City Cast Pittsburgh

Everyone knows about New York City’s Wall Street, but back in the day, individual cities had their own stock exchanges. Our version of Wall Street was on Fourth Avenue, where City Cast Pittsburgh’s very own offices are! We're revisiting our conversation with author and historian Mark Houser about how we got that Wall Street in the first place and why those grand banks turned into those parking lot...

Make room in your wallet for your Real ID and your season passes for our local amusement parks, including Kennywood, Sandcastle, and Idlewild. We’re making the case for both — plus how and when to get them — and introducing yinz to Kennywood’s new-old mascot, Jeeters. Pittsburgh Regional Transit is using pickle cartoons to shame us for bad behavior on the buses and T stops. The University of Pitts...

National Potato Chip Day is this Friday! So the City Cast Pittsburgh crew is crunching it up with our friends at City Cast Philly to taste test as many PA-made potato chips as we can find, explore how the commonwealth became the “potato chip capital of the world,” and choose our favorites in the first ever (maybe?) Chippy Awards. Special thanks to all the PA brands we tried, including nationally d...

Just like every other city, we have our quirks and unwritten rules. Like why is someone turning left instead of yielding to me at the green light? And what’s up with that rickety old chair sitting in front of my neighbor’s house? The City Cast Pittsburgh team is sharing our essential rules for surviving and thriving in the city. If you enjoyed today's interview with Pittsburgh Opera's Director of...

Today is the deadline to declare yourself an official candidate in Pennsylvania, and it’s never too soon to start planning for future elections. We’re with Spotlight PA’s Min Xian to talk about what you need to know if you want to run for elected office here in Allegheny County, plus why it’s so important for regular people to bring an “amateur” spirit to the more than 13,000 elected positions in...

Got spring breakers coming to visit you soon? You may have already taken your friends and family to the Carnegie Museums and admired the skyline from Mt. Washington, but there’s so much more for tourists to take in. We’re bringing back our conversation with City Cast Pittsburgh contributor and travel writer Meg St-Esprit, who’s sharing all the spots she takes visitors — from the first-timers to th...

Pittsburgh’s acting police chief, Christopher Ragland, is stepping down just a few months after taking over the bureau (and just a few weeks after he was nominated to become permanent chief). Host Megan Harris and producer Sophia Lo discuss the latest development in the ongoing saga. Plus, they share how the state and county are trying to help federal workers who’ve been laid off, why public libra...

Fish fry season is back! There are hundreds of fish fries in Pittsburgh and just a few short weeks to visit as many as possible. If you’re struggling to decide where to go, Pittsburgh hero Hollen Barmer has an idea for you: the Pittsburgh Lenten Fish Fry Map. With the help of Pittsburgh Code for Good volunteers, they’ve been updating it every year so the whole city can see at a glance who’s return...

The retail giant Walmart bought the Monroeville Mall, and while it’s not clear what their plans are for the property, the mall holds a very important place in the hearts of George Romero fans who hope at least part of the building gets preserved. Host Megan Harris is with Axios Pittsburgh reporter Chrissy Suttles to talk about why the Monroeville Mall is an important zombie landmark and how folks...

While families all over our region try to make sense of big, potential funding cuts to local schools, it’s also not clear how refugee children and parents — many already in our region — will fare, thanks to freezes in federal resettlement money. The City Cast Pittsburgh team is talking about how folks have stepped up and ways you can funnel your frustration into some great local organizations, inc...

We’re breaking all kinds of records lately… but not good ones. This January was the hottest one on record, and last year, Pennsylvania had an increasing number of tornadoes. These severe weather events mean more disasters, and the state can’t always handle the aftermath alone. Host Megan Harris is with Inside Climate News reporter Kiley Bense to discuss what it means for Pennsylvania to face more...

After two rounds of deer culling in a few city parks, archers have provided thousands of venison meals, but it turns out, that’s not enough to keep the animal population at bay. We’re talking about how and why guns are getting added to the mix. Pittsburgh Public Schools announced the next phase in proposed school closures, Steelers players reported another round of failing grades in the annual uni...

Whether you love fish fries, book fairs, or the St. Patrick’s Day parade, there’s much to do in and around Pittsburgh this month. We’re sharing some of our favorite events and activities, from outdoor dance parties to a gumbo fest. And if you want to learn more about where to snag the perfect fish sandwich, check out our episode about the ultimate Pittsburgh fish fry map. If you're new here, welco...

Have you ever been in a situation where your boss or landlord is doing something shady — maybe even discriminatory — and you don’t know what to do? There’s an office in Pittsburgh that can help if you feel like you’re being discriminated against. The Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations has been around since before the Civil Rights Act, and their investigations yield real, enforceable results....

Pittsburgh Public Schools is facing a lot of big questions: Does it need to close schools due to lower enrollment and, if so, how many? Is federal funding about to disappear under the Trump administration? What does it take to build a district where every student has the same opportunities to thrive? District superintendent Wayne Walters joins us to share his vision for the district and talk about...

Planning a spring break trip or just need a weekend away from the cold? You don’t need to splurge to take your dream vacation, at least for your flight. Travel expert and Going founder Scott Keyes is sharing his top tips for finding cheap flights out of Pittsburgh International Airport.  **This episode originally aired on July 17, 2024. If you enjoyed today's interview with Pittsburgh Symphony Orc...

It’s been another frigid week, and while we’ve got plenty of salt to melt the ice, not all of Pittsburgh’s snowplows are out on the roads. In fact, do we even know how many snowplows are in the city? Big upgrades at our sports stadiums should be helping our tourism numbers, and we’re thinking about Penguins broadcaster Mike Lang. Plus, a lawsuit is bringing Novo Asian Food Hall vendors away from t...

The family behind one of Pittsburgh’s favorite treats is celebrating 150 years of baking in the Burgh. To mark this tasty occasion, we’re talking about the history and future of swirl bread, why you may have seen it on QVC of all places, and the delicious new ways you can experience Jenny Lee. And we’re doing it with the help of Scott Baker from 5 Generation Bakers — great-great grandson of the ma...

It’s the most dreaded time of the year: tax season! If you’re feeling confused or overwhelmed, we’re sharing some local resources that can make the process a little less painful. Executive producer Mallory Falk and Hey Pittsburgh editor Francesca Dabecco are rounding up sites where you can get free tax prep help, explaining what you need to know about Allegheny County’s property tax increase, and...

Most of us know how our city got its name — from the British earl and Prime Minister William Pitt. But the spelling of Pittsburgh is far less straightforward. Over time, we’ve debated, lost, and reclaimed our H. So why was it so complicated to agree on one letter? We’re bringing back a conversation between host Megan Harris and historian and author Virginia Montanez to learn about the basic rules...

Pittsburgh’s winning some and losing some this week. Local history teacher Marc Fogel is finally back in the United States after being detained in a Russian prison since 2021 for medical cannabis possession. After just one year in business, Salem’s Market — the full-service grocery store in the Hill District — is abruptly closing this weekend. We’re in the final stages of Pittsburgh Regional Trans...

Valentine’s Day is almost here. It’s a time for celebrating love, eating drugstore chocolate, and (if the mood strikes) reminiscing on your worst dates. The City Cast Pittsburgh team asked YOU, our listeners, to share your most horrific stories and we’re sifting through some of our favorites. Plus, we’re sharing expert dating tips if you’re still searching for a local love match. Still need Valent...

Are you tired of all the dreariness and already dreaming of a spring refresh? Secondhand shopping is a great way to update your look without spending a ton of money. Thrifting expert and sustainable fashion advocate Hannah Horstmyer joins producer Sophia Lo to share their favorite thrift shops in Pittsburgh and tips for leaving with the perfect clothing haul. Want even more thrift shop recommendat...

There’s a big development project coming to the North Side that could include everything from a Ferris wheel to a marina. It’s called the Esplanade, and it’s being built right along the river in Chateau. The prospect of turning a partially empty space into a busy, beautiful waterfront site is exciting. But the project is also raising questions about who should be included in the development proces...

It’s budget season in Pennsylvania! Gov. Josh Shapiro just presented his $51.5 billion plan, tapping into the commonwealth’s rainy day fund and presenting his ideas for what to do about cannabis, our aging transit systems, education, and a whole lot more. Spotlight PA’s Stephen Caruso is running through the need-to-knows, plus why Shapiro is clearly team Sheetz. Notes and references from today’s s...