City Cast Pittsburgh (City Cast)

Friday is National Donut Day, and we’re celebrating early. The City Cast crew tasted 21 different donuts from all corners of Pittsburgh, including old standards like cinnamon sugar and glazed plus more creative fare like huckleberry and buckeye. Which would be crowned your favorite? Special thanks to all the shops we sampled, plus those we missed that were recommended by our Hey Pittsburgh readers: West End: Better Maid (Crafton Heights) and Big Daddy’s Donuts (Crafton) East End: Olivers (Lawrenceville), Kaibur (Polish Hill), Dana's (Homewood), Stoeckleins (Penn Hills) South Hills: Just Good Donuts (South Side), Party Cake (Brookline), Grand View Bakery (Mt. Washington), Duck Donuts (Upper St. Clair), Madsen (Castle Shannon & South Fayette) North Hills: Father & Son Family Bakery (Observatory Hill), Lincoln Bakery (Bellevue), Oakmont Bakery (Oakmont), Oram's (Beaver Falls) Take our survey! We’re doing an audience survey to learn more about our listeners. It only takes 5 minutes. Anyone who finishes can enter to win a $250 Visa gift card. That’s at citycast.fm/survey Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Pittsburgh. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! The first week of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial is done, and we’re feeling a lot of big feelings about the news coverage. Plus, city councilors weighed in on a reality TV star, and a newly minted Steeler had his car (and playbook!) stolen. Shoutout to the local journalism that makes our Friday shows possible: Lots of local outlets are in the courtroom every day for the shooting trial, including the Trib, PUP, PG, and WESA Check out the Jewish Chronicle’s resource list for dealing with trauma TMZ broke the story about Scandoval’s run in with Pittsburgh Emma Watson’s coming-of-age moment in the Fort Pitt Tunnel Jimmy Kimmel and actress D’Arcy Carden talking about how low-key great we are, plus her epic first pitch with the Pirates Steve Carell (aka Micheal Scott) on the Office Ladies podcast Jeff Daniels waxing poetic about his time in the ‘Burgh KDKA’s reporting on Kenny Pickett’s foul play(book) Take our survey! We’re doing an audience survey to learn more about our listeners. It only takes 5 minutes. Anyone who finishes can enter to win a $250 Visa gift card. That’s at citycast.fm/survey Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An historic announcement from the FDA changes the rules about who can give blood, which is vital, because according to the Red Cross, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood as part of a life-saving procedure. Gay and bisexual men were banned from giving blood in 1985 because of the AIDS epidemic, and even as the FDA loosened those restrictions, critics still called the policy discriminatory because it was based on sexuality rather than behavior.  Thanks so much to Sean DeYoung, the CEO of Allies for Health and Well Being, for sharing his take on the new blood donation guidelines and our how local queer community is likely to step up. Take our survey! We’re doing an audience survey to learn more about our listeners. It only takes 5 minutes. Anyone who finishes can enter to win a $250 Visa gift card. That’s at citycast.fm/survey Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer’s finally here and so is the stress of trying to fit in every warm-weather activity you dreamed about all winter. We’re gonna try to make things a little easier over the next three weeks with our summer entertainment guide full ofrecommendations for what to do in Pittsburgh, and how to do them best. Today, we’re starting with a guide to the best guided tours in the Steel City. Find more info on them all here: Burgh Bus Bike the Burgh & Golden Triangle Bike Tours Molly’s Trolley Double decker hop-on, hop-off bus Pirate ship Doors Open new Clipper tour Cruisin tikis City Brew Tours  Wigle Whiskey Tour ‘Burgh Bits & Bites food tour Carrie Furnace Frick House & Museum Allegheny Observatory Observatory Hill House Tour Mexican War Streets House & Garden Tour Nationality rooms Take our survey! We’re doing an audience survey to learn more about our listeners. It only takes 5 minutes. Anyone who finishes can enter to win a $250 Visa gift card. That’s at citycast.fm/survey Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dozens of Pittsburgh public schools went virtual last week — not because of COVID, but because of extreme heat. The city’s school buildings are so old, most of them don’t have air conditioning and can’t be retrofitted with building-wide systems. As our region gets warmer, many district schools are unprepared to deal with sweltering temperatures that could affect student learning. James Fogarty of A+ Schools joins us to talk about what schools could do to adapt. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer is the perfect time for an ice cold brew, and it turns out many of the top producers in the country are right here in Pennsylvania. Host Megan Harris joins City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri to break down Pittsburgh’s local craft brewery boom and sample some of the best beers in the commonwealth. Take our survey! We’re doing an audience survey to learn more about our listeners. It only takes 5 minutes. Anyone who finishes can enter to win a $250 Visa gift card. That’s at citycast.fm/survey Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! A local program for movie and theater professionals is getting a reboot, we’ve found yet another thing the state is worst at (lyme disease, eep!), and there’s a new multi-million proposal to study exactly how to replace our city’s thousands of sodium-vapor streetlights over the next few years.  Thanks to all those who’ve done the great reporting we discussed today:  Julia Felton in the Trib on potential plans to convert the city’s streetlights to LED lights  Emily Payne with CMU on an ordinance to dim Pittsburgh’s light pollution Our interview with Dark Sky Defender Diane Turnshek Karen Hicks in StateImpact Pennsylvania on PA leading the nation in Lyme disease  Bill O’Driscoll in WESA on the new workforce training program from the Pittsburgh Film Office and Pittsburgh Public Theater  Maria Sciullo in Pittsburgh Magazine on our city's status as “Hollywood on the Mon” Take our survey! We’re doing an audience survey to learn more about our listeners. It only takes 5 minutes. Anyone who finishes can enter to win a $250 Visa gift card. That’s at citycast.fm/survey Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cars were essential in the early 20th century — not just to get Black folks from A to B, but as a key part of establishingmobility, freedom, and a place in the middle class. But even with a car, travelers had to be careful where they stopped, relying on resources like the Green Book to tell them where they might be welcomed. Tony Norman, a columnist for NEXTpittsburgh, joins us to talk about two new exhibits at the Frick Car & Carriage Museum and the Heinz History Center, plus his piece honoring Pittsburgh’s place in the Great Migration.  If you want to learn more about how Black Pittsburgh revolutionized emergency care, check out our episode on the Freedom House Ambulance Service. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three of Pittsburgh’s 18 city pools will stay closed this summer (miss you already, Bloomfield Beach) but there’s still a lot to celebrate. From the best snack options and kiddie areas to the spots in closest proximity to bars, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know ahead of opening weekend.  Special shoutout to our guest Jill Terner, aka @jillratespools, for her incredible efforts in 2022 to rate the best pools in the Burgh for The Incline. Check out her iconic rubric and get the skinny on the city’s lifeguard shortage, plus stick around to the end to hear what to expect from her rankings in 2023.  Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer’s finally here and so is the stress of trying to fit in every warm-weather activity you dreamed about all winter. We’re trying to make things a little easier over here with our summer entertainment guide — three weeks of recommendations for what to do in Pittsburgh, and how to do it best. This week you’re joining us live from the Bottlerocket Social Hall in Allentown where we’re celebrating the best of summer music with the Pittsburgh Independent. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More farmers and gardeners are growing native plants to increase biodiversity and promote conservation, but for people from other countries, planting the fruits and vegetables that they grew up with in Pittsburgh gives them something else — a sense of home. Rafael Vencio of Amboy Urban Collective tells about his experiments with growing tropical plants from the Philippines in a much colder and grayer climate. Support our advertisers! Join the Art of Living in the special, one-night event Sixth Sense - Meditation & Wisdom with Sri Sri Ravishankar on Thursday, June 22 from 7-9 p.m. at the Omni William Penn. The Art of Living is a non-profit, humanitarian organization they’re active in 180 countries, teaching meditation, non-violence, and service for humanity. Tickets are available at tiny.cc/sixthsensepitt. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Pittsburgh. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! The City Cast Pittsburgh team is getting you ready for a weekend worth celebrating. We’re talking about local Juneteenth history and events, Taylor Swift mania, and a bunch of other activities elsewhere in the city to help you avoid the crowds — all while celebrating Father’s Day, the pup in your life, and more. **Reminder: City Cast won’t be publishing on Monday in observance of Juneteenth. Special thanks to all the great reporting out there that helps us fuel our shows: There’s a petition to change the “Iron City Beer” sign to welcome Taylor Swift The Trib estimates the economic impact of Taylor’s visit to Pittsburgh Gallup tracked awareness of Juneteenth the first year after it became our newest federal holiday Pittsburgh Magazine had a great explainer on what happened with Juneteenth vendors and planning Juneteenth organizer B Marshall told WESA he thinks its about racism Find more Juneteenth event details here & here Pride celebrations are happening this weekend in Mt. Lebanon, Bellevue & Lawrenceville Doors Open in Millvale looks like a blast. Note: Millvale Pride is this weekend Enter your pup in a gay dog pageant  Celebrate the dad in your life at a Father’s Day BBQ Brunch at The National Aviary And for music lovers, check out the Franklin Blues & BBQ on Saturday and Sunday Find links to all of the Taylor Swift-themed goodies in today’s Hey Pittsburgh newsletter or at https://pittsburgh.citycast.fm/ Support our advertisers! Join the Art of Living in the special, one-night event Sixth Sense - Meditation & Wisdom with Sri Sri Ravishankar on Thursday, June 22 from 7-9 p.m. at the Omni William Penn. The Art of Living is a non-profit, humanitarian organization they’re active in 180 countries, teaching meditation, non-violence, and service for humanity. Tickets are available at tiny.cc/sixthsensepitt. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Early summer is the peak season to buy a house in Pittsburgh, but the process can feel overwhelming. How do you find an agent or figure out your price range? Does a Pittsburgh potty count as a half-bath? What the heck is hand money? Local realtor Jessica Baker joins us to help demystify the home-buying process — and explain why an ugly bathroom or outdated cabinets shouldn’t be a dealbreaker. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re two weeks out from Pennsylvania’s state budget deadline and a lot is new this year. Like, ahem, the governor himself. We’re with SpotlightPA’s capitol reporter Stephen Caruso to talk about the wildest additions to recent budget seasons (looking at you, Spin scooters), what could get funded this year, and what happens if lawmakers botch the deadline… again. Support our advertisers! Join the Art of Living in the special, one-night event Sixth Sense - Meditation & Wisdom with Sri Sri Ravishankar on Thursday, June 22 from 7-9 p.m. at the Omni William Penn. The Art of Living is a non-profit, humanitarian organization they’re active in 180 countries, teaching meditation, non-violence, and service for humanity. Tickets are available at tiny.cc/sixthsensepitt. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pittsburgh is a cradle for technology, innovation, and discovery — but that doesn’t mean we love everything AI spits out. From writing poems about Pittsburgh to paranoid comparisons to nuclear weapons, what should we be paying attention to? And what have we learned? Dr. Maarten Sap, an assistant professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Language Technology Institute, explains what it means to call something intelligent, why we should be nice to our smart speakers, and if the robot wars aren’t quite on the table yet, what should scare us instead. The City Cast Pittsburgh crew put ChatGPT to the test. How well do you think it knows the ‘Burgh? Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the summer entertainment guide — three weeks of recommendations for what to do in Pittsburgh, and how to do it best. This week, the City Cast team is sharing our top local giftable experiences, including treats and activities to mark Pride, the start of pool season, and more.  Here’s where to find all of our top picks: Things to buy:  Shop with pride from local vendors at the Queer Craft Market this Friday at the Union Project in Highland Park. Learn about dinosaurs, space, art and everything else with a membership to the Carnegie Museums. Dive into a summer of fun with passes for Allegheny County pools or a tag for Pittsburgh city pools. Stuff to eat & drink: Sign up to be in the Queer Beer Club at Necromancer Brewing in Ross Township with deals on drinks and merch. Cook up a stir fry with your favorite summer veggies at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden. Capture the taste of summer by fermenting berries for wild soda during the Pickles n’ Pop class at the East End Food Co-op. Stuff to do: Attend a pottery workshop with Eva Conrad at the Gay Clay Play Day every other Wednesday. Pack up your car and head to the drive-in movies to watch your favorite summer blockbusters in Moon Township, Mount Pleasant, Vandergrift or Grindstone.  Go camping at Ohiopyle State Park, where you can also whitewater raft, cruise along incredible bike trails, and ride two natural waterslides. And swing by 3 Rivers Outdoor Co. to rent anything equipment you might need before you head out.  Support our advertisers! Join the Art of Living in the special, one-night event Sixth Sense - Meditation & Wisdom with Sri Sri Ravishankar on Thursday, June 22 from 7-9 p.m. at the Omni William Penn. The Art of Living is a non-profit, humanitarian organization they’re active in 180 countries, teaching meditation, non-violence, and service for humanity. Tickets are available at tiny.cc/sixthsensepitt. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From sandwiches to salads, Pittsburgh has a long history of putting fries on just about everything. But where does this tradition come from? We’re revisiting our conversation with O’Reilly Media’s Sarah Grey, who dug into Pittsburgh’s unique culinary tastes and history for Serious Eats. Support our advertisers! Join the Art of Living in the special, one-night event Sixth Sense - Meditation & Wisdom with Sri Sri Ravishankar on Thursday, June 22 from 7-9 p.m. at the Omni William Penn. The Art of Living is a non-profit, humanitarian organization they’re active in 180 countries, teaching meditation, non-violence, and service for humanity. Tickets are available at tiny.cc/sixthsensepitt. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pittsburgh professor Alex Waibel is proud to call himself an explorer, but today he’s mourning. All this week, a lot of the world was sort of obsessed with the rescue efforts for the submersible that went missing on its descent to the Titanic shipwreck. A big part of the problem was how the sub and others like it communicate with would-be support above water, and Waibel had been working on a way to solve that. Last summer, he tested it on Titan, and he planned to return in a few months. Host Megan Harris connected with him from Germany, where he was waiting to hear the fates of his friends and former colleagues alongside everyone else. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maybe you played sports in middle school, or maybe it took another 20 years before you found something fitness-y you actually enjoy. For the more than 10,000 older athletes on their way to Pittsburgh for the 2023 National Senior Games next week, it’s a mixed bag! Nancy Brown, coveted volleyball hitter and president of the Senior Olympics of Western PA, explains the community (diverse) and competition (fierce), plus what it takes to find and pursue a sport in your 50s, 60s, and beyond. Want to see the Senior Games, including basketball, archery, cornhole, and more — and root for the Western PA teams in person? Check them out for free July 7-18 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pittsburgh is the undisputed ketchup capitol, but it turns out our city can (at least partly) lay claim to one of America’s most recognizable frozen desserts. Brian Butko, director of publications for the Heinz History Center, joins us to share the origin story of the Klondike bar — and how the original 1920s classic compares to today’s iconic, foil-wrapped treat. Read more about western Pennsylvania grocery history via Brian’s great book, “Isaly's Chipped Ham, Klondikes, and Other Tales from Behind the Counter.”  Klondike is hosting a nationwide contest through July 16 asking fans to post videos and photos on Instagram to find the town with the most creative, community-oriented answer. Learn more in Tuesday’s Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! If you’ve been struggling with Pittsburgh’s air quality the past few days, we’ve got a DIY solution to breathing easier. Plus hear more about hometown legend Mac Miller’s posthumous drop and what you can do to welcome fursuiters during Anthrocon this weekend. We cite our sources: Confused about Code Red? Here’s a handy explainer on AQI The effects of ozone vs particulate matter 60 years since the Clean Air Act and what’s going wrong PA’s poor grades in the American Lung Association’s annual report card These “toxic ten” are responsible for nearly 80% of industrial air pollution in Allegheny County KDKA’s catalog of closures due to poor air quality this week City Cast’s guide to making your own air purifier Pgh’s favorite convention is Anthrocon Pittsburgh City Paper on how the Steel City became a furry mecca Honor a native at the 5th Annual Celebration of Mac Miller Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For a long time, the birthday of 19th century composer Stephen Foster was a big deal in Pittsburgh. People here were proud that Foster, who was born on July 4th in Lawrenceville, was the popular songwriter behind a bunch of hits at the time — “Beautiful Dreamer,” “Camptown Races,” “O Susanna,” and more. And while Foster himself was not a confederate leader, there was a statue of him in Oakland for 118 years depicting a barefoot Black man playing a banjo at his feet. The controversial piece came down by unanimous decision in 2018, and we wondered where it’s been since. It turns out, there’s a museum director in LA who wants it, and has a plan. We’re with co-curator Hamza Walker of LAXART. ***This conversation originally published June 29, 2022. Check out the city and surrounding region’s fireworks itineraries here. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week marks the 131st 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 explains the particulars, plus why that legacy still matters today. ***This conversation originally published July 6, 2022. The Battle of Homestead Foundation is commemorating the anniversary tomorrow, July 6 at 6 p.m. at the Pump House in Munhall. No registration or admission necessary — just stop by and enjoy a casual meetup with music and food to discuss and remember the significance of the heroic struggle of workers and townspeople to preserve their dignity, their livelihood and their right to organize. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

National Macaroni Day is tomorrow, and National Mac & Cheese Day is July 14, so we put our sharpest minds to finding the best in the Burgh. The City Cast team broke down what makes a good mac and cheese and where to get the best classic and elevated takes on the dish in the city.  Here are the mac’s that were gouda‘nough to make our list: The Rear End GastroPub and Garage in Etna has a classic mac meal Kelly’s Bar and Lounge’s mac-n-cheese is an East Liberty staple Bigham Tavern in Mt. Washington has a mac n’ cheese The Double Wide Grill on the South Side has two mac and cheeses we recommend, brisket and the “gas can mac”  Smoke in Lawrenceville was an overall winner for both their classic and specialty dishes Macs we’ve heard are worth a try: Urban Tap’s smoked gouda mac The food truck Blowfish BQQ has a mac and cheese entree Crafty Jackalope has a build your own option Fortuitea Cafe & Bakery has a ton of vegan mac-n-cheese options Carmi Soul Food has a macaroni and cheese side dish Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! The big talk in Harrisburg is about Gov. Josh Shapiro pulling his support for private school vouchers after state budget talks stalled — much to the dismay of many Republicans. After Beyoncé canceled her stop at Acrisure Stadium, the BeyHive was buzzing with theories about why and a lot of disappointment. And a team from CMU has built a robot prototype that could help stop the invasive spotted lanternfly.  We love to cite our sources: The PA budget is late (again) and SpotlightPA explains school choice is one big reason why What are Pa.'s lifeline scholarships? SpotlightPA deep dives school choice and vouchers For all the ruckus, NPR finds Betsy DeVos didn’t get that much done Tweet from Sen. Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) with a Lisa Simpson meme about missing former Gov. Tom Wolf How to spot a spotted lanternfly (with pretty graphics) via Axios CMU team develops autonomous robot to stave off spotted lanternflies Taylor Swift fans are being totally normal about Beyonce’s tour cancellations Bad news: Our favorite mac & cheese spot, Smoke, is now for sale Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before Dr. Jonas Salk, polio killed or paralyzed more than a half million people worldwide every year, and survivors often faced lifelong consequences. Host Megan Harris & producer Maria Carter talk through his mid-century, lifesaving developments for the University of Pittsburgh, how the disease had been terrorizing local parents and kids, and how thousands of Pittsburgh-area children ultimately helped Salk and his team refine the groundbreaking vaccine—starting with Salk’s own sons. The new Jonas Salk Legacy Exhibit at Pitt Public Health is free and open to the public during regular building hours. Learn more about his son, part-time Pitt professor Dr. Peter Salk, here. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Pittsburgh. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why does Pittsburgh insist on changing the names of our sports heroes, and why do the athletes let us do it? We take a deep dive into the origins of Merry-o Lemieux, shortening Evgeni to Geno, and a bunch of other Steel City favorites with Rob Rossi, a senior writer at The Athletic. Check out our long history of this via Fansided, which published an absurdly detailed list of Pittsburgh nicknames. And there’s a fun new development in the Tito House saga — the city agreed to save the home, but not the infamous garage. Hear how we got here in this 2022 episode of City Cast Pittsburgh. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pittsburgh has one of the oldest city flags in the U.S., but the design leaves something to be desired — at least, according to Ted Kaye. He's the nation's leading flag scholar and author of the flag design bible "Good Flag, Bad Flag." Kaye joins lead producer Mallory Falk to explain what makes a good flag, where Pittsburgh ranks compared to other cities, and whether we should be considering a new look. Want to check out some proposed alternatives to our current flags? Artist Lucy Chen designed a couple Pittsburgh flag options for Pittsburgh City Paper, and Tara Stark came up with a new design for the Pennsylvania flag. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you love a good taco or some crunchy chilaquiles, the Pittsburgh area has a growing number of restaurants with tasty Mexican dishes. Oscar Zapata, a Mexico City native who came to the Steel City for grad school, joins us to share his go-to spots when he’s craving a taste of home — including some of his favorite family-owned restaurants. Oscar rounded up some of his picks for the first-ever print copy of the Pittsburgh Independent, which includes some beautiful photos from freelancer Tom O’Connor. You can order a copy online or find it in coffee shops and record stores around town. Oscar’s Long List: El Paisano in Beechview El Colibrí at the Bloomfield Saturday Market Panadería Jazmín in Mt. Lebanon Alquisiras Paletería in Beechview El Rincón Oaxaqueño in the Strip District Taqueria El Pastorcito in New Kensington Tasty Taquitos in Garfield, Point Breeze and South Side Works Los Bajitos in Canonsburg La Poblanita in Coraopolis BTOS Kitchen in Dormont Edgar’s Best Tacos in the Strip District Las Palmas in Brookline, Beechview and Oakland Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! NEXTpittsburgh columnist Tony Norman joins lead producer Mallory Falk and producer Maria Carter to discuss concerns around how Mayor Gainey’s office communicates with the public. They also talk about the growing number of guns getting seized at the Pittsburgh airport (we’re on track to break a record!) and the latest local athlete to grace the cover of a Wheaties box. We love to cite our sources: P-G’s editorial on the city’s communications TribLIVE on the increase in guns at TSA security checkpoints, and TravelPulse on how this is part of a national trend T.J. Watt announcing he’s on the Wheaties box Smithsonian Magazine’s deep dive on Wheaties history Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In past years, the basement at Smithfield United Church of Christ opened its doors to those in need of a place to stay in the winter, but as homelessness surged, Allegheny County kept the shelter open indefinitely. A community quickly developed among those who slept there or hung out on the church steps, but neighbors started objecting. We talk with PublicSource’s Stephanie Strasburg and Eric Jankiewicz about their reporting on how the county handled the shelter’s closing and what it reveals about our local housing crisis. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If the summer heat has your friends and loved ones feeling a little cranky, why not surprise ‘em with a nice local gift? The City Cast team is sharing our top Pittsburgh merch, treats and activities for all your July celebrations. From patterned shirts that look like PAT bus seats to sunset kayaking trips, we’ve got recommendations for all your favorite yinzers. Here’s where to find all of our top picks. Let us know what we should feature next! Things to buy: Pittsburgh Bus Seat Co sells shirts, fanny packs, and other items that look like, well, Pittsburgh bus seats Wicked Skatewear in Bloomfield has a great collection of roller skates Everyone’s favorite meme account, Pittsburgh Personified, has all kinds of fun merch available on Etsy Stuff to eat & drink: The PA Market in the Strip District has a cocktail and popsicle special — try pairing a strawberry ginger lemonade paleta with a mezcal and gin concoction Serve your favorite summer snack in a Pittsburgh baseball stadium serving bowl from Fort Pitt Clay Works Treat a friend to a delicious brunch at Scratch & Co. in Troy Hill Stuff to do: Bring up to five friends to Sandbox VR in the Strip district for a “socially immersive gaming experience” Go on a night paddle on the Allegheny River with Venture Outdoors Take a craft workshop with Tal & Bert in their store or at a local brewery. You can make a live air plant wreath, a hanging terrarium, or a resin charcuterie board Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For two years, Spin scooters have been everywhere here in Pittsburgh. Helping people get from A to B, but also getting in the way. The pilot program that brought them here has ended, and their future is caught up in a complicated budget brawl. And it turns out, neither the company nor the city were keeping very good records about how people used or got abused by their presence here. We’re with Ann Belser, editor and owner of Print, to talk about the dozens of injuries folks reported, the bad data collected by the city, and what she hopes to see if they stick around. You can also find Ann’s reporting in NEXTpittsburgh. She’s dropping a fresh story there later this week!  Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Building a charcuterie board is like creating a work of art with cheese, meats, fruits, and other colorful fixings. But where do you start? The City Cast Pittsburgh team took a field trip to The Cheese Queen’s brick-and-mortar in Mt. Oliver to learn the secrets to plating and pairing. Megan McGinnis, of the former local grocery family The McGinnis Sisters, shares what inspired her to become a cheese enthusiast and how she shares that love with Pittsburgh. Celebrate The Cheese Queen’s first birthday tonight with other local woman-owned businesses at the Queens Market from 6-9 p.m., right beside her shop. The event features Polska Laska, Armful of Flowers, Brown Bear Bread, Ripepi Wineryand lots more.  Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Without the Fern Hollow Bridge, a main artery connecting neighborhoods on either side of Frick Park, businesses in Wilkinsburg and Regent Square are cut off from their neighbors in Squirrel Hill. Senior producer Megan Harris and Morgan Moody stopped by Smashed Waffles, Madeleine’s Bakery & Bistro, and Dee’s Six Pax and Dogz to see how they’ve been impacted by the bridge collapse and their concerns for the future. Want to help? Take the detours and spread a little love to your favorite spots on that side of town, like this list of businesses provided by the Regent Square Civic Association.  Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh and Instagram at @CityCastPgh! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to end affirmative action has universities all over our region re-evaluating how they handle legacy admissions; the city has a new $3 million fund to help folks and institutions feed their neighbors; and an old hillside novelty got a humongous glow-up, but we bet you don’t know the real history behind Pittsburgh’s “Hollywood” sign. We love to cite our sources: Most of the details around the Food Justice Fund were ironed out at a Council meeting last week, and WESA covered it well The Post-Gazette followed up when the Fund finally passed Advocates of the Food Justice Fund have a nifty website, including a cool timeline explaining their victories along the way  Check out the Food Justice Fund’s full list of goals here Take the city’s Food Justice Fund survey to weigh in on how the money gets spent or indicate whether you might like to apply for an upcoming grant The USDA publishes annual reports on our nation’s food insecurity levels Just Harvest advocates on behalf of programs and policies that they feel will help lawmakers make better political choices, end poverty, and abolish hunger After the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action in college admissions, more colleges ended legacy admissions Some colleges nationally started reconsidering their legacy admissions after the Supreme Court decision.  In Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon and Pitt had already ended legacy admissions, as first reported in the Tribune Review Pro-tip: If you know someone applying to college, google the college’s name and “common data set.” On the common data set, you can find how important each college considers everything from class rank to extracurriculars when making admissions decisions. Read about the history of the Iron City Beer sign from the Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Water rates could rise as much as 70% over the next three years, and as homeowners, you stand to pay a lot more than a big commercial business. City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris chats with Ann Belser, the editor and publisher of Print, about why PWSA says it needs so much more money, how the state’s getting involved, and what you can do to have your voice heard before the price per gallon goes up. Ann’s work also publishes online with NEXTpittsburgh. Check out her piece detailing why the rate hike got delayed from its proposed July 8 start date. Another one should be dropping soon. The state wants to hear from you! If you want to weigh in on the proposed rate hike, the Public Utility Commission is holding in-person hearings on tomorrow, July 25 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Jeron X. Grayson Community Center in the Hill District, and via Zoom at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 27. You can use the event links on the PWSA website, check in with the PUC schedule directly, or send letters of support or objection to:  Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Post Office Box 3265, Harrisburg, PA 17105-3265 Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pennsylvania’s laws can sometimes feel like they were written for another time. That’s because many of them were. From a ban on fishing with dynamite, to a prohibition on for-profit fortune-telling, we get into some of the weirdest state laws still on the books. Host Megan Harris talks with City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri, plus reporter Harrison Cann at City & State PA. Check out Harrison’s reporting on some of Pennsylvania’s most bizarre, outdated laws. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Goat Fest is this weekend, but what makes these critters so special? From meat, milk, and fiber to keeping invasive species out of our parks, hear how they’ve captured the heart of City Cast producer Maria Carter, plus tons of recommendations for local goat products and activities. Celebrate goats at Goat Fest this Saturday, July 29, noon to 4 p.m. in South Side Park. Learn about how goats can be used to fend off invasive species from Allegheny GoatScape. Try goat cheese from Goat Rodeo Farm & Dairy or Cherish Creamery. Cook your own goat dish with meat from Salem’s Market & Grill, or order the goat curry at Pauline’s Caribbean Soul Cuisine or Taste of India. Knit or crochet something warm and cozy with mohair yarn from Underhill Farms. Get clean with goat milk soap from Smiling Goat Company. Head to Freedom Farm Spa to relax with goat yoga and a beer. Goats in the city? It can be done, but there are a few restrictions. If you don’t have room for a pet goat, try volunteering at Kindred Spirits Rescue Ranch.  Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pittsburgh may historically be a drinking town (hello, Whiskey Rebellion!), but we’re also on the map as a sober-curious destination. The Open Road in Allentown is the oldest (still open) non-alcoholic specialty retailer in the nation, lined with zero-proof spirits, botanical seltzers, and even dry versions of your favorite classics. We visited the shop to talk to owner Mel Babitz about how this booze-free business is growing, the toughest alcoholic drinks to recreate, and how to pick your perfect NA adult beverage. Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! The heat is insufferable but does it qualify as a wave? A new police academy class is in session, but the bureau will need to recruit a lot more people if they plan to get back up to 900 like they plan. And Brittany Hailer, director of the Pittsburgh Institute for Nonprofit Journalism, shares one thing — on Facebook, of all places — that’s bringing her joy this summer. City Cast’s Megan Harris and Mallory Falk are here to round it out! We love to cite our sources:  Pittsburgh City Paper has a roundup of city cooling centers and air conditioned rec centers that are open through Friday evening  WESA delves into a new study on police force staffing  WPXI has a great roundup of Pittsburgh police officers’ responses to questions about morale and more  Learn more about the city’s old 1:1:1:1 diversity hiring rule, and why it went away Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 they need — from notebooks and glue sticks to Clorox wipes and air purifiers — at no personal cost. City Cast visited the center last year and spoke with executive director Josh Whiteside, program director Sarah McKay, and several teachers about how the nonprofit supports students and schools in need. Stick around to the end to hear how you can help! *** This conversation originally published September 28, 2022. We checked back in with Sarah McKay and she said the Teacher Resource Center is now serving 191 schools — 20 more than last year. They’re always looking for volunteers and donations. Here are their 10 most needed school supplies right now: Pencils Notebooks Markers (8-pack) Crayons (24-pack) Colored Pencils Dry Erase Markers Scissors Copy paper (8.5x11” white) Headphones Desk chairs Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From eclipse parties to plant sales to a “dessert beer extravaganza,” there’s plenty to keep you busy in Pittsburgh this month. The City Cast team is here to share the festivals, markets, and cookoffs that caught our eyes – and help you plan your perfect April. Here are a few of the City Casty things we mentioned in today’s show: Solar eclipse viewing at the Allegheny Observatory and Kimpton Hotel Monaco What The Muck?! at Lake Elizabeth in Allegheny Commons Dirt Day! at East End Food Co-op Plant Sale and Indie Mart at WorkshopPGH Vintage Pittsburgh at Heinz History Market Square Spring Market Three Rivers Beer Week Le Tour de Donut along the River Trail Mt. Washington Soup & Chili Cookoff Dessert Wars at the Convention Center Pittsburgh Humanities Festival in the Cultural District Holi Carnival at Carrie Blast Furnaces Steel City Grand Slam at City of Asylum Yinzerfest at the Convention Center For more events, check out Hey Pittsburgh’s guide to April and food festival roundup. Learn more about our sponsor, Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh-Oakland, and their upcoming Comedy Showcase in the Jones & Laughlin Ballroom. Tickets for Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. are on sale now on Facebook at Facebook.com/HotelindigoPTC. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! We’re sharing a bunch of fun ways to beautify our natural spaces for Earth Day this weekend. After successfully deflecting Amazon, the former home of Westinghouse Electric is up for auction in Churchill, and the U.S. Coast Guard says we found the missing barge! Plus, host Megan Harris is sharing her joy for President Biden's Sheetz order and the soon-to-be-built, new and improved Davis Avenue Bridge.  We always cite our sources: Over the weekend, 26 barges got loose on the Ohio River. One went missing, but the Coast Guard located it earlier this week. The Pittsburgh Business Times predicted the old Westinghouse campus could be used for retail. The 150-acre campus is considered an important example of postwar corporate architecture – and looks like a locomotive. The Davis Bridge was demolished in 2006, but reconstruction recently kicked off! The city says the bridge should be fully open in the fall. Pittsburgh was selected as one of the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities. Find a few ways to celebrate Earth Day around Pittsburgh, including lots of neighborhood cleanups. Pittsburgh’s getting a new music festival! Sudden Little Thrills takes place in September at Hazelwood Green. President Joe Biden made a quick stop at Sheetz during his visit to Pittsburgh. Former president Donald Trump was also in PA, and he’s currently facing four criminal cases. Heinz has a new bright pink limited-edition condiment, but the catch is that it’s only available in the U.K., Ireland, and Spain. Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera, presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup, election edition! City Cast contributor Natalie Bencivenga joins host Megan Harris to talk about the winners and losers, what a few of those victories may tell us about what’s coming in November, and why we should be paying attention to all those write-ins, even if we never get a full or complete accounting of everything they said. We always cite our sources: Allegheny County election results SpotlightPA has great info on the candidates for attorney general. More than 60,000 voters statewide chose the write-in option in the Democratic presidential primary, but we may not get a complete count of how many people voted “uncommitted” because of the way Philadelphia tallies write-ins. Learn more about our sponsors:  City of Asylum is hosting International Jazz Poetry Month from May 2 – 23 at Alphabet City.  The Pittsburgh Opera is presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Starting a new independent community grocery is tough business, but Manchester’s own Lisa Freeman felt it was a calling. She’s been farming a little lot on Juniata Street since 2014, and is almost to her goal of opening up shop in June. We’re catching up on her vision for the neighborhood, plus getting a taste of what’s new and delicious in the East End, on the South Side, and even along our dreaded McKnightmare.  We want to know: Where is your favorite ice cream shop in Pittsburgh? Why do you love it? Email us or leave a voicemail at 412-212-8893 with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the podcast! Learn more about our sponsors:  City of Asylum is hosting International Jazz Poetry Month from May 2 – 23 at Alphabet City.  The Pittsburgh Opera is presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you want to go camping, where should you start? We’re back with Marcus Shoffner, founder of the Outdoor Inclusion Coalition, talking about favorite destinations in and around the city, his tips and tricks for a good experience, ways to borrow and learn how to use the right gear, and other low-stress ideas to get you started. Plus, an update on the overnight camping pilot he started in Riverview Park! Want to hear more about inclusivity in outdoor spaces? Check out our previous conversation with Marcus. Learn more about our sponsors:  City of Asylum is hosting International Jazz Poetry Month from May 2 – 23 at Alphabet City.  The Pittsburgh Opera is presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A proposed TikTok ban just cleared the House, and Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering their own statewide restrictions on the video app. We’re wondering what a ban could mean for Governor Josh Shapiro, a “prolific poster” with a few viral TikToks under his belt. Producer Sophia Lo joins host Megan Harris to break down the latest legislation and scroll through the governor’s posts. Plus, a professional TikToker analyzes Shapiro’s account for us. Thanks to Chris Vazquez, audience engagement producer at The Marshall Project, for sharing his insights on Shapiro’s social media. Plus, it’s primary Election Day in Pennsylvania. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Check your polling place here, or listen to our voting guide on your way to vote! Here are a few of the stories we talked about in today’s episode: Over the weekend, the House passed a bill that would ban TikTok if the parent company, ByteDance, doesn’t sell the app.  Now that the bill has passed the House, here’s what might happen next in the Senate – and how TikTok could respond. PA billionaire Jeff Yass has a connection to the national ban; he has a big stake in ByteDance.  Friend of the pod Stephen Caruso reported on why Pennsylvania’s attempts to regulate social media haven’t been successful. Watch with us! We reviewed Shapiro’s lottery and Béyonce TikToks, and you can find more from the governor on his account. Learn more about our sponsors:  City of Asylum is hosting International Jazz Poetry Month from May 2 – 23 at Alphabet City.  The Pittsburgh Opera is presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kennywood is open, and it might be in legal trouble. We’re digging into the new lawsuit from a disgruntled season passholder. Host Megan Harris explains why we don’t need to worry about trillions of cicadas – or their zombies – in our area, but we do need to watch for lanternflies. Plus, producer Sophia Lo shares fun new ways to enjoy a bunch of shows and museums for free all summer long. We always cite our sources: The NFL Draft always features fun videos of students celebrating, and occasionally lamenting, their new employers. Philly’s WTTW Podcast shared a particularly funny one this year. Someone’s suing Kennywood over the Steel Curtain’s closure, and his lawyer argues that people aren’t getting their season pass value if this major roller coaster isn’t running. Two broods of periodic cicadas are coming above ground this year, but you won’t see them in Pittsburgh.  Learn more about a fungus affecting periodical cicada broods all over the nation. Scientists from our region were hopeful some of that fungus could be useful for pharmaceuticals someday! Them reported it like this: “A Sexually Transmitted Fungus Is Making Trillions of Cicadas Hypersexual and Gay” It’s almost spotted lanternfly season, but you can squash egg masses before the bugs hatch. RAD is launching a summer staycation program where you can book free tickets to some of Pittsburgh’s museums starting May 1. Pittsburgh CLO’s summer shows and schedules have been announced. The student-led Gaza solidarity encampment is coming to a close, but organizers still plan to pressure the university to divest from Israel. Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera. They’re presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beaver County’s Shell cracker makes nurdles — those lentil-sized pellets that become our plastics — but the glowing, riverfront facility is just the part we can see. There’s a 97-mile underground pipeline that delivers its raw materials, and state investigators say its construction led to thousands of gallons of hazardous drilling mud spills in all three Pennsylvania counties it passes through. The Allegheny Front’s Reid Frazier explains why whistleblowers came forward, what the Attorney General’s office found, and how these 13 misdemeanor criminal charges could play out in court. Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera. They’re presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato just marked one hundred days in office – and released a massive, 91-point plan for the county in the coming years. She joins us to talk about her main priorities, from affordable housing to a green economy. We also discuss the school district’s lawsuit against her office seeking a countywide property reassessment, and what she’s watching for in tomorrow’s primary election. You can read Innamorato’s plan and the results of her countywide survey here. Learn more about our sponsors:  The Pittsburgh Opera is presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. City of Asylum is hosting International Jazz Poetry Month from May 2 through 23 at Alphabet City.  Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a difference between spaces that allow our best pals and the ones that are truly dog friendly. Pet expert Tori Mistick of WearWagRepeat is with us to share her favorite local spots for a paw-fect Pittsburgh day — plus how to pack ahead, what to consider about temperament and environment, and the quick rules for her newly christened four-paw rating system. **This episode originally published on August 1, 2023. Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera, presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5 at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a Presidential election year, and there are a bunch of state and local elections to watch for, too. But before November, we need to get through the primary on April 23! City Cast’s Megan Harris & Mallory Falk are talking through a few key races, plus what’s at stake next week.  Check your polling place here, and learn more about the candidates via our Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. Take Spotlight PA’s candidate quiz, and watch WPXI’s debate between Summer Lee and Bhavini Patel for more on their stances on what’s happening in Gaza. A special shout out to WESA’s Chris Potter for his coverage of all these races, too. Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera, presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the weather warming, crossing a bridge doesn’t feel quite so impossible. So if you want to go out and party this weekend, where should you go? Pittsburgh has options — Spirit, Belvedere’s, Cavo, and Club VIP — but the ‘Burgh used to have way more nightclubs that catered to a wider diversity of party-goers. We’re with City Paper’s Colin Williams about what happened to Pittsburgh’s nightlife scene.  **This episode originally published on January 10, 2024. Keep up with the pop-up parties by following Jellyfish, Hot Mass, and Slappers N Bangers on Instagram. Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera, presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pennsylvania is the No. 1 cultivator of mushrooms in the country, but you can also find all sorts of fungi foraging in the woods. Spring and summer are a great time to look for mushrooms, and Esperanzo Wilcox, founder of the PA Mushroom Company, is here to share his tips for finding and identifying a few more coveted edible delicacies. Check out our website to see pictures of Espo’s favorite mushrooms, plus more resources for beginners. Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera, presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Pittsburgh community.  The sun is out, flowers are in bloom, and the City Cast Pittsburgh team has tons of recommendations to help you take advantage of the beautiful weather. From farmers markets to music fests, we’re bringing you the best tips and suggestions for enjoying May in the Steel City. And if you’re looking for even more outdoor activities, don’t miss our recent episode about how to forage mushrooms in Pittsburgh. For even more tips on how to make the most of May in Pittsburgh, check out Hey Pittsburgh’s take on what to do this month.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Reach us at pittsburgh@citycast.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Bloomfield Saturday Market is back this weekend! And in addition to being a go-to spot for fresh produce, fancy cheese, homemade pies, and more, it’s also a resource for customers and vendors at any bustling market to learn how to be a good neighbor and get the most from your selling and shopping experience. The City Cast team is asking all your burning questions: Is there a right way to walk through it? Is it appropriate to ask vendors for recipes? Should you haggle for your tomato? Christina Howell, executive director of the Bloomfield Development Corporation and former market manager, is here to share some farmers market etiquette ahead of opening day. The Bloomfield Saturday Market happens weekly May 4 through November 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Here’s a full list of vendors. Find more about market season elsewhere in the city here. **This episode originally published on May 4, 2023. Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera. They’re presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson through May 5 at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! Change is in store for some big summer events: Pride is moving back to the North Side, and the city isn’t sponsoring the annual Juneteenth celebration at Point State Park. Plus, Pittsburgh is expanding the controversial ShotSpotter technology into a new neighborhood, and a local company is sending self-driving tractor trailers onto a Texas highway. We always cite our sources: Pittsburgh Pride organizers told KDKA-TV that they’re moving back to the North Side after they were denied access to Point State Park, but the state claims they didn’t submit a completed application. The news outlet QBurgh, which is part of the Pride planning group, says it has filed complaints with the state’s LGBTQ Commission over “institutional barriers.” Juneteenth is still taking place at Point State Park, but the city is not sponsoring it this year, and the Black Musical Festival has been canceled. The Pittsburgh-based company Aurora Innovation will be putting self-driving tractor trailers on the road later this year – but for now, only on I-45 in Texas. Pittsburgh City Council approved a contract expansion with the company behind ShotSpotter; the technology will now be installed in Carrick. Don’t miss our episode about ShotSpotter, and PublicSource’s primer on Pittsburgh’s history with the controversial technology Check out the lineup for Allegheny County’s free summer concert series at South Park and Hartwood Acres We talked about the Steelers’ report card on a previous show; players had gripes about a lot of things, including their training facility. Now the space has received a major upgrade. Sign up to meet the team and celebrate women’s role in journalism at the Heinz History Center this Sunday, May 5. Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera. They’re presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson through May 5 at the Byham Theater. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! Ben Roethlisberger is being talked about in connection with Donald Trump’s first criminal trial, and it’s not the first time the former Steelers QB has faced unsavory allegations. There’s a ton of literary love coming to our city this weekend via the Pittsburgh Festival of Books, and we’re recommending a few by local authors. Plus, a few last minute ideas ahead of Mother's Day. Come see us at Open Streets tomorrow on East Carson between 19th and 21st! If you show us you’re a subscriber, you’ll get a sticker. Plus, we’ll have the mics open and we’re giving away a few memberships.  We always cite our sources: Politico’s tracking all of former President Donald Trump’s criminal cases, including the hush money trial.  Stormy Daniels took the stand during Trump’s trial this week and talked about her alleged sexual encounter with him – and how she met former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger has been accused of sexual assault twice – including an incident in Georgia where the responding police officer allegedly berated the accuser. The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books is taking place this Saturday, May 11 at the Pittsburgh Theological Center in East Liberty.  Ever wonder why the East End is flatter than the rest of Pittsburgh? It all goes back to rivers.  One of the Heinz ketchup bottles is in hot water again. Learn more about our sponsor! It’s almost time for the 25th Mattress Factory Garden Party. It’s an epic annual fundraiser and costume party, and the theme this year is MAKE/BELIEVE. Get your tickets now for Friday, June 7 at mattress.org. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The City Cast inbox has been flooded with events and festivals, and we’re highlighting a few that we’re especially excited about. Whether you love Greek food, mac and cheese, strawberries, or beer, there’s probably a weekend for it! We’re chatting through a bunch of early summer events to put on your calendar for May and June. Learn more about our sponsor! It’s almost time for the 25th Mattress Factory Garden Party. It’s an epic annual fundraiser and costume party, and the theme this year is MAKE/BELIEVE. Get your tickets now for Friday, June 7 at mattress.org. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you own an old home, there might be offensive language in your deed barring Black people from owning the property. It’s called a racial covenant, and even though this language isn’t enforceable anymore, it’s still on the books in the subdivisions of at least a few Pittsburgh neighborhoods — and especially in our suburbs. Local writer and historian David Rotenstein joins us to talk about what got us here — and a new law that could help homeowners address these ugly remnants of the past. You can read David’s reporting on racial covenants in PublicSource and Pittsburgh City Paper. Learn more about our sponsor! It’s almost time for the 25th Mattress Factory Garden Party. It’s an epic annual fundraiser and costume party, and the theme this year is MAKE/BELIEVE. Get your tickets now for Friday, June 7 at mattress.org. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Pittsburgh Marathon may be over, but street closures for 2024 foot races are just getting started. If you were an Art Institute of Pittsburgh student, you might qualify for student loan forgiveness. And City Cast producer Sophia Lo has the latest on local baby animal names, plus one unfortunate penguin eulogy. We always cite our sources: Check out all the winners from the 2024 Pittsburgh Marathon weekend of events here.  Former students at The Art Institutes will be eligible for a little over $6 billion in debt forgiveness.  About 2,000 students were taking in-person and online classes at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh when it closed in 2019. A “lucky” baby eagle nesting at U.S. Steel’s Irvin plant was recently named by committee, with every vote worth a donation to the Tamarack Wildlife Center. Thanks to the U.S. Steel bald eagle cam, you can check on the nest 24/7. The National Aviary’s first ever African penguin recently died. And the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club is looking for names for Phil and Phyllis’ two groundhog pups. You have until Thursday to weigh in. Learn more about our sponsor! It’s almost time for the 25th Mattress Factory Garden Party. It’s an epic annual fundraiser and costume party, and the theme this year is MAKE/BELIEVE. Get your tickets now for Friday, June 7 at mattress.org. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On its bad days, Pittsburgh has some weird smells – rotten eggs, from pollution along the Mon Valley. That urine scent from all the ginkgo trees. And sometimes when it rains, it smells like wet dog. But these aren’t the scents that local perfume makers think should define the city. We’re bringing back a conversation with City Cast’s Elizabeth Kauma… to talk about a few Pittsburgh scents that hit all the right notes. We always cite our sources: We spoke with artisanal perfumer Darren Alan, fragrance journalist Patric Rhys, and Scott Kindberg, the artist behind 5:55 Perfumery. Another local perfumer we mention is 837 North.  Local journalist Patric Rhys covered the history of fragrance.  Loved this episode about scents? Learn more about high-end perfume from Articles of Interest. Niche fragrance is a growing market and has become a billion-dollar industry.  Learn more about our sponsor! It’s almost time for the 25th Mattress Factory Garden Party. It’s an epic annual fundraiser and costume party, and the theme this year is MAKE/BELIEVE. Get your tickets now for Friday, June 7 at mattress.org. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Earlier this year, city officials committed to a plan called Vision Zero, a promise to completely eliminate traffic deaths. Just a few weeks later, a cyclist died after being hit downtown. So what will it take to make Pittsburgh safer for people on our roads? City Cast Pittsburgh’s Megan Harris & Mallory Falk are pulling from a bunch of past episodes — and their own experiences — to explain why it’s so hard to catalog a road injury, how using 311 could help, and what city planners hope to do about new and known problems all over town. Are you a bike person? Check out a few of our previous shows and roundups: Will More Traffic Calming Money Make Pittsburgh Safer? City Cats, When To Call 311 & Wins for Monroeville and the South Hills Who Will Respect Bike Lanes If Even Police Won't? How To Get a Free Bike Light in Pittsburgh Gear Up for Pittsburgh's Best Biking Events Pittsburgh’s Best Bike Shops Learn more about our sponsors: It’s almost time for the 25th Mattress Factory Garden Party. It’s an epic annual fundraiser and costume party, and the theme this year is MAKE/BELIEVE. Get your tickets now for Friday, June 7 at mattress.org. And join AIDS Free Pittsburgh and True T Pittsburgh from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in Allegheny Commons East Park for the 6th annual Too Hot for July HIV awareness event, including free HIV and STI testing, music, dancing, performances, and more. Visit TooHotForJuly.com. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After living in Pittsburgh for more than a decade, host Megan Harris is giving herself a challenge: learn how to say one sentence in a convincing Pittsburgh accent. Actor, voice coach, and speech teacher Don Wadsworth is here to provide a Pittsburghese lesson and break down what exactly makes the dialect so distinct. **This episode originally published on November 7, 2023. Learn more about our sponsors: It’s almost time for the 25th Mattress Factory Garden Party. It’s an epic annual fundraiser and costume party, and the theme this year is MAKE/BELIEVE. Get your tickets now for Friday, June 7 at mattress.org. And join AIDS Free Pittsburgh and True T Pittsburgh from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in Allegheny Commons East Park for the 6th annual Too Hot for July HIV awareness event, including free HIV and STI testing, music, dancing, performances, and more. Visit TooHotForJuly.com. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're looking for a place to rent, the time is now! Adam DiBuo with Neighborhood Legal Services says this late Spring, early Summer period is the peak time for moving into a rental here in Pittsburgh, and he’s sharing an essential checklist to help you sort through the details before you sign a lease – plus, stick around for what to do if things with your landlord ever go south. Learn more about our sponsor: Join AIDS Free Pittsburgh and True T Pittsburgh from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in Allegheny Commons East Park for the 6th annual Too Hot for July HIV awareness event, including free HIV and STI testing, music, dancing, performances, and more. Visit TooHotForJuly.com. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shake Shack is set to open May 20, and there’s been a lot of debate about whether the Strip District can keep its character with so many national chains moving in. We’re revisiting some of your opinions on The Terminal and its newest burger chain, plus the team is sharing a few new and departing restaurants to round out your week. Check out our tour of Jackworth Ginger Beer here: Pittsburgh’s Booze History, Favorite Cocktails & A Spicy New Brewery Learn more about our sponsor: Join AIDS Free Pittsburgh and True T Pittsburgh from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in Allegheny Commons East Park for the 6th annual Too Hot for July HIV awareness event, including free HIV and STI testing, music, dancing, performances, and more. Visit TooHotForJuly.com. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! A North Side horse took a river plunge this week, and the state DCNR wants you to weigh in on the next five years in park investments. Plus, few sports legends are headed back to the Burgh for a new fundraiser for the Neighborhood Resilience Project, and we’re pouring one out for all of you who bought tickets to the Sudden Little Thrills music festival. (We’re looking at you, Sophia.) We always cite our sources: The Pittsburgh Scanner X account had the play-by-play on a horse that escaped and took a dip in the Ohio River. Learn more about the DCNR’s five-year plan, their access map, and take their survey through May 22.  Snag tickets to the Resilience Bowl here. Fr. Paul Abernathy’s work with the Neighborhood Resilience Project started over a decade ago. Learn more about his work in the Hill District and big plans for the future. Friend of the pod Armin Samii shared a video on X of the cyclist recently hit on Smallman Street.  Hear Monday’s pod on how the city needs your help to better track close calls and accidents: How Can Pittsburgh End Traffic Deaths? Learn more about our sponsor: Join AIDS Free Pittsburgh and True T Pittsburgh from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in Allegheny Commons East Park for the 6th annual Too Hot for July HIV awareness event, including free HIV and STI testing, music, dancing, performances, and more. Visit TooHotForJuly.com. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! Former president Donald Trump is making waves again after telling KDKA’s Jon Delano that he would restrict birth control, two very powerful twin brothers are bickering over media drama, and multiple people are suing the city and engineering firms after the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse. Plus, if you like ginger beer, we’re sharing a special event where you could snag a free drink. We always cite our sources: Former president Donald Trump made an appearance on KDKA-TV and made headlines for his response to a question about restricting contraceptives. The PRT driver who was driving the bus over the Fern Hollow Bridge when it collapsed is suing the city and three engineering firms. The Fern Hollow Bridge was one of the few K-frame bridges left in the state. Allan Block was pushed out as the publisher of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by his twin brother, JR Block. JR Block has made the news for taking a photo with Trump on his private plane during his 2016 presidential campaign and for an incident where he showed up at the Post-Gazette newsroom late one night appearing “both intoxicated and enraged.” Allan Block made the news for slapping a union organizer with a fast food bag.  Looking for some weekend reading? Allan Block was profiled in the Observer in 1999; the article focuses on his saga of traveling from Toledo to New York City to find a wife. The NFL draft is officially coming to Pittsburgh in 2026! The former Irish Centre finally has a new owner, the Phipps Conservatory. WIN SOME MONEY! We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. It’s just seven minutes long, and anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag! Learn more about our sponsors:  Join AIDS Free Pittsburgh and True T Pittsburgh from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in Allegheny Commons East Park for the 6th annual Too Hot for July HIV awareness event, including free HIV and STI testing, music, dancing, performances, and more. Visit TooHotForJuly.com. The 65th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival takes over the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh from May 31 to June 9. It’s 10 days of free art and music from noon to 9 p.m. daily. Learn more at trustarts.org/TRAF. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! City Cast contributor Meg St-Esprit joins executive producer Mallory Falk and producer Sophia Lo to break down Pennsylvania’s new tourism slogan and share some favorite statewide travel spots. Plus we have a bunch of transit updates – including a permanent discount – and tips to prepare for tick season. (It’s expected to be especially bad this year!) We always cite our sources: Allegheny County residents who use SNAP benefits will be able to get half-price tickets for PRT rides.  Advocacy groups are raising issues with the current stroller policy on PRT buses because open strollers limit spaces for wheelchair users.  Improvements coming to the Red Line will make T stations more accessible for wheelchair users. Be prepared to check for ticks after outdoor activities and learn how to safely remove them if they’ve taken an unwelcome ride inside. Pennsylvania’s new tourism slogan came with a shiny ad voiced by Broad City actress Abbi Jacobson. Now that data from the Negro Leagues has been incorporated into MLB stats, Pittsburgher Josh Gibson officially has the best batting average.  Check out our interview with Josh Gibson’s great-grandson, Sean Gibson, about his work to get Negro League stats counted alongside white players of the same era.  If you enjoyed the interview with Rivers of Steel Director of Historic Resources and Facilities, Ron Baraff, learn more here. WIN SOME MONEY! We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. It’s just seven minutes long, and anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag! Learn more about our sponsor:  The 65th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival takes over the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh from May 31 to June 9. It’s 10 days of free art and music from noon to 9 p.m. daily. Learn more at trustarts.org/TRAF. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a quest to get to know Pittsburgh better, coffee enthusiast and City Cast Pittsburgh founding member Zach Lucas visited a local coffee shop for every letter of the alphabet. He’s sharing his picks for everything from coziest vibes and the most unusual to the all-around best coffee and tea. **This episode originally aired August 10, 2023.  WIN SOME MONEY! We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. It’s just seven minutes long, and anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag! Learn more about our sponsor:  The 65th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival takes over the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh from May 31 to June 9. It’s 10 days of free art and music from noon to 9 p.m. daily. Learn more at trustarts.org/TRAF. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Pittsburgh community.  What’s not to love about summer in Pittsburgh? From camping and berry picking to big celebrations like Pride and Three Rivers Arts Fest, the City Cast Pittsburgh team has a ton of recommendations to help you enjoy June in the Steel City. And if you’ve got some summer weddings on your calendar, check out our recent episode about Pittsburgh cookie tables. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Reach us at pittsburgh@citycast.fm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pittsburgh has always had its problems, and complaining about them is one of our favorite sports. But there’s also a long tradition of outsiders coming here — or even just reading about our town — and thinking it’s OK to add their two cents. Local writer Virginia Montanez rounded up some of the funniest and most creative insults lobbed at Pittsburgh over two centuries. She joins us to share her favorites and explain why our city drew so much ire from outside writers, newsmakers, and prominent figures. Can’t get enough old-timey insults? Check out Virginia’s column for Pittsburgh Magazine. **This episode originally published on October 4, 2023 WIN SOME MONEY! We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. It’s just seven minutes long, and anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag! Learn more about our sponsor:  The 65th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival takes over the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh from May 31 to June 9. It’s 10 days of free art and music from noon to 9 p.m. daily. Learn more at trustarts.org/TRAF. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, and what does it take to reinvent one after it declines? Over the last decade, Allentown has been reborn thanks to generous support from fellow small business leaders and neighbors eager to see their main street come back to life. And the new folks? They’ve got a decidedly different way of looking at the world. Today we’re talking about the goth kids, the misfits, and the metal heads, and why they say the hilltop has been the perfect place to set up shop. Thanks to our guests, Kelly Braden — night market organizer and owner of Grim Wizard Coffee and The Weeping Glass — and Zak Bellante, owner of Death Comes Lifting. They recommended a bunch of great places in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood, including: Grim Wizard Coffee The Weeping Glass Dr. Tumblety’s Death Comes Lifting Puvithel  Alla Famiglia Onion Maiden (pop-up only) Leon's Caribbean Star Mind Shop Inner Groove Brewing Bottlerocket Social Hall North Ave Candles Soil Sisters Plant Nursery The Open Road Learn more about our sponsors:  Join AIDS Free Pittsburgh and True T Pittsburgh from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in Allegheny Commons East Park for the 6th annual Too Hot for July HIV awareness event, including free HIV and STI testing, music, dancing, performances, and more. Visit TooHotForJuly.com. The 65th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival takes over the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh from May 31 to June 9. It’s 10 days of free art and music from noon to 9 p.m. daily. Learn more at trustarts.org/TRAF. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More tornadoes are sweeping through our region – including five this weekend – so why don’t we have a better alert system? Can an exciting new pitcher with a TikTok-famous girlfriend attract new Pirates fans? And why is the Heinz History Center in a pickle after putting a giant ketchup bottle on display? Plus, we’ve got a fun survey for PA pet owners! We always cite our sources: Gen Z and Millennials spend thousands of dollars on their pets each year, and Pennsylvania residents really splurge on their dogs. Pittsburgh’s gotten more tornadoes than usual this year, and we could see an even greater increase because of climate change. But Allegheny, Westmoreland, and Washington counties don’t have many tornado sirens to alert residents. Could the Pirates new pitcher and his athlete-influencer girlfriend renew interest in baseball and bring in more fans? The Heinz History Center made its case to keep up the 52-foot ketchup bottle at a recent city zoning board meeting. The Bloomfield development could be back on the table, but the apartments might not be included in the final plans. Check out our show for more: The Bloomfield Development Setback, Explained  WIN SOME MONEY! We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. It’s just seven minutes long, and anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag! Learn more about our sponsors:  Join AIDS Free Pittsburgh and True T Pittsburgh from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in Allegheny Commons East Park for the 6th annual Too Hot for July HIV awareness event, including free HIV and STI testing, music, dancing, performances, and more. Visit TooHotForJuly.com. The 65th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival takes over the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh from May 31 to June 9. It’s 10 days of free art and music from noon to 9 p.m. daily. Learn more at trustarts.org/TRAF. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pride Month might officially be June, but the festivities here in Pittsburgh kick off Memorial Day weekend. Dena Stanley, one of the co-founders of the Pittsburgh Pride Group, is here to give a preview of the Bigger, Gayer Picniq and what to expect as the party gets started. Plus, learn more about the QMNTY Center’s role in creating a safe space for LGBTQ+ people and youth. WIN SOME MONEY! We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. It’s just seven minutes long, and anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag! Learn more about our sponsors:  Join AIDS Free Pittsburgh and True T Pittsburgh from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in Allegheny Commons East Park for the 6th annual Too Hot for July HIV awareness event, including free HIV and STI testing, music, dancing, performances, and more. Visit TooHotForJuly.com. The 65th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival takes over the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh from May 31 to June 9. It’s 10 days of free art and music from noon to 9 p.m. daily. Learn more at trustarts.org/TRAF. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner, which usually marks the start of wedding season! And there’s no nuptial tradition more beloved around here than the Pittsburgh cookie table. We’re sharing its history, some of our favorite recipes, and as a true act of service, where you can purchase your cookie table cookies if you’re better at buying than baking. Have a favorite cookie table recipe? Let us know what Producer Sophia Lo should bake next! Call or text us at 412-212-8893. We always cite our sources: Pittsburgh has a long history with the cookie table, and they could even make an appearance at church socials, game nights, and PTA meetings. There’s been proposals for Pennsylvania to have an office state cookie. Wondering what treats people love to see on cookie tables? The Pittsburgh subreddit has weighed in. City Paper rounded up some bakeries in Pittsburgh where you can order cookies for your cookie table. WIN SOME MONEY! We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey. It’s just seven minutes long, and anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and City Cast City swag! Learn more about our sponsors:  Join AIDS Free Pittsburgh and True T Pittsburgh from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in Allegheny Commons East Park for the 6th annual Too Hot for July HIV awareness event, including free HIV and STI testing, music, dancing, performances, and more. Visit TooHotForJuly.com. The 65th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival takes over the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh from May 31 to June 9. It’s 10 days of free art and music from noon to 9 p.m. daily. Learn more at trustarts.org/TRAF. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Later today, Mayor Ed Gainey is announcing which public pools are opening this summer, and since he’ll be hosting his press conference at Bloomfield Beach, we think that’s a good sign for its triumphant return! But if you want to explore more of Pittsburgh’s city pools this summer, you can make your list based off of Jill Terner’s intensely detailed rubric. She’s ranking her favorites so you can make the most of your Pittsburgh poolside summer. You can find Jill’s full rankings from last summer in Pittsburgh City Paper. Learn more about our sponsor:  The 65th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival takes over the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh from May 31 to June 9. It’s 10 days of free art and music from noon to 9 p.m. daily. Learn more at trustarts.org/TRAF. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer is here, and it’s the perfect season for curling up in a hammock with a good book. If you need an extra incentive to get started, our county library system’s adult summer reading programs offer lots of prizes. Bellevue librarian Erin Thompson explains how you can earn rewards for getting lost in a beach read, plus she’s sharing a few hacks for getting the most out of your library card.  Learn more about our sponsors: Tours of the Carrie Blast Furnaces are a great way to connect with our region's steel-making legacy. Rivers of Steel offers different kinds of tours — the Industrial Tour highlights the site’s iron-making technology, its workers, and their culture, and the Black Experience shares how the Great Migration shaped the workforce and our surrounding communities. Check them out at https://riversofsteel.com/tours Liberty Magic is the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s premier speakeasy theater dedicated to the art of elevating magic. In his one-person comedy magic and variety show, The Zabrecky Hour, multiskilled artist Rob Zabrecky invites audiences into his remarkably curious world through storytelling and magic. Get tickets at https://trustarts.org/magic before they disappear. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's actually a good reason to visit Ohio now! We jest, but newly available recreational cannabis might make your to-do list. Now that our western neighbors will have expanded access, what should Pittsburgh expect? Are there lessons we can take from Philly, where residents can get to New Jersey, New York, or Maryland for anything they want? Will troopers be waiting for us at the border? And why, after months of open support, does Gov. Josh Shapiro’s endorsement not mean more to the PA legislators who could codify cannabis here too? Spotlight PA reporter Ed Mahon is here with some answers and to remind us where we stand. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 17th episode: Rivers of Steel Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve had our first string of 90-degree days recently, and it’s supposed to be consistently hotter than usual all summer long. But that doesn’t mean you need to spend the whole season sweating! City Cast’s Megan Harris and Sophia Lo are sharing some of their favorite ways to beat the heat, cool down their homes, and get a taste of summer away from the sun. Do you have summer plans? Take our two-question Pittsburgh summer bucket list survey! Want a deeper dive into our suggestions? Catch up on these City Cast episodes: Ranking Pittsburgh’s City Pools How To Enjoy Pittsburgh’s Rivers This Summer Win Prizes! Summer Reading for Grownups in Pittsburgh 6 Things You Didn’t Know Your Library Card Could Do The Best Mexican Food in Pittsburgh Plus, check out this map of the city’s spray parks and learn how to get free air conditioners from the state. If you haven’t heard from a weatherization agency about how to get free air conditioning, you can find your local agency and reach out. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 24th episode: Babbel Bike PGH Parks on Tap Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a big new pickleball spot opening in the old Wheel Mill in Homewood; we’ve got some good news about the improving conditions of our bridges; and we’ve got a happy little update on the Heinz History Center’s giant ketchup bottle. Plus, we need your help planning a perfect day at PNC Park. Do you have suggestions for a great Buccos experience? Call or text us at 412-212-8893. We always cite our sources: Heinz History Center can continue to display the beloved, 35-foot Heinz ketchup bottle outside its building. We discussed the dispute over the ketchup bottle on a previous podcast episode, which features CEO Andy Masich’s fantastic defense. Fewer PA and Pittsburgh bridges are in “poor” condition, but to keep it that way, the state’s going to need to invest a lot more money. The City of Pittsburgh’s putting a little over $1 million toward bridge maintenance in 2024. Need more space to play pickleball? The Wheel Mill’s old building is becoming The Pickleball Warehouse and will feature 15 full-sized courts. Before The Pickleball Warehouse opens up, you can find a court in a city park or a community center. And the Pirates debuted new jerseys with the Sheetz logo! Learn more about the sponsors of this June 25th episode: Babbel Bike PGH Parks on Tap Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the latest redevelopment frenzies has been happening on the 400 block of East Ohio Street on the North Side, and the area’s even garnered a new nickname: Restaurant Row. But where’s the line between bringing new life and changing too much of the neighborhood? City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris is with PublicSource reporter Eric Jankiewicz to learn more. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 26th episode: Babbel Bike PGH Parks on Tap Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The pie gods have been blessing Pittsburgh with more and more pizza joints lately, but which ones are the best? Host Megan Harris and producer Sophia Lo chat with pizza journalist Dan Tallarico to find the best the Burgh has to offer. You can subscribe to Dan’s newsletter on Substack and find more of his pizza expertise on pizzawalkwithme.com. **This episode originally published Thursday, February 8, 2024. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 27th episode: Babbel Bike PGH Parks on Tap Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! School’s out, and Pittsburgh Public is using the summer vacation to consider whether some schools have to close or consolidate. If you’ve got a flight coming up, you need to get to the airport extremely early. (We’re talking three hours before takeoff!) And we’re digging into the history of Pittsburgh’s ties to the American flag ahead of Independence Day. We always cite our sources: Pittsburghers got scammed into buying tickets for a fake Biggie and 2Pac live orchestra concert and a fake hot air balloon festival. PIT officials are recommending that travelers get to the airport two and a half to three hours before their flights because the security lines have been extra long.  May was the busiest month the Pittsburgh airport has seen in 17 years – and nationwide, TSA recently broke their record for most travelers screened in a day.  Pittsburgh Public Schools is projected to deplete its fund balance by 2026, and is thinking about closing or consolidating some of its schools. The district is holding town halls throughout the summer to get community feedback. Upcoming town halls include: July 9 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Concord July 10 from 6-7:30 p.m. at West Liberty July 11 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Obama July 16 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Jeron X. Grayson Community Center July 23 from 6-7:30 at Morrow Intermediate PPS proposed closing six schools in 2021; almost 50% of the district’s school buildings are less than half full. A man from Collier Township is the reason we have Flag Day and a monument at Flagstaff Hill. Shuman Juvenile Detention Center is expected to reopen soon – there’s been a lot of controversy around both the decision to reopen the center and the group that was selected to run it. A deer got stuck in the Highland Park reservoir – but thankfully, it was rescued. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 28th episode: Babbel Bike PGH Parks on Tap Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When school districts have a discipline problem — or a perception of one — they often hire police officers, rather than teachers or school administrators, to patrol schools. A new report from the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania finds that student arrests happen way more frequently than they’re reported. And that students in Allegheny County schools are more likely to be arrested than students anywhere else in the commonwealth.  ACLU Pennsylvania community advocate Ghadah Makoshi tells senior producer Megan Harris why these are big problems and how they can change. Check out the full report here. And make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter! We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram at @CityCastPgh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! Even though it’s been over 90 degrees every day this week, only a fraction of the city’s water fountains are on, and we’re blown away by the reason. ScareHouse, one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved fall attractions, isn't opening this year, and producer Sophia Lo isn’t likely to try their more hands-on alternative. Plus, we’ve got the latest on an upcoming groundbreaking at the new Tree of Life space in Squirrel Hill. We always cite our sources: Pittsburgh has over 200 water fountains, but only 35 of them are turned on because there’s only one plumber who works for the city. Pittsburgh City Council passed legislation so that the city could work with the county, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, and school districts to hire other plumbers and pay them overtime. ScareHouse isn’t opening for Halloween this year because of pandemic-related financial challenges and vacancies at Pittsburgh Mills. Residents of Second Avenue Commons who were displaced by a fire are temporarily relocating to Reedsdale Center on the North Side and other sites like Light of Life. It will be months before the Downtown shelter reopens. Two shelter residents got married at a Juneteenth celebration. Rep. Emily Kinkead, whose district encompasses some of Allegheny County, shared plans to introduce and co-sponsor a bill to legalize cannabis in Pennsylvania, but it doesn’t seem like it’ll get passed with this year’s budget. This weekend is the groundbreaking for a memorial to the eleven worshippers killed in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. Instead of sticking shovels in the ground, participants will smash small glass houses. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 21st episode: Rivers of Steel Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! If you’ve been sneaking a peek at your cell phone while driving, it’s time to stop. The city’s technical and training schools are struggling to the point of closure. And tiki boat captains may be the unsung heroes of the Allegheny River – after all, they keep performing rescues. We always cite our sources: Tiki boat captains keep rescuing people in the Allegheny River, which reminds us of a classic Bruce Willis movie filmed in Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania banned cell phone use while driving; the ban goes into effect next summer. Triangle Tech is shutting down, but students can still graduate with their degrees through June 2025.  Pittsburgh Technical College is also closing its doors after running into financial troubles, declining enrollment, and issues with leadership. Point Park University will maintain official records from Pittsburgh Technical College. POGOH added adaptive bikes to its program, and you can reserve one to ride on their website.  Basketball icon Jerry West died this week; his photo was the inspiration for the NBA logo. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 14th episode:  Rivers of Steel Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! City leaders are really stoked about landing the 2026 NFL Draft, and they want to spruce up the place before an estimated 750,000 people come to visit. We’re talking about plans to revitalize Downtown — again — plus, Eat’n Park’s 75th anniversary and the AC fire that displaced nearly 200 unhoused people from the Second Avenue Commons shelter. We always cite our sources: Eat’n Park turned 75 this week! The local chain started on Saw Mill Run Blvd in 1949. Check out the ad from when the chain first opened in 1949. Fun fact: The Smiley cookie came way later in 1986. Local leaders have some big ideas for revitalizing Downtown — hopefully ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft — including making Market Square more pedestrian-friendly and adding a lot more green space. Right now, we have really pretty plans, but not a lot of details about the price tag or funding sources. This week’s fire at Second Avenue Commons probably started from an AC unit on the roof, and there may be water and smoke damage. There’s still no timeline for cleanup or reopening.  People staying there say they weren’t able to grab things like family photos, medical devices, or medication.  Pittsburgh Mercy is taking donations on their website and in-person, and the Our Streets Collective is connecting folks to mutual aid groups in our area, as well as helping with services and supplies on the ground. The county just unveiled its new “500 in 500” plan, which they’re defining as creating or identifying 500 units of subsidized, affordable housing in the next 500 days. The county says it’s been in the works for awhile, but the fire gave it more urgency. The pro-Palestine protest on the Cathedral of Learning lawn ended Tuesday morning. City leaders seemed to take credit for a “peaceful” resolution following a lengthy statement from Pitt’s chancellor. Student organizers held a press conference about why the encampment disbanded, and they’ve refuted many of her claims. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our local parks got good marks from a national nonprofit, but they’re throwing us shade in one category. Pro-Palestine protesters were back in Oakland this weekend, and if you’re looking for a new rental or dealing with an iffy landlord, we’ve got some pro-tips to share. We always cite our sources: A record number of people showed up to Pittsburgh’s Pride Parade on Saturday, and First Lady Jill Biden also made an appearance. The pro-Palestine encampment returned to Pitt’s campus this weekend, and one person was arrested while trying to deliver food and water to protestors. Pitt Divest put out a statement about the encampment’s return, and social media posts documented the police getting physically violent with protesters and one officer confirming that he had turned off his body camera. Pitt’s chancellor, Joan Gabel, sent out a message to students, faculty and staff in response to the encampment. Weapons experts told CNN that US-made munitions were used in the bombing of a refugee camp in Rafah. President Biden briefly paused weapons shipments to Israel, but the House overturned his decision.  Having issues with your landlord? Just Mediation Pittsburgh offers an alternative to going to court. Pittsburgh’s city parks rank among the nation’s best, and the Pittsburgh Park Conservancy’s Summer Programming Guide has ways to explore them.  Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our rivers might not be the cleanest — we’re looking at you, Monongahela! — but that doesn’t mean we can’t get out on the water. City Cast Pittsburgh’s Megan Harris and Sophia Lo are rounding up some of their favorite ways to enjoy our waterways this summer, from glow-in-the-dark night paddles to historical boat tours. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 11th episode: Rivers of Steel Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jay-Z is jumping into the debate about how to improve our state’s “lowest performing” schools, and he’s decided to pump his very influential money into school vouchers. City Cast’s Megan Harris and Sophia Lo are breaking down how schools are funded in Pennsylvania, what Jay-Z’s trying to bring to the table, and why people are mad about it.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 18th episode: Rivers of Steel Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you love a good taco or some crunchy chilaquiles, the Pittsburgh area has a growing number of restaurants with tasty Mexican dishes. Oscar Zapata, a Mexico City native who came to the Steel City for grad school, joins us to share his go-to spots when he’s craving a taste of home — including some of his favorite family-owned restaurants. You can read Oscar's article for the Pittsburgh Independent. **This episode originally aired on July 13, 2023. Oscar rounded up some of his picks for the first-ever print copy of the Pittsburgh Independent, which includes some beautiful photos from freelancer Tom O’Connor.  El Paisano in Beechview El Colibrí at the Bloomfield Saturday Market Panadería Jazmín in Mt. Lebanon Alquisiras Paletería in Beechview El Rincón Oaxaqueño in the Strip District Taqueria El Pastorcito in New Kensington Tasty Taquitos in Garfield, Point Breeze and South Side Works Los Bajitos in Canonsburg La Poblanita in Coraopolis BTOS Kitchen in Dormont Edgar’s Best Tacos in the Strip District Learn more about the sponsors of this June 20th episode: Rivers of Steel Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s our Thursday food show! Giant Eagle is getting some new competition, and the hometown grocery chain is making some changes of its own. We’re getting lots of new restaurants, and one South Side institution is closing for good. We always cite our sources: Wegmans is coming to the Pgh area! Ok fine, to Cranberry. Here are the deets on Giant Eagle’s “Deals for Days” program. Reddit loves to rag on Giant Eagle, and this is one of our favorite examples. And the Trib says Double Wide Grille is closing for real this time. RIP volcano. Check out our convo with Rafael Vencio here: How Amboy Experiments with Tropical Plants in Pgh If you enjoyed the interview with River of Steel’s Director of Historic Resources and Facilities, Ron Baraff, learn more here. Learn more about the other sponsor of this June 13th episode: Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heinz Ketchup has a chokehold on this city. From stadiums and museums to our own home pantries, it’s the ketchup brand on the table and in any good Pittsburghers’ fridge. But in honor of National Ketchup Day, we’re seeing if our team can actually tell the difference between our hometown brand and the competition. We’re pitting the local OG against a few other ketchups in a blind taste test – and hoping we don’t upset any yinzers along the way. Check out our episode on Heinz ketchup’s rise to prominence. If you enjoyed the interview with Rivers of Steel Director of Historic Resources and Facilities, Ron Baraff, learn more here. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For years now, there’s been a Juneteenth celebration in Pittsburgh – marking the date when the last enslaved people in this country finally learned that they were free. But this year, the city is also holding its own event. City Council is expected to cast another vote today toward funding both celebrations. Julia Felton, city hall reporter for TribLive, has been following the whole back-and-forth and joins us to explain. Check out Julia’s reporting on both Juneteenth celebrations. Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know the best batter in baseball history played for Pittsburgh? Not the Pirates, but our Negro League teams that flourished here before integration. Josh Gibson played for the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords back in the 30s and 40s, and he had an exceptional batting average. But it’s only now, many decades later, that Major League Baseball has finally added his statistics to the record books. We’re with his great-grandson, Sean Gibson, to talk about what this means. Check out our previous conversation with Sean Gibson, read up on Josh Gibson’s legacy, and learn more about Sean's foundation. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 12th episode: Rivers of Steel Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news?  Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices