City Cast Pittsburgh

By City CastSociety & Culture News Daily News

City Cast Pittsburgh episodes

March 27, 2024Why Is Your Bus Late? It's Complicated
Have you ever been frustrated by a PRT bus or train showing up late – or not showing up at all? Could new state funding lead to a stronger local transit system? We’re sitting down with Katharine Kelleman, CEO of Pittsburgh Regional Transit, to talk about plans for a bus line redesign, her goal to get more drivers behind the wheel, and what’s really going on that local buses are late one-third of the time.
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.
21 min
March 26, 2024Remember When the Pirate Parrot Sold Drugs?
The Buccos are almost back! So while you’re settling in for Opening Day this week, we’re looking to yesteryear and our beloved Pirate Parrot. The shaggy, round, lime green goofball feels ubiquitous to us now, but he actually has a birthday and a backstory, plus a bunch of wild stories behind the men who’ve worn the suit. We’re with author and former Mr. Met AJ Mass to talk about the sordid history of our Buccos’ best luck charm and biggest curse.
Check out AJ’s book, “Yes, It’s Hot in Here: Adventures in the Weird, Woolly World of Sports Mascots,” in print or ebook.
**This episode originally aired Wednesday, April 26th, 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.
18 min
March 25, 2024Why the White House Cares About US Steel
Late last year, the Japanese company Nippon Steel announced plans to acquire an iconic Pittsburgh brand, U.S. Steel, for a staggering amount of money: nearly $15 billion. But since then, there’s been a lot of criticism – from the local steelworkers union all the way up to the White House. So what’s behind the pushback, and what’s next for U.S. Steel?
Thanks to our guest, Chris Briem. Chris is a regional economist with the Urban & Regional Analysis program at the University of Pittsburgh’s University Center for Social and Urban Research. Check out some of his recent work:
Medium, on his hopes for a former steel town: Clairton is dead, long live Clairton
Medium (this is the one Megan mentions at the end!): When Pittsburgh said no
PublicSource: U.S. Steel’s acquisition will end a difficult marriage that forged — and constrained — Pittsburgh’s identity
And read more about the latest on the deal and the federal review process via Bloomberg, plus the position of Pennsvlania’s two U.S. Senators and commonwealth-native President Joe Biden in the Pittsburgh Business Times.
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
March 22, 2024A Bridge Glow Up, Mister Rogers Trivia & The Dukes Go Dancing
It’s the Friday news roundup! A familiar Pittsburgh voice — former host of 90.5 WESA’s The Confluence, Kevin Gavin — joins the team to talk about where you can see local cherry blossoms, Duquesne basketball, and new West End Bridge designs that hope to “complete the loop” of Pittsburgh trails. Plus, newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco quizzes Kevin and host Megan Harris on their Mister Rogers knowledge in honor of Fred’s birthday week.
We always cite our sources:
Hosting NCAA Tournament games means millions of dollars for hotels, restaurants, and bars with thousands of college sports fans flooding into town.
Check out this Duquesne basketball player’s athletic clothing line!
Kevin talked to Riverlife executive director Matthew Galluzzo for WESA two years ago. At the time, he said the West End Bridge connection is the largest remaining gap in Pittsburgh's Downtown network and a major missing link for some regional trail systems” — all part of their Completing the Loop plan.
The West End Bridge project comes via a $2 million grant from the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County’s Trail Development Fund.
Did you know the Mister Rogers trivia? Here’s 4 fun facts about the sweaters he wore in Mister Rogers Neighborhood.

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
March 21, 2024Pittsburgh’s Booze History, Favorite Cocktails & A Spicy New Brewery
National Cocktail Day is this Sunday, so we’re pulling up our bar stools to bask in Pittsburgh’s boozy legacy, from the Whiskey Rebellion and Prohibition to modern makers and mixers. City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris and newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco share some reader and listener favorites and introduce you to Jackworth Ginger Beer, a new brewery in Larimer that’s creating cocktails steeped in the spirits of Pennsylvania.
A few previous episodes we mentioned today:
Fet-Fisk chef and owner Nik Forsberg on his vision for the new brick and mortar
One of our favorites, Clarisa Espinoza-Delgado, on how to be a good coffee customer
Dan Tallarico’s roundup of the best pizzas in Pittsburgh
And Sarah McAlee (aka the Brothmonger) shares her pro tips for soup season
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
March 20, 2024Meet the Man Trying To Stop Nonexistent Voter Fraud
For a little over a year now, an informal group of Republican activists has been challenging our local voter rolls. They’ve filed thousands of challenges — all alleging that because someone moved, that means that they should be wiped from the Allegheny County voter logs. But the thing is, the county already takes care of that. So today, we’re talking about how all this got started, what officials are saying about it, and what you can do as a voter to protect your vote if one of these letters comes your way.
Thanks to our guests, reporters Julia Zenkevich and Charlie Wolfson. Read their full piece in PublicSource, and listen to the story via WESA.
Check your voter registration status here on the state’s website.
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
March 19, 2024Rick Sebak on Gumbands, Storytelling & Pgh Rites of Passage
If you polled a bunch of Pittsburghers and asked who’s the most beloved person in our city, it’s safe to say today’s guest would show up on that list. Rick Sebak is known for his TV documentaries on WQED. And now, he’s dipping his toes into audio. Rick joins us to talk about his podcast, Gumbands, the one Pittsburgh story he’s still dying to tell, and the local rites of passage that make someone a true Pittsburgher.
**This conversation originally published October 11, 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.
20 min
March 18, 2024How to Score Great Deals at Mac.Bid in Pittsburgh
Return or ripoff? Costsaver or scam? Pittsburghers love a deal, so when the discount stores housed under Mac.bid came to town, plenty of yinz spent your money without getting redd up on how it actually works. City Cast’s Elizabeth Kauma and Megan Harris are exploring how it got here, what to do so you don’t buy a dud, and whether these liquidation emporiums are worth the risk at all.
We love to cite our sources:
The National Retail Federations 2022 report on returns.
Mac.Bid’s Better Business Bureau page.
Marketplace’s dive into the wild world of liquidation.
The Atlantic’s journey into the warehouses that process returns.
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
March 15, 2024Star Lake Parking, PA Family Leave & the Pandemic Turns 4
It’s the Friday news roundup! Can you believe it’s been four years since the pandemic started? Local journalist and host of KDKA Radio’s Saturday show Natalie Bencivenga joins host Megan Harris and newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco to take stock of our recovery and the state of family leave in Pittsburgh. Plus, are you going to a show at Star Lake this summer? We’re sharing pavilion parking woes and a wacky new way to get to Burgettstown!
Help us with an upcoming show!
What’s your favorite cocktail? Is it on the menu somewhere or do you ask for something special? Or maybe you have a favorite cocktail bar? What do you love about it? Call or text us with your love letters to 412-212-8893. If you include your name and neighborhood, you might just hear it on the show!
We always cite our sources:
Check out photos from 1993’s “storm of the century” in Pittsburgh Magazine.
It’s the anniversary of the shutdown in Pittsburgh, but the pandemic isn’t really over. The Allegheny County Health Department shows about 1,600 current coronavirus cases, and the New York Times is tracking about 100 area hospitalizations.
Paid family leave is money you receive from your employer, an insurer, or the government while you are away from work for an extended period of time so you can take care of a seriously ill family member or bond with your newborn or newly adopted child. It’s different from paid time off like sick pay.
There’s legislation in PA called the “Family Care Act,” which aims to provide essential support for families caring for loved ones and alleviates financial burdens. You can sign a support letter at FamilyCareAct.com.
The Burgh Bus wants to take the hassle and headache out of your summer concert going experience. Catch a ride with them over to Star Lake for $45 per person.

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.
30 min
March 14, 2024Pittsburgh Pi Day, Donut Rides & Farm-To-Table Beer
Vote on your favorite strawberry pretzel jello salad at an upcoming festival, get a craft beer in Butler County at a reimagined farm-to-table restaurant, and check out vegan donuts at our favorite bagel place. Plus, we’ve got the tastiest treats to help you celebrate Pi Day in Pittsburgh! City Cast’s Francesca Dabecco and Owen Gabbey are sharing their faves.
Help us with an upcoming show!
What’s your favorite cocktail? Is it on the menu somewhere or do you ask for something special? Or maybe you have a favorite cocktail bar? What do you love about it? Call or text us with your love letters to 412-212-8893. If you include your name and neighborhood, you might just hear it on the show!
We always cite our sources:
Check out this roundup from the Hey Pittsburgh newsletter for 14 places to get pie in Pittsburgh for Pi Day!
Pizza is pie, too. Listen back to our guide to The Best Pizzas in Pittsburgh episode.
We also listed the best New Food Festivals Coming to Pittsburgh. Make sure you’re subscribed to the newsletter to get the best food news delivered every day at 6 a.m.

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

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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…