City Cast Pittsburgh

From knife skills and mother sauces to composting and the global supply chain, there’s a culinary arts training program in McKees Rocks hoping to inspire the next generation of Pittsburgh foodies. The Steel Chef Cook-off Competition puts local teens through a 10-week intensive cooking class taught by local chefs before a final, reality TV-style competition next week. And the best part? You can taste and judge it all! Project manager Jenifer Davison is here to share the deets. The final showdown is Monday, March 27, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Father Ryan Arts Center in McKees Rocks. Get your tickets here. Here’s how to spend a Saturday learning about Frankie Pace, one of Pittsburgh’s gospel greats.  Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With one look down, it’s obvious that Pittsburgh’s sidewalks need some work. The city just announced that it’s getting $3 million in state grant money for infrastructure projects, but only a small portion of it will go to toward making these paths more accessible. Newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco is talking with disability advocate and leader of Access Mob Pittsburgh, Alisa Grishman, about what it’s like to be a wheelchair user in Pittsburgh, and what our neighbors — with or without disabilities — can do to help to create a safer, more accessible city. The 10.27 Healing Partnership, which was created in the aftermath of the mass shooting at Tree of Life synagogue, plans to keep working another five years. You can listen here to our interview with Director Maggie Feinstein about processing grief. Our newsletter is fresh daily at 6 a.m. Sign up here. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s National Fragrance Day, and we’re talking niche perfumes, what they are, and why they’re having a moment right now in Pittsburgh. Producer and niche fragrance collector Elizabeth Kauma talks with lead producer Megan Harris about all of this while they try out several local fragrances.   You’ll also hear from artisanal perfumer Darren Alan, fragrance journalist Patric Rhys, and Scott Kindberg, the artist behind 5:55 Perfumery. Another local perfumer we mention is 837 North.   Here’s the Articles of Interest podcast we talked about, featuring Avery Trufelman.   And check out this Financial Review article about the fragrance industry. If you want to do a deep dive into the market research behind this trend, this report from 2020 has some good data.  Patric also wrote an in-depth article detailing the history of fragrance. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor Josh Shapiro is a huge sports fan. He recently sat courtside at a Sixers game and cheered for the Eagles at the Super Bowl. But who paid for those tickets? City Cast’s Megan Harris chats with Stephen Caruso, capitol reporter for Spotlight PA, about the rules around gifts and campaign contributions to elected officials.  The Shapiro administration insists the governor did not violate his own gift ban when he went to the Super Bowl, and the administration called the recent Sixers game a “political meeting.” Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! City Cast’s Elizabeth Kauma and Megan Harris are with NHL writer Sean Gentille talking about broadcasting bankruptcies, Pittsburgh’s budding hoops dreams and who’s (not?) responsible for abandoned boats in our waterways.  Special thanks to some fun writing: Pgh Sports Now’s 13 local ties to the 2023 NCAA men’s tournament A printable bracket, in case you need to proclaim your greatness near and far The Trib’s Rob Owen on the intricacies of Bally and AT&T Sports Net’s financial woes Andy Sheehan tried to track down who’s responsible for the abandoned boat WESA had a great story about the latest Clairton Coke Works fines And a Sewickley couple is behind the new comedy-driven Burgh bus Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re a plant-based eater in Pittsburgh, you’re probably mourning the loss of some favorite haunts. Our resident vegetarian, newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco, is here to explain what’s going on, plus recommend some new spots to help fill the void. Hungry for more? Read Kristy Locklin’s piece in Pittsburgh Magazine. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first of a few debates, we consider an age-old question: Where officially is the Steel City? Midwest? East Coast? Mid-Atlantic? Or Appalachia? We’ve got two guests who each feel passionately that they know they answer. James Santelli is the communications manager for the Allegheny Regional Asset District, and Ryan Deto is a reporter for the Pittsburgh Trib. Think you know better? Call or text us at 412-212-8893. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since 1990, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History has been working to repatriate more than 700 human remains and funerary objects from Indigenous Peoples, but so far, only 104 have been made available for return. City Cast’s Elizabeth Kauma explains why it’s taking the museum so long — and how they got them all in the first place. Special thanks to Amy Covell-Murthy, collection manager of archaeology and head of the section of anthropology at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and Carrie Wilson, NAGPRA Director for the Quapaw Tribe, for speaking to City Cast Pittsburgh. We love to show our work: The Native American Graves and Repatriation Act is carried out by the National Park Service.  The original law as passed in 1990 only allowed for affiliations to be made by lineal descendent, but the 2010 addition allows for affiliations to be made by geographical connection.  There is currently a proposed change that would place time limits on museums to affiliate remains as a way to prevent the research loophole that allows for destructive research on the remains.  That proposal has been lauded by some, Carrie was very critical of the new regulations and said that these time limits could lead to rushed, and possibly false, affiliations and were an example of the federal government ignoring native sovereignty.  Carrie was also critical of the ProPublica article and database, because she thinks they gloss over the hard work that institutions and Native tribes and nations have done to repatriate remains and paints institutions as the villain with too broad of a brush.  The Carnegie Museum of Natural History also released a notice with more details about how the Quapaw remains ended up in the museum’s collection.  You can visit the native-led exhibition “Apsáalooke Women and Warriors“ at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History until May 29th. And here’s our last episode on the Carnegie’s Museum of Natural History’s use of human remains in a diorama. diorama “Lion Attacking a Dromedary.” Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Pearce doesn’t really think about being a social media sensation—he is too busy thinking about snails! Section head and curator of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s mollusk department joins us to talk about how he got started studying nature's underdogs, why our warm winter might make them particularly rambunctious, and what it is like to go viral (online).  And Picklesburgh has been nominated AGAIN for Best Specialty Food Festival by USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Travel awards, and voting will be open until March 20th.  Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! If you like crowds, crowdsourcing, or hanging in the sun, golly is this the weekend for you. We’ve got all you need to know about the nation’s allegedly 3rd largest St. Patrick’s Day parade, a great new way to inform city officials about our roadways, and the secret Steel City history — and potential future! — of Daylight Saving Time. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Check out the history of Pittsburgh’s St. Patrick’s parade. A Pittsburgh businessman is the father of daylight saving.  The Mayo Clinic did a study on the adverse medical events following daylight saving. There are a bunch of 311 events at 311.org You can contact 311 anytime on the city’s website. Listen to our episode with Dashcam For Your Bike CEO Armin Samii and what inspired him to serve fellow cyclists. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pennsylvania may not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of maple syrup, but we're actually the 6th largest producer in the country. Will we stay that way with the effects of climate change affecting our trees? Penn State Extension forest resources educator Scott Weikert explains why our sugaring season is evaporating, how tap into syrup harvesting as a hobby, and the Pennsylvania products to snag. Hey Pittsburgh editor Francesca Dabecco explains the maple sugaring process in a recent newsletter. The Somerset County Maple Council is hosting a full weekend of tasting and touring events this Saturday and Sunday, including representatives from 24 local producers. See maple sugaring for yourself on Saturday at Knob Hill Community Park in Marshall Township. And there’s a whole Pennsylvania Maple Festival in Meyersdale in April. Check out its run of show here. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“No matter what you look like, who you love, what your religion, or where you’re from: you’ve got a friend in Armstrong County.” That’s the message deemed so objectionable that it needed to be taken off a billboard. But there’s one across the street that isn’t subject to the same rules. Plus, we're less than 90 days from Pride! We’re with QBurgh founder Jim Sheppard.  Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman is being treated for clinical depression, but a lot of us struggle with feeling our best after months of cold, gray, Pittsburgh weather. How do you identify whether your experience is clinical or seasonal, and how can you seek help? And what does it mean to be a good ally for friends and loved ones who come to you for support? Our guest is Chris Michaels, CEO of NAMI Keystone PA, the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.  Governor Josh Shapiro is delivering his budget address today at 11:30 a.m. Listen in on the PCNC TV livestream. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cannabis law in the Keystone state is different depending on where you live in the state, but lawmakers are talking about some pretty big changes. City Cast’s Megan Harris and Trenae Nuri are with Ed Mahon, investigative reporter for Spotlight PA, to talk about what’s in the works and what could still take years to come together. Want to watch the Governor’s budget address? Check out the PCNC TV livestream. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! This week we are talking about the EPA’s latest efforts to clean up the East Palestine train derailment, how the state is trying to be more flexible with mandatory testing requirements (but is really putting a strain on already underfunded schools), and how to keep celebrating Black history and excellence all year long. As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism. Here’s the NYT’s latest explainer on what’s happening in East Palestine, Ohio.  If you want to read more, the Pittsburgh Independent shared a bunch of great reporting about the derailment on Thursday. WESA has also had some really great coverage — their collected stories live here. And the Allegheny Front is doing great work, too. Check their online feed often, or catch their full show via podcast or on Saturdays on 90.5 FM in Pittsburgh. PublicSource’s Dakota Casto-Jarrett did a great job explaining the new rules around Act 158 and how it affects PA’s Keystone exams. Read historian David Rotenstein’s NEXTPittsburgh article about the first Black baseball field in Pittsburgh here.  There are lots of great ways to learn Black Pittsburgh history in a recent Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. And check out tonight’s August Wilson archive event here.  Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does brine, brews, and baklava all have in common (besides the b)? They are all a part of Pittsburgh’s enormous festival scene. Food historian Julia Hudson-Richards dives into why we have so many food festivals and the historic and economic forces that drive them. Plus, she shares which upcoming festivals to save room in your stomach for.  You can listen to our episode about the Ohio Train derailment here.  And check out our episode with the CEO of Dashcam for Your Bike, Armin Samii, about bike lanes and cyclist safety.  We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve got one from the vault! Ten years ago, a new children’s show premiered on PBS starring Daniel Tiger, son of the beloved puppet from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” The animated series was the first TV show from Fred Rogers Productions since Rogers died in 2003 — 20 years ago this week (!!) — and the team behind it wanted to honor his legacy while making the story fresh for a new generation. Chris Loggins, supervising producer on “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” explains how it got started and how the team is still celebrates the Steel City behind the scenes.  Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Pennsylvania, public school teachers can’t legally wear religious garb while working. We’re the only state that still has such a ban. City Cast’s Trenae Nuri talks with education reporter Aubri Juhasz about a push to get rid of the ban this legislative session.  Read Aubri’s great reporting here. Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A hundred years ago, at the height of industry in Pittsburgh, immigrants of different religious backgrounds, packed places of worship in their neighborhoods. Some of those formerly holy buildings have since been repurposed into bars, clubs, concert venues and creative spaces. We’re with freelance writer, Taylor Fowler—talking about challenges of turning hundred year old sanctuaries into a hot spot.  Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! The full squad is here celebrating the return of beloved Pirate Andrew McCutcheon and looking into how a revamped city commission could bring more equitable artworks to the area. Plus, how to look for unclaimed cash that could be waiting for you.  As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism.  You can find the state’s website for unclaimed money here.   See the utterly chill-inducing moment in 2013 when Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto dropped the ball in front of a blackout crowd in Pittsburgh. And here’s a deeper explanation of what was going on in Pirates ball that year.  If you’re interested in a season preview for the Pirates, check out Jason Mackey’s article  Find out more about the reorganized Art Commission in the Department of City Planning’s legislation proposal: https://pittsburghpa.gov/press-releases/press-releases/5940 Learn more about Mikael Owunna’s work from our episode with the visual artist  Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices