City Cast Pittsburgh

By City CastSociety & Culture News Daily News

City Cast Pittsburgh episodes

March 13, 20246 Free Things To Get With Your Library Card
When Andrew Carnegie started opening libraries in southwest Pennsylvania in the 1890s, he wanted to bring books and knowledge to everyone — not just those who could afford to pay. Now libraries are taking that spirit beyond the printed word, offering everything from power tools to ukuleles to genealogy databases. We’re exploring the unique collections available for you to check out at local libraries.
**This conversation originally published May 30, 2023.
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15 min
March 12, 2024Why Pittsburgh Has a Ghost Bus Problem
If you live in parts of the South Hills or the East End, getting around by bus or on the T might be pretty easy for you. But that’s not true for big portions of our city and county. Today we’re with the grassroots advocacy group Pittsburghers for Public Transit to talk about our regional provider, Pittsburgh Regional Transit, including what PPT loves, what data shows isn’t working, and the group’s vision for what public transit could be here in the Burgh.
Thanks to our guest, PPT’s executive director, Laura Chu Wiens, and check out their upcoming event, Transit Worker Appreciation Day on Monday, March 18.
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
March 11, 20241-Star Reviews of Pittsburgh’s Most Iconic Places
The humble user review — taken alone, is just one person’s opinion. But put a bunch together, and that aggregated star rating can make or break a local business. So today, we’re going inside the minds of the people leaving one-star reviews for some of our favorite Pittsburgh places. Producer and quizmaster Elizabeth Kauma puts host Megan Harris and newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco to the test. Can they guess famous Pittsburgh landmarks based only on one-star reviews? Who knows Pittsburgh’s haters best?
Check your answers as you play along.
Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.
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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
March 08, 2024City Cats, When To Call 311 & Wins for Monroeville and the South Hills
It’s the Friday news roundup! The Monroeville Convention Center won’t be turned into a Hobby Lobby after all, Pittsburgh is partially resuming its spay and neuter program, and Allegheny County Council voted against a ceasefire resolution this week. Plus, we’re talking about Vision Zero and how you can participate in 311 Day in Pittsburgh.
Thanks to our guest and national 311 Day founder, Armin Samii. Check out his work at dashcam.bike
We always cite our sources:
Latrobe is now in the Banana Hall of Fame!
Hear Monroeville Mayor Nick Gresock joyously telling us the convention center had been saved.
The city paused its spay and neuter program last month, and it’s back, but there’s a catch. For now, it’s only for feral cats. Officials paused because they say suburbanites were faking city addresses.
The South Hills is finally getting snow removal help with a new public works facility.
Allegheny County Council voted 9-3 against passing a ceasefire resolution. Back in October, they passed a resolution “condemning Hamas and supporting justice and safety for the Israeli and Palestinian people.” Here’s the viral moment from Councilman Bob Macey.
BikePittsburgh has a great page up explaining the whole concept of Vision Zero. The city says it is prioritizing the most dangerous locations with a “High Injury Network” map. Here’s one of the city’s DOMI engineers, Panini Chowdhury, trying to explain near miss data City Council.
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 07, 2024 Irish Eats, St. Practice Day & How to Celebrate St. Patrick’s in Pittsburgh
It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day, which means it’s time for St. Practice Day! We’re sharing what that is, how to make the most of both weekends, and where to find some delicious Irish bites here in the Burgh. Plus, we’re mythbusting one long-held legend about Pittsburgh’s biggest parade.
Learn more about volunteering with PAAR here.
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 06, 2024Why Does Pittsburgh Have So Many Sisters?
President Dwight D. Eisenhower launched the sister cities program after World War II, and in the decades since, Pittsburgh has become an especially popular international partner. How do these diplomatic hook-ups happen, who greenlights the matches, and how did Pittsburgh end up with so many? Kathy Risko, former director of the Sister Cities Association of Pittsburgh, says some of it is personality, but a lot goes back to steel.
Michelle King is the new contact for the organization, and if you want to suggest a new sister city, you can email her at [email protected].
*Editor’s note: This episode originally published Wednesday, Sept. 13, 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.
14 min
March 05, 2024Solar Eclipse Hacks, Police Staffing & Steelers Want a Sauna
The Steelers brought home their report card, and let’s just say their grades would probably get you grounded. The total solar eclipse is just a month away, and we’re sharing tips on how to get the best view of this astronomical phenomenon. Plus, an update on the Monroeville Convention Center and how Pittsburgh's police staffing changes could affect you.
We always cite our sources:
A hotel closed in response to Monroeville’s convention center shutting down, but local and state officials have met to discuss the possibility of saving the convention center.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is making some changes to scheduling and their responses. The new Telephone Reporting Unit means police will respond to an estimated 50,000 calls a year instead of 200,000.
This year’s Steelers Report Card came out, and we ranked 28th out of 32 teams.
Newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco has all the details for everyone viewing the solar eclipse in Pittsburgh.
Erie is in the eclipse’s path of totality, and visitors have paid big bucks for a hotel room.
Find eclipse events in Erie or check out the Science Center’s Eclipse Extravaganza here in Pittsburgh.

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.
23 min
March 04, 2024Why Boomers Dominate Pittsburgh Housing
We love when Pittsburgh is first at something — but not this. A Redfin study says we have the highest percentage of large houses owned by Baby Boomers without children living at home, making it tough for Millennials to find homes to accommodate their growing families. But is it actually Boomers’ fault? We’re digging into the local market with journalist Matt Petras, who covered the trend for Pittsburgh City Paper.
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.
15 min
March 01, 2024The Esplanade, PPG & More Animal Deaths in Pittsburgh
It’s the Friday news roundup! The proposed Esplanade development on the North Side has generated a lot of buzz, but what are its odds of actually Ferris wheeling above the Ohio? We’ve got good news and bad news about a bunch of Pittsburgh animals, and PPG Industries is considering a change. Plus, we have a winner on the PA River of the Year!
We always cite our sources:
The Allegheny River was declared PA’s 2024 River of the Year, which includes a $10,000 prize to its nominating agency, Three Rivers Waterkeeper.
The Esplanade development was first proposed for Chateau in 2019, and it resurfaced recently with a few new features.
Lisa Freeman wants to build a local grocery store in Manchester.
PPG Industries announced an internal systemic review to consider whether their architectural coatings division still makes sense for their portfolio. The company has a wide collection of industrial grade products, in addition to their sometimes better known paints.
PPG’s Tim Knavish told Yahoo! Finance that the homebuying and selling boom was really good for business. If you’re curious about his favorite PPG color, check their YouTube.
About 70 animals died in a fire at Nate’s Reptile Rescue in South Park, but over 100 were saved. KDKA had a really informative report.
Per our recent conversation about the Pittsburgh Zoo, an official review found nothing awry. WPXI got an AZA official on the phone this week, and he confirmed we have not reapplied for accreditation yet.
The National Aviary in the North Side got a new Andean Condor, a little boy chick named Bud.
Today is National Pig Day. Celebrate tonight with the Pittsburgh Squealers at Voodoo Brewing in New Kensington.
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
February 29, 2024Goodbye Necromancer, Hello Novo Asian Food Hall
What’s new to eat and drink in the Burgh? Novo Asian Food Hall is finally opening in the Strip District Terminal; Girl Scout Cookies are inspiring drink pairings; Page’s will soon kick off ice cream season; and Pittsburgh is getting festivals for kosher eats, desserts, and vegan fare. Plus, why did Necromancer Brewing close in Ross Township? Get a taste of it all in today’s roundup.
We always cite our sources:
The owner of Necromancer Brewing spoke about why the brewery shut down. His quote was updated, and you can find the original quote through the Wayback Machine.
A brewer from Hitchhiker Brewing shared his thoughts on dealing with the PLCB.
East End Brewing drops its YOU ARE HERE Highland Park beer March 1
Want to drink beer and win prizes? Listen to our episode with Pittsburgh Brewers Guild.
It’s Girl Scout Cookie season! Check out Wigle Whiskey’s pairings.
Novo Asian Food Hall opens in the Strip District Terminal March 1
The DorStop in Dormont reopened under new ownership
Sweet Alchemy’s Sweet Horror is at VooDoo Brewing in New Kensington on March 24
Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle’s Big Nosh festival is April 7-9
The national Dessert Wars stops at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center April 27
VegFest’s new VegFair takes place May 4 in Point Breeze’s Rockwell Park
For more weekend events, visit our website and be sure to subscribe to the Hey Pittsburgh newsletter.
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.
27 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…