City Cast Pittsburgh

By City CastSociety & Culture News Daily News

City Cast Pittsburgh episodes

April 10, 2024Repairing McKnightmare & Other PennDOT Projects
Will construction ruin your commute? PennDOT recently announced new projects in the Pittsburgh area, and the City Cast Pittsburgh team is breaking down what improvements are coming to our roads and bridges. Plus, we’ve got updates on how to get around now that the Mon Incline is closed – again.
We always cite our sources:
PennDOT listed what construction projects are coming up and what projects are wrapping up in the Pittsburgh region.
The Pittsburgh Union Progress reporter Ed Blazina wrote about PennDOT’s projects and what to expect from the Commercial Street Bridge replacement.
Check out what the Commercial Street Bridge will look like once it’s completed and painted in Greenfield Green!
Improvements are also coming to other parts of the Parkway East and McKnight Road.
Sidewalk repairs are coming to the Hill District and Larimer.
The Monongahela Incline’s closed again, and this time, PRT is planning for an independent review of the system.
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
April 09, 2024Why Pgh Was Named Roller Coaster Capital of the World
Kennywood opens for the season on April 20th. To celebrate, we’re revisiting highlights from our conversation with local historian Mark Houser ahead of the amusement park’s 125th birthday last year. Hear how Kenny’s Grove became our beloved Kennywood, how its stewards tow the line between preservation and modernization, and which rides helped usher in a new wave in amusement park shenanigans.
Special thanks Pittsburgh Magazine for sharing their work, and to our guest Mark Houser for bringing Pittsburgh’s past back to life. His next antique skyscraper rooftop tour is June 8. Tickets are available here.
And check out the Kennywood episode of Defunctland here. It’s super fun and weird.
**This episode originally published April 19, 2023.
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.
17 min
April 08, 2024Why Gray Homes Are Red Flags & More Pgh Homebuying Tips
We’re heading into peak real estate season at a time when interest rates are really high – so what does that mean for homebuyers in Pittsburgh? Local real estate broker Jessica Baker joins us to share tips for buyers and sellers and talk about which pockets of the city are still somewhat affordable. Plus, host Megan Harris puts Jessica to the test and sees how she would describe some zanier home features…as seen on Zillow.
Check out our previous conversation with Jessica to learn whether Pittsburgh potties count as half-baths.
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.
22 min
April 05, 2024Out-of-the-Box Burials, AI Home Tours & Pgh’s Lifeguard Search
It’s the Friday news roundup! City Cast contributor Meg St-Esprit joins the team to talk about how AI is changing the local real estate market – and what it was like to take a virtual reality tour of an iconic Pittsburgh mansion. We also discuss shifting norms around funerals and burials as the Pittsburgh region becomes less religious, and the city’s latest push to hire enough lifeguards to open our pools this summer.
We always cite our sources:
Read Meg’s reporting about the rise in non-religious funerals in PublicSource.
Check out her story about how technology is changing the homebuying process in Pittsburgh Magazine.
The City of Pittsburgh is officially recruiting lifeguards for the summer.
You can learn more about becoming a lifeguard and start an application here.
Lifeguard shortages are a national problem – and in some communities, seniors are stepping up to fill the gap.
Vote for us for best podcast in Pittsburgh Magazine’s Best of the ‘Burgh contest!
Learn more about our sponsor, Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh-Oakland, and their upcoming Comedy Showcase in the Jones & Laughlin Ballroom. Tickets for Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. are on sale now on Facebook at Facebook.com/HotelindigoPTC.
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.
29 min
April 04, 2024 How to Get Free Food on Your Birthday in Pittsburgh
It is Producer Sophia Lo’s birthday! To celebrate, we’re rounding up some of the best birthday freebies and discounts in Pittsburgh, from sweet treats to full meals.
Have a favorite local freebie that we didn’t mention? Let us know, and your answer might be featured on the show! Call or text us at 412-212-8893.
Learn more about our sponsor, Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh-Oakland, and their upcoming Comedy Showcase in the Jones & Laughlin Ballroom. Tickets for Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. are on sale now on Facebook at Facebook.com/HotelindigoPTC.
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.
20 min
April 03, 2024How Did 19,000 Jagr Bobbleheads Get Stolen?
It’s the case of the missing bobbleheads: thousands of miniature Jaromir Jagrs were stolen last month! How does that even happen? With the help of our friend Rob Rossi, senior writer at The Athletic, we’re breaking down the heist that got the attention of Pittsburgh Penguins fans…and even the FBI!
Check out Rossi’s play-by-play in the Athletic and find out how you can claim your bobblehead if you received a voucher.
Learn more about our sponsor, Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh-Oakland, and their upcoming Comedy Showcase in the Jones & Laughlin Ballroom. Tickets for Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. are on sale now on Facebook at Facebook.com/HotelindigoPTC.
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
April 02, 2024Pittsburgh Pranks, Plastic Bag Bans & More Doulas
Have businesses actually stopped giving out plastic bags since a citywide ban went into effect? A new report from PennEnvironment provides a first look at compliance rates. Plus, a new documentary looks at the Black birthing experience in Pittsburgh – at the same time the state is expanding access to doulas. And it turns out our city has a high percentage of pranksters (at least according to one study).
We always cite our sources:
Pittsburgh was rated the top Prankster City in the U.S. by casino.org
PennEnvironment studied whether businesses are complying with Pittsburgh’s plastic bag ban
TribLive looked into the ban’s rollout and enforcement
We discussed the plastic bag ban – and the effectiveness of similar measures – on City Cast Pittsburgh
WESA reported on state efforts to expand doula access
Learn more about PA’s Momnibus Package
Get tickets to Her Dreams: A Story of the Future of Black Birth this Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater.
Learn more about our sponsor, Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh-Oakland, and their upcoming Comedy Showcase in the Jones & Laughlin Ballroom. Tickets for Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. are on sale now on Facebook at Facebook.com/HotelindigoPTC.
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.
21 min
April 01, 2024Your Guide to April in Pittsburgh
From eclipse parties to plant sales to a “dessert beer extravaganza,” there’s plenty to keep you busy in Pittsburgh this month. The City Cast team is here to share the festivals, markets, and cookoffs that caught our eyes – and help you plan your perfect April.
Here are a few of the City Casty things we mentioned in today’s show:
Solar eclipse viewing at the Allegheny Observatory and Kimpton Hotel Monaco
What The Muck?! at Lake Elizabeth in Allegheny Commons
Dirt Day! at East End Food Co-op
Plant Sale and Indie Mart at WorkshopPGH
Vintage Pittsburgh at Heinz History
Market Square Spring Market
Three Rivers Beer Week
Le Tour de Donut along the River Trail
Mt. Washington Soup & Chili Cookoff
Dessert Wars at the Convention Center
Pittsburgh Humanities Festival in the Cultural District
Holi Carnival at Carrie Blast Furnaces
Steel City Grand Slam at City of Asylum
Yinzerfest at the Convention Center
For more events, check out Hey Pittsburgh’s guide to April and food festival roundup.
Learn more about our sponsor, Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh-Oakland, and their upcoming Comedy Showcase in the Jones & Laughlin Ballroom. Tickets for Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. are on sale now on Facebook at Facebook.com/HotelindigoPTC.
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.
25 min
March 29, 2024Medical Dramas, Tax Exemptions & Why Barges Can’t Hurt A Pgh Bridge
It’s the Friday news roundup! A bridge collapsed in Baltimore — could something similar play out here? Mayor Ed Gainey’s trying, once again, to generate taxes from UPMC and other tax-exempt properties. And a new Pittsburgh-based medical drama called “The Pitt” is in the works. Plus, we’ve got some fun Easter news, a comprehensive plan update, and a very happy groundhog arrival.
What very Pittsburgh storyline would you love to see from Max’s new show? Call or text us at 412-212-8893.
We always cite our sources:
Pittsburgh was named one of the best places to celebrate Easter.
Mayor Ed Gainey is challenging the tax exempt status of more than 100 more city properties.
The Trib wrote about the bridge collapse in Baltimore and how the circumstances compare to what happens along Pittsburgh waterways.
Learn more about our river traffic from City Paper’s “Where the Heck are Pittsburgh’s River Barges Going?”
PublicSource has a great story about how the city basically ignored warnings about Fern Hollow for years.
Max (new HBO) is launching a new medical drama called “The Pitt,” which will be set in Pittsburgh. Check out Reddit’s ideas for some very Steel City storylines. The executive producer, John Wells, graduated from CMU. The Pittsburgh Film Office says it’s not expected to be filmed here.
Punxsutawney Phil and his groundhog wife Phyllis welcomed two healthy pups this week.
Did you know Phil lives forever? Here are four fun “Phil phacts” from the Hey Pittsburgh newsletter.
Here’s how you can get involved with the city’s first ever Comprehensive Plan process.
Learn more about our sponsor, the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh and their Racial Justice Challenge, at ywcapgh.org.
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.
28 min
March 28, 2024The New Way to Start a Restaurant in Pittsburgh
In 2023, chef Nik Forsberg was a James Beard semi-finalist for his pop-up concept Fet-Fisk, aka greasy fish, which prioritizes sustainably sourced seafood, local meats, and veggies from Nik’s own garden. So what does it take to turn a popular pop-up into a thriving brick-and-mortar business? Hear what he grows, how he approaches his menus, and all the plans behind Bloomfield’s newest restaurant.
**This episode originally aired Thursday, March 30th, 2023.
Learn more about our sponsor, the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh and their Racial Justice Challenge, at ywcapgh.org
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

About City Cast Pittsburgh

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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…