Pittsburgh’s red-light cameras are officially here — and so are some new reasons to be nervous about the river water you’re maybe swimming in. Host Megan Harris and City Cast Pittsburgh contributors Sophia Lo and Colin Williams dig into what Trump’s new executive order means for Pennsylvania’s childhood vaccination guidance and why local inoculation rates have us keeping an eye on measles. Plus, we’ve got a win in the fight over UPMC patient records, Pittsburgh’s eternal cloudiness, Steelers in contention for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and a baby lion named Potato.

Sophia wants to know — is UPMC going to reverse their pause on gender-affirming care for minors? If you have some insight, call or text us at 412-212-8893.

Notes and references from today’s show:

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Downtown's new tiki bar has a volcano, a sunken fire pit, and a drink menu that admits it was made with AI. Host Megan Harris and interim newsletter editor Laura Tsutsui get into whether Spork Island Trading Company is worth your time and money. In other food news: Badamo's is bringing its signature sandwiches to Dormont, a kosher market is coming to the old Rite Aid in Squirrel Hill, and a Yemeni coffee chain is opening its largest location in the country Downtown. Plus, we say goodbye to Bryant Street Tavern, Mary’s Vine, and the Original Pittsburgh Winery. But fear not! We still have some pretty great spots to grab a glass of wine. 

Got a patio we should know about? Call or text us at our EAT OUTSIDE HOTLINE 412-212-8893!

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Have you had a Waymo sighting lately? It suddenly seems like these robotaxis are everywhere. Pittsburgh has been a testing ground for autonomous vehicles for a decade now, but getting them to navigate our streets has been a lot harder than many companies hoped. Host Megan is with Axios’ transportation correspondent Joann Muller to talk about the big companies that have come and gone, how she thinks about their relative safety, and what Waymo's arrival says about Pittsburgh's evolving role in the self-driving boom. Plus, what to do if you pull up next to a robotaxi.
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One of Pittsburgh's most iconic buildings is 100 years young. Host Megan Harris and audience development manager Rachel Carlson share what they learned from an insiders’ tour of Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning, including the Nationality Rooms, a couple secret passageways, and a pretty incredible view of Pittsburgh. Plus, executive producer Mallory Falk brings some building history, including the grandiose (but, in the end, accurate) description of the tower before it was built. We also share our picks and hot tips for Pittsburgh Restaurant Week and some events we're excited to check out, from a mahjong meetup to a nostalgic dance party.

Check out Ed Simon's An Alternative History of Pittsburgh for more fun facts about the Cathedral of Learning.

Wanna get your hands on some vintage City Cast swag? We’re clearing out our swag closet, and if you join now you’ll get a limited edition pennant, mug, or tote bag to show off your city pride! Click here to support this show and get your free gift. 

If you enjoyed listening to today's interview with Irwin Mendelssohn, the Owner and Founder of Fulton Commons, learn more here.

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Giant Eagle has long been the main grocery game in town — it's celebrating 95 years in the Burgh with special merch — but that's about to change. Kroger's acquiring the local chain, Wegmans and Meijer are coming to Cranberry, and Trader Joe's is allegedly looking to expand into the Strip District. It suddenly feels like we're at the center of the grocery store wars. What's going on? Could all this competition drive down prices? And can one region sustain so many chains? Host Megan Harris is with Chloe Jad, tech and retail reporter at the Post-Gazette, to discuss her reporting on these expansions and consolidations and what it all means for the average Pittsburgher who just wants some decent quality, reasonably priced groceries.

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As much as you love Pittsburgh, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have complaints, questions, and quandaries. On today’s very first call-in episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz is joined by Bridget Todd, host of City Cast DC, and Jane C. Hu, host of City Cast Seattle, to respond to your dilemmas, from when it’s acceptable to intervene on a bike path to what to do about that neighbor who really lets it all hang out.

Have more city dilemmas? Send them in for our next call-in show.

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! 

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Measles cases are ⁠on the rise in Pennsylvania⁠. We just notched 200 cases, with more than 45 reported in the last week alone. This is especially scary when you consider how many kids are about to go back to school. Records show at least 40,000 PA students are missing their state-mandated vaccines, and lots of schools have dropped below the 95% herd immunity threshold that helps stop an outbreak from becoming an epidemic. (Some Pittsburgh-area schools are dangerously low in the 70% range.) 

To learn how we got here and what we can possibly do about it, we're revisiting host Megan Harris' conversation with Mike Wereschagin, reporter and editor for the Post-Gazette's investigative team, about his ⁠revelatory investigation⁠ into measles rates, vaccines, and why no one is enforcing existing rules.

His team's reporting helped pressure the state to launch a new interactive tool where you can track school vaccination rates yourself. Check out the ⁠state's tool⁠, plus ⁠the database Mike and his team built themselves⁠.

**This episode was originally published May 18, 2026.

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Is it villainous to avoid Pittsburgh for over a decade? To get rich off our sports teams but never try to win? If a celebrity claims us, but spreads misinformation and doesn’t apologize, can that be forgiven? Host Megan Harris is back with historian and writer Virginia Montanez plus special guest Jeremy Boren — Megan’s husband and former political reporter — to talk about the most villainous arcs in Pittsburgh sports, from fan anti-favorite Bob Nutting to our most recent controversial quarterback Aaron Rodgers. 

Don't miss Part 1 of our series about Pittsburgh's biggest villains!

Notes and references from today’s show:

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Station Square has been many things: a festival marketplace ("think outdoor shopping mall with razzamatazz"), a home to megaclubs and warehouse parties, a destination for all-you-can-eat Brazilian steak. While it's nearly abandoned now, there are still some restaurants worth checking out – and hopes that new ownership could turn the tide around. City Cast contributor and Post-Gazette dining critic Hal B. Klein tried the food at all seven remaining spots and joins host Megan Harris to share who's putting out great cuisine (Kiku) and who could be trying harder (cough cough Grand Concourse). He also talks about Station Square's heyday, why it's been on the decline, and what it would take to restore the site to its former glory…or become something exciting and new.

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Whether you want to board a pontoon boat, catch free live music in the park, or follow up a round of mini golf with an ice cream sandwich, there is so much to enjoy in Pittsburgh this month. The City Cast Pittsburgh team is sharing our tips for making the most of August, including how to take advantage of Little Italy Days if you're so inclined. And if you're looking for more end-of-summer adventures, check out our episode about the top five things that are actually worth the money in Pittsburgh.

City Cast Pittsburgh's guide to August is made possible by our awesome sponsor, The Frick Pittsburgh. And City Cast Pittsburgh is 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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