Pittsburgh's got its fair share of quirks and unwritten rules. Like why is someone turning left instead of yielding at a green light? And why do you neighbors keep putting out old folding chairs in front of their houses? The City Cast Pittsburgh team is running through all the essential rules for surviving and thriving here in the city. **This episode originally aired on March 12, 2025. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 9th episode: Heinz History Center Bike PGH VisAbility The Frick Pit...
Jul 09, 2025•26 min
Pittsburgh's got so many new restaurants, and the summer is the perfect time to explore them all. Enjoy some Thai iced tea and lobster pad thai at a patio in East Liberty, or load up on grilled meats at all-you-can-eat Korean barbeque on the South Side. There's even a new café where you can bring your dog, and they've got a menu just for your furry friend. Producers Mallory Falk and Sophia Lo run through these new spots and more. Plus, stay up-to-date on all these new openings with our running l...
Jul 08, 2025•26 min
Still mourning the fate of Century III? The mall scene is Pittsburgh's in a weird space. We've got our fair share of dead malls, but Ross Park Mall's still bringing in luxury brands, and Walmart bought Monroeville Mall for a whopping $34 million. Meanwhile, we're watching Pittsburgh Mills hang on by a thread — while its owners are quietly looking to sell the property. To make sense of our mall landscape, host Megan Harris is talking with Matt Newton, who wrote the book Shopping Mall. He reminisc...
Jul 07, 2025•29 min
Megan Harris and all 12 other City Cast podcast hosts (from Austin, Boise, Chicago, DC, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Portland, and Salt Lake City) compete head-to-head in a high-stakes showdown to answer the question that’s been burning up our company-wide Slack for weeks: which city is the best for a summer weekend trip? From naked bike rides to ‘the country’s best farmers market,’ pickle festivals to Elvis impersonators driving pink convertibles, our hosts are bringi...
Jul 03, 2025•48 min
We're about to celebrate the 4th of July, and we all know that the US gets repped with stars, stripes and soaring bald eagles. But how well do you know Pennsylvania's own state symbols? Over the years, we've adopted all sorts of plants, animals, and even a drink to represent our Commonwealth, but not all of these symbols and the stories behind them are common knowledge. Producer (and game czar) Sophia Lo is putting the City Cast Pittsburgh team to the test, and we want you to play along! **This ...
Jul 02, 2025•22 min
July is the season for fireworks, furries, and a giant pickle festival. The City Cast Pittsburgh team is sharing our favorite ways to explore the city this month, from regular hits like Anthrocon and Picklesburgh to newer fare like an international moustache competition. And if you're looking for a sweet treat this summer, don't miss our episode about the best ice cream shops around Pittsburgh. If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to ...
Jul 01, 2025•38 min
July is National Ice Cream Month, but we're starting our celebrations early. Contributor Meg St-Esprit has tried ice cream all over the city, and she's sharing which ice cream shops have the best soft serve, custard, hard scoops, and more. Plus, she makes the case for why it's worth standing in line in Page's – even if the bridge is drippy. Learn more about the sponsor of this June 30th episode: Heinz History Center Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pit...
Jun 30, 2025•20 min
UPMC is ending gender-affirming care for young people, and a lot of staffers and city officials aren't happy about it. We explain how providers and City Council members are pushing back against the health care giant. Plus, we're sharing tips for staying cool and not overtaxing our power grid as the weather heats up and highlight some Pittsburgh wins and losses from the past week — including local love in a new Netflix hit and (potentially?) good news for raising our state minimum wage. Do you kn...
Jun 27, 2025•40 min
Pittsburgh Regional Transit and other public transit systems across the state are in big financial trouble. The state budget is due on Monday, and lawmakers are considering a few proposals to boost transportation funding — including taxing Uber and Lyft rides — but it seems likely PRT won't get what it needs to avoid service cuts. Laura Chu Wiens, the executive director of Pittsburghers for Public Transit, is here to explain what's on the table, what's at stake, and what she thinks could be done...
Jun 26, 2025•28 min
The Carnegie Museums have an extensive collection, but there are plenty of other museums and hidden gems in and around the city that are free or donation-based. Discover the Burgh's Jeremy Jones and SpotlightPA's Asha Prihar are here to talk about their favorites (including where you might be able to see a singing tumor!), what's on their summer bucket list, and how to make the most of a free experience. Notes and references from today’s show: Free museums abound in Pa. Find the one for you with...
Jun 25, 2025•27 min
If you've been on Pittsburgh TikTok lately, you may have seen a whole bunch of videos about how yinzers pronounce the word "cookie." (Apparently we do something different with our vowels.) In honor of this semi-viral trend, we're revisiting our episode all about the Pittsburgh accent. Actor, voice coach and speech teacher Don Wadsworth joins us to explain what makes our dialect so distinct, and give host Megan Harris a master class in speaking Pittsburghese.**This episode originally published on...
Jun 24, 2025•20 min
Pittsburgh hillsides are sorta trashy. There’s the usual culprits like beer cans and single-use plastics, but these impromptu “dumpsites” also have tires, doll heads, and even big ticket items like flat screen TVs. Caily Grube, executive director of Allegheny CleanWays, shares how they approach community cleanups, why it’s so important to take responsibility for our shared spaces, and how existential questions like “what is litter?” help her frame her work in Pittsburgh. Plus, learn about new wa...
Jun 23, 2025•24 min
City Cast hosts are on the pulse of what’s happening in our communities. So Megan Harris and all 12 other hosts sat down with City Cast CEO David Plotz to talk about creative local problem solving that might work in your hometown too and to commiserate about stressors affecting most of our cities, from unaffordable housing to bike lanes. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 20th episode: Heinz History Center Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Learn more about your ad choices...
Jun 20, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Pittsburgh International Airport isn’t a hub, it’s still under construction, and it’s not on a coast – we’re not often the cheapest place to catch a flight to a desirable destination. But if you’re a little creative and very patient, there are lots of deals to be found! City Cast Pittsburgh’s Megan Harris and Sophia Lo are sharing the best strategies for finding a cheap flight, which sites and services to use, and a few interesting cities you can book right now. Want more direct options? Check o...
Jun 18, 2025•26 min
Itching to travel but not sure where to go? If you love a deal, City Cast Pittsburgh’s Sophia Lo and Megan Harris are back with a bonus episode and talking about more international options, the shocking number of cities you can get to in Florida, the cheapest tickets out of town right now, plus where we would go right now if someone wanted to gift us our next great trip! Don’t sleep on the main episode! We’re sharing the best websites and listserves to check before you book, plus how to approach...
Jun 18, 2025•15 min
Pittsburgh’s Independence Day celebration may have moved from Point State Park to the North Shore, but you can still expect some really big booms — and the company in charge this year is from Western Pennsylvania. But they’re not the only game in town! City Cast Pittsburgh’s Megan Harris and Mallory Falk are talking about the birthplace and backstories of Zambelli, Pyrotecnico, and Starfire — and how our region became a hotbed for three of the largest U.S. fireworks makers in the world. **This e...
Jun 17, 2025•23 min
It's opening day for 16 Pittsburgh public pools — that's more than we've had open since 2019! To help you make the most of them this summer, we're bringing back local pool expert Jill Terner. Every year, she visits all of them and assigns rankings and superlatives, and today she's here to tell us what's new this summer, what she's looking forward to, and which pools you should visit depending on the experience you're looking for. These are the pools open this summer and their operating hours, pl...
Jun 16, 2025•25 min
Pittsburghers are bookending the week with Downtown protests, from an anti-ICE rally to "No Kings" gatherings. In honor of the U.S. Open, we're digging into the history of Oakmont's golf course. It's a notoriously hard course – and the owner designed it to punish a bad shot. Plus, we're excited about a new bridge, and we're sharing your thoughts on increasing paid sick leave for employees in the city and why our county health department's stacked with air quality workers. Notes and references fr...
Jun 13, 2025•47 min
Over the past few years, the pizza scene has totally transformed. We've got New York slices, more pop-ups, and even a pie topped with carrot purée. Pizza journalist and returning guest Dan Tallarico is chronicling all the pizza joints in the city, and he's here with host Megan Harris to dish on the highs, the lows, the trends, and the pies you absolutely need to be eating right now. Plus, we hear from listeners about some of their favorite pizza spots. Check out Dan's book, "Pizza Walk: Pittsbur...
Jun 12, 2025•27 min
Is summer Pittsburgh’s hungry season? City Cast’s Megan Harris and Francesca Dabecco are talking about the region’s summer food and drink festivals you don’t want to miss, their tips for what to taste, and what to check out while you’re there. From beloved staples like Picklesburgh, Barrel and Flow, and Veg Fest to new offerings like Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Week and a Caribbean Carnival, we’ve got more than two dozen ideas to keep you busy ‘til September. Learn more about the sponsors of this Jun...
Jun 11, 2025•29 min
Someone's Amazon return could be your next cheap find, but don't skip reading the fine print! Pittsburghers love a good deal, and thanks to Mac.Bid, you can buy anything from appliances to Legos for a fraction of the price. City Cast's Elizabeth Kauma and Megan Harris are talking about how these warehouses got here, what you need to know so you don't buy something broken, and whether it's even worth the risk to be placing bids. **This episode originally published March 18, 2024. Notes and refere...
Jun 10, 2025•21 min
Many of us have had to choose between going to work sick or losing out on our paycheck. Although Pittsburgh has a paid sick leave policy, some advocates say it’s not enough. City Council's expected to have their final vote tomorrow to increase sick time, so Host Megan Harris is checking in with 32BJ SEIU’s Sam Williamson who's sharing more about how we got here and why he thinks City Council should vote yes. If you think your employer isn't giving you appropriate time off, check in with the Pitt...
Jun 09, 2025•23 min
Trump's latest visit to Pittsburgh left us with more questions about US Steel – and stirred up some anger from Steelers fans. We've got new data on the county employees taking home the biggest paychecks, and you can test your skills at one of the most difficult golf courses in the country. Plus, the Pittsburgh Diocese has a new bishop with a very specific favorite meal. Notes and references from today’s show: Steelers email fans upset over Trump receiving jersey at rally [KDKA] Steelers Sign QB ...
Jun 06, 2025•47 min
Have you ever walked by a fancy old house and wondered what it looks like on the inside? Or peered into your neighbor's yard to catch a glimpse of their beautiful garden? Lucky for you, now is your season to be nebby! Host Megan Harris and Hey Pittsburgh editor Francesca Dabecco are sharing the best home, garden, and neighborhood walking tours to check out in Pittsburgh this summer, from a peek inside Mexican War Streets rowhouses to a theatrical stroll through Allegheny Cemetery. Learn more abo...
Jun 05, 2025•23 min
If you want to go camping, where should you start? Marcus Shoffner, founder of the Outdoor Inclusion Coalition, shares his favorite destinations in and around the city, his best suggestions for a good experience, ways to borrow and learn how to use the right gear for free, and other low-stress ideas to get you started. Plus, an update on the overnight camping program he started in Riverview Park! Want to hear more about inclusivity in outdoor spaces? Check out our previous conversation with Marc...
Jun 04, 2025•24 min
Pittsburgh isn't always the easiest place to make new friends. Lots of people here are still close with their buddies from kindergarten, and it can be hard for newcomers to break in. But a ton of local groups have popped up to help transplants, boomerangers, and even lifelong residents find community. Haley Ingersoll of Pittsburgh Social Health, Dan Lampmann of Yinz Run Club, and local author Ryan Rydzewski join us to share their best tips for building community in the Burgh. Read Ryan's story o...
Jun 03, 2025•31 min
Mayor Ed Gainey lost the Democratic primary but still has seven months left to lead Pittsburgh. He could get busy cementing his legacy and setting himself up for the next big thing, or sit back and take a breather knowing he's already made history. TribLive's Julia Burdelski joins us to talk through the possibilities, including whether Gainey could still make headway on his affordable housing plans. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 2nd episode: Centre County Highway Revolt Fulton Commo...
Jun 02, 2025•23 min
President Trump is expected in Pittsburgh today to tout a "planned partnership" between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel. Host Megan Harris and executive producer Mallory Falk are joined by Axios Pittsburgh's Ryan Deto to share what we know about the agreement and what questions still need to be answered when Trump holds his "BIG rally" at U.S. Steel's Irvin Works in West Mifflin. They also discuss John Fetterman's claims that he's been "shamed" into showing up for Senate votes and hearings, dig into...
May 30, 2025•47 min
Summer is here! June is full of fun activities and celebrations, from outdoor concerts and pop-up beer gardens to pool openings and a Juneteenth boat party. The City Cast Pittsburgh team is sharing some of the best ways to enjoy the city this month, whether you want to traipse around Carnegie for a ghost hunt or get your fill of Greek food in Mt Lebanon. And if you're looking for even more outdoors options, check out our episode about exploring Pittsburgh's 176 parks. If you're new here, welcome...
May 29, 2025•30 min
It's yard sale season! If you're looking for a used air conditioner or need more outdoor furniture, now's the time to buy. Here in Pittsburgh, we like getting things cheap, and often, that means buying secondhand. We're talking about where to find great deals on furniture and home goods in the city, from the best Goodwill spots to tips for navigating Facebook Marketplace. Looking for more thrifty tips? Learn how to score great deals at Mac.Bid and find the best meals for $10 or less in Pittsburg...
May 28, 2025•31 min
