley-park/ And check out Francesca’s list of ways to honor Indigenous People’s Day in Thursday’s newsletter. (And please subscribe if you don’t already!) https://mailchi.mp/citycast/pollutions-effect-on-the-allegheny-alligator?e=1673fc6220 Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up at https://pittsburgh.citycast.fm. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

If you find yourself Downtown and need to use the bathroom, you might be out of luck. Journalist Adam Smeltz gets into the findings and what the city is doing to provide solutions for safe, clean restrooms for the unhoused, as well as people visiting areas like the Golden Triangle. Read the full piece here, which includes great data from Point Park University: https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/what-should-be-done-about-the-lack-of-public-restrooms-in-downtown-pittsburgh/ Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

We love spooky season, but lots of local and regional haunts make us feel sorta gross. Across the nation, many former prisons and psychiatric hospitals, including a few near us, have been revamped into haunted houses that rely on the cruel, scary, and sensational aspects of prison life to entertain. We're with journalist Hope Corrigan, who wrote a story about it all for The Marshall Project. Here is a link if you want to give it a read: https://www.themarshallproject.org/2022/06/09/rethinking-prison-tourism Hope also recommends checking out Clint Smith’s book, How the Word is Passed, for more on "prison tourism." Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up at https://pittsburgh.citycast.fm. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

SCOTUS is back in session this week, but what does that mean for us in PA? Oh, you know, just our basic human rights, plus a couple very nerdy process cases that could affect our elections for years to come. City Cast’s Megan Harris and Morgan Moody are chatting through what to watch out for this coming term. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Sweater weather is already here in the burrrrgh and you can find some real gems if you’re into thrifting. Christen Malone, aka the Thrifty Yinzer, joins us to share her tips and tricks for scoring the best vintage and secondhand items in the city — and to explain why thrifting is about more than just saving a few bucks. Plus, she offers the ultimate guide to garbage picking for gold. 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 pod-squad is talking the Pittsburgh Zine Fair and federal funding for better internet access and speed in PA, plus we pay homage to the legendary rapper Coolio, who we were shocked to learn was born here in the 'Burgh. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Kiley Koscinski with WESA on the Pittsburgh Digital Equity Coalition: https://www.wesa.fm/politics-government/2022-09-28/pittsburgh-allegheny-county-to-develop-plan-to-confront-digital-inequity-by-2027 Charlotte Keith in SpotlightPA on federal funding for broadband, broadband maps, Pennsylvania’s outdated broadband definition, and more: https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2022/09/pennsylvania-broadband-internet-expansion-map/ And WESA's The Confluence where an expert calls the broadband maps “pretty much bunk:” https://www.wesa.fm/show/the-confluence/2022-09-22/the-state-legislature-could-establish-a-statewide-rape-kit-tracking-system CORRECTION: We didn't try to snip it out, but you may have noticed a flaw in today’s news roundup. We erroneously implied Weird Al Yankovic is Jewish. And a listener educated us! While Mr. Weird has enjoyed great success for bops like "Pretty Fly for a Rabbi," he is, in fact, a practicing Christian. We regret the error. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Thanks to climate change, the seasonal part of “seasonal allergies” is a bit of a misnomer in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Our newest producer, Elizabeth Kauma, explains what local plants are likely to get a reaction out of you, plus and what you can do to stop the achoo! Here's the state’s take on how to control and identify any ragweed in your neck of the woods! https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Air/BAQ/GeneralInformation/Pollen/Pages/Ragweed-Control.aspx Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Pittsburgh-area teachers often spend their own (very hard-earned) money on classroom supplies. But twice a year, they can stop by the Education Partnership’s Teacher Resource Center and fill up shopping carts with everything their hearts’ desire — from notebooks and glue sticks to Clorox wipes and air purifiers — at no personal cost. City Cast’s Mallory Falk and Morgan Moody visited the center and spoke with executive director Josh Whiteside, program director Sarah McKay, and several teachers about how the nonprofit supports students and schools in need. And the partnership is always looking for donations. Learn how you can help in today’s newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Shell is opening an Ethane Cracker in Beaver County, but we still have some questions. Like why here, in Western Pennsylvania of all places? How it will impact jobs and our rivers? And what does an ethane cracker even… do? The Allegheny Front’s Reid Frazier is with us to explain why the plant picked us, and what it means for both the economy and wellbeing of our region. Check out the great reporting from he and his colleagues here. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

From the courthouse to the Clark Building, Doors Open Pittsburgh lets Pittsburgh get nebby about all kinds of Downtown spaces, including theaters, government offices, artist spaces, hotels, bank vaults, and more. This year’s event takes place Saturday, October 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We're with Bonnie Baxter, founder and executive director with a few of her favorites on this year's list. 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! This week, we dive deep into Banned Books Week, explore the intersection of race and policing in Pittsburgh through film, and celebrate a regional, indigenous delicacy, the pawpaw fruit! As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Our own Mallory Falk in WHYY on student organizing against a book ban: https://whyy.org/episodes/schooled-after-the-spotlight-book-ban/ Emily Rizzo with WHYY on the anatomy of a school book ban: https://whyy.org/episodes/schooled-from-covid-to-censorship-bucks-county/ Ariana Figueroa in the Pennsylvania Capital-Star on Pennsylvania book bans: https://www.penncapital-star.com/dc-bureau/pa-a-national-leader-as-an-unprecedented-flood-of-book-bans-engulfs-u-s-school-districts/ The Allegheny Front’s story about the indigenous roots of pawpaws: https://www.alleghenyfront.org/searching-for-the-pawpaws-indigenous-roots/ Grow Pittsburgh’s Garden Dreams pawpaw tasting: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pawpaw-parties-at-garden-dreams-tickets-408013508387?aff=ebdssbdestsearch Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Billboards, discos, murals, and more will light up Pittsburgh over the next six months as part of the 58th Carnegie International. This year's iteration Is it morning for you yet? features new local, national, and global commissions, plus historical works from institutions and estates. Dana Bishop-Root, the Carnegie Museum of Art’s director of education and public programs, shares her local favorites and what to watch for ahead of the opening bash this weekend. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

For most organizations, an expansive job training program might be enough, but not the Hazelwood nonprofit Community Kitchen Pittsburgh. Executive director and founder Jennifer Flanagan says everything they do — from hunger relief and catering to running a cafe and butchery — is about empowering people to work through life change and rewarding those efforts with a strong, growing wage. Plus, student Christopher Hickman shares the tea on his favorite class and what it might take to convince his dad to try jerk chicken. Hungry for more? Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Roughly 20% of Pittsburgh land and 10% in Allegheny County is owned by nonprofits exempt from paying property taxes, including UPMC and Allegheny Health Network, as well as major universities like Pitt, CMU, and Duquesne. Officials say that missing money is holding local government back from supplying necessary services that benefit the whole community. PublicSource reporter Emma Folts is on to explain how we got here and what could come next. A co-report via city and county governments this year outlined the issue. Check it out here: https://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/redtail/images/18106_PILOT_Special_Report_Final.pdf And read Emma and her colleagues’ full reporting here: https://www.publicsource.org/category/the-exempt-dilemma/ Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

There’s a path that takes you from Pittsburgh to D.C. with almost no car traffic — you just have to bike a few hundred miles. The Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath lead you over railroad bridges, through a national park, and along a waterway where mules used to pull barges, all while passing little towns with hotels and cafes that cater to cyclists. Sebastian Modak, the editor-at-large for Lonely Planet, recently wrote about the 335-mile journey. He joins us to explain why this trail is a great place to start if you’d like to try your first (really) long bike trip. Check out Sebastian’s story, “Finding a different tempo on a bike ride from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC.” 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! This week, the City Cast team is talking about how city officials are tackling what they call an open-air drug market in Downtown; why hundreds of nursing home workers went on strike across the state; and how the Carnegie Science Center is paying homage to George Romero with a mini “Night of the Living Dead” model. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. This week, check out: Andy Sheehan with KDKA on the “open-air drug market”: https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pittsburgh-drug-dealing-homeless-encampments-fort-duquesne-boulevard/ Stephen Caruso in Spotlight PA on the lead-up to the nursing home worker strike: https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2022/09/pa-nursing-home-strike-taxpayer-money-transparency/ Sarah Boden with WESA on nursing home workers’ new contracts: https://www.wesa.fm/health-science-tech/2022-09-13/after-striking-for-a-week-plus-workers-at-22-nursing-homes-have-a-contract Joshua Axelrod in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on the George Romero tribute: https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/movies/2022/09/13/carnegie-science-center-miniature-railroad-village-night-of-the-living-dead-evans-city/stories/202209130006 Our own Francesca Dabecco with places to get pumpkins & find fall fests in the City Cast Pittsburgh newsletter: https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?u=47857f2c492a1dda05a4762b9&id=7b39e3a496 Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

The national 988 hotline, which went live in July, provides free and confidential emotional support for people with mental health emergencies. But as it's been rolled out, crisis intervention centers that handle the calls say they're in need of more staff and other resources. We're with Dr. Jack Rozel, medical director of resolve Crisis Services in Allegheny County, to talk about the promise and pitfalls of the new hotline. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

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 with writer Sam Lin-Sommer of Gastro Obscura to talk about how it all went down. Check out his 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!

For the rest of this month, people with non-violent cannabis convictions can apply for clemency through the “Marijuana Pardon Project.” But those charges generally come compounded with a slew of other ones. So realistically, how many people are actually going to benefit? City Cast Pittsburgh & City Cast Philly are joining forces to talk through the loopholes and how it could help at least a few thousand deserving Pennsylvanians. We’re joined by criminal defense attorney Patrick Nightingale, who has some statewide perspective on the pardoning project. You can find information on the “Marijuana Pardon Project” here: https://www.pa.gov/guides/mj-pardon/ And you can apply for a pardon now through September 30th here: https://mjpardon.pa.gov Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

In her new book “How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water,” Pittsburgh author Angie Cruz tells the story of Cara Romero, a Spanish-speaking immigrant in her mid-50s who's done speaking softly about her life experience. City Cast‘s Meg Dalton is with the writer, who says the novel’s funny, open, and flawed main character will resonate with readers in the Steel City and beyond. Cruz is also an associate professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh. Check out her event this Tuesday with City of Asylum 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, but a special Fall Fest edition! The whole team is previewing some of the best festivals the Steel City has to offer this autumn. Check out our working list here: Original Pittsburgh Taco Festival Sept 10 Corn Festival Sept 10 Hilltop Harvest Fest Sept 10 2022 Highmark Blues & Heritage Fest Sept 14-15 Penn Brew Oktoberfest Sept 16-18 & 23-25 Ohiopyle Wine and Arts Festival Sept 24 Observatory Hill Arts & Culture Fest Sept 24 Hard Cider & Donut Fest - Oct 1 Three Rivers Beer Week: First Pour Beer Fest Oct 1 Bingham Street Fall Festival Oct 2 Festival of Combustion @ Carrie Furnace Oct 8 Grow Pittsburgh 5th Annual Braddock Fall Fest Oct 8 Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkins Fest Oct 15-16 Hartwood Fest 2022 Oct 22 2022 Western PA Lamb Fest Oct 23 Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

We’re (hopefully) out of the “Hell’s Front Porch” part of summer — and what’s better than a fall picnic?! City Cast’s Mallory Falk and Morgan Moody are with travel writer and Pittsburgh native, Abbie Synan, to give us tips on how to select the plan and plan the perfect Burgh basket. Check out her full list of suggestions in today's newsletter and for NEXTPittsburgh here: https://nextpittsburgh.com/eatdrink/how-to-plan-and-pack-the-perfect-pittsburgh-picnic-and-the-best-spots-to-enjoy-it/ Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Have you ever heard of the “Rooney Rule?” It’s been an NFL hiring policy for decades, but it’s not clear how well it’s working. (At the end of last season, Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin was the only Black head coach left standing.) City Cast’s Morgan Moody is with her friend Martenzie Johnson, a sports writer for ESPN’s Andscape, talking about how it got passed, why it’s named after Steelers ownership, and why it’s still *very* relevant today. The Steelers kick off the regular season on the road Sunday in Cincinnati. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

It’s pretty convenient to leave your recycling at the curb, but it can be a lot more convenient for facilities to process those materials when they’re pre-sorted. The first of several new glass drop-off facilities opened this summer in Allegheny County, and officials hope it’ll mean a lot more of our waste gets back on the shelf. We’re with The Allegheny Front’s Julie Grant. The Pennsylvania Resource Council also has a traveling glass recycling bin. Check out its schedule here: https://prc.org/programs/collectionevents/glass/traveling-glass-bin/ Learn more about broader local recycling efforts here: https://www.alleghenyfront.org/packaging-group-makes-the-case-for-better-glass-recycling/ And no, your recycling isn’t just going to the landfill. Or, well, most of it isn’t. Check it out: https://www.alleghenyfront.org/no-your-recycling-is-not-just-going-to-the-landfill-well-most-of-it-isnt/ Editor’s note: This episode originally aired March 17, 2022. 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 previews their picks for an eventful Labor Day weekend, including parades and Presidential visits; BBQ and soul food; plus the latest on how Allegheny County's Police Review Board could come together by the fall. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Have you ever heard the drum line under Styx's 1979 hit "Renegade" pick up on the speakers at a Steelers game? What started as your average in-game timeout song in 2002 became an iconic good luck charm in the minds of thousands of Pittsburgh fans all over the world. City Cast's Megan Harris figured it was all superstition, but thanks to researchers at Point Park University, we now know there's data to back it up.

The best rivalry in college sports is back — and it usually ends with some furniture going up in flames. Pitt and West Virginia have been facing off in the Backyard Brawl since 1895, but the matchup’s been on hiatus since Pitt left the Big East Conference over a decade ago. That’s all changing tomorrow, when the Panthers will play the Mountaineers once more at Acrisure Stadium. Brian Batko, sports writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, joins us to talk about the long-standing rivalry and why couch-burning became such a popular West Virginia tradition. NOW HIRING: If you’re looking for a full-time, temporary audio job, then we’ve got the project for you. Apply to work with the City Cast team here: https://citycast.fm/audio-producer-city-cast-pittsburgh-temporary/ VOTE FOR US: City Cast Pittsburgh is among the finalists for City Paper’s annual “Best of Pittsburgh” contest. Scroll down to Best Podcast and smash that vote button here: https://bit.ly/voteforCCP Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Hundreds of people from our surrounding states have been coming to Pittsburgh for abortion care since was Roe was overturned, but local clinics say they need more providers to keep up with demand. Pallavi Muluk, a second-year Pitt med student, thinks medical schools can help by making abortion care and reproductive health a bigger part of the curriculum. She’s here to talk about her work leading the local chapter of Medical Students for Choice. NOW HIRING: If you’re looking for a full-time, temporary audio job, then we’ve got the project for you. Apply to work with the City Cast team here: https://citycast.fm/audio-producer-city-cast-pittsburgh-temporary/ VOTE FOR US: City Cast Pittsburgh is among the finalists for City Paper’s annual “Best of Pittsburgh” contest. Scroll down to Best Podcast and smash that vote button here: https://bit.ly/voteforCCP Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Pittsburgh is known as a cloudy and rainy city, but this summer has been unseasonably dry. Climate and forestry scientists say the change in climate could mean more severe wildfires in places like Western Pennsylvania, where there are large forested areas. Wildfire expert and Penn state professor of geography and ecology Alan Taylor joins us to talk about the risks our forests could face over the next decade and what can be done to get ahead of the problem. NOW HIRING: If you’re looking for a full-time, temporary audio job, then we’ve got the project for you. Apply to work with the City Cast team here: https://citycast.fm/audio-producer-city-cast-pittsburgh-temporary/ VOTE FOR US: City Cast Pittsburgh is among the finalists for City Paper’s annual “Best of Pittsburgh” contest. Scroll down to Best Podcast and smash that vote button here: https://bit.ly/voteforCCP 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 is embracing its love for the Pittsburgh potty. This week, hear all about a free transportation pilot program for some residents on the North Side; where you can see a tiny home in Pittsburgh this weekend made from totally repurposed materials; and how Duquesne is hoping to woo Lebron James’ son, Bryce. And don’t forget: CITY CAST IS HIRING: If you’re looking for a full-time, temporary audio job, then we’ve got the project for you. Apply to work with the City Cast team here: https://citycast.fm/audio-producer-city-cast-pittsburgh-temporary/ VOTE FOR US: City Cast Pittsburgh is among the finalists for City Paper’s annual “Best of Pittsburgh” contest. Scroll down to Best Podcast and smash that vote button here: https://bit.ly/voteforCCP Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Host Morgan Moody is adjusting her gears and facing her fears today with a pedaling lesson from a pro, Black Girls Do Bike founder Monica Garrison. The group started as a local effort to build a community of women of color who love to bike, and it’s grown to have over 100 chapters worldwide. This weekend, the international collective is expecting hundreds of members from the U.S. and abroad to meet in Pittsburgh for PedalPGH, Pennsylvania’s biggest bicycling race with 10-, 25-, 40-, or 62-mile treks starting at 7 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 28 at Southside Riverfront Park. You can pre-game with Monica and her crew Friday with a $20 luncheon and pool party at the Sherwood Event Center where there will be giveaways, entertainment, and more. Find more at blackgirlsdobike.org NOW HIRING: If you’re looking for a full-time, temporary audio job, then we’ve got the project for you. Apply to work with the City Cast team here: https://citycast.fm/audio-producer-city-cast-pittsburgh-temporary/ VOTE FOR US: City Cast Pittsburgh is among the finalists for City Paper’s annual “Best of Pittsburgh” contest. Scroll down to Best Podcast and smash that vote button here: https://bit.ly/voteforCCP Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Median home prices have tripled in Lawrenceville and surrounding communities over the last decade, forcing many residents out — particularly people of color. So in 2019, the city tried something new: inclusionary zoning, which put strict rules on new development. The city tested out the policy in Lawrenceville, then expanded it to Bloomfield and Polish Hill. Advocates say it’s helping, or it could, with enough time, but now the ordinance is being challenged in federal court. We’re with Dave Breingan, the executive director of the neighborhood advocacy group Lawrenceville United. NOW HIRING: If you’re looking for a full-time, temporary audio job, then we’ve got the project for you. Apply to work with the City Cast team here: https://citycast.fm/audio-producer-city-cast-pittsburgh-temporary/ VOTE FOR US: City Cast Pittsburgh is among the finalists for City Paper’s annual “Best of Pittsburgh” contest. Scroll down to Best Podcast and smash that vote button here: https://bit.ly/voteforCCP Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!