Fireball, Ferris Wheel & More Self-Driving Cars
The Esplanade development finally broke ground in Chateau, after nearly a decade of planning, which means we're one step closer to a permanent Ferris Wheel on the North Side. Plus, there are fresh hopes and dreams for Station Square now that a new developer is taking over. Host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and producer Sophia Lo discuss what they'd like to see on the riverfront site, why alcohol sales are dipping in PA (and why Pennsylvanians can't get enough of Fireball and pink lemonade vodka), and why you'll soon see driverless taxis cruising down city streets.
How should Pittsburghers be celebrating their milestone birthdays? Call or text the BIRTHDAY HOTLINE at 412-212-8893.
Notes and references from today’s show:
- Shapiro calls $740M Esplanade Project a 'game changer' as Pittsburgh project breaks ground [TribLive]
- Developers break ground on historic Esplanade project [P-G]
- PODCAST: Restaurants, Party Barges & Bathrooms on the Riverfront [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- PODCAST: Can the North Side Get a Ferris Wheel & Still Stay Affordable? [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- PODCAST: Coffee, Corn Dogs & The Latest on Manchester’s Freeman Family Farm [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- Station Square primed for next act as developer with waterfront expertise buys iconic destination [Business-Times]
- PA wine, spirits sales slip as tariffs, dwindling bar crowds take toll [TribLive]
- PODCAST: What Tariffs Mean for Pittsburgh Wine [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- PODCAST: Why Pittsburgh's a Pioneer in Non-Alcoholic Drinks [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- Are Americans drinking less? New data says yes, but not by much [Reuters]
- Costco pursues liquor license for Cranberry store amid grocery competition [Business-Times]
- New Mosaic Apartments in Oakland aim to be welcoming to LGBTQ+ seniors [WESA]
- Shapiro signs CROWN Act against hair discrimination [TribLive]
- PODCAST: Grabby Boss? Racist Landlord? This Pittsburgh Office Can Help [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- Nonprofit asks Pittsburghers to clean out play rooms, donate to kids in need [WESA]
- Drop off locations for Play it Forward Toy Drive [Play it Forward]
- What's new on the slopes this season at Seven Springs, Hidden Valley and other resorts? [P-G]
- 23rd Annual Gingerbread House Display & Competition [City of Pittsburgh]
Learn more about the sponsors of this December 5th episode:
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.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Can Waymo Crack Pittsburgh?
Have you had a Waymo sighting lately? It suddenly seems like these robotaxis are everywhere. Pittsburgh has been a testing ground for aut...

Restaurant Week, '90s Nostalgia & Cathy's 100th Birthday
One of Pittsburgh's most iconic buildings is 100 years young. Host Megan Harris and audience development manager Rachel Carlson share wha...

Pittsburgh's Grocery Store Showdown
Giant Eagle has long been the main grocery game in town — it's celebrating 95 years in the Burgh with special merch — but that's about to...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Naked Neighbors, Unwelcome Pets, and Other City Life Dilemmas — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
As much as you love Pittsburgh, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have co...

Pittsburgh’s Measles Risk, Explained
Measles cases are on the rise in Pennsylvania. We just notched 200 cases, with more than 45 reported in the last week alone. This is es...

Sports Villains, Redemption Arcs, and the One Man We'll Never Forgive
Is it villainous to avoid Pittsburgh for over a decade? To get rich off our sports teams but never try to win? If a celebrity claims us,...

What Happened to Station Square?
Station Square has been many things: a festival marketplace ("think outdoor shopping mall with razzamatazz"), a home to megaclubs and war...

Your Guide to August 2026 in Pittsburgh
Whether you want to board a pontoon boat, catch free live music in the park, or follow up a round of mini golf with an ice cream sandwich...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How One City Beat Restrictive Zoning — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
Do you know how zoning laws affect Pittsburgh’s housing costs? New Haven, CT, has been governed for years by restrictive zoning that made...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: The Trick to Getting People To Volunteer — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
It’s not a given that every Pittsburgher will chip in to help their community. In this episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with writ...

