City Cast Pittsburgh

City Cast Pittsburgh

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City Cast Pittsburgh episodes

  • Where to Go Camping In and Around Pittsburgh

    If you want to go camping, where should you start? We’re back with Marcus Shoffner, founder of the Outdoor Inclusion Coalition, talking about favorite destinations in and around the city, his tips and tricks for a good experience, ways to borrow and learn how to use the right gear, and other low-stress ideas to get you started. Plus, an update on the overnight camping pilot he started in Riverview Park!

    Want to hear more about inclusivity in outdoor spaces? Check out our previous conversation with Marcus.

    Learn more about our sponsors: 

    • City of Asylum is hosting International Jazz Poetry Month from May 2 – 23 at Alphabet City. 
    • The Pittsburgh Opera is presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater.
    • Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

      Want more Pittsburgh news? 

      • Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter.
      • We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh.
      • Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.
      • Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

        24 min
      • Grading PA Governor Josh Shapiro’s TikTok

        A proposed TikTok ban just cleared the House, and Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering their own statewide restrictions on the video app. We’re wondering what a ban could mean for Governor Josh Shapiro, a “prolific poster” with a few viral TikToks under his belt. Producer Sophia Lo joins host Megan Harris to break down the latest legislation and scroll through the governor’s posts. Plus, a professional TikToker analyzes Shapiro’s account for us.

        Thanks to Chris Vazquez, audience engagement producer at The Marshall Project, for sharing his insights on Shapiro’s social media.

        Plus, it’s primary Election Day in Pennsylvania. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Check your polling place here, or listen to our voting guide on your way to vote!

        Here are a few of the stories we talked about in today’s episode:

        • Over the weekend, the House passed a bill that would ban TikTok if the parent company, ByteDance, doesn’t sell the app. 
        • Now that the bill has passed the House, here’s what might happen next in the Senate – and how TikTok could respond.
        • PA billionaire Jeff Yass has a connection to the national ban; he has a big stake in ByteDance. 
        • Friend of the pod Stephen Caruso reported on why Pennsylvania’s attempts to regulate social media haven’t been successful.
        • Watch with us! We reviewed Shapiro’s lottery and Béyonce TikToks, and you can find more from the governor on his account.
        • Learn more about our sponsors: 

          • City of Asylum is hosting International Jazz Poetry Month from May 2 – 23 at Alphabet City. 
          • The Pittsburgh Opera is presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater.
          • Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

            Want more Pittsburgh news? 

            • Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter.
            • We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh.
            • Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.
            • Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

              20 min
            • County Exec Sara Innamorato on Tiny Homes, Flooding & Property Reassessments

              Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato just marked one hundred days in office – and released a massive, 91-point plan for the county in the coming years. She joins us to talk about her main priorities, from affordable housing to a green economy. We also discuss the school district’s lawsuit against her office seeking a countywide property reassessment, and what she’s watching for in tomorrow’s primary election.

              You can read Innamorato’s plan and the results of her countywide survey here.

              Learn more about our sponsors: 

              • The Pittsburgh Opera is presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater.
              • City of Asylum is hosting International Jazz Poetry Month from May 2 through 23 at Alphabet City. 
              • Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

                Want more Pittsburgh news? 

                • Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter.
                • We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh.
                • Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.
                • Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

                  33 min
                • A New Bridge, A Missing Barge & What’s Next for the Westinghouse Site

                  It’s the Friday news roundup! We’re sharing a bunch of fun ways to beautify our natural spaces for Earth Day this weekend. After successfully deflecting Amazon, the former home of Westinghouse Electric is up for auction in Churchill, and the U.S. Coast Guard says we found the missing barge! Plus, host Megan Harris is sharing her joy for President Biden's Sheetz order and the soon-to-be-built, new and improved Davis Avenue Bridge. 

                  We always cite our sources:

                  • Over the weekend, 26 barges got loose on the Ohio River. One went missing, but the Coast Guard located it earlier this week.
                  • The Pittsburgh Business Times predicted the old Westinghouse campus could be used for retail.
                  • The 150-acre campus is considered an important example of postwar corporate architecture – and looks like a locomotive.
                  • The Davis Bridge was demolished in 2006, but reconstruction recently kicked off! The city says the bridge should be fully open in the fall.
                  • Pittsburgh was selected as one of the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities.
                  • Find a few ways to celebrate Earth Day around Pittsburgh, including lots of neighborhood cleanups.
                  • Pittsburgh’s getting a new music festival! Sudden Little Thrills takes place in September at Hazelwood Green.
                  • President Joe Biden made a quick stop at Sheetz during his visit to Pittsburgh.
                  • Former president Donald Trump was also in PA, and he’s currently facing four criminal cases.
                  • Heinz has a new bright pink limited-edition condiment, but the catch is that it’s only available in the U.K., Ireland, and Spain.
                  • Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera, presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater.

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

                    Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh!

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

                    31 min
                  • How and Where to Forage Mushrooms in Pittsburgh

                    Pennsylvania is the No. 1 cultivator of mushrooms in the country, but you can also find all sorts of fungi foraging in the woods. Spring and summer are a great time to look for mushrooms, and Esperanzo Wilcox, founder of the PA Mushroom Company, is here to share his tips for finding and identifying a few more coveted edible delicacies.

                    Check out our website to see pictures of Espo’s favorite mushrooms, plus more resources for beginners.

                    Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera, presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater.

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

                    Want more Pittsburgh news? 

                    • Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter.
                    • We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh.
                    • Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.
                    • Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

                      23 min
                    • How Dating Apps Killed Pgh’s Nightclub Scene

                      With the weather warming, crossing a bridge doesn’t feel quite so impossible. So if you want to go out and party this weekend, where should you go? Pittsburgh has options — Spirit, Belvedere’s, Cavo, and Club VIP — but the ‘Burgh used to have way more nightclubs that catered to a wider diversity of party-goers. We’re with City Paper’s Colin Williams about what happened to Pittsburgh’s nightlife scene. 

                      **This episode originally published on January 10, 2024.

                      Keep up with the pop-up parties by following Jellyfish, Hot Mass, and Slappers N Bangers on Instagram.

                      Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera, presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater.

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

                      Want more Pittsburgh news? 

                      • Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter.
                      • We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh.
                      • Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.
                      • Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. 


                        16 min
                      • Your 2024 PA Primary Guide

                        It’s a Presidential election year, and there are a bunch of state and local elections to watch for, too. But before November, we need to get through the primary on April 23! City Cast’s Megan Harris & Mallory Falk are talking through a few key races, plus what’s at stake next week. 

                        Check your polling place here, and learn more about the candidates via our Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. Take Spotlight PA’s candidate quiz, and watch WPXI’s debate between Summer Lee and Bhavini Patel for more on their stances on what’s happening in Gaza. A special shout out to WESA’s Chris Potter for his coverage of all these races, too.

                        Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera, presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5, at the Byham Theater.

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

                        Want more Pittsburgh news? 

                        • Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter.
                        • We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh.
                        • Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.
                        • Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

                          24 min
                        • The Best Dog-Friendly Spots in Pittsburgh

                          There’s a difference between spaces that allow our best pals and the ones that are truly dog friendly. Pet expert Tori Mistick of WearWagRepeat is with us to share her favorite local spots for a paw-fect Pittsburgh day — plus how to pack ahead, what to consider about temperament and environment, and the quick rules for her newly christened four-paw rating system.

                          **This episode originally published on August 1, 2023.

                          Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera, presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, April 27 through May 5 at the Byham Theater.

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

                          Want more Pittsburgh news? 

                          • Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter.
                          • We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh.
                          • Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.
                          • Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

                            18 min
                          • Bowhunting, Bathtub Cleanup and a New PPS Lawsuit

                            It’s the Friday news roundup! Pittsburgh Public Schools is suing Allegheny County to try and force a countywide property reassessment, and we’re breaking down why. The city’s expanding its deer management program, so look out for a call for more archers. Plus, the team’s talking about all the effort that goes into flood clean-up and sharing a couple ways to celebrate 412 Day.

                            Have any questions about property reassessments? Let us know, and your question might get answered in an upcoming episode. Call or text us at 412-212-8893.

                            We always cite our sources:

                            •  Friends of the Riverfront has a map on their website where you can check on alerts and detours for riverfront trails – and look for bathrooms!
                            • Pittsburgh Public Schools is suing Allegheny County and seeking a countywide property reassessment
                            • The move comes as the district stands to lose tax revenue from some of the city’s most iconic skyscrapers
                            • The City of Pittsburgh released their results for the deer management pilot program, and they’re planning to expand the program into more parks.
                            • Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

                              Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh!

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

                              33 min
                            • Where To Get Your Munchies on 420 in Pittsburgh

                              Recreational cannabis is still illegal in Pennsylvania, but you gotta eat, right? To mark 420, the City Cast Pittsburgh team has recommendations for places someone under the influence might get a tasty sip, snack, or full-blown comfort meal with their good vibes still intact. 

                              Need even more recommendations for munchies? Check out last year’s 420 episode, and if you need help navigating The Open Road, listen to our interview with owner Mel Babitz.

                              Catch up on the push for recreational marijuana legalization in this episode with Ed Mahon from SpotlightPA, plus his more recent reporting here.

                              If we missed your favorite local munchie, let us know what else we should be adding to our list! Call or text us at 412-212-8893.

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

                              Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh!

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

                              22 min

                            About City Cast Pittsburgh

                            From the publisher's feed

                            Join Megan Harris and the City Cast Pittsburgh team every weekday morning for a fast-paced daily news podcast that will get you talking and make you question what’s going on here in Western…

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