City Cast Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh's going all out for America250! We've got a Ferris Wheel on the North Side, a free Nelly and Third Eye Blind concert, and of course, the city's annual fireworks display, which is run by a company from Western Pennsylvania. But they're not the only fireworks team in town. We're bringing back a conversation from host Megan Harris and executive producer Mallory Falk, where we take a deep dive into the the birthplace and backstories of Zambelli, Pyrotecnico, and Starfire — and how our region became a hotbed for three of the largest U.S. fireworks makers in the world. **This episode originally aired July 2, 2024. Learn more about the sponsors of this Thursday, June 25th episode: AIDS Free PGH The Frick Pittsburgh Pittsburgh CLO Quantum Theatre Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning 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. Pittsburgh’s Independence Day celebration may have moved from Point State Park to the North Shore, but you can still expect some really big booms — and the company in charge this year is from Western Pennsylvania. But they’re not the only game in town! City Cast Pittsburgh’s Megan Harris and Mallory Falk are talking about the birthplace and backstories of Zambelli, Pyrotecnico, and Starfire — and how our region became a hotbed for three of the largest U.S. fireworks makers in the world.

Earlier this year,ICE bought two warehouses in Pennsylvania with plans to convert them into immigrant detention centers. Now they're looking to offload the buildings instead. Executive producer Mallory Falk and Sophia Lo explain what happened. Plus, we're sharing what you need to know about PRT's new payment system, the demolition of a major Pittsburgh bridge, and a potential redevelopment plan for Century III Mall. Where should Sophia watch the Commercial Street Bridge demolition and replacement? Call or text us our SLIDING BRIDGE hotline 412-212-8893. Party with us on the Andy Warhol Bridge! The county is hosting a 100th birthday party for the Warhol Bridge and we're emceeing. Join us on Saturday, June 27 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. More details here. Notes and references from today’s show: ICE Spent $700 Million on 7 Warehouses. Now It Wants To Get Rid of Them [NYTimes] ICE Plans to Offload Berks County and Schuylkill County warehouses, report says [Pennsylvania Capital-Star] PODCAST: Does Our State Bird Suck? Plus, ICE Updates & Vacant Lots [City Cast Pittsburgh] ReadyFare Card [Pittsburgh Regional Transit] Commercial Street to close June 29 for bridge project [Axios Pittsburgh] Commercial Street Detours [PennDOT] ‘Phenomenal’ plan for Century III Mall site could emerge soon [Public Source] PODCAST: So Long, Century III Mall [City Cast Pittsburgh] PODCAST: Can Pittsburgh Mills Avoid Century III's Fate? [City Cast Pittsburgh] Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, June 23rd episode: AIDS Free PGH The Frick Pittsburgh Pittsburgh CLO Quantum Theatre Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning 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.

It's backyard barbecue season, and no cookout feels complete without a big bag of chips. And if you like your summer snacks to be locally-sourced, you're in luck. Pennsylvania is actually considered the potato chip capital of the world! How did we earn this distinction, and which PA-made chips are the best? The City Cast Pittsburgh crew is joining forces with our friends at City Cast Philly to taste as many locally-made potato chips as we can find, crown a winner, and explain how the commonwealth became the number one spot for this crunchy snack. **This episode originally aired on March 13, 2025. Learn more about the sponsors of this Thursday, June 18th episode: Westmoreland Museum Athens County Visitors Bureau Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning 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. Feeling snacky? The next time you're grocery shopping, pick up one of the many potato chips made right here in Pennsylvania! 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 crown the tastiest snack in the first ever (maybe?) Chippy Awards.

Pittsburgh International Airport (briefly) lost power during the big storm last week – something that wasn't supposed to happen because of our first-of-its-kind microgrid. With more bad weather on the horizon, host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and producer Sophia Lo explain how likely this is to happen again, and why PIT is usually the envy of other airports when it comes to backup power. We also discuss some legal updates involving Primanti's, our "Big Five" nonprofits, and ICE, plus Pittsburgh's role in discovering new dinosaurs. Notes and references from today’s show: Primanti Bros. faces lawsuit over mural [TribLive] City of Pittsburgh quietly reverses course on legal challenges to tax-exempt properties [P-G] PODCAST: Why Doesn't UPMC Pay Property Taxes? [City Cast Pittsburgh] Death of Haitian immigrant ruled a homicide. ICE denies responsibility. [Public Source] Pittsburgh International Airport loses power after "extraordinary" storm causes surge, officials say [KDKA] Carnegie museum paleontologist co-leads discovery of a new dinosaur species in China [P-G] Bone To Pick: First T. Rex Skeleton, Complete At Last [NPR] 4 Ways To Have Dino-mite Fun This Summer in Pittsburgh [City Cast Pittsburgh] Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, June 16th episode: Westmoreland Museum Athens County Visitors Bureau Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning 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.

Do you know how many parks Pittsburgh has? Residents of Salt Lake County have wondered about their parks for years — that is, until City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta set out to catalog them all. Over the course of two years, she visited all 511 parks in the county, seeking to record their amenities (e.g., bathrooms, playgrounds), write helpful summaries, and track down the people in charge. The resulting map has already become a valuable tool for locals, who now not only know who to call when trash cans are overflowing: they can also find outdoor spaces that meet their needs. Mentioned on the show: Every Park SLC - The First-Ever Guide to Every Park in Salt Lake County (City Cast Salt Lake) Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.