City Cast Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania could be getting two new ICE detention centers. The federal government quietly purchased two warehouses in Berks and Schuylkill Counties as part of a national move to build more immigrant detention facilities. Some local leaders, including Gov. Josh Shapiro, are pushing back against these sites. But do they have any power to block the facilities, or have a say in how they operate? We're sharing an episode from our friends at City Cast Philly, where host Trenae Nuri asks Spotlight PA's Gabriela Martínez and Kate Huangpu about the status of these detention centers and whether local officials can stop them.

Read Gabriela and Kate's reporting on the ICE facilities here.

Learn more about the sponsors of this March 19th episode:

P3R

The Westmoreland

Carnegie Library

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

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The Great Pierogi Race. Our city parks. "The geese that fly over from Allegheny Cemetery, minus the poop." To celebrate publishing our 1,000th podcast episode this month, we've been asking what YOU love about Pittsburgh — so we can create and share a list of 1,000 things we all love about living here. Host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and producer Sophia Lo are on mic sharing our favorite submissions so far and what they say about our sense of local pride. Plus, they're explaining how one lucky winner could snag $1,000 to some of our favorite Pittsburgh spots.

The contest and series are sponsored by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Learn more about the sponsors of this March 18th episode:

P3R

The Westmoreland

Carnegie Library

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

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Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.

Devastated it's cold again? Warm up your belly with hearty brisket chili, creamy mac and cheese, or perfectly smoked ribs. City Cast Pittsburgh contributor Colin Williams is back to make the case that Pittsburgh has a surprisingly decent BBQ scene, and he and host Megan Harris share some of their favorite spots.

**This episode originally aired on September 18, 2025.

Learn more about the sponsors of this March 17th episode:

P3R

The Westmoreland

Carnegie Library

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. 

A federal judge just issued a scathing ruling saying the Department of Justice can't force UPMC Children's Hospital to hand over young patients' medical records. The DOJ had demanded information about minors who were receiving gender-affirming care. "There is more than a whiff of ill-intent," Chief Judge Cathy Bissoon wrote. "Arguably, it is closer to a stench." But the legal battle isn't over, and UPMC has stopped providing most forms of gender-affirming care for young people. Mimi McKenzie, legal director at the Public Interest Law Center, joins executive producer Mallory Falk to explain how she came to represent four local patients and their families, why she found it "hugely disappointing" that UPMC didn't bring its own legal challenge against the government, and what's happening with similar cases across the country.

Learn more about the sponsors of this March 16th episode:

P3R

The Westmoreland

Carnegie Library

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.

Pittsburghers are concerned about police accountability, especially with the increased presence of federal troops in many cities. DC Council in Washington recently passed emergency legislation requiring local police to release body-worn camera footage of incidents involving federal forces they patrol with, and to collect the names of federal officers who make arrests. It’s a big shift in local policy, partially motivated by the fact that local cops have damaged their reputation by patrolling with feds. City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran talks with City Cast DC podcast co-host and executive editor Mike Schaffer about the political stakes involved, the effectiveness of body cameras, and how Washingtonians are dealing with the heavy federal law enforcement presence. Plus, Mike and Jacoby weigh in on public transit etiquette in their cities when it comes to people playing music out loud.

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

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Mayor Corey O'Connor announced yesterday that Pittsburgh's facing a shortfall of up to $40 million and he's reopening the 2026 budget. Executive producer Mallory Falk is with contributor and TribLive reporter Colin Williams to share what we know so far. Then, newsletter editor senior Francesca Dabecco joins the team to talk about never-ending construction on Penn Ave, development plans in the Lower Hill, a sneak preview of Pittsburgh's newest concert venue, and Isaly's return to the Strip District. (How much will they charge for a chipped ham sandwich?!)

Come work with us! We're hiring an audience development manager and podcast contributors. Learn more about the roles here. The deadline to apply is Monday, March 16.

Notes and references from today’s show:

Learn more about the sponsors of this March 13th episode:

AIDS Free Pittsburgh

Heinz History Center

Liberty Magic

The Westmoreland

Carnegie Library

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.

Whether you want a classic apple pie or a bold frangipane fruit tart, there's something for everyone to enjoy on Pi Day in Pittsburgh! Producer Sophia Lo and newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco are rounding up the tasty deals and pop-ups to celebrate the occasion this Saturday (both with and without the math), plus sharing their favorite places to get pie any time of the year.

Learn more about the sponsors of this March 12th episode:

AIDS Free Pittsburgh

Heinz History Center

Liberty Magic

The Westmoreland

Carnegie Library

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.

Immigrants make up an outsized share of Pittsburgh's entrepreneurial community, but a surge in ICE arrests is hurting immigrant-owned businesses on both sides of the counter. Alice Crow, lead Pittsburgh reporter at Technical.ly, joins executive producer Mallory Falk to explain how fear of deportation is keeping customers and employees at home and discouraging foreign-born residents from starting new businesses. Plus, she shares how people who are less at risk can support local spots that are dealing with the fallout from ICE.

Learn more about the sponsors of this March 11th episode:

AIDS Free Pittsburgh

Heinz History Center

Liberty Magic

The Westmoreland

Carnegie Library

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.

You might have a few pots of herbs and flowers in your backyard, but what if you want to dream bigger? Maybe you're thinking of raising some chickens and building a coop, or you've decided this is the year to install an in-ground pool and buy that sauna from Costco. But before you make a trip to Home Depot, we're here to help you review Pittsburgh's rules for how many animals you can keep, what you need a permit for, and more. We're bringing back an episode with Host Megan Harris, newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco, and prize-winning gardener Kaydi Gratzer, where they talk through what's allowed and what's off limits in your Pittsburgh backyard.

Need a refresh? We've put our do's and don'ts up on our website, and head over to OneStopPGH to apply for a permit for your next DIY. 

**This episode originally aired on August 4, 2025.

Still have a question about your backyard? Call or text the HELP ME hotline at 412-212-8893.

Learn more about the sponsors of this March 10th episode:

AIDS Free Pittsburgh

Heinz History Center

Liberty Magic

The Westmoreland

Carnegie Library

Your City Could Be Better

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. 

We threw out a challenge to City Cast Pittsburgh contributor and Post-Gazette dining critic Hal B. Klein: Where can you get a meal in Pittsburgh after midnight? He joins host Megan Harris to round up over 20 delicious spots and what to order. Plus, Hal shares how immigrants are behind the latest resurgence in Pittsburgh's last-night dining scene.

City Cast Pittsburgh is also celebrating our 1,000th episode! Make sure you're following us on Instagram @CityCastPgh for a special upcoming giveaway to mark the milestone.

Learn more about the sponsors of this March 9th episode:

AIDS Free Pittsburgh

Heinz History Center

Liberty Magic

The Westmoreland

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.