City Cast Pittsburgh City Cast

The Steel City loves to revel in its own history, but many of those stories are rooted in colonialism and the generations of immigration that followed. Why don’t we learn more about the Indigenous peoples who preceded them? Ahead of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we’re revisiting this conversation between City Cast’s Elizabeth Kauma and Miguel Sague from the Council of Three Rivers Indian American Center, about whose land we’re actually on.
**This conversation originally published October 11, 2022.
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It’s the Friday news roundup! Allegheny County leadership is at odds again — this time, over the fate of the Shuman juvenile detention facility in the East End; the new covid boosters are allegedly available, but Pittsburghers are having a lot of trouble finding them both in stock and covered by their insurers; and Banned Books Week kicks off this weekend, as state lawmakers consider ways to make it both easier and harder for individual school districts and libraries to be subject to those bans. Plus, did you know the whole commemoration began with a Pittsburgher?

We love to cite our sources:

PINJ and the Pittsburgh Independent have been doing great reporting about the plan to renovate Shuman and County Council’s impending lawsuit 

County Executive Rich Fitzgerald sued Council previously for passing an increase in the minimum wage for county workers, which he said he supports, but not in this manner

Rollout of the new Covid booster has had issues nationwide, including insurance denials and canceled appointments


One health and policy expert explained one cause for NPR: This is the first year the vaccine is being commercialized


One person looking for the booster in Miami said it seems like the American health care system is ”circling the drain” 


Pittsburgh native Judith Krug was a banned books crusader before her death in 2009

The Washington Post analyzed book challenges nationwide and found the majority were filed by just 11 people

The latest report from PEN America, which tracks book bans, found that almost 75% of reported book bans in the last school year were connected to organized efforts, mainly from advocacy groups, elected officials, or enacted legislation

Lancaster Online reported on the legislation around book bans in PA, including a proposed bill to ban book bans at libraries and public schools and another bill that would require schools to notify parents about "sexually explicit content" in curriculums

Our own Mallory Falk did a deep dive on an attempted book ban in Central York for WHYY’s Schooled podcast last year, and and the Inky looked at where Pennsylvania ranks with book bans nationwide


Check out the Carnegie Library’s plans for Banned Book Week, including the 30 Books in 30 Minutes event online and in person Oct. 7 at 10:30 a.m.


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Maybe you like IPAs or lagers. Maybe a seasonal or sour is more your taste. Or maybe you’re just in it for the lawn games. Trace Brewing’s Aadam Soorma is here to share his favorite breweries for fall, including spots to watch a game, take a hike, pet some pigs, and of course — have a great-tasting bevvie alongside it all. 
This is the third in a three-part series on the best fall getaways in our region.
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The nights are longer and there’s a chill in the air… it’s almost Halloween! And that means scare season for local haunt actors Stacey Federoff and Dave Archer. They’re sharing their love of the holiday, which area haunts are worth a day trip from Pittsburgh, and how you and your friends can safely (and creepily?!) experience the frights and delights of their favorite “haunted” attractions.
This is episode is the second in a three-part series on the best fall getaways in our region.
For hard-core horror lovers:

Chippewa Lake — east of Akron, Ohio (former slaughterhouse)

Field of Screams — outside of Lancaster, PA, near Hershey

Crawford School of Terror — Connellsville, PA

Less scary, still fun:

Rich’s Fright Farm — Smithfield PA in Fayette County

Factory of Terror — Canton, Ohio (excellent themed haunts like Friday 13th/Valentine’s Day/St. Patrick’s Day, and there are bars inside the haunt)

Quirkiest:

Hopewell Windmill — Beaver County, PA (mini golf and ice cream)

Freddy’s Haunt — Beaver County, PA (Stacey’s favorite for 90s feel)

Kid-friendly:

Haunted Hills Hayride — North Versailles, PA

Castle Blood — Monessen, PA (theatrical vignettes in a former funeral home)

Hobgoblin Hikes — Westmoreland County Parks

Hallowboo at Idlewild — Ligonier, PA

Kennywood Fall Fest — West Mifflin, PA

ZooBoo at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium — Highland Park

Boo Barn at Triple B Farms — Monongahela, PA

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It’s officially fall, which means leaf-peeping season is almost upon us. If you’re looking for outdoorsy autumn getaways, the City Cast Pittsburgh team has got you covered. Host Megan Harris, newsletter editor Francesca Dabecco, and producers Mallory Falk and Sophia Lo are here with our favorite trips within four hours of the ‘Burgh.
This is episode is the first in a three-part series on the best fall getaways in our region.
Our picks close to Pgh:


McConnells Mill State Park (near Portersville) — Cheeseman Farm is also in this area

Looking for a place to stay? Check out The Lodge at Water’s Edge



Laurel Caverns/Barton Cave (Farmington)

Find out more about cave tours with Pittsburgh Grotto


Ohiopyle State Park

Find out more about the Legends of Ohiopyle events this Friday (looking for the extra spooky version? Get your thrills and chills here)

Harmony, PA 

Check out the Sleepy Hollow Fest on Oct. 14


Our picks a little farther afield:

Davis, WV

Blackwater Falls State Park


The Purple Fiddle for food, drinks, and live music

If you want to venture a little farther south, check out New River Gorge, the nation’s newest national park


PA Grand Canyon (Wellsboro, PA)

Pine Creek Rail Trail

Stargazing at Cherry Springs State Park (Coudersport, PA)

Get a Night Sky Tour at this dark-sky certified spot

You can also reserve a campsite there

Kinzua Bridge State Park

Keuka Lake, NY 

Check out the Village of Penn Yan



The Smoky Mountains map estimates that peak foliage hits Oct 9-23, depending on where you are in the state.
Want some more Pittsburgh news? 

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In 2008, the city and its foundations made a promise to all Pittsburgh kids – if you attend class and get decent grades, we’ll help you pay for college or trade school. But last week, the officials behind those gifts told parents in a one-page letter that the money is almost out. We’re talking about why with journalist Mary Niederberger and James Fogarty, executive director of A+ Schools.
For more background on the Pittsburgh Promise’s results and past fundraising efforts, check out Mary’s previous reporting for PublicSource.
Want some more Pittsburgh news? 

Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter.

We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.



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