City Cast Pittsburgh

It's the start of Gemini season! And maybe you don't lean that hard into your astrological sign, but if this is your birthday month, you should at least take advantage of all the freebies you can get. To help you celebrate, we're bringing back producer Sophia Lo's deep dive into Pittsburgh’s best local deals on birthday meals and desserts. **This episode originally published April 4, 2024. Learn m...

Corey O'Connor won the Democratic primary — beating out incumbent mayor Ed Gainey. It's the second time in a row a challenger has defeated a sitting mayor, and O'Connor's almost guaranteed to win in November since the city hasn't elected a Republican mayor in nearly a century. The City Cast Pittsburgh team is running through the mayoral race and the rest of the primary results, including a school...

Thanks to a quirk of Pennsylvania law, our 67 counties can’t start counting mail-in ballots until the polls open on election day. So while the rest of us head off to our respective polling places, everyone from the medical examiner to the street sweepers will be in a North Side warehouse opening envelopes and tallying up the votes. County communications director Abigail Gardner is here to explain...

A few weeks ago, New York Magazine dropped a bombshell story about U.S. Sen. John Fetterman — how the Democrat’s behavior has grown increasingly erratic, worrying many of his staff members and even prompting fights with his wife, Gisele. City Cast Pittsburgh’s Megan Harris and Mallory Falk talk about the story and all the reporting that’s popped since, plus what we know about how Pittsburgh voters...

Bad news this week for recreational cannabis fans, but good news for Steel Curtain stans. Kennywood’s newest steel coaster will open Memorial Day weekend, driverless trucks made in Pittsburgh are hitting Texas highways, there’s more pothole drama at Pittsburgh Mills mall, and the Pittsburgh Zoo has unveiled its giraffe enclosure renovations. Plus, we’re talking about why a few state bills — cannab...

Rockaway Pizzeria is finally up and running at its new shop in Regent Square! We've also got new restaurants serving up hot dogs and burgers, all-you-can-eat-sushi, and pistachio lattes that you can order late into the night. Plus, Pittsburgh's celebrating its first Vegan Restaurant Week, so don't miss out on limited-time special menus and discounts.  Still hungry for more recommendations? Check o...

Pittsburgh Regional Transit is proposing huge cuts to our bus and T-line systems. The authority says it's been responsible — made hard cuts and budgeted well over the years — but needs more from the state to overcome a projected $100 million deficit. PRT's Adam Brandolph explains how we got here, what moves they've been making behind the scenes, and how you can get involved. Want to make your voic...

The primary election is coming up on May 20 — and today is the deadline to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot. If you've waited until the last minute to check out what's actually on your ballot, the City Cast Pittsburgh team has you covered! We're running through the candidates and questions you'll see in the voting booth, what's at stake, and how to cast your ballot in Allegheny County. Find...

Pittsburgh just went through a really bad storm — some of us went without power for a week — and our leaders declared disaster emergencies to get us extra help. But one of the key agencies that steps in after natural disasters is facing an uncertain future. President Trump just fired the head of FEMA and replaced him with someone who has no disaster response experience. We're bringing back host Me...

Officials say the raid at P*Town last weekend was an occupancy check — one they seemingly failed and which could put their liquor license in jeopardy. We're in the last stretch of the mayoral primary, and we’re talking about the group chat supporting incumbent Ed Gainey, a union call to remove the mayor’s COO for alleged anti-police bias, and criticism of Corey O’Connor for leaving a candidate for...

This weekend, treat your mom, caretaker, or even yourself to brunch! Whether you want dippy eggs and homefries or a towering stack of pancakes, there's a spot in the city for you. City Cast's Megan Harris, Mallory Falk, and Francesca Dabecco are running through some of their favorite brunch menus and which dishes they recommend, plus the places they can't wait to try next. Want the shortlist? Here...

When you think of a food tour in Pittsburgh, you might picture bar crawls on the South Side or Friday pierogi around Lent. But there is another, more nuanced way to taste our region — by following one of PA Tourism’s six official culinary trails. These curated road trips include lots of tasty stops and local history, including boozy options, overnight stays, and family-friendly inspiration. Food h...

The Esplanade development project planned for the North Side is inching closer to fruition, but it could be 10 years before the multi-phase plan — including everything from a Ferris wheel to a marina — takes its final form in Chateau. Turning a partially empty space into a busy, beautiful waterfront site is exciting for many, but it also raises questions about whether existing neighbors can grow i...

Four candidates are running to lead Pittsburgh, and we're asking each of them why they think they're the right person for the job. This week, Host Megan Harris is talking to Tony Moreno, a retired police detective who served for more than 20 years. He's making his second consecutive bid for mayor. This is the final installment in our "Mayoral Mondays" series. Listen to our previous installments: I...

Thousands of people are still without power after a big storm blew through the Pittsburgh region. City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and contributor Meg St-Esprit are sharing the latest on the recovery efforts. Plus, they're discussing the return of a certain giant duck and a beloved music venue, marathon lore, and sad news for anyone who associates summer in...

If you're into weird Pittsburgh history, women's soccer, or local music, this is the month for you! The City Cast Pittsburgh team is sharing our favorite ways to explore the city in May, from snagging a free beer on your bike ride to work to trying strawberry pretzel salad-inspired dishes. And if you're looking for even more to do this spring, check out our roundup of the best food and drink festi...

The mayoral primary is right around the corner, but just because you're registered to vote doesn't mean you'll get to choose a candidate. Pennsylvania is one of only 10 states with a closed primary system, which means independents and third-party voters get left out of the process. Spotlight PA's Kate Huangpu shares a few theories about why we're seeing such a sharp rise in independent voters and...

It's time to grab your reusable tote bags and head over to the local farmers market! The Bloomfield Saturday Market opens this weekend — it's a go-to spot for fresh seasonal produce, artisanal cheese, and delicious baked goods. But farmers markets offer more than just goodies. They're also gathering places where you can connect with vendors to get the most out of your shopping experience. To kick...

Welcome back to "Mayoral Mondays!" We're asking all four mayoral candidates why they're the right person to lead Pittsburgh. This week, Host Megan Harris is talking to Thomas West, the only candidate who's a newcomer to politics. West has owned TRIM, a clothing store in Lawrenceville, for 11 years, and he's also worked as a producer for WPXI and WTAE. This episode is the third installment in our "...

What will it take to get a grocery store downtown? Maybe Gov. Josh Shapiro has ideas!! He was in town a week after the arson attack on the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion touring coffee shops and other pop-up businesses as part of a collection of incentive programs championed by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, which is hoping to fill space in over 60 vacant retail spaces between now and next...

The hottest new medical drama is set in Pittsburgh! Max's "The Pitt" just wrapped its first season, which follows a 15-hour shift at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center (aka Allegheny General Hospital). But just how "Pittsburgh" is the show? The City Cast Pittsburgh team is sharing our favorite local homages and Easter eggs, guessing which neighborhoods the characters might live in, and...

This past weekend, Pittsburghers had a lot to celebrate. Easter, Passover, and of course, the other high holy day: 4/20. And we like to think that some of our state lawmakers got in on the fun too! A couple of representatives, including Pittsburgh rep. Emily Kinkead, wrote a new memo about how recreational cannabis could get legalized. This debate over legalization has come up over and over again...

It's spring market and festival season! There are so many great options around town, from crop swaps to vintage clothing markets to a donut-fueled bike fest. Host Megan Harris and newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco are sharing their favorites, including a market where everything — and we mean everything — is free. Get more from City Cast Pittsburgh when you become a City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbor....

There are four candidates in Pittsburgh's mayoral race, and we're asking each person why they think they're the right person to lead our city. This week, Host Megan Harris is talking with Corey O'Connor. He's served as Allegheny County Controller — the county’s top financial watchdog — since 2022, and was an elected member of City Council for over 10 years in District 5. He's also the son of our l...

What exactly is a data center, and why does Pittsburgh have so many? We're sharing the latest on the arson attack against Gov. Josh Shapiro at the official mansion in Harrisburg; why the two men who jumped off PPG Place didn't break any records; and how you can (hopefully) get your Bucco Brick replaced by the Pirates. Plus, the city is considering expanding paid sick leave, and the ACLU is suing t...