City Cast Pittsburgh

October in Pittsburgh is packed with things to eat, see and do — from campy musicals and a pizza opera to the Pittsburgh Art Book Fair and the (maybe?) final Living Dead Weekend at Monroeville Mall. We’ve also got fall house tours, family-friendly trolley adventures, a food hall to try, and a few ideas for getting out of town. Plus, host Megan Harris wants your vote on where she should spend a few...

How scared do you actually want to be this Halloween? Pittsburgh has plenty of options! Whether you want chainsaw-wielding killers chasing you through a haunted house or you’d rather stick to haunted history and mini golf, we’ve got something for you. Host Megan Harris and creative producer Marla Kauffman are rounding up the region’s best fall frights from the truly terrifying haunts — like Crawfo...

Have you ever been enjoying a bike ride along the riverfront, only for the trail to end abruptly? Good news! The city is planning to close some longstanding gaps along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. Host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and creative producer Boen Wang explain which sections are getting extended (including a particularly harrowing stretch between the Strip District...

Looking for your next fall getaway? What about a curated road trip with lots of tasty stops and local history? Our state's tourism site includes six official culinary trails with themes like maple, bread, and charcuterie. Food historian Mary Miller, the mastermind behind several of our state trails, joins host Megan Harris to share her inspiration and offer tips for designing your own food crawl,...

What’s a seemingly small project in Pittsburgh that’s made a big difference? In the Oregon suburb of Tualatin, a drinking water pipe has just been fitted with a seamless electrical turbine, so that an existing utility can now have a dual purpose. David is joined by Nic Westendorf, Tualatin’s deputy public works director, to talk about the power of thinking local, using existing tools, and looking...

UPMC just placed a decade-long moratorium on gender-affirming care for patients under 19 and agreed to pay the federal government $950,000 as part of a settlement with the Department of Justice. Host Megan Harris is with City Cast contributors Sophia Lo and Colin Williams to talk about what comes next. Plus, we're debating whether Pittsburgh Paint Company's 2027 color of the year truly counts as a...

Former Mayor Ed Gainey is under investigation and facing allegations of improper contracts, questionable financial decisions, and potentially misleading information in bond documents. No charges have been filed, but the details revealed this week in a newly unsealed search warrant follow a pattern of rumors we've been hearing for years. Host Megan Harris is with the Post-Gazette's Hallie Lauer to...

Allegheny County the most Flock cameras and automated license plate readers in PA, according to crowdsourced data. Host Megan Harris is with Axios Pittsburgh's Ryan Deto to discuss how exactly these cameras work, why they're so controversial, and whether the state legislature could end up regulating or even outright banning them. Plus, they explain the difference between Flock cams and other tech...

In the midst of Downtown’s larger $600 million makeover, Smithfield Street’s been waiting its turn. Crews are breaking ground today on the first of dozens of small projects, including sidewalk repairs, better lighting, landscaping, and more. It’s unlikely the historic 10-block stretch will ever return to its heyday, but can it be something we all use and enjoy again? Host Megan Harris is with free...

After weighing over 1,400 public comments — mostly from parents, health care workers, and small business owners — the county health department made some major edits to its paid parental leave proposal. That includes cutting the length from 18 weeks to 12 and exempting the county's smallest businesses. Host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and Public Source's Oliver Morrison discuss t...

Would Pittsburgh be better with fewer vacant, blighted lots? In Philly, the answer is overwhelmingly yes, with significant drops in crime and depression recorded near newly transformed, “greened” neighborhood lots. But how did they do it? David talks with City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri and special guest Matt Rader, president of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, about how Philly prioritize...

Will state police start ripping skill games out of convenience stores, vape shops, and other spots? That's what could happen if lawmakers don't come up with a plan to regulate the machines by Oct. 13. Host Megan Harris and executive producer Mallory Falk are joined by Public Source's Oliver Morrison to explain how we got here, what measures the state might consider, and the scale of gambling addic...

Did you know a ton of Pittsburgh's most influential dining spots are run by the same six restaurant groups? Some are massive, some are low-key, and some have quietly shaped the city’s food and beverage scene for decades. Host Megan Harris is with Post-Gazette dining critic and City Cast contributor Hal B. Klein to meet the people behind the well-known places — from the legacy of Eat’n Park and big...

Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak is getting worse. At least four people have died and nearly 700 cases are being tracked statewide. Host Megan Harris and executive producer Mallory Falk are talking about what’s happening, the response from state and local health officials, and what Pittsburghers need to know — including the latest on measles exposures at UPMC Children’s Hospital. Then, Axios Pittsb...

On this bonus episode sponsored by the Grable Foundation, we're talking about a local push to make sure every child has access to the books they actually want to read, plus adults who can foster a love of reading. "Won't You Be a Reader" brings together more than a dozen organizations and civic leaders to help young readers thrive, through everything from free book fairs to community reading event...

Community leaders and business owners in Beechview — the heart of Pittsburgh's Latino community — say ICE activity has been increasing in the neighborhood over the past few weeks. It's hard to get reliable data, but incidents at Las Palmas grocery store have left residents rattled. One business owner ⁠described ICE as⁠ "terrorizing the whole neighborhood right now." With this in mind, we're b...

Can Pittsburgh hold its own when it comes to barbecue? We definitely don’t have the smoked-meat reputation of Texas or the Carolinas, but there are still plenty of spots serving excellent brisket, ribs, and pulled pork with all the fixins.’ Contributor and City Paper managing editor Colin Williams joins host Megan Harris to discuss which Pittsburgh barbecue spots are worth the trip. **This episode...

It may not feel like it right now, but extreme heat is coming for Pittsburgh, and Las Vegas might have the answers you need. An already sizzling city, Vegas has continued to experience record-breaking heat in recent years, essentially forcing it to lead the charge in protecting residents from increasingly rising temperatures. City Cast Las Vegas host Jesse Merrick talks with David about the bold m...

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Western PA was directly affected: one of the hijacked planes crashed into a field in Shanksville — around 80 miles outside Pittsburgh — killing 40 passengers and crew members. Host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and creative producer Boen Wang (in his podcast debut) discuss memories from that day, how new generatio...

Is apple picking overrated? Are ping pong and piggy races uniquely autumnal? Would you like to make a snow (corn?) angel in a pit of dried grain? Nevermind the heat wave — fall is here in Pittsburgh. Host Megan Harris, contributor Sophia Lo, and creative producer Marla Kauffman (in her first pod appearance!) share their favorite fall festivals, farm lore, Oktoberfests, and more for the season. Lea...

U.S. Senator John Fetterman’s former staffers have a lot to say about his public behavior and private comments, according to a new exposé from the Wall Street Journal. Some highlights: complaining that a funeral for police officers killed in the line of duty was over three hours long (he ultimately didn’t attend), cancelling a meeting with paralyzed veterans over an upset stomach (while still feel...

Pittsburghese is full of fun terms and quirks, like (lovingly) referring to your nosy neighbor as nebby or saying it's slippy aht. But how exactly did it develop, and how tricky is it to pick up? Actor, voice coach and speech teacher Don Wadsworth joins us to explain what makes our dialect so distinct, and give host Megan Harris a master class in speaking Pittsburghese. Learn more about the sponso...

Do you know what kind of surveillance technology is being used in Pittsburgh? In Nashville, the city government has blocked numerous measures to install and use it. From license plate readers to drone cameras, the technology is routinely rejected by the Metro Council and mayor, and locals are somewhat split on if that’s for the better. City Cast Nashville host Rachel Iacovone joins “Your City Coul...

The Trump Administration’s latest round of sanctions against Iran, dubbed “Operation Economic Outcast,” includes restrictions on cooperation between Iran and American universities. Starting this month, Duolingo banned Iranian citizens from taking its English Test, which many U.S. colleges require for international applicants. Host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and contributor Coli...

Pittsburgh is full of unwritten rules and weird quirks, like reserving your parking space with a rickety chair, taking a left turn the moment the light turns green, and holding a lifelong grudge against anyone who honks in the tunnels. If you're new to the city or just need a refresher on local etiquette, we're sharing some essential rules for surviving and thriving in Pittsburgh. Learn more about...