City Cast Pittsburgh

Join City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris alongside fellow hosts from Austin, Chicago, DC, Denver, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Portland, Salt Lake, Seattle, and the Twin Cities for a special episode that’ll help you knock out your holiday shopping early and support small businesses around the country. From a handlebar mount (and app!) that’ll turn your phone into a bike cam, to a mustard-of-the-month subscription box, our hosts are here to tell the stories of local businesses in their cities making cool stuff that you can order online right now.  Visit our website to find the full list of recommendations with links for holiday shopping! Learn more about the sponsor of this November 26th episode: AIDS Free 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 on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

99% of Pittsburgh's businesses are considered "small," and so many of our favorite small businesses make about a third of their revenue for the whole year during the holidays. So while you might be tempted by Amazon's Black Friday Deals, consider perusing a neighborhood's main street on Small Business Saturday instead. Host Megan Harris is with YaJagoff's Rachael Rennebeck to make the case for shopping small all year long. Feeling inspired to support small and local shops? Visit one of our many holiday markets to find the perfect gift. If you enjoyed today's interview with AIDS Free Pittsburgh's Chief Relationship officer and Project Director Director, Richard Smith, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsor of this November 25th episode: AIDS Free 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 on Instagram @CityCastPgh. Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

It's Pittsburgh's birthday week! To celebrate, we're diving into some history about how our city spells its name. Today, we all agree that Pittsburgh ends with an H, but in our earlier days, people were very split on the issue. We’re bringing back a conversation between host Megan Harris and historian and author Virginia Montanez to learn about the basic rules of how we spell things (really), why Pittsburgh was so bad at it (shocking), and how newspapermen and intellectuals made everything worse (¯\_(ツ)_/¯).  **This episode originally aired on July 22, 2024. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 24th episode: AIDS Free Pittsburgh Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership 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.

Good news for food truck lovers! The city just made it easier for mobile vendors to set up shop. Host Megan Harris and executive producer Mallory Falk share why new rules could open the door for taco trucks, mobile pizza ovens, and more in your favorite city park. Plus, they dig into new reports about Pittsburgh's hottest housing markets and richest neighborhoods, explain why it's not entirely a good thing that we lead the nation in home inheritance, and discuss a proposed cell phone ban in Pittsburgh public schools. Notes and references from today’s show: Where Are Americans Inheriting The Most Homes? [Coventry Direct] Pittsburgh leads the nation in inherited properties — but some become burdens, not blessings [P-G] All Allegheny County residents can now access free legacy planning under new program [WESA] Family sues after finding giant swastika-tiled floor under rug in newly bought Pa. home [PennLive] New rules take bite out of red tape for food trucks ahead of NFL [TribLive] Vending Policy Report [City of Pittsburgh] Pennsylvania’s Working Families Party pledges to support a primary challenger against Sen. John Fetterman [Philadelphia Inquirer] Striking Post-Gazette workers send company return-to-work offer [TribLive] Hazelwood rezoning gets 4-2 nod, despite railroad opposition [Public Source] PODCAST: Rezoning Pittsburgh’s ‘Rat Buffet’ [City Cast Pittsburgh] Pittsburgh Public Schools considering districtwide cell phone ban after stabbing [CBS Pittsburgh] Paving begins on Pittsburgh Mills roads while mall owner fights $11 million in fines [TribLive] Pittsburgh Mills property owners ordered to pay another $17.6 million in fines [TribLive] Fountain at Point State Park turns back on after construction [CBS Pittsburgh] Learn more about the sponsors of this November 21st episode: Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Handmade Arcade The Frick Family House AIDS Free 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.

'Tis the season for grabbing a festive cocktail at one (or 10) of Pittsburgh's holiday pop-up bars. With so many to choose from, how do you decide what's worth a visit? Food influencer Karen Hoang joins host Megan Harris to share her favorite spots and tips for planning the ultimate festive night out – or even an elaborate bar crawl. Want even more recommendations? Check out our full list of local holiday pop-up bars and small business markets.  Learn more about the sponsors of this November 20th episode: Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Handmade Arcade The Frick Family House 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.

Does "Die Hard" count as a Christmas movie? We're stretching the definition of "Pittsburgh holiday movie" to its limits and talking about the many films loosely connected to our city this festive season. Host Megan Harris is with Josh Axelrod, a founding member of the Pittsburgh Film Critics Association and director of communications at The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center, to talk about the most famous holiday movies, the one corner of Sewickley popping up over and over in Hallmark films, and why one small part of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" makes it a Christmas watch.  The Lindsay Theater is screening holiday classics from December 19-25. Check out the full schedule here. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 19th episode: Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Handmade Arcade The Frick Family House 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.

If you step outside of Pittsburgh, our region is becoming increasingly red. More and more voters are registering as Republicans, and Democrats have lost their advantage in places like Beaver, Washington, Fayette, and Westmoreland counties. Host Megan Harris is sitting down with Eugene DePasquale, chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, to discuss his plan for winning back voters (and attracting new ones), where he thinks his own party messed up, and what some big Democratic wins in Pennsylvania this month signal for 2026. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 18th episode: Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Handmade Arcade The Frick Family House 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.

It's the perfect time of year for cozying up with a good book, but if you're looking for other activities, the library still could be the place to start. The Carnegie Libraries offer everything from power tools to ukuleles. Plus, if you're thinking about baking, consider borrowing holiday cookie cutters instead of buying your own. We're bringing back a conversation between City Cast's Mallory Falk and Francesca Dabecco, where they dive into everything the library has to offer — besides its books.  **This conversation originally published on May 30, 2023. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 17th episode: Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Handmade Arcade The Frick Family House 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.

We have finally have a state budget, our national government is opening back up, and Sen. John Fetterman just dropped a new memoir spilling the tea on why he and Gov. Josh Shapiro no longer speak. Host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and producer Sophia Lo discuss the latest political news. Plus, they explain why the Post-Gazette's three-year-long strike isn't necessarily over, despite lots of celebration. Read the court rulings we referenced about the P-G labor dispute here and here. Notes and references from today’s show: Sen. John Fetterman Explains Decision To Join Republicans To Reopen The Government [The View] John Fetterman's Memoir Is Unlike Any Politician's Book You've Read [NYTimes] John Fetterman makes a case for himself. It's not very convincing [WaPo] Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood Sweater Drive [Children's Museum] Dave McCormick wants New Yorkers unhappy with Zohran Mamdani's win to come to Pennsylvania [Philadelphia Inquirer] Post-Gazette Strikers Win Three Year Strike [CWA] 3rd Circuit rules against Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in labor dispute with strikers [WESA] Third Circuit Court of Appeals rules for striking Pittsburgh journalists [Union Progress] Pittsburgh's Best Gift Shops for Any Occasion [City Cast Pittsburgh] $50.1B budget that ends impasse sends $565M to needy schools, makes key climate concession [Spotlight PA] Pittsburgh mayor-elect nominates former police commander Jason Lando as chief [WTAE] UPMC closing narcotics addiction treatment program in Wilkinsburg due to location issue [CBS Pittsburgh] Learn more about the sponsors of this November 14th episode: Fulton Commons Heinz History Center Pittsburgh Opera City Theatre Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST 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.

The Washington Post just wrote a whole article about how we're one of the most affordable cities for home buyers, but if you already live here and aren't moving from a more expensive place, the sticker price and repair costs of our extremely old homes can be completely overwhelming. We're revisiting our conversation with Anne Schwan, a homeownership counselor at NeighborWorks Western Pennsylvania, about what you need to know before you start browsing Zillow and what kind of financial support is available in our region. Plus, she explains how a Pittsburgher started a national housing movement. Check out NeighborWorks' resources for homebuyers and homeowners. **This episode originally aired on July 21, 2025. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 13th episode: Fulton Commons Heinz History Center Pittsburgh Opera City Theatre Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST 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.

Planning your Thanksgiving meal doesn't need to be stressful. Whether you're hosting a big family gathering, bringing a dish to a Friendsgiving celebration, or even just enjoying a meal by yourself, Pittsburgh restaurants have you covered this year with your holiday dinner. Host Megan Harris and newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco are sharing a ton of local options for delicious dishes, sweets, and whole meals for meat-lovers and vegans alike.  Learn more about the sponsors of this November 13th episode: Fulton Commons Heinz History Center Pittsburgh Opera City Theatre Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST 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.

As Pittsburghers, a lot of us are really proud of our city. Who doesn't love showing off our skyline coming out of the Fort Pitt tunnel? Plus, we've laid claim to everything from the labor rights movement to all of Heinz's tasty condiments. But Pittsburgh isn't for everyone, and today, Host Megan Harris is with Pittsburgh City Paper’s Ali Trachta and Stacy Rounds to talk about the 13 people who ain’t gonna make it in Pittsburgh. **This episode originally aired November 18, 2024. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 11th episode: Fulton Commons Heinz History Center Pittsburgh Opera City Theatre Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST 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.

Flying is kind of a nightmare right now. Even though Pittsburgh International wasn't on the list of airports needing to cut flights because of the government shutdown, it could still be harder to get your destination. If all this has you rethinking your air travel plans, now is a great time to consider a staycation. Freelance journalist Aakanksha Agarwal and City Cast contributor Meg St-Esprit join host Megan Harris to make the case for booking a room in your own city, share some of their favorite staycation spots, and help you plan the perfect itinerary. Check out Aakanksha's roundup of historic staycation spots in City Paper. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 10th episode: Fulton Commons Heinz History Center Pittsburgh Opera City Theatre Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST 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.

Pittsburgh has a new mayor, the PA Supreme Court is keeping its Democratic judges, and an unsuccessful city council candidate says she's picking up and moving out of town. City Cast’s Megan Harris, Mallory Falk, and Sophia Lo are talking about the results of Tuesday's election and the new (but familiar) faces joining Mayor-elect Corey O'Connor's team. Plus, they discuss the malfunction that left 27 people stranded on the Monongahela Incline, a couple big (and questionable) donations from Pennsylvania's richest man, and some important local ice cream news. Notes and references from today’s show: 'Democratic energy,' and anger at Trump, powered wins up and down the Pa. ballot, observers say [WESA]  Allegheny County voters choose Democrats for eight contested County Council seats, sheriff [WESA] The Surprising History Behind Pittsburgh’s Father-Son Mayors [Pittsburgh Magazine] Community Survey [Mayor Corey O'Connor] Pittsburgh Regional Transit says motor-controller failure caused Mon Incline breakdown [WESA] PODCAST: Could Our Inclines Crash? Plus, Vaccine Access and RAD Passes Expand [City Cast Pittsburgh] Early-morning flames destroy historic Bantam Jeep building in Butler [CBS Pittsburgh] Jeffrey Yass, Pa.’s richest man, donated at least $2.5 million to Trump’s White House ballroom [Philadelphia Inquirer] Billionaire Jeff Yass gives $100 million to University of Austin for free tuition [Texas Tribune] US Steel details plans to invest $11 billion by 2028 across all business segments [AP News] Klavon's Ice Cream Parlor building faces Sheriff's sale [Pittsburgh Business Times] Millie's Homemade Ice Cream partners with firm to franchise brand [Pittsburgh Business Times] Learn more about the sponsors of this November 7th episode: The Frick Family House Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership 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.

Hundreds of thousands of people are waiting for food assistance right now in Southwestern PA. Host Megan Harris is with newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco and Axios Pittsburgh reporter Chrissy Suttles to talk about how the loss of SNAP is affecting Pittsburgh and what organizations you can tap into — whether you're looking for extra support or have something to give. If you've been personally affected by these SNAP delays and want to share your story, reach out to Axios Pittsburgh's social host Alexis Johnson at pittsburgh@axios.com. Looking for more resources? We’ve rounded up even more spots if you need food assistance or are looking to donate. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 6th episode: The Frick Family House Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership 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.

It's official: Corey O'Connor is Pittsburgh's next mayor — and we're all crossing our fingers that there'll be a state budget in place by the time he takes office in January. Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation that hasn't passed a budget. The consequences have been dire, from school districts taking on loans to rape crisis centers cutting staff. PA Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton has a prime seat at the negotiation table as our state's top Democratic legislator. She joins City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri to share her take on what's causing the holdup and explain how it's affecting everyday Pennsylvanians. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 5th episode: The Frick Family House Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership 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.

It's Election Day! Pittsburgh's facing some big challenges in 2026, and our newly elected officials will need to find some creative solutions to balance the city budget. Host Megan Harris is with TribLive’s Julia Burdelski, who’s got a bird’s eye view of the city our next mayor will inherit. Plus, she's talking about how the dynamics of City Council could change if a Republican wins a seat for the first time in nearly 100 years. Last-minute questions about your ballot? Check out our election guide, our interviews with Pittsburgh mayoral candidates Corey O'Connor and Tony Moreno, and our episode about what's at stake in the PA Supreme Court races. Plus, find your polling place and track your mail-in ballot. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 4th episode: The Frick Family House Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership 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.

It might be getting colder and darker, but we want you to bundle up and explore Pittsburgh anyway! You can get an early jump on finding the perfect holiday gift, see Frank Lloyd Wright's vision for Pittsburgh and his idea for a concert garden Downtown, or check out the Phipps' holiday show, complete with an octopus chandelier. Plus, this is the perfect season to check out our city steps. Learn more about our city's first mode of public transportation and the best spots to explore here. Get more from City Cast Pittsburgh when you become a City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at https://membership.citycast.fm/  If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Pittsburgh community.  For even more tips on how to make the most out of November in Pittsburgh, check out Hey Pittsburgh’s take on what to do this month. City Cast Pittsburgh is made possible by our awesome sponsors, The Frick, Family House, and Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Reach us at pittsburgh@citycast.fm.

It’s Halloween, but the news doesn’t have to be scary! We’re talking about what to do with all those pumpkins you bought, ways to honor Día de los Muertos, a one-day opportunity to get free money from Giant Eagle this weekend, and how the enormous, complicated NBA sports betting scandal somehow (of course) all ties back to Pittsburgh. Notes and references from today’s show: NBA gambling scandal timeline: Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, Mafia ties explained [USA Today] How a Philly ‘betfluencer’ wound up at the center of an NBA gambling scandal [Philadelphia Inquirer] What To Do With Leftover Pumpkins in Pittsburgh [City Cast Pittsburgh] Ballot Return Sites [Allegheny County] Check Your Polling Place [Allegheny County] Pittsburgh controller raises fresh warning about city's unchecked overtime spending [TribLive] Fan hospitalized after fall at Penguins game, the third major fall this year at a Pittsburgh venue [The Athletic] Giant Eagle needs pennies, offers double their value in gift cards [TribLive] Learn more about the sponsors of this October 31st episode: Heinz History Center Quantum Theatre Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership 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.

Halloween's a time for spooky stories and urban legends. Here in Western Pennsylvania, there's a story about a man — a spectre with a glowing green face — who you might see roaming around the side of the road late at night. He may have been burned by acid or fire, or  maybe got struck by lightning. While those details are squishy, the real story behind "The Monster of Beaver County" is a tragic one. City Cast's Wil Fulton is here to explain how Charlie No-Face left an eerie mark on him as a kid, plus how the Green Man's story has been told and misunderstood by generations of Pittsburghers.  Special thanks to City Cast's roving producer Elizabeth Kauma for her work on this one. Music and some sound effects courtesy of Epidemic Sound. **This episode originally published October 18, 2023. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 30th episode: Heinz History Center Quantum Theatre Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership 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.