City Cast Pittsburgh

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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Do you know how zoning laws affect Pittsburgh’s housing costs? New Haven, CT, has been governed for years by restrictive zoning that made it physically impossible to build tall buildings downtown, even for housing — that is, until the local government finally aligned to overturn it. City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with Eli Sabin, a New Haven native and one of the alders (aka city council members) responsible for passing this change in recent months. Eli spent years working toward this goal, and he talks with David about what now needs to happen to fully realize its potential and increase affordability for locals.

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It’s not a given that every Pittsburgher will chip in to help their community. In this episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with writer Taylor Lahey about how functional incentives could be the missing link in traditional systems of donations and volunteering. Inspired by a waste exchange program in Curitiba, Brazil, Lahey is working to create circular systems that effectively incentivize donations and just as effectively get them into the hands of those who need them. When investment and morale are low, sometimes an unconventional approach is the right way to go.

Want to hear your question on an upcoming episode of Your City Could Be Better? Submit your city dilemmas for our upcoming call-in show by using our Google Form: https://forms.gle/45X33jhGHf8BYDM5A 

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

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Allegheny County's paid parental leave proposal has sparked tons of debate, and now the conversation has veered somewhere darker. Host Megan Harris is joined by executive producer Mallory Falk and contributor and Pittsburgh City Paper managing editor Colin Williams to unpack some misinformation surrounding the proposal and why speculation about County Executive Sara Innamorato's pregnancy crossed a line. Plus, a lawsuit is challenging Market Square's new youth curfew and chaperone policies, the Parkway East is (probably) reopening ahead of schedule, and Steelers training camp kicks off next week. And on today’s members-only bonus, City Cast’s Owen Gabbey and Sophia Lo get into The Odyssey lore and where to watch 70mm films, even though Pittsburgh doesn’t have the biggest and best screens. 

Today is also Sophia’s final day as our full-time producer. But good news! They’ll stay in rotation on the podcast as a City Cast Pittsburgh contributor. Stay in touch with Sophia and help them make an amazing food podcast here.

Heads up: We're taking a summer planning break next week, which means you won't see the podcast in your feed. We'll be prepping for what's ahead: extra juicy content, new voices on the team, and even an additional newsletter launching this fall. We'll be back in your inbox and feed on Aug. 3.

Notes and references from today’s show:

Learn more about the sponsor of this Friday, July 24th episode:

YWCA Greater Pittsburgh

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Beloved documentarian Rick Sebak has spent 50 years in public broadcasting, and WQED is celebrating with a Summer of Sebak marathon. (We'll for sure be tuning in for classics like Kennywood Memories and A Hot Dog Program.) In honor of this milestone, we're bringing back our conversation with the legend himself about where he gets his ideas, the one local story he's still dying to tell, and the rites of passage that make someone a true Pittsburgher.

Check out the Summer of Sebak schedule.

**This conversation originally published October 11, 2023.

Learn more about the sponsor of this Monday, July 23rd episode:

YWCA Greater Pittsburgh

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

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Downtown Pittsburgh has seen a lot of investment lately, from a revamped Market Square to the newly built Arts Landing. Now City Council's considering a proposal that would divert future tax revenue from construction in Downtown and parts of the North Shore and Strip District to fund Downtown revitalization projects. Supporters say the special tax district — known as a TRID — is a once-in-a-generation investment tool, but critics say it's essentially robbing two neighborhoods to pay for another. TribLive's Julia Burdelski is with host Megan Harris to talk through the pros and cons and how soon we might see movement on the proposal.

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Pittsburgh's weather has been on a tear. After days of wildfire smoke, forecasters are warning that severe storms could bring damaging winds, hail, flash flooding, and even tornadoes. Host Megan Harris is joined by executive producer Mallory Falk and interim producer Laura Tsutsui to talk about what to expect, why 2026 has been such an active year for severe weather, and the safety reminders every Pittsburgher should know. Plus, we play another round of Two Truths & a Lie, catch up on a few local headlines Megan missed while she was away, and share the best events happening around town this week once the skies clear.

If you enjoyed listening to today's interview with Catlyn Brooke, Events Manager, from Bike Pittsburgh, learn more.
Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, July 21st episode:
YWCA Greater Pittsburgh

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. 

Everyone on social media is sharing the five things they think are worth the money, and we're hopping on the trend! Producer (and treatmaster) Sophia Lo is with audience development manager Rachel Carlson and interim newsletter editor Laura Tsutsu to share what's worth the splurge in Pittsburgh, from season passes and chef's counter dinners to river excursions and fancy cold brew.

We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag.

Learn more about the sponsors of this Monday, July 20th episode:

Woodward Summer Camps

YWCA Greater Pittsburgh

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. 

Sometimes it can feel like the Pittsburgh government is two (or more) steps behind the needs of its neighborhoods. Enter the residents of Chattanooga, Tennessee. What Chattanoogans don’t have, they make up for in advocacy, whether by showing up to city council and organizing for change or just doing things themselves. City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with creator and city lover Hope Henchey about how she and her neighbors are sneakily and secretly fixing up their city. You’ve heard of the Nashville bench builders — now get ready for the Chattanooga pothole fillers, sidewalk layers, and (literal) trail blazers.

Mentioned on the show:

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

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