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If you own an old home, there might be offensive language in your deed barring Black people from owning the property. It’s called a racial covenant, and even though this language isn’t enforceable anymore, it’s still on the books in the subdivisions of at least a few Pittsburgh neighborhoods — and especially in our suburbs. Local writer and historian David Rotenstein joins us to talk about what got us here — and a new law that could help homeowners address these ugly remnants of the past.
You can read David’s reporting on racial covenants in PublicSource and Pittsburgh City Paper.
Learn more about our sponsor! It’s almost time for the 25th Mattress Factory Garden Party. It’s an epic annual fundraiser and costume party, and the theme this year is MAKE/BELIEVE. Get your tickets now for Friday, June 7 at mattress.org.
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The Pittsburgh Marathon may be over, but street closures for 2024 foot races are just getting started. If you were an Art Institute of Pittsburgh student, you might qualify for student loan forgiveness. And City Cast producer Sophia Lo has the latest on local baby animal names, plus one unfortunate penguin eulogy.
We always cite our sources:

Check out all the winners from the 2024 Pittsburgh Marathon weekend of events here. 

Former students at The Art Institutes will be eligible for a little over $6 billion in debt forgiveness. 


About 2,000 students were taking in-person and online classes at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh when it closed in 2019.

A “lucky” baby eagle nesting at U.S. Steel’s Irvin plant was recently named by committee, with every vote worth a donation to the Tamarack Wildlife Center. Thanks to the U.S. Steel bald eagle cam, you can check on the nest 24/7.

The National Aviary’s first ever African penguin recently died.

And the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club is looking for names for Phil and Phyllis’ two groundhog pups. You have until Thursday to weigh in.

Learn more about our sponsor! It’s almost time for the 25th Mattress Factory Garden Party. It’s an epic annual fundraiser and costume party, and the theme this year is MAKE/BELIEVE. Get your tickets now for Friday, June 7 at mattress.org.
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!
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On its bad days, Pittsburgh has some weird smells – rotten eggs, from pollution along the Mon Valley. That urine scent from all the ginkgo trees. And sometimes when it rains, it smells like wet dog. But these aren’t the scents that local perfume makers think should define the city. We’re bringing back a conversation with City Cast’s Elizabeth Kauma… to talk about a few Pittsburgh scents that hit all the right notes.
We always cite our sources:

We spoke with artisanal perfumer Darren Alan, fragrance journalist Patric Rhys, and Scott Kindberg, the artist behind 5:55 Perfumery. Another local perfumer we mention is 837 North. 

Local journalist Patric Rhys covered the history of fragrance. 

Loved this episode about scents? Learn more about high-end perfume from Articles of Interest.

Niche fragrance is a growing market and has become a billion-dollar industry. 

Learn more about our sponsor! It’s almost time for the 25th Mattress Factory Garden Party. It’s an epic annual fundraiser and costume party, and the theme this year is MAKE/BELIEVE. Get your tickets now for Friday, June 7 at mattress.org.
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! Change is in store for some big summer events: Pride is moving back to the North Side, and the city isn’t sponsoring the annual Juneteenth celebration at Point State Park. Plus, Pittsburgh is expanding the controversial ShotSpotter technology into a new neighborhood, and a local company is sending self-driving tractor trailers onto a Texas highway.
We always cite our sources:

Pittsburgh Pride organizers told KDKA-TV that they’re moving back to the North Side after they were denied access to Point State Park, but the state claims they didn’t submit a completed application.

The news outlet QBurgh, which is part of the Pride planning group, says it has filed complaints with the state’s LGBTQ Commission over “institutional barriers.”

Juneteenth is still taking place at Point State Park, but the city is not sponsoring it this year, and the Black Musical Festival has been canceled.

The Pittsburgh-based company Aurora Innovation will be putting self-driving tractor trailers on the road later this year – but for now, only on I-45 in Texas.

Pittsburgh City Council approved a contract expansion with the company behind ShotSpotter; the technology will now be installed in Carrick.

Don’t miss our episode about ShotSpotter, and PublicSource’s primer on Pittsburgh’s history with the controversial technology


Check out the lineup for Allegheny County’s free summer concert series at South Park and Hartwood Acres

We talked about the Steelers’ report card on a previous show; players had gripes about a lot of things, including their training facility. Now the space has received a major upgrade.

Sign up to meet the team and celebrate women’s role in journalism at the Heinz History Center this Sunday, May 5.
Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera. They’re presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson through May 5 at the Byham Theater.
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!
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The Bloomfield Saturday Market is back this weekend! And in addition to being a go-to spot for fresh produce, fancy cheese, homemade pies, and more, it’s also a resource for customers and vendors at any bustling market to learn how to be a good neighbor and get the most from your selling and shopping experience. The City Cast team is asking all your burning questions: Is there a right way to walk through it? Is it appropriate to ask vendors for recipes? Should you haggle for your tomato? Christina Howell, executive director of the Bloomfield Development Corporation and former market manager, is here to share some farmers market etiquette ahead of opening day.
The Bloomfield Saturday Market happens weekly May 4 through November 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Here’s a full list of vendors. Find more about market season elsewhere in the city here.
**This episode originally published on May 4, 2023.
Learn more about our sponsor, the Pittsburgh Opera. They’re presenting The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson through May 5 at the Byham Theater.
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

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Pittsburgh community. 
The sun is out, flowers are in bloom, and the City Cast Pittsburgh team has tons of recommendations to help you take advantage of the beautiful weather. From farmers markets to music fests, we’re bringing you the best tips and suggestions for enjoying May in the Steel City. And if you’re looking for even more outdoor activities, don’t miss our recent episode about how to forage mushrooms in Pittsburgh.
For even more tips on how to make the most of May in Pittsburgh, check out Hey Pittsburgh’s take on what to do this month. 
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Reach us at pittsburgh@citycast.fm
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