It’s the Friday news roundup! Lead producer Megan Harris is joined by producer Mallory Falk and Hey Pittsburgh editor Francesca Dabecco to discuss new legislation to ban ghost guns in Pennsylvania and ways to support Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ+ community. Plus, we get ready for the Pirates’ home opener by breaking down changes at the stadium, including serving fried fish sandwiches in addition to hot dogs in honor of Good Friday. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. PA lawm...
Apr 07, 2023•29 min
What does it mean to live sustainably? Should you feel guilty if you don’t compost? If you live in Pittsburgh, can you ever eat seafood? Pitt food educator Corey Flynn is giving us a guide on how to feed ourselves and our communities in an eco-conscious way. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to 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 ...
Apr 06, 2023•18 min
Want to show Pittsburghers you care? The City Cast team loves shopping local, and we’re sharing all of our favorite springtime picks as part of a new monthly guide. Listen for tips on where to get coffee beans for a good cause, Pittsburgh street wear, and an Argentinian wine-tasting experience — plus so much more! Here’s where to find all of the local goodies. Let us know what we should feature next! Things to buy: PGH Candle’s Pennsylvania Wildflowers LuluZ Design’s “Stop And Smell Them Flahrs”...
Apr 05, 2023•20 min
For years now, the city‘s had plans and property ready to build a consolidated police training facility in Lincoln-Lemington. The price tag recently rose to $120 million, but only a small portion is accounted for in our capital budget. We’re with City Paper’s Jordana Rosenfeld to talk about the latest on the project, plus how it compares to a similar — and controversial — proposal in Atlanta. Domestic and partner violence can happen to anyone. Find a bunch of local resources here and ways to dow...
Apr 04, 2023•19 min
Mayor Ed Gainey is making good on a campaign promise to go after tax-exempt properties that the city says shouldn’t qualify under state law — including one of our city’s biggest employers and property owners, UPMC. The city is reviewing 17,600 properties in all, and they just announced the first 26 up for a closer look. Dan Davis of Pittsburgh United is one of the activists in favor of overturning their tax-exempt status. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning ...
Apr 03, 2023•19 min
It’s the Friday news roundup! Lead producer Megan Harris is joined by Hey Pittsburgh newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco and producer Elizabeth Kauma to cover the biggest stories from Pittsburgh this week, including unemployment numbers going down, and a controversial debate around trans rights that has given rise to college protests. Also, the team helps you get your spring garden going with some composting advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 31, 2023•19 min
Chef Nik Forsberg is a semi-finalist for Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic Region by the James Beard Foundation for his pop-up concept Fet-Fisk, which prioritizes sustainably sourced seafood, local meats, and veggies from Nik’s own garden. City Cast’s Megan Harris explores what he grows, how he approaches a constantly changing menu, and his plans to open a new brick-and-mortar in Bloomfield. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @...
Mar 30, 2023•18 min
We knew Pittsburgh was home to the nation’s first Black-owned and operated professional sports stadium, but it turns out, another one — also in Pittsburgh — predates it. Historian David Rotenstein takes us back in time to the Central Amusement Park, circa 1920, and shares how the family’s descendants are now looking for the recognition they deserve. Special thanks to NEXTpittsburgh for David's great reporting. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. ...
Mar 29, 2023•17 min
Not all roads in PA lead to getting a vanity license plate the green light. Today, Pittsburgh is teaming up with City Cast Philly to explain how it works, what it costs, and what phrases, acronyms or combination of up to seven letters and numbers get approved — and rejected — by the state. The state has a tool to check if someone already has the license plate you want. You have to mail in form MV-904 to get a vanity license alongside a check or money order to Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Special Ta...
Mar 28, 2023•22 min
During the pandemic, many of us clung to the phrase “Follow The Science,” and trusted that our doctors would do the same. But a new study from the University of Pittsburgh found that even when doctors tried to do that, their conclusions were influenced by their political beliefs. City Cast’s Megan Harris is with Dr. Jeremy Kahn, one of the co-authors on the study and a practicing ICU physician in the city, to talk about how politics sway our physicians and what that means for our trust in the he...
Mar 27, 2023•21 min
It’s the Friday news roundup! A fund to help communities deal with polluted air could get poached by the county, historians finally found the namesake of the Carrie Blast Furnaces, and if you’re looking for love, there’s a new on-camera opportunity in town. City Cast’s Megan Harris and Elizabeth Kauma are with PublicSource journalist Quinn Glabicki. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Check out Quinn’s story on the messy finances behind the Clean Air Fund, plus how...
Mar 24, 2023•23 min
From knife skills and mother sauces to composting and the global supply chain, there’s a culinary arts training program in McKees Rocks hoping to inspire the next generation of Pittsburgh foodies. The Steel Chef Cook-off Competition puts local teens through a 10-week intensive cooking class taught by local chefs before a final, reality TV-style competition next week. And the best part? You can taste and judge it all! Project manager Jenifer Davison is here to share the deets. The final showdown ...
Mar 23, 2023•18 min
With one look down, it’s obvious that Pittsburgh’s sidewalks need some work. The city just announced that it’s getting $3 million in state grant money for infrastructure projects, but only a small portion of it will go to toward making these paths more accessible. Newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco is talking with disability advocate and leader of Access Mob Pittsburgh, Alisa Grishman, about what it’s like to be a wheelchair user in Pittsburgh, and what our neighbors — with or without disabilit...
Mar 22, 2023•15 min
It’s National Fragrance Day, and we’re talking niche perfumes, what they are, and why they’re having a moment right now in Pittsburgh. Producer and niche fragrance collector Elizabeth Kauma talks with lead producer Megan Harris about all of this while they try out several local fragrances. You’ll also hear from 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. Here’s the Articles...
Mar 21, 2023•21 min
Governor Josh Shapiro is a huge sports fan. He recently sat courtside at a Sixers game and cheered for the Eagles at the Super Bowl. But who paid for those tickets? City Cast’s Megan Harris chats with Stephen Caruso, capitol reporter for Spotlight PA, about the rules around gifts and campaign contributions to elected officials. The Shapiro administration insists the governor did not violate his own gift ban when he went to the Super Bowl, and the administration called the recent Sixers game a “p...
Mar 20, 2023•15 min
It’s the Friday news roundup! City Cast’s Elizabeth Kauma and Megan Harris are with NHL writer Sean Gentille talking about broadcasting bankruptcies, Pittsburgh’s budding hoops dreams and who’s (not?) responsible for abandoned boats in our waterways. Special thanks to some fun writing: Pgh Sports Now’s 13 local ties to the 2023 NCAA men’s tournament A printable bracket, in case you need to proclaim your greatness near and far The Trib’s Rob Owen on the intricacies of Bally and AT&T Sports Ne...
Mar 17, 2023•18 min
If you’re a plant-based eater in Pittsburgh, you’re probably mourning the loss of some favorite haunts. Our resident vegetarian, newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco, is here to explain what’s going on, plus recommend some new spots to help fill the void. Hungry for more? Read Kristy Locklin’s piece in Pittsburgh Magazine. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then...
Mar 16, 2023•21 min
In the first of a few debates, we consider an age-old question: Where officially is the Steel City? Midwest? East Coast? Mid-Atlantic? Or Appalachia? We’ve got two guests who each feel passionately that they know they answer. James Santelli is the communications manager for the Allegheny Regional Asset District, and Ryan Deto is a reporter for the Pittsburgh Trib. Think you know better? Call or text us at 412-212-8893. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Want some mo...
Mar 15, 2023•33 min
Since 1990, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History has been working to repatriate more than 700 human remains and funerary objects from Indigenous Peoples, but so far, only 104 have been made available for return. City Cast’s Elizabeth Kauma explains why it’s taking the museum so long — and how they got them all in the first place. Special thanks to Amy Covell-Murthy, collection manager of archaeology and head of the section of anthropology at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and Carrie W...
Mar 14, 2023•25 min
Tim Pearce doesn’t really think about being a social media sensation—he is too busy thinking about snails! Section head and curator of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s mollusk department joins us to talk about how he got started studying nature's underdogs, why our warm winter might make them particularly rambunctious, and what it is like to go viral (online). And Picklesburgh has been nominated AGAIN for Best Specialty Food Festival by USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Travel awards, a...
Mar 13, 2023•17 min
It’s the Friday news roundup! If you like crowds, crowdsourcing, or hanging in the sun, golly is this the weekend for you. We’ve got all you need to know about the nation’s allegedly 3rd largest St. Patrick’s Day parade, a great new way to inform city officials about our roadways, and the secret Steel City history — and potential future! — of Daylight Saving Time. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Check out the history of Pittsburgh’s St. Patrick’s parade. A Pitt...
Mar 10, 2023•18 min
Pennsylvania may not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of maple syrup, but we're actually the 6th largest producer in the country. Will we stay that way with the effects of climate change affecting our trees? Penn State Extension forest resources educator Scott Weikert explains why our sugaring season is evaporating, how tap into syrup harvesting as a hobby, and the Pennsylvania products to snag. Hey Pittsburgh editor Francesca Dabecco explains the maple sugaring process in a ...
Mar 09, 2023•22 min
“No matter what you look like, who you love, what your religion, or where you’re from: you’ve got a friend in Armstrong County.” That’s the message deemed so objectionable that it needed to be taken off a billboard. But there’s one across the street that isn’t subject to the same rules. Plus, we're less than 90 days from Pride! We’re with QBurgh founder Jim Sheppard. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Ins...
Mar 08, 2023•16 min
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman is being treated for clinical depression, but a lot of us struggle with feeling our best after months of cold, gray, Pittsburgh weather. How do you identify whether your experience is clinical or seasonal, and how can you seek help? And what does it mean to be a good ally for friends and loved ones who come to you for support? Our guest is Chris Michaels, CEO of NAMI Keystone PA, the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Governor Josh Shapiro is deliv...
Mar 07, 2023•14 min
Cannabis law in the Keystone state is different depending on where you live in the state, but lawmakers are talking about some pretty big changes. City Cast’s Megan Harris and Trenae Nuri are with Ed Mahon, investigative reporter for Spotlight PA, to talk about what’s in the works and what could still take years to come together. Want to watch the Governor’s budget address? Check out the PCNC TV livestream. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’...
Mar 06, 2023•19 min
It’s the Friday news roundup! This week we are talking about the EPA’s latest efforts to clean up the East Palestine train derailment, how the state is trying to be more flexible with mandatory testing requirements (but is really putting a strain on already underfunded schools), and how to keep celebrating Black history and excellence all year long. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Here’s the NYT’s latest explainer on what’s happening in East Palestine, Ohio. If...
Mar 03, 2023•17 min
What does brine, brews, and baklava all have in common (besides the b)? They are all a part of Pittsburgh’s enormous festival scene. Food historian Julia Hudson-Richards dives into why we have so many food festivals and the historic and economic forces that drive them. Plus, she shares which upcoming festivals to save room in your stomach for. You can listen to our episode about the Ohio Train derailment here. And check out our episode with the CEO of Dashcam for Your Bike, Armin Samii, about bi...
Mar 02, 2023•17 min
We’ve got one from the vault! Ten years ago, a new children’s show premiered on PBS starring Daniel Tiger, son of the beloved puppet from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” The animated series was the first TV show from Fred Rogers Productions since Rogers died in 2003 — 20 years ago this week (!!) — and the team behind it wanted to honor his legacy while making the story fresh for a new generation. Chris Loggins, supervising producer on “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” explains how it got started and ...
Mar 01, 2023•17 min
In Pennsylvania, public school teachers can’t legally wear religious garb while working. We’re the only state that still has such a ban. City Cast’s Trenae Nuri talks with education reporter Aubri Juhasz about a push to get rid of the ban this legislative session. Read Aubri’s great reporting here. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to 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...
Feb 28, 2023•16 min
A hundred years ago, at the height of industry in Pittsburgh, immigrants of different religious backgrounds, packed places of worship in their neighborhoods. Some of those formerly holy buildings have since been repurposed into bars, clubs, concert venues and creative spaces. We’re with freelance writer, Taylor Fowler—talking about challenges of turning hundred year old sanctuaries into a hot spot. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also o...
Feb 27, 2023•13 min
