City Cast Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh backyards aren't exactly known for being spacious, but there's still room to plant a bountiful garden, raise some animals, or build a deck. But there's a lot of rules about how many animals you can have, whether you can build, and what exactly requires a permit if you want to upgrade your home. Host Megan Harris is with newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco and prize-winning gardener Kayd...

The owners of Pittsburgh Mills are getting some fresh comeuppance with nearly $2 million in new fines, and boat owners clogging up the North Shore have yet to face any consequences. The first group of notable Pittsburghers are getting their due on the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame, and we’re sharing what you need to know about your water bill probably going up. Plus, y’all have had a lot of thoughts abo...

Don't let the heat stop you from experiencing all that Pittsburgh has to offer this month! August is time for some of the city's most beloved food festivals, and there's also a music festival benefiting our immigrant and refugee communities. Plus, if you're trying to squeeze in one more vacation before summer's over, check out these quick day trips that are no more than two hours away from Pittsbu...

Pittsburgh is a beer destination, and it has a lot in common with Cleveland's scene! If you're tired of drinking the same brews over the same views here at home, Aadam Soorma from Trace Brewing and City Cast's own Owen Gabbey have some great suggestions for breweries worth the drive in Ohio.  Learn more about the sponsors of this July 30th episode: Downtown Cleveland Ohio Wines Rock & Roll Hall of...

We're all about weekend getaways, and we're making the case for why your next vacation should be in Cleveland. Host Megan Harris is chatting with City Paper's Colin Williams and City Cast Pittsburgh contributor Meg St-Esprit about all the sights the 'Land has to offer, plus sharing listener recommendations for how to best experience the City of Trees. We're talking about adventures in a national p...

Sure, the age-old Steelers-Browns rivalry makes us think we should hate on Cleveland, but the Mistake on the Lake has its champions, including a few who think it's in both our best interests to join forces. Chris Briem, a regional economist at the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Social and Urban Research, is here to pitch his vision for Cleveburgh: one combined metro region living in harmony...

While the statistics say crime is going down in the South Side, a few weekends of unruly crowds have leaders talking about a potential curfew for East Carson Street. After decades without a grocery store, Downtown's getting a full-service market with fresh and organic produce, a florist, and even a juice bar. Plus, we're talking about the tools our city has to check on the status of all those clos...

Pennsylvania's state budget is late — for the fourth year in a row! And all the transit agencies, school districts, and local governments waiting for state funding are left in limbo. We're teaming up with City Cast Philly and Spotlight PA Capitol reporter Stephen Caruso to talk about why we're always running behind and when it's time to push the panic button. Plus, how the battle over legalizing c...

In January, the City Cast Pittsburgh team made a list of restaurants we wanted to try in 2025. Now that we're halfway through the year, the team's checking in to see where we've eaten, what we'd order again, and what new spots we want to try next.  Learn more about the sponsors of this July 23rd episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Bike PGH Quantum Theatre Overlook Maps Turbo...

Looking to get away from Pittsburgh? Whether it's just a day trip or an overnight stay, there are so many spots to choose from all within two hours. You don't need to spend big on a flight to find museums, great food, and more fun. We're with City Paper's Colin Williams to get his take on the most underrated day trip destinations in the area. If you enjoyed today's interview with VisAbility's Pres...

Buying a house for the first time can be stressful and overwhelming. How and when do you start the search? Should you line up the financial help first? How do you know what you qualify for? Anne Schwan, a homeownership counselor at NeighborWorks Western Pennsylvania, is here to walk you through what you need to know before you start browsing Zillow and what kind of financial support is available f...

President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick promised more than $90 billion in private sector investments for PA to become a hub for energy and AI at a CMU summit this week. We talk about potential projects like data centers, power plant upgrades, and natural gas pipelines — and how much of that cash is likely to affect us in Western Pennsylvania. Outside the summit, CMU students and enviro...

Pennsylvania's regulations around alcohol are complicated, but Trump's tariffs are adding another hurdle for all the good folks selling us our drinks. There's an especially enormous figure getting thrown around when it comes to European wine – a 200% tariff! While a hike that big might not come to pass, bottle shops are already navigating some higher prices. Freelance journalist Aakanksha Agarwal...

Pittsburgh has the most public staircases in the U.S., but cataloging and preserving them is a relatively new priority. The City Cast Pittsburgh team headed up into the hills with three authors of a new book, City Steps of Pittsburgh: A History & Guide, to get a fresh perspective on our city's first form of mass transit and the rundown on which of the hundreds of city steps should be on the shortl...

If you were trying to convince someone to invest in Pittsburgh — say, move their company here or build something new in our city — how would you make the pitch? That's what Stefani Pashman thinks about all the time. She's CEO of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, one of the region’s biggest economic groups, and describes her job as growing, selling, and fixing the region. She joins...

ICE arrests in Western PA have more than doubled since this time last year, and most of the people being detained have never been charged with or convicted of a crime. From a high-profile raid at Tepache Mexican Kitchen & Bar to arrests outside of courtrooms, ICE enforcement is causing fear and confusion in Pittsburgh's immigrant communities. Meanwhile, several local law enforcement agencies are s...

Anthrocon smashed records over the weekend, while Picklesburgh's in hot (or briny) water over using AI for its artwork. City Council squashed a proposal to let neighborhoods decide whether they want inclusionary zoning, and Pittsburgh International Airport is looking for volunteers to test out the new terminal. Host Megan Harris and executive producer Mallory Falk dive into these stories, plus sha...

If you live in Allegheny County, your taxes went up — slightly — this year, to help pay for all the services we rely on. But the extra money isn't going to be enough. A recent controller report found our finances are "unsustainable" long term, especially with looming budget cuts from the federal government. Host Megan Harris is sitting down with our top official, County Executive Sara Innamorato,...

Pittsburgh's got its fair share of quirks and unwritten rules. Like why is someone turning left instead of yielding at a green light? And why do you neighbors keep putting out old folding chairs in front of their houses? The City Cast Pittsburgh team is running through all the essential rules for surviving and thriving here in the city.  **This episode originally aired on March 12, 2025. Learn mor...

Pittsburgh's got so many new restaurants, and the summer is the perfect time to explore them all. Enjoy some Thai iced tea and lobster pad thai at a patio in East Liberty, or load up on grilled meats at all-you-can-eat Korean barbeque on the South Side. There's even a new café where you can bring your dog, and they've got a menu just for your furry friend. Producers Mallory Falk and Sophia Lo run...

Still mourning the fate of Century III? The mall scene is Pittsburgh's in a weird space. We've got our fair share of dead malls, but Ross Park Mall's still bringing in luxury brands, and Walmart bought Monroeville Mall for a whopping $34 million. Meanwhile, we're watching Pittsburgh Mills hang on by a thread — while its owners are quietly looking to sell the property. To make sense of our mall lan...

Megan Harris and all 12 other City Cast podcast hosts (from Austin, Boise, Chicago, DC, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Portland, and Salt Lake City) compete head-to-head in a high-stakes showdown to answer the question that’s been burning up our company-wide Slack for weeks: which city is the best for a summer weekend trip? From naked bike rides to ‘the country’s best farm...

We're about to celebrate the 4th of July, and we all know that the US gets repped with stars, stripes and soaring bald eagles. But how well do you know Pennsylvania's own state symbols? Over the years, we've adopted all sorts of plants, animals, and even a drink to represent our Commonwealth, but not all of these symbols and the stories behind them are common knowledge. Producer (and game czar) So...

July is the season for fireworks, furries, and a giant pickle festival. The City Cast Pittsburgh team is sharing our favorite ways to explore the city this month, from regular hits like Anthrocon and Picklesburgh to newer fare like an international moustache competition. And if you're looking for a sweet treat this summer, don't miss our episode about the best ice cream shops around Pittsburgh. If...

July is National Ice Cream Month, but we're starting our celebrations early. Contributor Meg St-Esprit has tried ice cream all over the city, and she's  sharing which ice cream shops have the best soft serve, custard, hard scoops, and more. Plus, she makes the case for why it's worth standing in line in Page's – even if the bridge is drippy. Learn more about the sponsor of this June 30th episode:...