Valentine's Day is coming up this weekend! We're all about celebrating all forms of love — and stocking up on discount drugstore chocolate the day after — but we also can't resist a little gossip about a bad date. We're revisiting a conversation where we asked YOU, our listeners, to share your most horrific dating stories. Producer Sophia Lo is running through the juiciest ones with host Megan Harris. Plus, we've got some expert dating tips if you're still searching for a local love match.

Still looking for a date? Check out upcoming events from Make Out Club and Dating in Pittsburgh.

**This episode originally aired on February 13, 2025.

If you enjoyed today's interview with The Westmoreland's Director of Learning, Engagement & Partnerships, Erica Nuckles, learn more here.

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The Oscars are coming up on March 15 and while hometown favorite Jeff Goldblum didn't receive a nod for his dazzling turn as the Wizard of Oz in "Wicked: For Good," there are still plenty of local connections to this year's nominees. Plus, now is the time to catch any films you may have missed, as Pittsburgh's indie theaters hold special screenings with nominees for best picture, best animated short, and more. Host Megan Harris is joined by Josh Axelrod, founding member of the Pittsburgh Film Critics Association and director of communications at The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center, to discuss the nominated films with Pittsburgh connections, which ones are worth your time, and where to watch them.

Feeling good about your Oscars predictions? Enter the Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center's annual Oscars contest for a chance to win free movie tickets for the rest of the year. And if you need some help filling out your ballot, check out their Oscars Talk on Feb. 15.

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Happy National Pizza Day! There are so many great spots around town to get some 'za — that is, if you aren't just eating a cold, leftover slice from your Super Bowl party. In honor of this special day, we're revisiting a conversation between host Megan Harris and pizza journalist Dan Tallarico to dish on which pies you absolutely need to be eating right now. 

Plus, we asked you, our listeners, to send in your favorite slices, and Dan's recommending similar pizzas you might also enjoy. 

Check out Dan's book, "Pizza Walk: Pittsburgh," subscribe to his newsletter on Substack, and listen to our earlier conversation with Dan with even more pizza recs.

Thanks to our City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbors and listeners for sending in their recommendations. The clip of Councilman Anthony Coghill came from a Pro-Housing Pittsburgh candidate housing forum in April. 

**This episode originally aired on June 12, 2025.

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The cold weather continues to wreak havoc across our city. A feud over a Brighton Heights parking spot went viral, vehicles froze to the street in Highland Park, and one intrepid East Ender reserved their parking space with a Pittsburgh potty. Host Megan Harris, producer Sophia Lo, and contributor Colin Williams are joined by parking chair skeptic Bruce Chan to debate proper parking chair etiquette in our inaugural "Am I the Jagoff?" segment. Plus, the team shares their opinions on Heinz's ketchup keg, a new Pittsburghese hotline, and Lady Gaga's cover of "Won't You Be My Neighbor."

Notes and references from today’s show:

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It's tax season… but not for our city's largest nonprofits, aka the Big Five. Mayor Corey O'Connor got some big wins with a pair of one-time donations from UPMC and PNC Bank’s foundation last week, but what happens now? Our health care giants and major universities — UPMC, Highmark Health, the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and Duquesne University — collectively own about one-eighth of all the land in Pittsburgh. But because PA law considers them "purely public charities," they  don't have to pay property taxes like the rest of us. Host Megan Harris and executive producer Mallory Falk are talking about the rage people feel about that, how the courts created this mess, and various local efforts over the years to get these big nonprofits to "pay their fair share." 

Have any special insight into negotiations with the nonprofits before the 2000s? Call or text our HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? HOTLINE at 412-212-8893.

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Data centers have been around for more than 80 years, so why is everyone talking about (and fighting over) them now? If new data centers get built in nearby communities like Homer City and Springdale, what happens to the environment and our electricity bills? Alice Crow, the lead Pittsburgh reporter for Technical.ly, joins host Megan Harris to explain what exactly a data center is, why our region and state are attractive spots for these facilities, and what we do and don't know about their impact.

Read Alice's fantastic data center explainer and check out the Pennsylvania Data Center Proposal Tracker to see if a project's starting near you.

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February 17 kicks off the Year of the Fire Horse! Producer Sophia Lo is with food blogger Sophia, aka @sopheating, and they're running through some of their favorite spots to get noodles, dumplings, rice dishes, and even dessert. 

**This episode originally aired on January 29, 2025.

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Don't let all the snow on the ground stop you from exploring Pittsburgh this month! There are Valentine's Day markets and craft workshops, events for Black History Month, and some tasty soup competitions. Plus, you can come say hi to the City Cast Pittsburgh team at a Connection Expo featuring social clubs, hobby groups, and more. (Think back to your college activities fair!) And if you're looking to build new relationships this month, don't miss our episode about how to make friends in Pittsburgh.

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Pittsburgh community. 

For even more tips on how to make the most out of February in Pittsburgh, check out our website for another take on what to do this month.

City Cast Pittsburgh is made possible by our awesome sponsor, P3R. Use code CITYCAST15 to save 15% off any event registration. And we're also powered by our members, who enjoy an ad-free version of the show. Find out more about how to become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh.

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Some of our streets still haven't been cleared, nearly a week after the Pittsburgh region was hit with double digit snowfall. When can we expect some relief? And will UPMC's $10 million gift for emergency vehicles make things better? (Also, just how generous is this gift, really?) City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris is joined by producer Sophia Lo and contributor Colin Williams to share the latest on snow removal. Plus, they discuss city and county efforts to restrict ICE activity, whether the new Steelers head coach counts as a win or loss for our city, and how you can help make a Pittsburgh-themed Lego set become a reality.

Notes and references from today’s show:

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Groundhog Day is on Monday, and Pennsylvania always shows up for Punxsutawney Phil, the state's beloved groundhog and "official meteorologist." Ahead of the celebrations in Punxsutawney, host Megan Harris and producer (and Punxsy Phil devotee!) Sophia Lo are talking about how this weather-forecasting groundhog got his start, how accurate his predictions are, why PETA wants to replace Phil with a hologram, and their favorite facts about this little fuzzy rodent. 

Is "Groundhog Day" worth the watch? Call or text our GROUNDHOG HOTLINE at 412-212-8893.

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