City Cast Pittsburgh

When you think of Waymo, you might not yet think of Pittsburgh. But you should definitely be thinking of Austin, Texas. State law governing autonomous vehicles (AVs) supersedes city authority and prevents local governments from regulating AVs, creating areas that have become increasingly attractive to AV companies. City Cast Austin host Miles Bloxson joins Your City Could Better to talk about if t...

It's officially the season of giving thanks, and while there's plenty to complain about (looking at you, endless construction!), there's also so much to be grateful for when it comes to living here — including the multitude of fun and quirky activities. The City Cast Pittsburgh team is sharing our favorite ways to make the most of November, from enjoying a pop-up sauna to catching a juggling fest...

Will the county raise sales taxes to help fund our pension system? Should we be concerned about the federal election monitors arriving at our polls next week? Host Megan Harris is bringing these questions and more to County Executive Sara Innamorato. They discuss the timeline for property reassessments, AI in political ads, and bright spots in the county budget — plus, why Innamorato thinks t...

Pittsburgh has a new proposal to tax the rich, Allegheny County’s fully paid parental leave policy is officially law, and local listeners have more gym recommendations than we can fit in a workout. City Cast Pittsburgh’s Megan Harris and Mallory Falk are answering listener questions about who qualifies for leave, celebrating another Pittsburgh-area union win, and giving a shoutout to an overlooked...

What makes a restaurant one of Pittsburgh’s best? Is it the food, the service, the atmosphere or something harder to put your finger on? Pittsburgh Post-Gazette dining critic and City Cast contributor Hal B. Klein is back with his annual list of the city’s best restaurants, and this year he’s narrowing down his favorites to a top ten. He joins host Megan Harris to talk about the longtime staples t...

If you're planning to go trick-or-treating this weekend, a lot of your haul will probably be made right here in Pennsylvania. We have one of the largest candy economies in the nation. City Cast contributor and quizmaster Kevin Gavin is quizzing the team about all the sweet treats made and produced in the Commonwealth — and we want you to play along! **This episode originally aired on October 31, 2...

How prepared is Pittsburgh to deal with the effects of climate change? In a recent report, Chicago was ranked as the most climate resilient city in the world — the only U.S. city to make it into the top 10. What’s Chicago doing right? City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran is joining David this week to talk about how the city is adapting to face climate risks, its work in renewable energy, and othe...

It’s official: Allegheny County council just passed a first of its kind paid parental leave policy. Host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and contributor Colin Williams break down what this means for workers and employers in the region. We also react to republican gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity’s absolutely wild, AI-generated campaign ad attacking Josh Shapiro, and why the Ste...

It's been a big week for Pittsburgh: two local innovations landed on Time Magazine's Best Invention list and a pair of animals made a dramatic escape from their enclosure. Host Megan Harris and executive producer Mallory Falk discuss whether we have more animal breakouts than the average city. Plus, we've finally ordered new ambulances, fire trucks, and other critical city vehicles (meaning, soon...

The Steelers are heading to Paris to take on the New Orleans Saints this Sunday, but you don’t need to be in the City of Love (and tbh, you might not want to be right now) to get in on the fun. With kickoff at 9:30 a.m., it's a perfect excuse to trade in your usual game-day snack for some breakfast and Bloody Marys — and a bunch of bars around the city are hosting very early happy hours. City Cast...

Could GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy help people struggling with addiction? Pittsburgh is about to find out. A new $13.3 million study in Allegheny County will explore whether these medications can reduce cravings for alcohol and opioids. Executive producer Mallory Falk and creative producer Marla Kauffman discuss the promise of these drugs, why Allegheny County was chosen for the study, and...

For better or worse, Giant Eagle has long been the main grocery store in town — beloved for its sheetcakes, bemoaned for its high prices. But that could soon change. Kroger is planning to buy the local chain, Wegmans and Meijer are coming to Cranberry, and Trader Joe's is allegedly looking to expand into the Strip District. It suddenly feels like we're at the center of the grocery store wars. What...

How much ownership or responsibility do you feel as a resident of Pittsburgh? In Salt Lake City, people are being asked to “adopt a storm drain” to help keep city streets free of floods and trash — and to possibly slow the drying and pollution of the Great Salt Lake. City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta says it’s worth a shot. This week, she joins David to discuss how quick, periodic cleaning of...

Pittsburgh's slated to get a lot more housing, from new apartments in the Hill District to converted office buildings Downtown to a decommissioned steam plant that's being turned into apartments. But who exactly will live in these units, and how tricky will it be to get them online? Executive producer Mallory Falk and City Cast contributor and City Paper managing editor Colin Williams discuss. We...

Pittsburgh has no shortage of great coffee shops. Some are perfect for getting work done. Others are better for catching up with friends. And a few are practically begging you to take yourself on a little solo date. With Pittsburgh Coffee Week kicking off this Sunday, the City Cast Pittsburgh team is sharing our favorite spots for every occasion. Plus, we’re highlighting some of the events worth c...

There's an urban legend that's left an eerie mark on generations of local kids: a story about a spectre with a glowing green face doomed to roam the highways of Western Pennsylvania. He may have been burned by acid or fire, or maybe got struck by lightning. The details are squishy, but the real story behind "The Monster of Beaver County" is a tragic one. City Cast's Wil Fulton joins us to explain...

Fall foliage is starting to pop around Pittsburgh. Host Megan Harris and contributor Sophia Lo share their favorite spots to soak up those autumn colors, including city parks and scenic road trips. Plus, Sophia shares their picks for some of the best Asian grocery stores in the region, from bustling markets in the Strip to smaller neighborhood gems. And if you’re looking to make plans, we’ve got s...

Another Pittsburgh school year has begun — how are cell phones being handled? In Minnesota, one high school is demonstrating that a strict no-phone school day can work, and they’ve got the (mostly) positive feedback to show for it. City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson joins David to talk about how St. Paul Central High School is succeeding at enforcing a phone-free school environment, the sur...

Pittsburgh and Allegheny County officially announced their 2027 budgets and … wow our finances are not looking good. Host Megan Harris and contributor Colin Williams explain where that money’s coming from (including a potential sales tax increase and proposed property reassessments), where it’s going, and why it’s so hard to pay for everything right now. Plus, a look at what’s coming on your Novem...

Pittsburgh loves to talk about its history — the forts, the steel mills, the immigrants, the neighborhoods. But the story of this place starts long before any of that. Ahead of Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, we’re revisiting a conversation with Miguel Sague of the Council of Three Rivers Indian American Center about the Native peoples who shaped our region and the Indigenous community that sti...

It's official: an Allegheny County resident just tested positive for measles. It's part of Pennsylvania's ongoing (and worsening) measles outbreak, with over 1,000 confirmed cases and five measles-associated deaths statewide. Host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and creative producer Boen Wang discuss the latest updates, the continuing dispute between PA and the CDC over the number...

Notes and references from today’s show: A.I.-Driven Education: Founded in Texas and Coming to a School Near You [New York Times] State rejects application for cyber charter school with AI teacher and two hours of daily class [Penn Capital-Star] Parents Fell in Love With Alpha School’s Promise. Then They Wanted Out [Wired] SPECIAL REPORT: My So-Called Alpha School [Cognitive Resonance] Several Stat...

Korean BBQ, sushi, "artisanal" croissants, and other delectable delicacies are on offer from newly-opened (as well as expanding and reopening) restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, and bars in the Pittsburgh region. Executive producer Mallory Falk and contributor Sophia Lo dish (haha) about all the latest eateries and drinkieries coming our way, and what we’re personally looking forward to checking...

When Pittsburgh looks for inspiration for the future, does it look to the Netherlands? That’s what designers and officials in New York City did in order to integrate flood mitigation into public housing. Inspired by places like Rotterdam, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) collaborated with other groups to give Queens a state-of-the-art, climate-resilient amenity — in this case, a basketb...

Carnegie Mellon University is opening a new campus in Miami, thanks to a $3 billion gift from hedge fund manager Ken Griffin. It's the largest single donation ever made to a U.S. university. Host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and contributor and City Paper Managing Editor Colin Williams discuss the school's Florida expansion (spring breaaaaaaak forever), Griffin’s status as a GOP...