Larry Scirotto is our city’s first openly gay police chief. And while he says that’s something he’s deeply proud of, it’s not something he’s spent a bunch of time talking about. Today, that changes. Hear his take on queer representation in the Pittsburgh bureau, why he decided to come out when he did, and how he hopes his identities — gay and biracial — will inform his tenure as chief. This conversation is part one in a two-part series. Both were pursued in partnership with Jordana Rosenfeld and...
Aug 15, 2023•24 min
Century III Mall is condemned, but that doesn’t mean it's getting demolished — at least not yet. But it is an eyesore and it's pretty unsafe, so if it's not possible to bring it back to life anymore, what should happen next? Writer, publisher, and shopping mall enthusiast Matthew Newton is here to share our nostalgia and explain exactly what went wrong. Check out his beautiful tome “Shopping Mall,” which is usually available at White Whale Bookstore in Bloomfield. Want some more Pittsburgh news?...
Aug 14, 2023•19 min
It’s the Friday news roundup! Heinz Field is back in the Burgh (or just barely north of it), there’s a beautifully local backstory behind the @pgh_scanner Twitter account, and Chomper may be out of the Kiski, but the Steel City still has a wild and wonderful history with stray reptiles. We love to cite our sources: Francesca wrote all about Pgh’s fascination with alligators for the Hey Pittsburgh newsletter City Paper wrote about @pgh_scanner and how it got started Aliquippa has a history of Hal...
Aug 11, 2023•21 min
In a quest to get to know Pittsburgh better, coffee enthusiast Zach Lucas visited a local coffee shop for every letter of the alphabet. He joins us to share his picks for everything from coziest vibes to the most unusual to the all-around best coffee (and tea!). See where Zach has been on his map of the ABCs of Pittsburgh Coffee. Sign up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library here. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on...
Aug 10, 2023•20 min
The Pittsburgh Steelers are back at their rightful summer home in Latrobe for training camp. To celebrate, join us for a throwback to when City Cast’s Morgan Moody and Megan Harris made the pilgrimage to talk to players and fans about the half-century-long tradition at Chuck Noll Field. Fans are welcome every day at 1:55 p.m. Get tickets here. And while you’re out there, check out today’s newsletter for a fun scavenger hunt of other fun ways to hang out in Latrobe. Want some more Pittsburgh news...
Aug 09, 2023•17 min
The synagogue shooting trial ended last week — when the man who killed 11 worshipers at a Squirrel Hill synagogue was sentenced to death. It was a long trial, with lots of challenging testimony. And someone close to us attended almost every day: Mallory’s mom. City Cast Pittsburgh’s Mallory Falk sits down with her mother, Ellen Surloff, who was president of Dor Hadash at the time of the shooting. Hear what she learned from attending nearly every day of the two-month capitol trial, and why it was...
Aug 08, 2023•18 min
On October 27, 2018, a man walked into a Squirrel Hill synagogue and turned an ordinary Shabbat morning into the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history. Nearly five years later, he has been sentenced to death for killing 11 Jewish worshipers from three congregations: Tree of Life, New Light, and Dor Hadash. City Cast’s Mallory Falk grew up at Tree of Life, attended part of the trial, and spoke to some of those affected. She joins host Megan Harris to discuss the trial, the sentence, and w...
Aug 07, 2023•34 min
It’s the Friday news roundup! We’ve got a wild story about the county giving in on a lawsuit brought by a paramilitary jail “expert,” who may have never done any real work, plus a send off to our departing friends at The Incline and 90.5 WESA’s The Confluence. Host Megan Harris is joined by Brian Conway, founder of the Pittsburgh Independent, and NEXTpittsburgh columnist Tony Norman to break it all down. **Note: If you’re looking for more on the synagogue shooting trial, please stick with us. We...
Aug 04, 2023•29 min
The city’s biggest celebration of all things vegan, animal advocacy, and environmental friendliness takes over Allegheny Commons Park on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The City Cast Pittsburgh crew has you covered with a full day of noms and veggie-forward recommendations, plus our very own Francesca Dabecco shares her tips for a successful day aht. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Inst...
Aug 03, 2023•18 min
A few hours ago, Pittsburgh got some big news: a jury ruled that the man behind the synagogue shooting in 2018 should be put to death. The gunman was found guilty earlier this summer on 63 federal counts, including 11 counts of a hate crime that resulted in death. City Cast’s Megan Harris and Mallory Falk discuss the ruling and what comes next. Additional sentencing will follow and we think there’s more to say, so please stay tuned to our shows next week. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sur...
Aug 02, 2023•4 min
Developers want to build a 162-apartment complex at the site of former Irish Centre at the edge of Frick Park, but neighborhood and community groups are not having it. So what's at the heart of this? Reporter Ryan Deto with the Tribune-Review explains the environmental and traffic challenges, plus his experience with a certain faction of Pittsburgh NIMBYs. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh &...
Aug 02, 2023•16 min
There’s a difference between spaces that allow our best pals and the ones who 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 01, 2023•19 min
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 st...
Jul 31, 2023•19 min
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: P...
Jul 28, 2023•25 min
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 perfe...
Jul 27, 2023•20 min
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 &am...
Jul 26, 2023•15 min
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? Mak...
Jul 25, 2023•16 min
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 ra...
Jul 24, 2023•15 min
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 Counc...
Jul 21, 2023•25 min
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 birth...
Jul 20, 2023•27 min
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 dat...
Jul 19, 2023•19 min
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,...
Jul 18, 2023•26 min
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 abo...
Jul 17, 2023•23 min
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 ...
Jul 14, 2023•26 min
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 ...
Jul 13, 2023•18 min
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 ...
Jul 12, 2023•19 min
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...
Jul 11, 2023•22 min
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 ne...
Jul 10, 2023•21 min
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) an...
Jul 07, 2023•27 min
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. Washin...
Jul 06, 2023•19 min
