It’s the Friday news roundup! The primary election is over, but election season is just getting started. We’ve got your look-ahead for what’s coming in November. Plus, there’s a new artistic director at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and we’ve got a very special thank you to a listener in the South Hills. PBT’s first summer show, The Sleeping Beauty, opens tonight and runs through Sunday at the Benedum Center. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. ...
May 19, 2023•26 min
A few weeks ago, someone told the City Cast Pittsburgh team we should absolutely feel guilty if we don’t compost, and we take a personal challenge pretty seriously. Today we’re with Meg Graham of May Apple Gardening to talk about ways to get started, the biggest mistakes and misconceptions, a few handy tools, and her favorite recipe to get perfectly“cooked” compost every time. Not ready to DIY? Our own Francesca Dabecco shared a bunch of local composting services you can try without getting your...
May 18, 2023•14 min
Friday is Bike to Work Day! There’s a new kind of bicycle gracing our fair city and Pittsburgh’s biggest bike advocacy group, BikePGH, thinks a little extra pedal power could get a lot more people on the road. Education manager Ted King-Smith shares why e-bikes are a great option for taking on Pittsburgh’s most intimidating hills. Plus, he explains e-bike etiquette for our city streets and cycling trails. On Friday, look for perks all over the city, including free, unlimited 30-minute POGOH trip...
May 17, 2023•18 min
Just a few years ago, there were no high school wrestling programs for girls in Pennsylvania. Now, there are more than 100. And that’s a magic number for the state body that governs high school sports. The PIAA is voting this week on whether to officially sanction young womens wrestling… which would let them have different kinds of competitions and all the same stuff the boys have had for years. I’m with Plum High School wrestling coach Dave Miller and four of their fiercest pioneers. Sanction P...
May 16, 2023•15 min
More than 1,200 people have signed a petition asking officials to close a 40-year-old, city-owned, open-air gun range in Highland Park where city police train and pursue and maintain state-mandated certifications. Neighbors say the gun fire is so irregular and loud that it sometimes sounds like a mass shooting, and that some people have even moved away. Mayor Ed Gainey backed off a Peduto-era plan to move the range to the old VA site nearby, and says he’s “firmlycommitted” to putting money in ne...
May 15, 2023•18 min
It’s the Friday news roundup! Brittany Hailer from the Pittsburgh Institute for Nonprofit Journalism joins host Megan Harris and lead producer Mallory Falk to discuss her court battle to make autopsies public in Allegheny County. They also talk about where candidates stand on making the county executive office more transparent and dig into the Pennsylvania roots of Mother’s Day. Turns out the woman who founded the holiday came to hate it! We love to cite our sources! Brittany Hailer has been con...
May 12, 2023•27 min
Spring has already turned the leaves green in Pittsburgh, and many folks are thinking about what what kinds of fruits and vegetables they’d like grow in their backyard. For newbies, gardening can raise lots of questions from what to plant to how too much to water. We‘re with with Claire Matway, Community Garden Network Program Manager for Grow Pittsburgh, to get answers about how to make a garden thrive in Pittsburgh. Want to weigh in on the city’s next budget? Sign up to attend a community meet...
May 11, 2023•18 min
The number of students at Community College of Allegheny County is just half of what it was 12 years ago. Emma Folts of PublicSource has been looking into what’s behind the shrinking enrollment and how it could hurt workers and the region in the coming years. She joins us to explain why the decline matters, and how school leaders are trying to boost enrollment. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Pittsburgh. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh ...
May 10, 2023•16 min
Did you know that cats can get pregnant at just four months old, and they can birth as many as five litters every year? That’s a lot of kittens, and if they aren’t brought into a shelter as babies, they often end up in overpopulated outdoor cat colonies. That’s where local rescues like Conquer the Colony step up to help maintain the population through its trap, neuter, and return program. We’re revisiting our conversation with founders Erin Hartman and Kelly Kraus, who explain how — with a crate...
May 09, 2023•16 min
We’re two weeks into Pennsylvania’s new legislative session, and for the first time in years, Democrats have the House and Republicans have the Senate. We’re with Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA to talk about what bills are moving, including anti-discrimination protections for queer people, gun safety proposals and more. You can find Stephen’s reporting on the state legislature here. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Pittsburgh. We’re also on...
May 08, 2023•18 min
It’s the Friday news roundup! The team is discussing the best ways to experience the Pittsburgh Marathon and how elk became a huge tourism draw in the region after they were nearly wiped out a century ago. Plus, newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco shares her personal connection to the Make-a-Wish foundation ahead of its 40th anniversary. We love to cite our sources! Want to see if you’re on the marathon route? You can check it out here. Check out our own Megan Harris’ story on the “mathematic mu...
May 05, 2023•20 min
The Bloomfield Saturday Market returns for the season this weekend. It’s the go-to spot for fresh produce, fancy cheese, homemade pies and more. But what’s the best way to navigate the market? 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 weekend. The Bloomfield Market runs every Saturday from ...
May 04, 2023•19 min
The car parked outside of Evergreen Cafe on Penn Avenue in Point Breeze has frustrated Pittsburgh drivers for decades. Despite complaints to police and social media outrage, it’s remained there day after day. Hannah Kinney-Kobre from Pittsburgh City Paper got the man behind the dusty brown Buick to break his silence, and she’s here to tell us what the (arguably) most detested parker in Pittsburgh has to say for himself. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning ne...
May 03, 2023•15 min
It’s always good to show your loved ones you care, and it’s even better when you can do it while supporting local businesses. The City Cast team is sharing our top local gifts, treats and activities for all your Mother’s Day and May celebrations. From ways to get your sweat on for the fitness junkies out there to Pittsburgh-themed nail polish, we have local gifts for all of the caretakers in your life. Here’s where to find all of our top picks. Let us know what we should feature next :) Things t...
May 02, 2023•21 min
At any given time, there are 1,300 children in foster care in Allegheny County, and almost one-third of those older kids identify as LGBTQ. They often have to live outside the homes they grew up in because they aren't getting the affirming love and support they need. We’re with freelancer and City Cast contributor Meg St. Esprit and Jaime Simmons, chief engagement officer for Every Child Inc., to talk about why those figures are so high, their own experiences with the foster care system, and wha...
May 01, 2023•23 min
It’s the Friday news roundup! Residents are raising a stink about bad — and possibly dangerous — smells around the Shell cracker in Beaver County, iffy allergies aren’t the only issues with our up-and-down Spring temperatures, and it’s Arbor Day! Stick around for how to request a free tree from the city and which little neighborhoods have the fullest canopy cover. We love to cite our sources: Colin’s latest reporting focuses on temperature inversions. Part 4 is available via City Paper. The Alle...
Apr 28, 2023•32 min
The Steel City has a bunch of classic eats, but one of our all-time favorites — the pepperoni roll! — actually hails from West Virginia. We’re talking about its industrial history and modern reinvention with Katt Schuler, the altruistic, story-loving owner and founder of Rolling Pepperoni in Lawrenceville. Plus, why you really don’t need to eat them with sauce. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram...
Apr 27, 2023•21 min
The Pirates are back and so is their beloved mascot — the shaggy, round, lime green Parrot with the bright yellow beak and a backwards baseball cap. He’s ubiquitous to us now, but he actually has a birthday and a backstory, plus a bunch of wild stories behind the men who’ve worn the suit. We’re with author and former Mr. Met AJ Mass to talk about the sordid history of our Buccos’ best luck charm and biggest curse. Check out AJ’s book, “Yes, It’s Hot in Here: Adventures in the Weird, Woolly World...
Apr 26, 2023•19 min
If you like having a say in local politics, now is your moment. The primary election on May 16 will decide who fills important long-held positions like Allegheny County Executive, district attorney, county treasurer, and county controller — many for the first time in more than 20 years. We take a special look at County Executive and what we know about the seven candidates on the ballot. Socially-conscious journalist and media strategist Natalie Bencivenga and Charlie Wolfson, government reporter...
Apr 25, 2023•25 min
Jury selection is starting for the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial. The defendant is accused of killing 11 people from three congregations during worship services in Squirrel Hill in 2018. It was the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history. And because it’s a federal capital case, the process is complicated and likely to stretch over three months. We’re here to talk about what happens next. Thank you to our guest, David Harris. He’s a University of Pittsburgh law professor and legal system ...
Apr 24, 2023•26 min
It’s the Friday news roundup! Host Megan Harris and newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco are joined by Stacey Federoff, a contributor for Pittsburgh Magazine, to discuss concerns that our tourism bureau isn’t doing enough to put Pittsburgh on the map. Plus, they share local ways to celebrate Record Store Day and Earth Day this weekend. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism: Paul Von Osdol at WTAE on the VisitPITTSBURGH audit Mark Belko in the Post-Gazette with more rep...
Apr 21, 2023•31 min
Recreational cannabis is still illegal in Pennsylvania, but you gotta eat, right? To mark 420, the City Cast Pittsburgh team has recommendations for places someone under the influence might get a tasty sip, snack, or full-blown comfort meal with their good vibes still intact. Catch up on the latest push for recreational marijuana legalization in this episode with Ed Mahon from SpotlightPA. Here’s the full list of places mentioned in this episode: The Thyme Machine (Bloomfield) El Burro (multiple...
Apr 20, 2023•22 min
Kennywood's (almost) open! Both the historic amusement park and the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium are celebrating their 125th birthdays this year, and their origin stories have something pretty special in common. In the second of a two-part series, hear how Kenny’s Grove became our beloved Kennywood, how its stewards tow the line between preservation and modernization, and which rides helped usher in a new wave in amusement park shenanigans. Special thanks Pittsburgh Magazine for sharing their wor...
Apr 19, 2023•18 min
Both Kennywood Park and the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium are celebrating their 125th birthdays this year, and their origin stories have something pretty special in common. In the first of a two-part series, we’re focusing on the birth of the zoo, how it moved from Schenley Park to Highland, what sorts of animals first greeted its patrons, and how it’s evolved since. Plus, why the zoo’s accreditation and land lease are in jeopardy and which not-so-exotic animal Pittsburghers want back. Special tha...
Apr 18, 2023•22 min
Pittsburgh has amazing outdoor resources, but they’re only great if you can get to them and have a fun, safe experience. Marcus Shoffner, president and CEO of the Outdoor Inclusion Coalition, wants to address it all — making sure every neighborhood has a beautiful park, ensuring new designs accommodate all abilities, addressing the infrastructure and transit needed to get us there, and working with users to address the unwelcome or hostile attitudes many Black and Brown folks still experience in...
Apr 17, 2023•21 min
It’s the Friday news roundup! The team is discussing the finalists for Pittsburgh police chief and renewed calls for federal train safety regulations after a train derailment in the West End. Plus, why Pennsylvania might finally move up its presidential primary date — because of Passover. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism: A little background on the Penguins robo logo from The Athletic’s Rob Rossi The Post-Gazette’s Megan Guza wrote a great explainer on the three ...
Apr 14, 2023•28 min
If you’re looking for some dining options to complement the warmer weather and sunny vibes, then you’re in luck! Writer and content creator Sarah Hamm put together a list of the best patios, food trucks, and pop-ups to really elevate your springtime experience. Check ‘em aht: Sarah’s top recommendations for Pittsburgh City Paper. Next Pittsburgh shares 5 pop-ups they’re loving right now. From the P-G: Why are pop-up concepts so popular anyway? And just to help you stay prepared, here’s the 10-da...
Apr 13, 2023•22 min
Can a chatbot plan the perfect Pittsburgh day? How about write an ode to our city? Does it know where to get the best sandwich in town or whether it’s safe to swim in the Mon? The City Cast Pittsburgh team is testing ChatGPT’s knowledge to see whether this AI program can serve as a believable guide to the ‘Burgh. Want to quiz ChatGPT yourself? You can find the chatbot here. The newsletter has some great recommendations for the best ways to celebrate 412 day. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then ...
Apr 12, 2023•24 min
City officials say they’re closing in on Pittsburgh’s next police chief and could decide any day. Two finalists are local boys with known reputations, and one — Ryan Lee, who WPXI reports has already been offered the job — would come from well outside the ‘Burgh. City Cast Boise Lead Producer Frankie Barnhill knows Lee, and she says Pittsburgh should probably watch out. From the news: Sign up for the Pennsylvania Resources Council’s chemical recycling event here. Want some more Pittsburgh news? ...
Apr 11, 2023•17 min
It took more than a decade and four separate appeals to the state to get formal recognition of Pittsburgh’s historic Chinatown neighborhood, which city officials decimated in the 1910s and ’20s with the downtown construction of the Boulevard of the Allies. We’re throwing it back to a conversation one year ago this week with Marian Lein, president of the Pittsburgh chapter of the OCA, to learn more about our shared history and ways to honor that Pan-Asian heritage today. You can check out Charlot...
Apr 10, 2023•19 min
