Four men are vying to lead the city of Pittsburgh, so ahead of the primary on May 20, we're asking each of them to tell us why they think they're the best person for the job. We're kicking things off with our current mayor, Ed Gainey. He served in the state house for almost a decade and, in 2021, became the only challenger to ever beat out an incumbent mayor. We talk to Gainey about his biggest achievements and challenges in office so far, and why he believes he deserves another term. This is th...
Apr 14, 2025•47 min
Should Governor Shapiro declare a state of emergency to deal with Pittsburgh's trash? One city councilor sure thinks so. Pirates' leadership keeps finding ways to enrage fans and the new airport terminal got a little more expensive. Plus, some international students at Pitt and CMU had their visas revoked and the twists and turns keep coming in Nippon's bid to buy U.S. Steel. All that and more on the Friday news roundup. Notes and references from today’s show: Trash talk leads to discussion at P...
Apr 11, 2025•38 min
The Mexican food scene in Pittsburgh is growing, and you have so many options whether you want to stop by a taco truck or sit down for brunch and chilaquiles. We're revisiting host Megan Harris' conversation with Oscar Zapata, who moved here from Mexico City for grad school. He's sharing his go-to spots when he craves a taste of home, and he rounded up some of these restaurants for the Pittsburgh Independent. **This episode originally aired on July 13, 2023. Learn more about the sponsors of this...
Apr 10, 2025•16 min
Five different people have led the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police over the past two and a half years — all under a single mayor — and it's still not clear when we're getting a new, permanent, top cop. What's going on with the police department, and what does this “revolving door” of local chiefs say about the city? We're with University of Pittsburgh law professor David Harris, who’s served on multiple committees to choose Pittsburgh’s police chief, to talk about the leaders from our recent past; r...
Apr 09, 2025•31 min
Our region is facing billions of dollars in cuts to medical care and research by the Trump administration. The decisions made today will have far-reaching effects for decades to come — for the patients who rely on Medicaid, for the scientists researching medical treatments and cures, and for a city whose identity is built around eds and meds. We're joined by three local doctors to talk about the very real impacts if funding goes away and the work they're doing to try and prevent that from happen...
Apr 08, 2025•30 min
Potholes are a plague this time of year in Pittsburgh, but what does it take to fill them? How many get patched, and what can regular people do to speed the process along? We’re taking all your nebby questions to Bill Crean, deputy director for the city’s Department of Public Works – including the worst neighborhoods and weirdest requests he’s gotten in his 40ish years on the job! Call 311 to report a pothole to the city, or use their mobile app. For the county, call 412-350-INFO (4636) or visit...
Apr 07, 2025•18 min
America’s first Carnegie library is nearing the end of a $21 million renovation, and we got to neb nose all over the 45,000-square-foot space. Hear all about the history of the Braddock Carnegie Library, plus what they’ve got in store for their own opening day in May. Plus, we’re catching you up on big stories from the week: for the first time in a century, city voters won’t have any choices on their primary ballots for City Council; the trial began to determine who’s responsible for paying sett...
Apr 04, 2025•37 min
You may have seen the billboards, the T-shirts, that one angry dude sitting behind home plate at another team’s playoff game — because there are some really frustrated Pirates fans out there. With the new season already off to a slow start and our home opener against the Yankees set for tomorrow, we’re sitting down with a few of the rabble-rousers behind Our Team, Not His who say the time is now to convince Pirates owner Bob Nutting to sell the team. Not just for fans, but for taxpayers and anyo...
Apr 03, 2025•29 min
Desde que asumió la presidencia en enero, Donald Trump ha priorizado la ejecución de la ley migratoria y la deportación, estableciendo cuotas de arrestos a nivel nacional y provocando un creciente pánico entre las comunidades inmigrantes de Pittsburgh. City Cast Pittsburgh habló con Vanessa Stine, abogada sénior de la ACLU de Pensilvania, para saber qué sucede durante una detención o redada de ICE, qué derechos tienen los inmigrantes independientemente de su estatus legal y cómo los testigos pue...
Apr 02, 2025•11 min
Since taking over in January, the new Trump administration has made immigration enforcement and deportation a priority — even orchestrating high profile arrests of university students — leading to growing fear and confusion in Pittsburgh's immigrant communities. Vanessa Stine, senior staff attorney for the ACLU of Pennsylvania, joins us to explain what happens during an ICE stop or raid, what rights immigrants have regardless of their legal status, and how bystanders can help during an ICE encou...
Apr 02, 2025•30 min
The days are longer, we’re starting to see pink blooms and green buds, and Pittsburgh is coming to life for the spring! There’s so many ways to get out and about, from watching 10,000 rubber ducks bob around Lake Elizabeth to doing yoga with pigs. Plus, you can pick up mini Heinz ketchup bottles, drink tomato beer, and meet your favorite mascots on 412 Day. And if the nicer weather has you wanting to grab food for a picnic in the park, don't miss our episode about the best pizza in Pittsburgh. I...
Apr 01, 2025•32 min
National Library Week starts April 6, but there are so many reasons for checking out our county’s libraries all year long. Obviously, you can check out books, but your library card also gets you everything from power tools to ukuleles to lawn games. We’re bringing back a conversation between City Cast’s Mallory Falk and Francesca Dabecco, where they dive into the catalogues to explore all the collections and services available at our local libraries. **This episode originally published May 30, 2...
Mar 31, 2025•16 min
Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato gave her quarterly address to County Council, and while there’s a lot of uncertainty around funding, there are also things to celebrate. Like more bathrooms in the parks! But if you see any downed birds, be mindful of bird flu and please don’t touch. Biden’s outgoing pardons are back in the news — including one granted to a judge convicted in the ‘Kids for Cash’ scandal — and we’re taking a dive into autopen lore. Plus, we’re recapping Pennsylvania’s sp...
Mar 28, 2025•43 min
Everyone knows John Fetterman here in Western PA — he was the Democratic mayor of nearby Braddock, rose to lieutenant governor under Tom Wolf, and now he’s the commonwealth’s senior U.S. Senator — in part, because he rode a progressive blue wave. But these days, the Harvard-educated AmeriCorps alum is increasingly aligned with MAGA Republicans. Ahead of a ticketed event in Pittsburgh this weekend, we’re teaming up with City Cast Philly’s Matt Katz and Philadelphia Inquirer political reporter Jul...
Mar 27, 2025•26 min
Four men are vying to be Pittsburgh’s next mayor – two Republicans and two Democrats – and there’s a lot of money in the mix. City Cast Pittsburgh’s Megan Harris is hanging with PublicSource political reporter Charlie Wolfson to talk about who is spending on which candidate, who isn’t fundraising at all, a funny new campaign ad, and what we should all be watching for with just eight weeks until the primary. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 26th episode: Pittsburgh Opera History UnEras...
Mar 26, 2025•23 min
When you need a present for someone, sure, you can grab a gift card or go to a big box store, but where’s the fun in that? City Cast Pittsburgh’s Megan Harris and Francesca Dabecco love shopping local and believe any business can be a gift shop! They’re sharing some of their favorite area gift shops and stores where you can both support small businesses and find a Pittsburgh-perfect present in a pinch. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 25th episode: Pittsburgh Opera History UnErased Be...
Mar 25, 2025•27 min
New census data just dropped and the Pittsburgh region actually grew this year…by 0.001%. But does it really matter whether or not our city and metro area grow? And could there even be benefits to staying the same size? We’re revisiting a conversation with Chris Briem, a regional economist at the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Social and Urban Research, to find out. **This episode originally published October 16, 2023. If you enjoyed today's interview with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Di...
Mar 24, 2025•27 min
Picking up a new habit can be scary! Especially if that new activity has you panting up Negley. But not every run in Pittsburgh has to be long, treacherous, or up a hill. We’ve got suggestions for flat spots to run, places where you can take a bathroom break, and trail runs that’ll make you feel like you’re way out of the city. Thanks to our guests: Donald Robinson, owner and coach at Global Human Performance in Point Breeze; and Dan Lampmann, founder and president of Yinz Run Club. Missed our f...
Mar 21, 2025•15 min
Pittsburgh’s got a lot to lose! If more state funding doesn’t come through, PRT announced they’ll have to make huge service cuts, like fully shutting down 41 bus routes and ending service after 11 p.m. Plus, the Trump administration’s threatening to close Pittsburgh’s HUD field office. Executive producer Mallory Falk and producer Sophia Lo discuss the latest. Plus, they explain why there might not be any competitive city council races on the primary ballot, how a special election will determine ...
Mar 21, 2025•32 min
If you’re looking for new places to eat out this spring, tons of restaurants have been opening (or re-opening) around town! Executive producer Mallory Falk and producer Sophia Lo are sharing our shortlist of places we’re most excited to try, serving up everything from soup dumplings to vegetarian sloppy joes. Plus, we discuss the new lineup of deep-fried delights at PNC Park. Want more recommendations for what to eat at a Pirates game? Check out our episode about the best food at PNC Park. Learn...
Mar 20, 2025•20 min
Pittsburgh Regional Transit is meeting this week to talk about a proposal that could overhaul our entire local transportation system. Adam Smeltz, reporting for PublicSource, found the agency may increase fares, cut service, and scrap its Bus Line Redesign to address a possible $100 million deficit. He joins us to discuss how we ended up here and whether it’s still possible to stave off changes. PRT is releasing its official proposal tomorrow at 8:30am. Register here to watch online or catch it ...
Mar 19, 2025•27 min
If you’re new to running, jogging, or even walking in and around the city — or trying to restart an old routine — we’ve got some great suggestions from a couple of local runners ready to help you get laced up and out the door. Thanks to our guests: Donald Robinson, owner and coach at Global Human Performance in Point Breeze; and Dan Lampmann, founder and president of Yinz Run Club. Hear their best insights about warm-ups, footwear, flat routes, running apps, expensive watches, races, trails, and...
Mar 18, 2025•27 min
Everyone knows about New York City’s Wall Street, but back in the day, individual cities had their own stock exchanges. Our version of Wall Street was on Fourth Avenue, where City Cast Pittsburgh’s very own offices are! We're revisiting our conversation with author and historian Mark Houser about how we got that Wall Street in the first place and why those grand banks turned into those parking lots that we see today. **This episode originally published August 27, 2024. Learn more about the spons...
Mar 17, 2025•19 min
Make room in your wallet for your Real ID and your season passes for our local amusement parks, including Kennywood, Sandcastle, and Idlewild. We’re making the case for both — plus how and when to get them — and introducing yinz to Kennywood’s new-old mascot, Jeeters. Pittsburgh Regional Transit is using pickle cartoons to shame us for bad behavior on the buses and T stops. The University of Pittsburgh has issued a hiring freeze, and officials say it’s not entirely because of changes in federal ...
Mar 14, 2025•36 min
National Potato Chip Day is this Friday! So the City Cast Pittsburgh crew is crunching it up with our friends at City Cast Philly to taste test as many PA-made potato chips as we can find, explore how the commonwealth became the “potato chip capital of the world,” and choose our favorites in the first ever (maybe?) Chippy Awards. Special thanks to all the PA brands we tried, including nationally distributed Wise, Utz, and Herr’s, plus more regionally available Rap Snacks, Dieffenbach’s (or Uglie...
Mar 13, 2025•28 min
Just like every other city, we have our quirks and unwritten rules. Like why is someone turning left instead of yielding to me at the green light? And what’s up with that rickety old chair sitting in front of my neighbor’s house? The City Cast Pittsburgh team is sharing our essential rules for surviving and thriving in the city. If you enjoyed today's interview with Pittsburgh Opera's Director of Marketing and Communications, Chris Cox, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this Marc...
Mar 12, 2025•30 min
Today is the deadline to declare yourself an official candidate in Pennsylvania, and it’s never too soon to start planning for future elections. We’re with Spotlight PA’s Min Xian to talk about what you need to know if you want to run for elected office here in Allegheny County, plus why it’s so important for regular people to bring an “amateur” spirit to the more than 13,000 elected positions in the commonwealth, including hundreds that go unfilled or unopposed every election cycle. Want to run...
Mar 11, 2025•24 min
Got spring breakers coming to visit you soon? You may have already taken your friends and family to the Carnegie Museums and admired the skyline from Mt. Washington, but there’s so much more for tourists to take in. We’re bringing back our conversation with City Cast Pittsburgh contributor and travel writer Meg St-Esprit, who’s sharing all the spots she takes visitors — from the first-timers to the folks who come by every year. Check out Meg’s City Paper story about Pittsburgh boat tours. **This...
Mar 10, 2025•22 min
Pittsburgh’s acting police chief, Christopher Ragland, is stepping down just a few months after taking over the bureau (and just a few weeks after he was nominated to become permanent chief). Host Megan Harris and producer Sophia Lo discuss the latest development in the ongoing saga. Plus, they share how the state and county are trying to help federal workers who’ve been laid off, why public library use is up while public transit use is down, and one crafty and extremely Pittsburgh way people ar...
Mar 07, 2025•41 min
Fish fry season is back! There are hundreds of fish fries in Pittsburgh and just a few short weeks to visit as many as possible. If you’re struggling to decide where to go, Pittsburgh hero Hollen Barmer has an idea for you: the Pittsburgh Lenten Fish Fry Map. With the help of Pittsburgh Code for Good volunteers, they’ve been updating it every year so the whole city can see at a glance who’s returning; which fries are open for lunch; which serve handmade pierogi, desserts, or vegan items; and so ...
Mar 06, 2025•20 min
