City Cast Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh just proved we're able to throw a great party for the NFL Draft. Could the Super Bowl be next? Host Megan Harris talks with Sean Gentille, senior writer for the Athletic, about why the Steelers (and Pirates!) want taxpayer money for stadium upgrades; the prerequisites for hosting a Super Bowl; and the likelihood of that even happening if our stadium doesn't have a roof.

Notes and references from today’s show:

Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, May 4th episode:

Bike PGH

Union Project

PGH Cultural Trust

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Pittsburgh survived the NFL Draft! Executive producer Mallory Falk, interim social media manager Laura Tsutsui, and contributor Colin Williams are rounding up a few takeaways from the event, both good and bad. Colin's sharing what traffic enforcement could look like without the police, and after seeing Punxsutawney Phil throw the first pitch at PNC Park, we think his prognostication skills could be put to work year-round. In our Neighbors-only segment, we're bringing on former local journalist Jakob Lazzaro, and he's explaining why the public bathroom in the South Side's been abandoned after once being hailed as "the toilet of the future." 

Notes and references from today’s show:

What was your impression of the NFL Draft? Should we host it regularly? Call or text us our DRAFT HOTLINE at 412-212-8893.

Learn more about the sponsors of this Friday, May 1st episode:

City Theatre

Pittsburgh Opera

PGH Cultural Trust

Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh

Window Nation

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

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Pittsburgh really comes to life in the spring, so don't miss out on exploring the city this month. We're looking forward to the 59th Carnegie International, food trucks at the park, neighborhood music festivals, and so much more. Plus, farmers market season is kicking off, and if you need help navigating the space, check out our etiquette guide to Pittsburgh farmers markets.

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

City Cast Pittsburgh's guide to May is made possible by our awesome sponsors, City Theatre, Pittsburgh Opera, PGH Cultural Trust, 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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Pittsburghers can hold a real grudge. There are so many local personalities and entities that have drawn our ire, from a certain healthcare giant to the major airline that ditched us to the soon-to-be-former owners of the Post-Gazette. Host Megan Harris is joined by a very special guest — her husband and former political reporter and editor, Jeremy Boren — along with local historian and writer Virginia Montanez to debate who exactly counts as a Pittsburgh villain. The discussion gets way more nuanced than you'd think!

Thanks to everyone who sent in suggestions for Pittsburgh's biggest villains.

Think someone's missing? We're working on Part 2. Call or text the VILLAIN HOTLINE at 412-212-8893.

Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, April 29th episode:

City Theatre

Pittsburgh Opera

PGH Cultural Trust

Window Nation

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

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

On this bonus sponsored episode by the Grable Foundation, we're celebrating a Pittsburgh original. What if learning looked like meeting an alpaca, zip lining through a park, or building your first AR/VR game — and it was all free? Remake Learning Days is marking its 10th anniversary this year, and the festival has grown into something genuinely remarkable: 266 mostly free events, 240 organizations, and more than 50 school districts across Southwestern Pennsylvania, all opening their doors from May 1–23.

Yu-Ling Cheng, co-producer, and Stephanie Lewis, director of relationships at Remake Learning Days, join Executive Producer, Mallory Falk to talk  through what's happening this year, from archaeology at Fort Macintosh to downtown fishing to performing arts — and why families keep coming back. They also share how the festival has become a way for Pittsburgh families to discover resources right in their own backyard, and how you can find or even host an event at remakelearningdays.org.

Thank you for listening to this special bonus Sponsored Episode by the Grable Foundation. To learn about this episode sponsor visit Remakelearning.org and Grable.org,

May 4 is the deadline to register to vote in Pennsylvania's 2026 primary election. Register to vote, check your status, and find your polling place on Allegheny County's website so you're all set for the primaries on May 19. We're kicking off our election coverage with the biggest race at the state level: the governor's seat. Incumbent Democrat Josh Shapiro's facing off against Republican challenger Stacy Garrity, who currently serves as the state treasurer. Host Megan Harris is with Spotlight PA Capitol reporter Stephen Caruso, who's giving us each candidate's highlight reel and telling us whether Shapiro can make good on his promise to GSD if he wins reelection — and if the state Senate flips in favor of Democrats.

Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, April 28th episode:

City Theatre

Pittsburgh Opera

PGH Cultural Trust

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.

Local leaders hustled to fix sidewalks, fill storefronts, and revamp public spaces ahead of the NFL Draft. But what's in store for the Golden Triangle now that the party's over? How much will Pittsburghers continue to benefit from the big push to make everything pretty before company came to town? Host Megan met up with Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, to talk about what's next for the neighborhood — including a roller skating rink in Market Square! — and why he'd like to regularly host the draft rather than court a Super Bowl. 

Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, April 27th episode:

City Theatre

Pittsburgh Opera

PGH Cultural Trust

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.

Are DIY urban projects the key to improving the infrastructure in cities like Pittsburgh? The grassroots group To Nashville, With Love has built and installed 60 benches at bus stops around Nashville, all without government approval. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Nashville podcast host Marie Cecile Anderson about what this guerrilla campaign is doing, why it’s gotten pushback from the city, and where Nashville’s Tactical Urbanism program fits into all this. Plus, the unique challenges of Nashville tourism. 

Mentioned on the show:

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

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The NFL Draft is finally here! Host Megan Harris, producer Sophia Lo and contributor Colin Williams share what we're looking forward to (a Pop-Tart sacrifice!), questioning (a crackdown on bootleg sports merch), and still waiting to see (a fully-open-to-the-public Arts Landing). Plus, we talk about a court ruling that strikes down a state ban on Medicaid-funded abortions, a hunger strike at PA's largest ICE detention center, and a new, costlier city budget. In our members-only segment, we discuss whether Heinz is trying too hard, in light of the news that it's offering a lifetime supply of ketchup to the 57th draft pick.

Notes and references from today’s show:

Learn more about the sponsors of this Friday, April 24th episode:

Pittsburgh Opera

Allegheny County Poll Workers

Brew House Arts

PGH Cultural Trust Serial Killer

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

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It's the season to celebrate great books and music! In honor of Record Store Day, Independent Bookstore Day, and National Library Week, the City Cast Pittsburgh team is sharing our favorite spots to find your next read or listen — from one of the best record stores in the entire country (according to Rolling Stone) to two new romance book shops. Plus, we discuss all the things you can get from our local libraries besides books, including cake pans, power tools, and adventure kits.

Notes and references from today’s show:

Learn more about the sponsors of this Thursday, April 23rd episode:

Pittsburgh Opera

Allegheny County Poll Workers

Brew House Arts

PGH Cultural Trust Serial Killer

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.