City Cast Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh might not have the most bridges in the U.S. (we debunked that claim back in a February episode), but we do have the most public staircases. One intrepid yinzer has climbed them all. Laura Zurowski, also known as Mis.Steps, takes City Cast on a field trip to one of her favorite set of steps and explains 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 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 sets of steps. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Pittsburgh’s City Council is on their version of a summer vacation. The 9-member board is on recess until August 19th and City Cast’s Megan Harris and Morgan Moody are running down what they’ve accomplished this year, plus what legislation is waiting for them when council resumes next month. The Post-Gazette has an excellent roundup of some of these measures: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2022/07/25/pittsburgh-city-council-summer-break-agenda-stop-and-frisk-bill-airbnb-rentals/stories/202207200083 Here’s a handy map of our new City Council districts. Learn more about District 5 candidates Barb Warwick here and Doug Shields here. And check out PublicSource’s great breakdown of DOMI’s challenges, especially now that the city’s Bridge Asset Management Program has been approved: https://www.publicsource.org/gainey-pittsburgh-bridges-infrastructure-lucas-domi/ Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Black women in Allegheny County earn significantly less than their colleagues — the wage gap between Black women and white men here is even worse than the national average. But a new campaign is trying to change that by encouraging employers to look at existing gaps in their own companies and commit to raising wages for women of color. Rochelle Jackson, founder and director of the Black Women’s Policy Center, joins us to discuss the Level Up initiative. As she says, you can’t address what you won’t acknowledge. The campaign is led by the Black Women’s Policy Center, YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh, and the Women and Girls Foundation. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Last year, an officer with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police alleged another officer sexually assaulted her at home after a social gathering on city property. The public safety director chose not to fire him, and the county declined to prosecute. So on her own, she found a little-used Pennsylvania law called the Protection of Victims of Sexual Violence or Intimidation Act. In the first part of a new series, City Cast Pittsburgh, with our news partner PublicSource, looks into the incident and what followed. Can't handle the wait for part 2? Read the full story here: https://publicsource.org/Sexual-violence-protection-victims-intimidation-pennsylvania-Pittsburgh-police City Cast's 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’s Morgan Moody and Francesca Dabecco chat with roving producer Meg Dalton about how worried we should be about the BA.5 subvariant; climate advocates’ plans to shut down next week’s Congressional Baseball Game if climate change legislation doesn't pass (local Rep. Mike Doyle is coaching!); and a new way to share your Yinzer preferences while properly disposing of cigarette butts around tahn. Plus, the whole team shares the best things they learned about the city this week. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Pittsburgh’s first-ever Paddlesport Weekend kicks off this Friday, so to celebrate, City Cast’s Morgan Moody and Mallory Falk are testing the waters with a first-timers kayaking lesson. They’re with Christine Iksic, owner of 3 Rivers Outdoor Company (3ROC), to learn more about how she makes the outdoors more accessible through her retail store in Regent Square and riverfront outpost in Aspinwall, and how locals can dive into the city’s waterways this weekend. Paddlesport Weekend is hosted by 3ROC, Outkast Paddlers, and Friends of the Riverfront. You can check out 3ROC’s other events — like paddling trips, outdoor rock climbing, and live music on the water here. And if you’re looking for more ways to get out on the river, Christine also recommends 10.7 Marina, SurfSUP Adventures, and Kayak Pittsburgh. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

It's kitten season in Pittsburgh, but cats can get pregnant any time — and at just four months old with up to five litters every year. That creates a lot of mouths to feed, and if they aren’t brought into a shelter as babies, they often end up in overpopulated, outdoor cat colonies. That’s where local rescues like Conquer the Colony step up to help maintain the population through trap, neuter, and return programs. Founders Erin Hartman and Kelly Kraus join us to talk about how — with a crate and some patience! — anyone can get involved. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Climate change is a global issue, but Pittsburgh is already feeling its effects: rising temperatures, poor air quality, extreme precipitation, flooding and drought, and even landslides. So how do we make changes on the local level? The state Department of Environmental Protection is offering local governments trainings through its Local Climate Action Program, which helps municipalities develop plans to reduce emissions and implement on-the-ground strategies like weatherizing homes, tree planting, curb-side recycling, bike-share programs, and more. Sharpsburg Mayor Brittany Reno says the training really grounded her work in data, and a year and a half later, she’s still inspired by the process. Sound like a good fit for your neighborhood? PA townships and boroughs interested in the program can apply through July 31. You can hear our March 17 episode about glass recycling here. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Homestead Grays catcher Josh Gibson hit something like 800 home runs during his career, but Major League Baseball has never counted Negro League stats alongside white players of the same era. Two years ago, MLB officials promised to change that, but so far – no dice. Fifty years since Gibson’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, his great-grandson, Sean Gibson, shares more about that legacy on and off the field, plus efforts to honor Gibson as the new namesake for the MLB’s annual MVP Award. “If Josh Gibson’s name is on the MVP Award, it will not just be about Josh Gibson. It’ll be about the 3,400 men who were denied the opportunity to play.” Vote for Josh here. And if you’re looking for a way to celebrate the anniversary, Sean runs the Josh Gibson Foundation, which is hosting events all summer, including one on Wednesday in Washington, Pa. 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! By the time their new contracts expire, Penguins legends Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang will have played around 20 years together — and with the same team. It’s unprecedented in this era of professional sports. Meanwhile, inflation continues to rise, and we’re all feeling it. But there’s good news: the Black Music Festival is this weekend! Plus, the team share’s their picks for the very worst of Pgh this week. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

When children go through treatment for cancer, there’s a risk it could affect their fertility. Pittsburgh is on the cutting edge of something that could help: a process called pediatric fertility treatment. But how does it work for kids who haven’t gone through puberty yet? And what’s it like to broach this subject with families who’ve just received a life-altering diagnosis? Amy Jutca, the fertility preservation program navigator at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, joins us to talk about helping kids and families with their options. Check here for more about fertility preservation programs at Children’s Hospital and Magee-Womens Hospital. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

The everything pickle and pickled festival includes quirky dishes, merchandise, live performances and more — and they’re expanding this year to the Rachel Carson Bridge, plus an exclusive spot for shade and food on the 10th Street bypass. City Cast’s Morgan Moody & Megan Harris talk to the guy who helped make it happen, Jack Dougherty, about the shindig USA Today calls the best specialty food festival in North America. There’s a can’t miss Picklesburgh roundup in our newsletter today. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

The long-time home of the Pittsburgh Steelers has a new name: Acrisure Stadium. The team made it official late yesterday, and fans went wild making fun of the choice. Minority owner Thomas Tull allegedly brokered the deal with Michigan-based insurance firm Acrisure, which Reuters reports is a growing member of the fintech industry — and one that’s profited recently from the war in Ukraine. While the terms of the deal aren’t public, Pittsburgh-based Kraft Heinz says the company hopes to remain involved with the Steelers. The Post-Gazette’s Brian Batko explains what comes next. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Artist Andy Warhol grew up in Oakland, but his iconic influence started later — mostly because of a soup can that made its debut 60 years ago in Los Angeles. Back then, the reception to his paintings was... lukewarm. City Cast contributor Rossilynne Skena Culgan is covering the anniversary of Warhol’s inaugural show for Pittsburgh City Paper. Check out the full story here: https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/sixty-years-ago-this-week-warhol-began-his-souper-success/Content?oid=21989740 Look here for complete list of the Pennsylvania General Assembly's proposed amendments to our state constitution: https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2022/01/pennsylvania-constitution-amendments-tracker-complete-guide/ Find more information about your legislators here: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/ 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! Morgan is away celebrating her birthday (we see you, Cancer season) so the rest of the squad gets nerdy with state budget talks and all those anti-trans bills announced recently, plus why the spotted lanternfly is on everyone’s seasonal kill list. There’s always great reporting behind these convos: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star and the Associated Press break down the latest bills on LGBTQ instruction: https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/senate-approves-limits-on-sexually-explicit-content-gender-identity-discussions-in-schools/ and https://apnews.com/article/education-pennsylvania-gender-identity-tom-wolf-government-and-politics-2fb27c1be186f2e36095b308523286af Spotlight PA really goes into detail on different budgetary sticking points this year: https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2022/07/pennsylvania-state-budget-explainer-late/ Check out this meaty report from Old Dominion University that really details PA’s past budget woes: file:///Users/meganharris/Downloads/289-Article%20Text-915-1-10-20201112.pdf And here’s Penn State’s Spotted Lanternfly sighting reporting tool https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

There are hardly any independent butchers left in the region, but these seven institutions — most of them more than 50 years old — offer high-quality meat with service you can’t find at the big-box stores. In one of his final stories for Pittsburgh Magazine, City Cast contributor Hal B. Klein talk about his local favorites and why this could be *the* moment for more would-be butchers to learn the craft. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Today marks the 130th anniversary of the Battle of Homestead. No, it wasn’t part of any war, and technically, it didn’t even happen in Homestead. Just outside the Pump House in what is now the Waterfront, labor leaders walked out for six days to defend their rights while on the job. What followed was a brutal clash with Pinkerton “detectives” that ended with dozens of injuries and the slow collapse of the budding union. People died, and the movement didn’t stick, but the conflict left an indelible mark on union organizers and the company leaders who would stop them. Historian Maura Bainbridge gets into the particulars, plus why that legacy still matters today. Catch her today at 9:30 a.m. for a free event commemorating the anniversary. Additional speakers include Steffi Domike (filmmaker of “The River Ran Red”), Mike Stout (labor singer/songwriter), Tammy Hepps (Homestead community historian), Joel Woller (labor historian), and Joe White (U.S. political scientist). Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Super Bowl champ — and forever Pittsburgher — Ryan Mundy thrived on the field in the shadow of groundbreaking concussion research. But as he pondered his post-game career, he wondered what was out there for folks like him looking for guidance on how to heal himself from the inside out. Now he’s created a tech platform, Alkeme Health, aimed at addressing mental health by and for the Black community. "We’re focused on the Black community and we designed our platform to meet the needs of the Black community but we are not Black exclusive. … What’s good for Black people is good for all people.” Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

The Friday news roundup is back! This week, the team discusses a GOP move to block state funding for Pa. schools that use fetal tissue for medical research; new legislation that could allow companies to test driverless vehicles in Pittsburgh; and one woman’s gripe with the Pittsburgh city flag. Plus an update on local Starbucks unions. As always, the Friday roundup is powered by great local (and national) journalism. This week, check out: Kate Giammarise and Chris Potter with WESA on the threat to tuition aid: https://www.wesa.fm/politics-government/2022-06-28/republican-legislators-university-pittsburgh-tuition-fetal-tissue An-Li Herring with WESA on autonomous vehicles: https://www.wesa.fm/economy-business/2022-04-25/autonomous-vehicles-drive-investment-to-pittsburgh-but-companies-say-government-buy-in-is-key Dontae Washington in Pittsburgh City Paper on a strike at the Bloomfield Starbucks: https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/union-protests-corporate-obstructions-at-bloomfield-starbucks/Content?oid=21940316 Ali Francis in Bon Appétit on Starbucks and abortion access: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/starbucks-union-battle Our own Francesca Dabecco in Pittsburgh City Paper on LGBTQ-led efforts to unionize Starbucks: https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/starbucks-unions-pick-up-steam-among-lgbtq-workers/Content?oid=21908834 Lucy Chen in Pittsburgh City Paper on the problem(s) with Pittsburgh’s flag: https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/an-artists-plea-for-pittsburgh-to-redesign-its-city-flag/Content?oid=21441677 Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

A handful of school boards across the country are causing a fresh stir, alleging a growing number of schools are putting litter boxes in bathrooms to accommodate kids who identify as furries and only communicate by barking or meowing. Some politicians and political candidates have spread the rumors, including in Nebraska, Texas, and even one south central PA school. On the eve of Anthrocon — Pittsburgh’s annual celebration of furry culture — we talk to Xanni Novak, a longtime convention attendee, about what’s behind the fear-mongering and how it connects to conversations about critical race theory and LGBTQ+ inclusion. Also, check out the latest research and writings from Furscience, aka the International Anthropomorphic Research Project, which found 12-19% of furries identify as trans, and upwards of 80-85% identify as LGBTQ+. Researcher Dr. Sharon Roberts says both numbers are trending up: “You have all of these marginalized identities that people have struggled with because the rest of the world is nasty about them, or they have been historically, and (furry culture) is a safe environment just for people to be their most authentic selves.” Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

You know the one — Stephen Foster is well-dressed and seated, looking down over a barefoot Black man playing a banjo at his feet. After 118 years in Oakland, the controversial piece came down by unanimous decision in 2018, and we wondered where it’s been since. It turns out, it’s still in a local basement. But there’s a museum director in LA who’s got a plan. We’re with co-curator Hamza Walker of LAXART. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Ridership along Norfolk Southern’s Pennsylvanian train line has been growing in recent years, and the state says the whole operation needs a little TLC if it’s going to accommodate expanded service from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg. Today we talk to City Cast subscriber Keegan Gibson during his commute back to the ‘Burgh about what he’s seeing, how he figures the experience could be improved by a newly announced influx of $200 million, and the best train car snacks to chew chew for his money. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

We knew it was coming: the landmark doctrine legalizing choice in America was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday. Abortion rights in Pennsylvania are protected, but not guaranteed, and with a governor’s race coming in November, abortion rights advocates say Pittsburgh should expect a wave of out-of-state patients in the coming months and years. The Pittsburgh team talks about the immediate aftermath locally, how other City Cast teams around the country are talking about next steps, and what it'll mean for Pittsburgh to become a beacon for access for hundreds of miles. Friend-of-the-pod Katrina Lipinsky shared a bunch of resources on Instagram for folks interested in getting involved. She's a certified nurse midwife at the Allegheny Reproductive Health Center here in Pittsburgh: Info on where to get an abortion around the country as the laws evolve: @ineedanacom Abortion pills available online, based on where you live: @plancpills Medical support when self-managing at home: @ma_hotline Legal support for self-managing: @ifwhenhow & @reprolegaldefensefund Funds available to help cover travel, food, child care, and other needs incurred as part of seeking an abortion: @abortionfunds (national) & @wpafundforchoice (Pittsburgh) Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

The coffee giant prides itself on being an inclusive workplace for the LGBTQ+ community, but Pittsburgh workers say the benefits it offers — like gender-affirming health care — are often inaccessible. City Cast’s Francesca Dabecco talks to union organizer and author of “On The Line,” Daisy Pitkin, about how queer folks are at the center of this historic workers rights movement. Plus, local Starbucks partners share their perspective. Please read the written version for Pittsburgh City Paper here: pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/starbucks-unions-pick-up-steam-among-lgbtq-workers/Content?oid=21908834 And check out these bonkers stories about the local Airport Authority… Post-Gazette: https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2022/06/20/pittsburgh-international-airport-airmall-fraport-christina-cassotis-allegheny-county-airport-authority-common-pleas-court/stories/202206200084 TribLIVE: https://triblive.com/business/allegheny-county-airport-authority-company-in-legal-battle-over-concessions-contract/ Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

The temps last week were brutal, and now we're in the midst of another stretch of near 90-degree days. While most of us take cover indoors, City Cast’s Morgan Moody & Megan Harris share their favorite ways to get a little sunshine while also staying safe and cool around the ‘Burgh. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

This Sunday is Juneteenth, so we took a trip to the Heinz History Center in the Strip District to walk through their From Slavery to Freedom exhibit. Today, hear from Director of African American Programs Samuel Black about the cultural importance of the nation's newest bank holiday — and Pittsburgh’s abolitionist roots! Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Pittsburgh students struggled with math even before the pandemic, but the latest round of standardized test scores paints a dire picture. Learning gaps have only gotten worse, especially for Black, brown and low-income children — at some local elementary schools, the math proficiency rate among Black students was 0%. Reporter Mary Niederburger with the Pittsburgh Institute for Nonprofit Journalism explains how we got here and what happens next. Read Mary’s piece about student math scores here: https://pinjnews.org/does-tutoring-culturally-relevant-lessons-double-math-periods-math-proficiency And follow all her reporting on the pandemic and Pittsburgh schools here: https://pinjnews.org/unfinished-learning/ Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Isn’t it more fun to eat alfresco? Outdoor dining got a boost during the pandemic, and Pittsburgh is blooming with pretty patios, rooftop tables, beer gardens, and sidewalk seating. We invited Pittsburgh foodie blogger Sophia Chang — aka @sopheating on Instagram — to help us dish on some of the best spots for romance, ambiance, and a strong summer sipper. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Five years ago, a refrigerator caught fire in an apartment inside the Grenfell Tower in London. It burned to the ground, ultimately killing 72 people — many of them children. And there’s a Pittsburgh manufacturing firm at the center of that story. Local filmmaker and multimedia artist Chris Ivey has interviewed dozens of survivors about their trauma. He’s with us to talk about how he got involved, how you can see his new film, and what justice means for the hundreds of displaced people looking to Arconic for answers. Read the NYT piece about Arconic’s actions in Russia here: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/20/world/europe/russia-ukraine-arconic-samara.html Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Since the pandemic, Pittsburgh’s Pride has been kinda muted. Still proud, but a little quieter. That’s likely to change this weekend as the Steel City welcomes back dozens of community concerts, craft fairs, marches and more, plus a slew of new celebrations in smaller boroughs. QBurgh’s Jason Shavers and Jim Sheppard are here to talk through them all, share their top recommendations and explain an evolving court battle still being championed by Pride’s former organizers. Check out QBurgh’s full itinerary here: https://qburgh.com/heres-your-pride-2022-itinerary/ Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

It’s been two weeks since Pennsylvania’s primary election, and we still don’t know everyone who’ll be on our ballots for the general election in November. But we can expect at least two defining talking points — gun control and abortion access. Today on the pod, the City Cast team talks through the big takeaways, what we've learned since the Uvalde shooting and what's likely to come next. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Pittsburgh is consistently rated among the nation’s worst cities for air quality, but how does that affect our mental health -- especially in the hardest-hit lower income communities along the Mon Valley? Environmental Health News journalist Kristina Marusic explains how folks are coping with the continued effect of "climate anxiety," and what you can do to help. The series is a collaboration between Environmental Health News and The Allegheny Front: https://www.ehn.org/mental-health-2655533166/what-we-found PublicSource did some excellent reporting about one of the hardest-hit communities, Clairton. Check it out here: https://www.publicsource.org/clairton-city-of-prayer-portraits-illness-trauma-advocacy-resilience/ And please read these lists of local organizations helping to make change: https://www.ehn.org/mental-health-solutions-2655533540/take-care-of-your-mental-health https://www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-mental-health-organizations-filling-access-gaps/ Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Pittsburgh doesn’t just not have an NBA team. A lot of locals straight-up loathe professional basketball. But why all the venom? City Cast’s Morgan Moody is with Steel City transplant Tyler Batiste to talk about the ‘Burgh’s on-court legacy and whether — someday — we just might get a team of our own. Keep up with Tyler’s basketball coverage for The Athletic here, and pay homage to our ABA squad, the Steel City Yellow Jackets, for bringing home their first franchise championship last week! PLUS: Hit up our newsletter for a historical photo from the championship-winning Pittsburgh Pipers. And check out The New York Times' coverage of a 'Burgh-based company cutting ties with Russia. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

The food scene here in Pittsburgh has been booming for years, but like a lot of businesses, the pandemic hit hard. City Cast contributor Hal B. Klein is here to talk about his annual Pittsburgh Magazine list of the city’s best restaurants and why he tightened it to just 25 in 2022. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

We have a huge primary election today to decide the major candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, Pat Toomey’s old U.S. Senate seat, several for the newly-redistricted U.S. House, gobs of state legislators and more. The field is crowded, and since the City Cast team hasn’t had the opportunity to meet a ton of candidates personally this round, we thought we’d check in with someone who has. Journalist Natalie Bencivenga has been chatting up candidates and thought leaders for months now on Instagram Live in a regular segment called “After Hours” for Pittsburgh City Paper. Hear how she got started, which candidates surprised her, what issues they’re most focused on, and why she (and they) think you should cast a ballot today. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

With names like Billy Porter, Toi Derricote, Jan Beatty, and Sharon Flake, the first-ever Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books promises to have a little something for everyone. The all-day celebration is free, family-friendly, and spread across six locations in East Liberty, each paying tribute to Pittsburgh's rich literary community and love of reading. Co-chairs Marshall Cohen and Laurie Moser share with us what finally spurred them to take the plunge and create an event like the ones they’ve adored in other cities, plus how they chose this year’s more than 40 local and nationally renowned authors – all with special ties to the Steel City. Check out the full lineup and register for author readings, signings, children’s events, and Q&A sessions here. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Since news broke that SCOTUS is likely to strike down Roe v. Wade, folks in Pittsburgh have been coping in different ways. Today, City Cast's Megan Harris is with a few educators who’ve decided to address their fear and frustration by sharing their knowledge with others. And we’ve got a full house! Alecia Ott is an abortion doula and community resource for folks navigating reproductive care. She’s leading a step-by-step workshop through Prototype PGH for anyone who finds themselves pregnant and doesn’t want to stay that way. Find more information here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-get-an-abortion-a-step-by-step-guide-for-you-your-friends-tickets-331009868427?aff=ebdsoporgprofile Katrina Lipinsky is leading a workshop through her work as a certified nurse midwife at the Allegheny Reproductive Health Center. In her upcoming “papaya” clinic, she’s going to demonstrate to medical and non-medical attendees alike how procedural abortions can be safely administered using a handheld device. And Nikki Terney is the director of abortion care at the Health Center. She shares more about the Western Pennsylvania Fund for Choice, which pays for procedures, transit, lodging, child care and food for anyone with barriers to access. Nikki and Katrina both serve on the Fund’s board. More details about the hands-on workshop and ways to help are available on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CdHahyntRko/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

For sisters Raynise and TaRay Kelly, gardening is more than a seasonal hobby — it's a means of self-sufficiency, opportunity, and food access far beyond their bursting home nursery in Mount Oliver. City Cast's Morgan Moody and Megan Harris stopped by the Soil Sisters’ home base and took away a few pointers for any novice planters out there looking to cultivate their own green thumbs. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Disciplinary action against Pittsburgh police officers has doubled over the last 10 years, but community activists and experts wonder whether an uptick in internal investigations represents a problem or a solution. The detailed data dump is unprecedented in Pittsburgh, and City Cast’s Megan Harris is here with Rich Lord of PublicSource to talk about what the more than 5,600 allegations really mean for us moving forward. It’s all written up for PublicSource here: https://www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-police-accountability-discipline-data-jim-rogers-ed-gainey/# You can check out the raw data for yourself here: https://www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-police-accountability-discipline-data-jim-rogers-ed-gainey/#data 1Hood Media collaborated with the Alliance for Police Accountability on a report last year considering a different approach to public safety. It's available here: https://www.1hood.org/publicsafety And if you're still looking for your precinct, check out our newsletter or hit up the county here: https://apps.alleghenycounty.us/website/electpollplace.aspx Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Happy (almost) Arbor Day to all our fellow tree huggers! Ahead of celebrations on Saturday, we’re talking about why it can be so complicated to get a tree planted in some parts of the city — from high rentorship to bad sidewalks to absentee or investor homeowners who can’t be located to even get permission. Danielle Crumrine is about to celebrate her 15th year leading the nonprofit Tree Pittsburgh, and she’s with City Cast’s Megan Harris to talk about what local lawmakers could be doing to help. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History has a lot of weird wonders in its collection, but few have plagued management quite like the diorama “Lion Attacking a Dromedary.” It’s got a lot of inaccuracies, from the meshing of several Middle Eastern and North African cultures, to placements that reinforce violence, colonialism and misogyny. Modern curators struggle to even call it art — which was also the consensus in 1899 when industrialist Andrew Carnegie first acquired it for his new museum in Pittsburgh from a private collection being sold off in France. But more recently, scientists also discovered it contains human remains, likely acquired from the original taxidermists, who were well-known grave robbers. Museum director Gretchen Baker joins City Cast’s Megan Harris to talk about what comes next and what local patrons have had to say about it. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

A moment of silence for some of our now-closed East End favorites: Bitter Ends, B52, and Reed & Co. But there’s still a lot to look forward to on the Pittsburgh food scene, including our first non-alcoholic bottle shop and a Pan-Asian food hall set to open this winter. Our very own Morgan Moody and Francesca Dabecco join City Cast contributor Hal B. Klein, who’s covering it all for Pittsburgh Magazine. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Pennsylvania’s Senate Finance Committee is set to hear testimony tomorrow in Pittsburgh about potentially raising the Film Tax Credit, which is currently capped at $70 million. While lawmakers consider what to do, we thought we’d tap into what the film scene here is really like. Is the food good? Why is Lawrenceville in every shot? How do you become an extra? Luckily our own Morgan Moody has a few credits to her name and knows how the sausage gets made. Check out more on tomorrow’s hearing, including expected testimony here. Pittsburgh Film Office director Dawn Keezer will also share her perspective at 9 a.m. on 90.5 WESA’s The Confluence. Check it out via podcast, too. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

In the grand tradition of building throughways through immigrant neighborhoods, Pittsburgh’s once-thriving Chinatown was decimated in the 1910s and ’20s with the downtown construction of the Boulevard of the Allies. It’s been a long time coming—12 years and four separate appeals to the state—but the neighborhood is finally getting the historic landmark it deserves. Marian Lein, president of the Pittsburgh chapter of the OCA, joins newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco to talk about that history and the Pan-Asian celebrations this Saturday. Check out a full event listing here: https://ocapghpa.org/ And check back soon for ways to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month in May. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Pregnancy and childbirth should be happy and safe, but for way too many Black and brown women, complications before, during and even months after the birth are stealing that joy — and even some women’s lives. Dr. Sharee Livingston, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at UPMC Lititz, joins City Cast’s Megan Harris for a conversation about Black Maternal Health Week and what Pittsburgh could learn from a promising new doula project in Lancaster. If you want to follow the legislation on these topics, check out: House Bill 1175, which would extend Medicaid coverage to doula services and create a Doula Advisory Board; House Bill 1419, which would prohibit the shackling and solitary confinement of pregnant women, provide for trauma informed care training of corrections officers interacting with pregnant and postpartum women, and provide for up to three days of post-delivery bonding time between mother and newborn child; and House Resolution 959, better known as the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021. The bill is composed of 12 individual acts, all sponsored by the Black Maternal Health Caucus. And in honor of 4-1-2 Day, redd up Mark Belko’s great Pirates scoop here: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2022/04/10/pirates-ticket-sales-revenue-player-investment-mlb-payroll-special-report/stories/202204100006 Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

In this week’s Friday news roundup, the team talks about the latest round of affordable housing evictions in East Liberty; what we know about the loss of outdoor climbing access in Fayette County; and when Pittsburghers should start stocking up on reusable totes for the inevitable plastic bag ban. Check out the wonderful local journalism and residents that made it possible: TribLive’s Julia Felton on Pgh’s new affordable housing committee: https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-city-council-establishes-affordable-housing-committee/ Margaret J. Krauss with 90.5 WESA is the go-to source on what’s gone wrong with redevelopment in East Liberty: https://www.wesa.fm/development-transportation/2022-04-05/east-liberty-will-lose-more-affordable-housing-but-seller-aims-to-fight-long-term-displacement The state’s announcement that game lands in Fayette County will be closed to climbers going forward: https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/game-commission-details.aspx?newsid=537 Stay posted to SWPACC for the latest on how local enthusiasts hope to handle that: https://www.swpacc.org/2022/04/05/important-pa-game-commission-announces-closure-of-state-game-lands-51-and-138-to-climbing/ 90.5 WESA’s Ariel Worthy on the likelihood of plastic bag bans in Pittsburgh: https://www.wesa.fm/politics-government/2022-04-06/pittsburgh-city-council-preliminarily-approves-long-delayed-ban-on-single-use-plastic-bags SpotlightPA’s Colin Deppen on how the bag bans have worked across the state: https://www.spotlightpa.org/newsletters/papost/apr-5-pennsylvania-plastic-bag-bans-are-taking-root-do-they-work/ Plus a look at how New Jersey residents prepared: https://www.nj.com/business/2022/04/dont-stockpile-plastic-bags-before-bag-ban-starts-heres-how-to-use-the-ones-you-have.html Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Spirits are high for Opening Day, but Pirates fans should keep their expectations low. We were the worst team in baseball last year, and in the off-season, long-time owner Bob Nutting signed off on a collective bargaining agreement that won’t help small market teams at all. (We spend less money on the whole team than some clubs do for individual player salaries!) Why won’t “Bottom Line Bob” spend more to give us a shot? Post-Gazette beat writer Jason Mackey has a few answers, and he’s just as frustrated as we are. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

On March 12, 2020, the drop-in group Tube City Writers met for their final pre-pandemic session. In addition to agreeing that future meetups would need to happen virtually, they also decided a daily blog could be a good way to occupy their time. Mon Valley resident Jim Busch led the charge. For more than a year, he documented life in the shadow of the pandemic, plus one very personal loss — his wife, Glenda, was diagnosed with end-stage pancreatic cancer. He and Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Martha Rial are here to talk about the project, what it took to keep building their community online, and what they hope to accomplish next. The Tube City Writers are hosting a reading and book signing on Friday at the Carnegie Library of McKeesport at 2PM. And they’re always looking for new members! No experience necessary. Contact Martha at [email protected] and pick up a copy of “The Corona Diaries” here: https://www.amazon.com/Corona-Diaries-Tube-Writers/dp/B09Q1VDNM3 Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Last month, the communications giant Audacity — which already owned KDKA and a slew of radio and television stations across the country — purchased WAMO, an iconic and influential radio station for Pittsburgh’s Black community. Today City Cast Pittsburgh host Morgan Moody talks with Brian Cook, president of the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation, about the history of WAMO, his own experiences with the station, and whether a new owner could bring WAMO back to prominence. Read more about Audacity’s purchase from Jordana Rosenfeld in Pittsburgh City Paper: https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/wamo-1073-pittsburghs-home-for-hip-hop-purchased-by-audacy/Content?oid=21344112 And follow Brian Cook and WAMO on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldenskymedia — https://www.instagram.com/wamo1073pgh/ Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Students and professors at Carnegie Mellon University have been leaving their mark on the world for generations. Now they're taking it a bit further by leaving their mark on the moon. Red Whitaker is a roboticist and a professor at CMU who has led robotic missions to space and built self-driving vehicles long before Elon Musk. Now he's helping students land a Rover on the moon in search of water. He talks with City Cast Pittsburgh host Morgan Moody about the next space frontier — and how many dollars the U.S. could save on space ventures if they thought just a little smaller. Read more about Red here: https://www.ri.cmu.edu/ri-faculty/william-red-l-whittaker/ Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!