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We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast Pittsburgh

Boen Wang

Friday marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, when hijackers killed nearly 3,000 people in New York City, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. Western PA was directly affected: one of the hijacked planes crashed into a field in Shanksville — around 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh — killing 40 passengers and crew members.

Venues in and around Pittsburgh are hosting musical performances, public art displays, memorials, and other events honoring those who lost their lives.

 in Somerset County will host an observance starting at 8:30 a.m. with a reading of the names of all passengers and crew members. A ceremony at 1:00 p.m. includes remarks, music, and wreath-laying. Forty candlelit lanterns will be placed at the Wall of Names during a luminaria ceremony at 7:30 p.m., and a column of light will illuminate the night sky until midnight. Visitors can observe sidewalk chalk portraits of every passenger and crew member throughout the day. All events will be livestreamed on 

A single bagpiper will play at 8:46 a.m., 9:03 a.m., 9:36 a.m., and 10:03 a.m. — the times at which planes crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the field in Shanksville. The performance is at the 

 on Carnegie Mellon’s campus, planted in remembrance of the seven CMU alumni who died.

Pitt students, faculty, and staff can meet at the on-campus Recreation and Wellness Center for a stair climb from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Working in waves, participants will climb a total of 2,200 steps to symbolize the approximately 110 stories first responders climbed in the Twin Towers.

The borough is hosting a commemoration honoring first responders. The event starts at 4 p.m. at Westinghouse Lodge, coinciding with the Friday farmers market, and includes a picnic, award ceremony, and concert featuring local high school musicians and the Balmoral Highland Pipes and Drum Band.

On Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m., the Cultural District will host a live music, storytelling, and theatrical performance called 

. Hear Bill Spade, an FDNY first responder, and Jaymes Poling, a combat veteran of the War in Afghanistan, relive their experiences of the attacks and the war that followed — accompanied by a jazz band and visual elements.

Remembering the 9/11 Attacks in Pittsburgh

What Pittsburghers have been wondering. We break down why things in Pittsburgh are the way they are and how they work.

Pittsburgh, Explained

Laura Tsutsui

⏪ Looking for a previous Pittsburgh crossword? Find it here:

A crossword puzzle all about Pittsburgh news and fun facts. 

Can You Fill Out This Pittsburgh Crossword Puzzle?

Try This Pittsburgh Crossword Puzzle

Francesca Dabecco

America’s 250th birthday is a huge milestone for Pittsburgh. Our region was a crucial site during the French and Indian War, which set the stage for the American Revolution. Later, our city’s industrial, medical, and technological advances helped to shape the country.

Celebrate Pittsburgh’s pivotal role at these events that educate, entertain, and inspire.

‘We Hold These Truths’: American Potluck

RealTime Arts invites guests into local living rooms for short, original plays, followed by potluck-style meals and guided conversations about food, health, and American identity. Get to know your neighbors, your city, and your country from new angles at these Equitable Dinners, scheduled for 

The Heinz History Center is showing an art display focused on freedom, equality, justice, and opportunity. It’s a unique mix of watercolor, portraiture, sculpture, and cartoons. See which beloved Pittsburghers you can spot in the works, like environmentalist Rachel Carson, public television icon Fred Rogers, and civil rights activist Daisy Lampkin. 

 outside of their normal stage at Heinz Hall. Catch an evening of American classics at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall, an outdoor concert and drone show at Hartwood Acres, and more.

Learn about Western PA’s critical role in the American Revolution with 

, the Fort Pitt Museum, and Fort Pitt Block House on the Fourth of July. There will be costumed re-enactors, a flag-raising ceremony, cannon firings, martial music, and hands-on family fun throughout the site.

Art Rooney Avenue on the North Side, July 1- 5

. Take in the city skyline and three rivers from high above. 50% of ticket sales benefit Veterans Leadership Program. It’s a fun way to honor veterans and celebrate the popular amusement ride designed by Pittsburgh engineer George Ferris Jr. in 1893.

Looking for fireworks? Have a blast at these Fourth of July 

Fireworks, an American potluck, freedom-inspired art, Ferris Wheel rides, and more ways to celebrate American 250 in Pittsburgh.

How To Celebrate American 250 in Pittsburgh

5 Ways To Mark America 250 in Pittsburgh

Megan Harris

Both local media outlets once owned and nearly ended by Block Communications Inc. have something to celebrate today.

Nearly all the former staff of Pittsburgh City Paper met back in the office this morning, just as the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announced 

, a free alt-weekly founded in 1991, was purchased by BCI in 2023 and abruptly shut down last New Year’s Eve. In March, editor Ali Trachta announced plans to recall most of CP’s editorial staff for a relaunch under a new for-profit company called Pierogi Press LLC, which is owned by the new Pittsburgh-based nonprofit 

 in Philadelphia. Today marks City Paper’s first day back at work in a new space in Squirrel Hill. They say monthly print issues and a revamped digital experience are coming soon.

 is recognized as one of the nation's oldest newspapers. Its legacy dates back nearly 240 years, and the last 99 were under the stewardship of the Block family. Employees had endured a three-year work strike, the dissolution of multiple unions, and long stretches with few raises and minimal hiring — and that was before BCI told staff on Jan. 7 the paper would cease operations May 3. The Baltimore Banner is a nonprofit news outlet owned by the 

Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism

. They say the PG will retain its name, core leadership, and two print publication days. According to a release, the newsroom will likely “start smaller” than the Banner’s current 95 staffers. The PG newsroom currently stands around 100. Financial details haven’t been disclosed.

 to uphold union contracts and bargain in good faith. The Guild is still pushing for legal liabilities the PG has already incurred.

Does this mean Philly and Baltimore are the good guys now? 🥴

 just for City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbors about the Block family and their antics over the years. If you're a Neighbor, you can hear it in your ad-free podcast feed in 

. If you're not a member, you can sign up for this and future bonus segments (plus local meet-ups, swag like our new parking chair hat (!!), and more) 

Won’t you be our Neighbor?

Both the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh City Paper will continue in 2026.

New Owners for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Baltimore Banner Buys the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

City Cast Pittsburgh Staff

City Cast Pittsburgh is a free daily podcast and newsletter made for Pittsburghers, by Pittsburghers.

We speak to what matters here — with real questions, sharp curation, and a point of view that comes from living alongside you. From big civic debates to the best things to do this weekend, if Pittsburgh is talking about it, we probably are, too.

 is where it all comes together: a smart, funny, relatable conversation that helps you make sense of the news, the mood, and the moments shaping Pittsburgh right now. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, Youtube, or wherever you get your favorite shows.

 is your daily reset. In five minutes, you’re caught up on what’s happening, attuned to daily events and volunteer opportunities, and you'll always know the best new restaurant or coffee shop to try next.

📱 You can also find us on social, including Facebook, 

Together, they’re a simple way to stay in sync with your city and be the kind of neighbor 

💛 We share Pittsburgh pride — and gripes!

 the Steelers win? Will Bob Nutting ever 

East Coast, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, or Appalachia

Get tools, toys, instruments and more with 

🔥 We help you discover the best of the city

Email convention: first name dot last name @ citycast.fm

Francesca Dabecco, senior newsletter editor

City Cast is an experiment — an effort by Graham Holdings in 13 cities (and counting!) to figure out how to make on-demand local news sustainable and help people feel more connected to the city where they live.

Readers and listeners can help us stick around by becoming a Neighbor and joining our 

, where we’re creating a community of invested locals who care deeply about this place and want to see it thrive.

Neighbors get exclusive merch, a special weekly email with curated events, invites to members-only meetups (like happy hours, walking tours, and food & drink tastings), ad-free podcast listening, and the opportunity to share their favorite people, places, and organizations in the newsletter and podcast.

We reach the city’s tastemakers, opinion shapers, and locals who care most about what’s going on in town — who are first to try new restaurants, up on cultural events, and politically and socially active. So when you advertise on City Cast, you’ll reach Pittsburgh's most engaged, most passionate audience. 

Subscribe to our FREE daily newsletter and podcast made for Pittsburghers by Pittsburghers.

What Is City Cast Pittsburgh?

Stay in the Know with City Cast Pittsburgh

There are two ways to watch HBO Max's hit medical drama "The Pitt" — like a normal person or like someone on 

. If you're like us, you've loved clocking the specificity of its local lore, even when it's not exactly right. Here are some of our favorite Steel City references in the first half of season two ⬇️

, and it’s funny — if also nightmare fuel — to suggest lanternflies could shut down a major medical center. (Meanwhile 

 really could.) Sonny’s Tavern is a real institution in Bloomfield, though not most people’s preferred spot for a first kiss. And no one will ever forget Three Rivers Stadium or all the folks like Louie, the fictional former groundskeeper, who ensured the rest of us had a great time.

Dr. Robby wearing a Hemingway’s shirt. 

 in Point Breeze. Brashear’s unfortunate former mascot choice. Calling a nun’s ailment an “immaculate infection.” PennDOT will absolutely teach you to 

, but they would also suggest you wear a helmet.

A date-worthy art gallery at 40th and Butler? 

. Most people aren’t hitting up Seven Springs for a weekend trip in the summer, but it could happen. And while it’s totally possible to live in Garfield and commute to work in New Castle, it wouldn’t be the most pleasant way to spend two or more hours every day.

The show’s depiction of what happens when someone dies without family to claim them is grim but real, as is how hospitals treat survivors of sexual assault. The show worked with 

 to help build necessary tension over episode seven, but real exams take place over many hours and can’t be paused for mental breaks or snacks.

When Dr. Robby rides across the Rachel Carson Bridge 

(with musical accompaniment from The Clarks)

, it makes sense to focus on our beautiful skyline at sunrise. But the fountain at Point State Park is on — it was off last year for renovations ahead of the NFL Draft — and 

, which served up bites and bevvies from July to October, is missing from the riverfront along Allegheny Landing Park. Local filming for “The Pitt” took place in that window, so how did they manage this shot? Is it special effects, or is this maybe an alternate scene shot during season one?

Who made that fake city seal, and can we adopt it for real?

When Dr. Robby arrives at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center, he passes a plaque commemorating the cataclysmic events of season one. The seal, seemingly part of a proclamation from City Council, is… not quite Pittsburgh’s. But it might be better? The bureaucratic language is wrong, though. No “be it proclaimed.” Striking lack of “whereas.”

Catch up on season 1

City Cast Pittsburgh’s favorite local references and missed opportunities in season two of HBO Max’s “The Pitt.”

What Season 2 of 'The Pitt' Gets Right About Pittsburgh

What We’re Loving About ‘The Pitt’ So Far

There’s a new bus tour in town, and it’s hitting up important landmarks in Pittsburgh’s Black history — from a famous playwright’s house to a legendary newspaper office. Hop on Culturvate Enterprise's 

 tour through the Hill District on Feb. 28.

Can’t make it? Learn about our city’s Black trailblazers, activists, artists, and athletes year-round with the guide below ⬇️

1. Hear the ‘Sound of the Steel City’

For over seven decades, the radio station WAMO was the rhythm and voice of the Black community, and a new documentary is sharing its cultural impact on Pittsburgh. See exclusive interviews, rare archival footage, and stories from the station's top talent and community leaders at the premiere of “

Fun fact: WAMO initially started as “WHOD” — where Homestead native 

 became the first Black female disc jockey in the nation.

Renowned Pittsburgh playwright August Wilson, who died in 2005, is best known for his series of 10 plays called the “

” — each set in a different decade of the twentieth century, and all but one set in Pittsburgh. Today, you can find his legacy preserved at the 

 in Crawford-Roberts. The restored 1840s home isn’t just a museum; it's a creative hub for theatrical productions, art exhibitions, literary workshops, and more.

 on May 9, featuring musical performances, vendors, food trucks, and tours of the house.

3. See an Exhibit at the August Wilson Center

August Wilson’s childhood home isn’t the only place to learn about his legacy. Visit the 

August Wilson African American Cultural Center

 in Downtown to see The Writer’s Landscape, a 3,600-square-foot exhibit exploring the people and places of Pittsburgh that shaped Wilson and his work.

It’s also a center for Black art, like music, dance, theater, and film programs, as well as educational activities like lectures and writing workshops. Stop in to see the latest exhibit, 

4. Explore the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum

Pittsburgh was once a powerhouse for Negro League baseball, with teams like the 

 and Pittsburgh Crawfords. Some players even wore uniforms for both teams— like 

, who’s considered the greatest hitter in baseball history. See this history on display with a short film, memorabilia, and a virtual tour of the Hill District’s Greenlee Field.

White you’re at the Heinz History Center: Stop by the 

 exhibit to learn about the history of enslavement and the anti-slavery movement, plus the impact of 19th-century activism on the modern quest for civil rights in Pittsburgh.

5. Pour Through the ‘Teenie’ Harris Archives

Carnegie Museum of Art holds more than 75,000 negatives shot by Charles “Teenie” Harris, a legendary local photographer best known for capturing the Black experience during the 20th century. On display, you’ll find pictures of everything from ordinary life in Pittsburgh to visiting stars like jazz great Duke Ellington. 

6. Reflect at Freedom Corner in the Hill District

 has been the site of community resistance and the starting point for social justice marches. In 1963, 2,000 Pittsburghers gathered there before departing for Washington, DC to hear Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech. Five years later, locals met at that very same spot for a march following his assasination.

 to make room for the Civic Arena, residents stood at this intersection to demand that “urban renewal” stop there. By then, thousands of families and businesses had been forced out of their neighborhood. A monument honoring their activism and the site's significance was dedicated in 2001.

Today, the site continues to live on as a place for rallies, protests, and parades.

7. Uncover the Story of Freedom House Ambulance

In the 1960s, a trailblazing group of Black men from the Hill District became the nation's very first paramedics, revolutionizing emergency healthcare in the U.S. Listen to our 

 of “American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America’s First Paramedics.” Or watch the 

 “Freedom House Ambulance: The First Responders.”

Learn about Pittsburgh’s Black trailblazers, activists, artists, and sports teams at these local landmarks.

Celebrate Black History in Pittsburgh at These Landmarks and Cultural Spaces

7 Ways To Learn About Black History in Pittsburgh

The Steelers are already planning for their next arena, Allegheny County Executive 

Sara Innamorato confirmed to City Cast Pittsburgh

Public funding for sports arenas can be controversial. Supporters see it as an investment in civic pride and economic development; critics say it's an expensive subsidy for already wealthy people. And teams sometimes threaten to leave their host cities to add extra pressure to negotiations.

The Steelers are privately owned by the Rooney family, who founded the team in Pittsburgh in 1933. Acrisure Stadium (formerly Heinz Field) cost 

 when it opened in 2001. Voters at the time rejected a plan to help pay for the arena via a sales tax, but around 

 — paid for through a mix of regional taxes and ticket sales — including seat replacements and eventually a new field. Some of this is related to the upcoming NFL Draft, but fully replacing Acrisure or nearby PNC Park could cost over $1 billion.

, host Megan Harris asked Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato what she's heard about whether the Steelers could ask for something bigger soon.

Here’s a snippet from their conversation:

 Have the Steelers talked to you about a public funding mechanism for a new stadium? Because the lease is up after the 2030 season, which means the time is probably nigh for them to start talking about this sort of thing.

Yeah. We remain in constant communication about that.

 It was very controversial last time. Are we gonna give public funding for that? What do you think?

 We remain in constant conversation and negotiation around that.

 OK. They're gonna want a roof, 'cause we really want a Super Bowl. They've been talking about that for like 50 years.

 Yeah. I mean, if someone from the private sector wants to pay for that, godspeed.

Innamorato on ICE, the NFL Draft & more

The Steelers are already planning for their next arena, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato confirmed to City Cast Pittsburgh.

Will the Pittsburgh Steelers Get a New Football Stadium?

Will Pittsburgh Build A New Football Stadium?

If you've felt scared, unsettled, or in danger because of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement activity, here are concrete ways to learn more about what's happening in Pittsburgh and how to get involved, including rapid-response trainings that prepare residents to safely document ICE activity, organizations providing legal or mutual aid, community care options for children and families, rent and food support, and more.

What Are Pittsburgh Officials Saying About ICE?

, which means our public safety officials, including police, won’t assist them. But local police may still be dispatched to monitor a situation, and it’s not clear 

 while off duty. In other cities where ICE is more active, the voice of the mayor seems to hold little weight.

Pittsburgh City Council is urging PA senators 

 that would provide another $10 billion to ICE. Under President Donald Trump, the agency now has 

 than any other U.S. law enforcement group. U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-Braddock) and Dave McCormick (R-Squirrel Hill) 

 that could bar elected officials and county employees from cooperating with ICE unless ordered by a federal judge. Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato called Trump’s influence on immigration enforcement and federal funding “chaotic.” 

 the raids “have nothing to do with protecting us from criminals and actually threaten the region’s long-term growth and stability.”

 are making their own choices about whether to work with ICE, sometimes without the knowledge or consent of local officials or voters. Public Source published 

Neither Pittsburgh nor Pennsylvania have 

 limiting local cooperation with ICE, which could include sharing access to databases, personal information, or legal proceedings where targets may be present. 

 last year but was later removed. Trump pledged this month to withhold federal funding from “sanctuary cities or states having sanctuary cities.”

, Gov. Josh Shapiro said his administration is prepared to handle a Minneapolis-style ICE occupation in Pennsylvania. He called agents’ behavior there “lawless” and “unacceptable” — and categorized the recent shooting death of intensive care nurse Alex Pretti by U.S. Border Patrol as an “atrocity.” 

 would prohibit civil immigration arrests within 1,000 feet of state-owned or leased facilities absent a judicial order or warrant.

You can make your voice heard by calling your elected leaders. The app 

 helps locate their contact information and provides scripts you can use or adapt.

If You or Someone You Know is Affected by ICE Activity

If you or a loved one are detained by ICE, you can call Casa San José or Frontline DIGNITY’s emergency response lines.

If you are trying to find someone who’s been detained by ICE, try the national 

Find the latest data on ICE arrests and removals at 

Find ICE Response Trainings & Know-Your-Rights Info

Casa San José and Frontline DIGNITY have helped organize hundreds of volunteers to help with interpretation services, respond to families in crisis, and serve as safe, legal observers of ICE activity. Here’s more about the groups and partner organizations.

In addition to legal clinics and Know Your Rights sessions, Casa San José operates an 

 that monitors immigration enforcement and sends volunteers to court appointments. Follow the community center’s 

 for more educational resources and ways to get involved.

The community organization teaches volunteers 

, document enforcement activity, and respond safely when ICE shows up. Follow their 

This statewide coalition works directly with immigrant communities and supports grassroots organizations. They offer one of the best websites we’ve seen for resources about knowing your rights in different situations, as well as 

 for families, employers, schools and colleges, union stewards, health care workers, and more.

Trainings, mutual aid, family support, and other resources to help immigrant communities as ICE activity escalates nationwide.

Pittsburgh, Explained

Remembering the 9/11 Attacks in Pittsburgh

Try This Pittsburgh Crossword Puzzle

5 Ways To Mark America 250 in Pittsburgh

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