City Cast Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh officially has its own Walk of Fame and Michael Keaton showed up to celebrate. (Too bad his name was spelled wrong on his plaque!) Host Megan Harris was there for the ceremony and shares the highlights, including a touching moment from Fred Rogers' children. She, executive producer Mallory Falk, and producer Sophia Lo also discuss a compromise over the Penn Avenue bike lane, a new plan to get rid of abandoned boats along the North Shore, and why the Pens gave up exclusive development rights to the Lower Hill.

Notes and references from today’s show:

Got an idea for a very Pittsburgh Halloween costume? Call or text us our HALLOWEEN COSTUME HOTLINE at  412-212-8893.

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Your Halloween haul's probably gonna include plenty of Pennsylvania-made candy, and we're not just talking Hershey bars. Our state boasts one of the largest candy economies in the nation, so we're testing how much the City Cast Pittsburgh team knows about the sweet treats produced all around the Commonwealth. Quizmaster and contributor Kevin Gavin's in the house, and we want you to play along! 

Craving more candy trivia? We've got another round of questions about Pennsylvania's homemade treats. 

**This episode originally aired on October 31, 2024.

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The Frick

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Everyone agrees Pittsburgh needs more housing, but how to build it — and ensure at least some of it is affordable — is trickier. Mayor Ed Gainey proposed a package of ideas last year that included requiring developers to set aside affordable units in big, new buildings. Then came a competing proposal. Then months of talks. At the end, deputy mayor Jake Pawlak says he thought the city had found a compromise with City Councilor Erika Strassburger. Host Megan Harris is back with Pawlak talking about why he says the mayor's office was “blindsided” by her recent amendment to Gainey’s plan — and why Gainey may veto it if he gets the chance.

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The Frick

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Mayor Ed Gainey is on his way out, but not before a new city budget gets passed. Critics are calling his 2026 plan “sloppy,” “spiteful,” and “an indication of mismanagement.” Gainey says the budget is sound. His right hand man, deputy mayor Jake Pawlak, sits down with host Megan Harris to defend the proposal and its bright spots, how we’re dealing with the loss of the jock tax, and whether we can cover all the overtime when the NFL Draft comes to town next year.

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 21st episode:

The Frick

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Planned Parenthood of Western PA

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Today is the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 4 election, which feels like a good time to take stock of how well our elections actually work. There are lots of ideas for improving the voting process in Pennsylvania, from opening our primaries to making Election Day a holiday. Host Megan Harris joins State Rep. Chris Rabb and Armin Samii, a volunteer with March on Harrisburg, to discuss some recent proposals — and learn what ranked choice voting has in common with Baskin-Robbins.

Check out RCVis, Armin's ranked choice voting data visualization tool, and read up on the history of closed primaries in PA.

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 20th episode:

AIDS Free Pittsburgh

The Frick

Family House

Pittsburgh Opera

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All the drama around inclusionary zoning is back and bigger than ever. Mayor Ed Gainey might even veto an affordable housing bill he’s been pushing for over a year. Pittsburgh International Airport “can’t accommodate” a controversial video from Trump’s Department of Homeland Security, and its officials are preparing for the new terminal's big reveal — including a lot of help from a bunch of “celebrity personas” like PA’s own Taylor Swift. Host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk and producer Sophia Lo explain what to expect, the latest on City Paper, and why the biggest party of the year might just take place inside a 12-foot Millvale raccoon.

Notes and references from today’s show:

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

Heinz History Center

AIDS Free Pittsburgh

Liberty Magic

Pittsburgh Opera

Planned Parenthood of Western PA

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Lots of Pittsburghers love a haunted house, but getting spooked doesn't excuse bad behavior. Host Megan Harris is with three leaders of the Pittsburgh Haunters Club — Dave Archer, Stacey Federoff, and Allie Lampman-Sims — and they're all sharing etiquette tips and best practices so you get the most of your haunt experience, all without stepping on the toes of the actors. Plus, they've got recommendations for nearby haunted attractions for hardcore horror fans, scaredy cats, and everyone in between.

Check out more Halloween fun (and scares!) on our website, and learn about upcoming ghoulish gatherings with the Pittsburgh Haunters Club.

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

Heinz History Center

AIDS Free Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Opera

Planned Parenthood of Western PA

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Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, and Pittsburghers will be voting for the next mayor. The race is between Democrat Corey O'Connor and Republican Tony Moreno. Ahead of the spring primary, we asked each candidate to tell us why they're the right person to lead our city, and we're bringing back those conversations before you step into the voting booth. Today, host Megan Harris is talking to Tony Moreno, a retired police detective who served for more than 20 years. This is his second consecutive bid for mayor.

The voter registration deadline is October 20, and you can fill out your form (and check your voter registration) on Allegheny County's website. 

**This episode originally aired on May 5, 2025.

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 15th episode:

Heinz History Center

AIDS Free Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Opera

Planned Parenthood of Western PA

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On Nov. 4, Democrat Corey O'Connor will face off against Republican Tony Moreno to become Pittsburgh's next mayor. Ahead of the primary in May, we asked each mayoral candidate to explain why they're the right person to lead our city, and we're bringing back those conversations to help you make informed decisions in the voting booth.

First, we're revisiting host Megan Harris' interview with Corey O'Connor. He's served as Allegheny County Controller — the county’s top financial watchdog — since 2022, and was an elected member of City Council for over 10 years in District 5. He's also the son of our late former Mayor Bob O'Connor.

**This episode originally aired on April 21, 2025. 

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 14th episode:

Heinz History Center

AIDS Free Pittsburgh

Liberty Magic

Pittsburgh Opera

Planned Parenthood of Western PA

Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

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

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Pennsylvania's judicial retention race is heating up, and there's a mailer going around with really misleading information. Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato released a draft of the next county budget, and there's no tax increase, but Pittsburgh Public Schools is thinking differently. We're also talking about Walmart's pitch to demolish the Monroeville Mall, but there's also some good news. Pennsylvania's getting glamping sites with incredible amenities, and lots of books are on sale to celebrate Banned Books Week.

Notes and references from today’s show:

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

Fulton Commons

YWCA

Liberty Magic

Pittsburgh Opera

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