Former Mayor Ed Gainey is under investigation and facing allegations of improper contracts, questionable financial decisions, and potentially misleading information in bond documents. No charges have been filed, but the details revealed this week in a newly unsealed search warrant follow a pattern of rumors we've been hearing for years. Host Megan Harris is with the Post-Gazette's Hallie Lauer to talk about the many nonprofits, vendors, and city employees who've been implicated, what we know about what's real, and the very serious consequences if Pittsburgh deceived its creditors — plus what Mayor Corey O’Connor faces as his first budget deadline approaches on Wednesday.

Notes and references from today’s show:

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Learn more about the sponsors of this Thursday, September 24th episode:

Carnegie Library

The Frick Pittsburgh

Hazelwood Local

Allegheny County the most Flock cameras and automated license plate readers in PA, according to crowdsourced data. Host Megan Harris is with Axios Pittsburgh's Ryan Deto to discuss how exactly these cameras work, why they're so controversial, and whether the state legislature could end up regulating or even outright banning them. Plus, they explain the difference between Flock cams and other tech used for parking tickets and toll violations.

Notes and references from today’s show:

👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! 

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Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, September 23rd episode:

Carnegie Library

The Frick Pittsburgh

Hazelwood Local

In the midst of Downtown’s larger $600 million makeover, Smithfield Street’s been waiting its turn. Crews are breaking ground today on the first of dozens of small projects, including sidewalk repairs, better lighting, landscaping, and more. It’s unlikely the historic 10-block stretch will ever return to its heyday, but can it be something we all use and enjoy again? Host Megan Harris is with freelancer Adam Smeltz and Public Source’s Stephanie Strasburg to talk about Smithfield’s past and present — and mostly who and what it’ll serve next.

This episode originally aired January 8, 2025.

Notes and references from today’s show:

👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! 

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Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, September 22nd episode:

Carnegie Library

The Frick Pittsburgh

Hazelwood Local

After weighing over 1,400 public comments — mostly from parents, health care workers, and small business owners — the county health department made some major edits to its paid parental leave proposal. That includes cutting the length from 18 weeks to 12 and exempting the county's smallest businesses. Host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and Public Source's Oliver Morrison discuss the changes, why this policy has been so much more divisive than the county's paid sick leave proposal, and what comes next. Plus, Oliver shares his takeaways after reading through every single public comment.

Notes and references from today’s show:

👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! 

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Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, September 21st episode:

Carnegie Library

The Frick Pittsburgh

Hazelwood Local

Would Pittsburgh be better with fewer vacant, blighted lots? In Philly, the answer is overwhelmingly yes, with significant drops in crime and depression recorded near newly transformed, “greened” neighborhood lots. But how did they do it? David talks with City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri and special guest Matt Rader, president of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, about how Philly prioritized revitalizing its abandoned outdoor space, the ways that having a nonprofit partner has made all the difference, and what still needs to be done.

Mentioned on the show:

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Will state police start ripping skill games out of convenience stores, vape shops, and other spots? That's what could happen if lawmakers don't come up with a plan to regulate the machines by Oct. 13. Host Megan Harris and executive producer Mallory Falk are joined by Public Source's Oliver Morrison to explain how we got here, what measures the state might consider, and the scale of gambling addiction in Pennsylvania. (Did you know we take in more gambling revenue than any state except Nevada?) Plus, we discuss the CDC's continued failure to count measles-related deaths in PA, a new rule requiring recess in K-5 schools, and the legacy of Pittsburgh-born, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annie Dillard.

And in our members-only bonus segment, we're talking about another important restaurant group, the future of Penn Brewery — including conjectures about the mysterious new buyer — and sharing some of our favorite Pittsburgh meals.
**This episode contains a reference to suicide. If you or anyone you know is struggling with thoughts thoughts of suicide, you can always call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. There's help available 24 hours a day.

Notes and references from today’s show:

👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! 

💌 You can get more Pittsburgh news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Pittsburgh morning newsletter. 

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Learn more about the sponsors of this Friday, September 18th episode:

Carnegie Library

City Theatre

Visit Athens Ohio

Did you know a ton of Pittsburgh's most influential dining spots are run by the same six restaurant groups? Some are massive, some are low-key, and some have quietly shaped the city’s food and beverage scene for decades. Host Megan Harris is with Post-Gazette dining critic and City Cast contributor Hal B. Klein to meet the people behind the well-known places — from the legacy of Eat’n Park and big Burrito to Richard DeShantz’s ever-evolving lineup, Independent Restaurant Group’s tiki brilliance, and the splashy new Opal and Legacy groups. We talk about how these restaurant groups work, why size can be both a blessing and a curse, and how chefs and restaurant staff carry ideas from one kitchen to the next. Plus, Titusz made the NYT’s 50 best restaurants list, the Gobblerito is turning 20, and we celebrate the highs and lows of Pittsburgh dining. 

👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! 

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Learn more about the sponsors of this Thursday, September 17th episode:

Carnegie Library

City Theatre

Visit Athens Ohio

Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak is getting worse. At least four people have died and nearly 700 cases are being tracked statewide. Host Megan Harris and executive producer Mallory Falk are talking about what’s happening, the response from state and local health officials, and what Pittsburghers need to know — including the latest on measles exposures at UPMC Children’s Hospital. Then, Axios Pittsburgh’s Ryan Deto jumps in to recommend some of the city’s newest attractions, from the Kamin Science Center’s new go-karts to Pittsburgh International Airport’s outdoor terraces, plus the soon-to-open Citizens Live at The Wylie.

Notes and references from today’s show:

👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893 or email [email protected]. We’re also on Instagram! 

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Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, September 16th episode:

Carnegie Library

City Theatre

Visit Athens Ohio

On this bonus episode sponsored by the Grable Foundation, we're talking about a local push to make sure every child has access to the books they actually want to read, plus adults who can foster a love of reading. "Won't You Be a Reader" brings together more than a dozen organizations and civic leaders to help young readers thrive, through everything from free book fairs to community reading events.

Casey Mindlin, the campaign's co-chair, and First Lady Katie O'Connor join executive producer Mallory Falk to discuss the campaign's successes so far, what else is in store, and why everyone should care about our region's literacy rates.

Thank you for listening to this special bonus Sponsored Episode by The Grable Foundation. To learn about this episode sponsor visit Grable.org kidsburgh.org/topic/read.

Community leaders and business owners in Beechview — the heart of Pittsburgh's Latino community — say ICE activity has been increasing in the neighborhood over the past few weeks. It's hard to get reliable data, but incidents at Las Palmas grocery store have left residents rattled. One business owner ⁠described ICE as⁠ "terrorizing the whole neighborhood right now."

⁠Read⁠ or ⁠listen⁠ to a summary of this conversation in Spanish.

**This episode originally aired April 2, 2025.

Looking for more help and resources? 

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Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, September 15th episode:

⁠Carnegie Library⁠

⁠City Theatre⁠

⁠Visit Athens Ohio