City Cast Pittsburgh

Ever wanted to make public art or host an event in an abandoned lot? City Council is considering a proposal to let residents put vacant lots and underutilized park space to good use. Host Megan Harris and executive producer Mallory Falk explain the proposal, plus discuss the unannounced visit U.S. Reps. Summer Lee and Chris Deluzio made to Moshannon Valley Processing Center — the largest immigrant detention facility in the northeast, just a couple hours outside of Pittsburgh. Then City Cast's Elizabeth Kauma joins to diss the ruffed grouse as our state bird (game bird?) and make the case for why Pennsylvania should be repped by the scarlet tanager instead. 

Notes and references from today’s show:

Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, June 9th episode:

Pittsburgh CLO

The Frick Pittsburgh

Westmoreland Museum

Athens County Visitors Bureau

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

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Is Pittsburgh's beer scene in trouble? Earlier this year, Fat Head's closed down, and now both Penn Brewery and the Abbey on Butler have filed for bankruptcy. With these beloved spots in limbo and Voodoo Brewing hitting the brakes on their once-rapid expansion, we're wondering if this signals a bigger shift in our brewhouse culture. Host Megan Harris is with City Cast's Owen Gabbey to explain what's behind the struggles and why the landscape might not be as bleak as it seems.

Need a beer recommendation? Call or text us our OWEN GABBEY hotline at 412-212-8893.

Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, June 8th episode:

Pittsburgh CLO

The Frick Pittsburgh

Westmoreland Museum

Athens County Visitors Bureau

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

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Pittsburgh recycles some of its water, but not as much as Las Vegas, where the water there stays in the city. How else could a desert city possibly have enough water for its year-round tourists, a metro area population of over 2 million, and all those pools? The process just might be grosser than you think. With innovative recycling, strict lawn rules, and infrastructure to monitor it all, Vegas has become a global leader in water reuse. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Las Vegas podcast host Jesse Merrick to learn how the city makes do with what it has and how its practices could save other cities’ water supplies. Plus, are any Las Vegans actually going to the casinos?

Mentioned on the show:

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It's been a big week for Pittsburgh public hearings! People turned out to share their passionate takes on the city's revised affordable housing bill, the county's paid parental leave proposal, and a debate about whether to keep Serpentine Drive in Schenley Park car-free. Host Megan Harris, producer Sophia Lo, and contributor Colin Williams dig into the debates. Plus, we share the best local spots for watching the World Cup, some bittersweet Mister Rogers news, and the pickle "delicacies" we plan to avoid at this year's expanded Picklesburgh. (No offense to any vendors, it's tough to pull off an edible pickle ice cream!)

And in our members-only bonus segment, Megan is sharing a dispatch from the first Costco in PA to sell alcohol — and whether it's worth a trip to Cranberry for some bulk booze.

Notes and references from today’s show:

Learn more about the sponsors of this Friday, June 5th episode:

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust - TRAF

Bike PGH

Athens County Visitors Bureau

Pittsburgh CLO

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

Want more Pittsburgh news? 

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Pittsburgh's ice cream and soft serve shops are opening for the season! Host Megan Harris is with City Cast contributor Meg St-Esprit, and Meg's sharing which spots have the best soft serve, custard, hard scoops, and more. Plus, she's making the case for why it's always essential to visit Page's — even if it means waiting in line below the drippy bridge. 

And if you're vegan or lactose intolerant, there's still lots of ice cream for you to enjoy. Check out our roundup of our favorite non-dairy ice creams around the city.

**This episode originally aired on June 30, 2025.

Learn more about the sponsors of this Thursday, June 4th episode:

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust - TRAF

Bike PGH

Athens County Visitors Bureau

Pittsburgh CLO

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. 

If your summer bucket list involves exploring more of Pittsburgh, consider making a visit to a set of our city steps, aka our first form of mass transit. Pittsburgh has the most public staircases in the U.S., but cataloging and preserving them is a relatively new priority. We're revisiting our conversation (and city step tour!) with the three authors of City Steps of Pittsburgh: A History & Guide, who share the history of these public gems and tips for scouting them for yourself.

Thanks to Laura Zurowski, Matthew Jacob, and Charles Succop for taking us on a field trip to the Basin Street city steps!

**This episode originally aired on July 16, 2025.

Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, June 3rd episode:

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust - TRAF

Bike PGH

Athens County Visitors Bureau

Pittsburgh CLO

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Heinz ketchup has a chokehold on Pittsburgh. From stadiums and museums to our own home pantries, it’s the brand on the table and in any good Pittsburghers’ fridge. But does Heinz actually taste better than the competition? Host Megan Harris put the City Cast Pittsburgh team to the test with a blind ketchup taste test, comparing Pittsburgh’s hometown favorite against several rival brands. 

**This conversation originally published June 6, 2024.

Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, June 2nd episode:

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust - TRAF

Bike PGH

Athens County Visitors Bureau

Pittsburgh CLO

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Summer in Pittsburgh means neighborhood festivals, yard sales, and so much more! This June, we're checking out movie series, signing up for summer reading programs, and celebrating Pride and Juneteenth. Plus, we're emceeing a 100th birthday party for the Andy Warhol Bridge! And if summer reading is on your list too, don't miss our episode about all the other cool things you can borrow with your library card.

For even more tips on how to make the most of June in Pittsburgh, check out our website.

City Cast Pittsburgh's guide to June is made possible by our awesome sponsors, PGH Cultural Trust - Liberty Magic, PGH Cultural Trust - Three Rivers Arts Fest, Bike PGH, Athens County Visitors Bureau, and Window Nation.

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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Reach us at [email protected].

Where would Pittsburgh be without its libraries? Chicago is opening its 82nd public library branch in June, and loaning out books is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what these institutions offer residents. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran about how Chicago’s libraries have evolved to meet community needs, from opening a food pantry inside a branch to turning student IDs into automatic library cards — and how they could be even better. Plus, are the Chicago Bears still the Chicago Bears if they move to Indiana?

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

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

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After almost three years of debates and hearings, the Pittsburgh Public Schools board voted to close nine school buildings and make other big changes to the district. Host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and contributor Colin Williams are taking their questions about what's next to James Fogarty, the executive director of A+ Schools. Then, Megan, Mallory, and Colin dig into the latest on Pittsburgh's budget (which remains bleak) and wonder whether a proposed tax on skill games, pool tables, and jukeboxes will add much to the city coffers. Plus, we get into some brewery closures and bankruptcy filings, Pride celebrations, and a very special Mister Rogers stamp.

And in today's members-only segment, we're talking about a local influencer who tries sketchy gas station pills so you don't have to.

A+ Schools is hosting its 4th annual Pittsburgh Collaborative Learning Summit today! Learn more here.

Notes and references from today’s show:

Learn more about the sponsors of this Friday, May 29th episode:

PGH Cultural Trust

PGH Book Fest

Window Nation

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.