City Cast Pittsburgh City Cast

There’s a big new pickleball spot opening in the old Wheel Mill in Homewood; we’ve got some good news about the improving conditions of our bridges; and we’ve got a happy little update on the Heinz History Center’s giant ketchup bottle. Plus, we need your help planning a perfect day at PNC Park.
Do you have suggestions for a great Buccos experience? Call or text us at 412-212-8893.
We always cite our sources:

Heinz History Center can continue to display the beloved, 35-foot Heinz ketchup bottle outside its building. We discussed the dispute over the ketchup bottle on a previous podcast episode, which features CEO Andy Masich’s fantastic defense.

Fewer PA and Pittsburgh bridges are in “poor” condition, but to keep it that way, the state’s going to need to invest a lot more money. The City of Pittsburgh’s putting a little over $1 million toward bridge maintenance in 2024.

Need more space to play pickleball? The Wheel Mill’s old building is becoming The Pickleball Warehouse and will feature 15 full-sized courts. Before The Pickleball Warehouse opens up, you can find a court in a city park or a community center.


And the Pirates debuted new jerseys with the Sheetz logo!

Learn more about the sponsors of this June 25th episode:
Babbel
Bike PGH
Parks on Tap
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.
Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh!
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing Explore Quirky Roadside Attractions with Dylan Thuras from Via Podcast.
Follow the show: Via Podcast
Next up on the Via Podcast, hosts Michelle Donati and Mitti Hicks take a road trip to discover offbeat roadside attractions around the West, from homes made deep within giant desert rocks to fire-breathing castles and so much more.

Guest Dylan Thuras, of Atlas Obscura fame, shares the cool places to uncover if you wander off-the-beaten path just a little bit, and reveals how roadside attractions can rekindle a sense of wonder in travelers of all ages.

Via Podcast is a production of AAA Mountain West Group.

DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

We’ve had our first string of 90-degree days recently, and it’s supposed to be consistently hotter than usual all summer long. But that doesn’t mean you need to spend the whole season sweating! City Cast’s Megan Harris and Sophia Lo are sharing some of their favorite ways to beat the heat, cool down their homes, and get a taste of summer away from the sun.
Do you have summer plans? Take our two-question Pittsburgh summer bucket list survey!
Want a deeper dive into our suggestions? Catch up on these City Cast episodes:

Ranking Pittsburgh’s City Pools

How To Enjoy Pittsburgh’s Rivers This Summer

Win Prizes! Summer Reading for Grownups in Pittsburgh

6 Things You Didn’t Know Your Library Card Could Do

The Best Mexican Food in Pittsburgh

Plus, check out this map of the city’s spray parks and learn how to get free air conditioners from the state. If you haven’t heard from a weatherization agency about how to get free air conditioning, you can find your local agency and reach out.
Learn more about the sponsors of this June 24th episode:
Babbel
Bike PGH
Parks on Tap
Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.
Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter.

We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh.

Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the Friday news roundup! Even though it’s been over 90 degrees every day this week, only a fraction of the city’s water fountains are on, and we’re blown away by the reason. ScareHouse, one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved fall attractions, isn't opening this year, and producer Sophia Lo isn’t likely to try their more hands-on alternative. Plus, we’ve got the latest on an upcoming groundbreaking at the new Tree of Life space in Squirrel Hill.
We always cite our sources:

Pittsburgh has over 200 water fountains, but only 35 of them are turned on because there’s only one plumber who works for the city.

Pittsburgh City Council passed legislation so that the city could work with the county, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, and school districts to hire other plumbers and pay them overtime.

ScareHouse isn’t opening for Halloween this year because of pandemic-related financial challenges and vacancies at Pittsburgh Mills.

Residents of Second Avenue Commons who were displaced by a fire are temporarily relocating to Reedsdale Center on the North Side and other sites like Light of Life. It will be months before the Downtown shelter reopens.

Two shelter residents got married at a Juneteenth celebration.

Rep. Emily Kinkead, whose district encompasses some of Allegheny County, shared plans to introduce and co-sponsor a bill to legalize cannabis in Pennsylvania, but it doesn’t seem like it’ll get passed with this year’s budget.

This weekend is the groundbreaking for a memorial to the eleven worshippers killed in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. Instead of sticking shovels in the ground, participants will smash small glass houses.

Learn more about the sponsors of this June 21st episode:
Rivers of Steel
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.
Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh!
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you love a good taco or some crunchy chilaquiles, the Pittsburgh area has a growing number of restaurants with tasty Mexican dishes. Oscar Zapata, a Mexico City native who came to the Steel City for grad school, joins us to share his go-to spots when he’s craving a taste of home — including some of his favorite family-owned restaurants. You can read Oscar's article for the Pittsburgh Independent.
**This episode originally aired on July 13, 2023.
Oscar rounded up some of his picks for the first-ever print copy of the Pittsburgh Independent, which includes some beautiful photos from freelancer Tom O’Connor. 


El Paisano in Beechview


El Colibrí at the Bloomfield Saturday Market


Panadería Jazmín in Mt. Lebanon


Alquisiras Paletería in Beechview


El Rincón Oaxaqueño in the Strip District


Taqueria El Pastorcito in New Kensington


Tasty Taquitos in Garfield, Point Breeze and South Side Works


Los Bajitos in Canonsburg


La Poblanita in Coraopolis


BTOS Kitchen in Dormont


Edgar’s Best Tacos in the Strip District

Learn more about the sponsors of this June 20th episode:
Rivers of Steel
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.
Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter.

We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh.

Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jay-Z is jumping into the debate about how to improve our state’s “lowest performing” schools, and he’s decided to pump his very influential money into school vouchers. City Cast’s Megan Harris and Sophia Lo are breaking down how schools are funded in Pennsylvania, what Jay-Z’s trying to bring to the table, and why people are mad about it. 
Learn more about the sponsors of this June 18th episode:
Rivers of Steel
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.
Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter.

We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh.

Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices