Meatball Mergers, PennDOT Hellscapes & Emmy Noms for ‘The Pitt’

Part of the Parkway East is closing tonight so PennDot can explode the old Commercial Street Bridge and slide a new one in its place. Traffic will be a nightmare and "demons shall walk the earth," but at least we can watch it on a live stream! Host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and contributor and City Paper managing editor Colin Williams explain how, exactly, you move a giant bridge, share what snacks we'd bring to a demolition viewing party, and warn you about even more road closures up I-79. Then Colin gets his soapbox moment about why more Western PA municipalities should consider consolidating. Finally, we dig into the controversy over a Pride display at the Monroeville Public Library and celebrate 'The Pitt' getting more Emmy noms than any other show this season.

And in today's members-only bonus segment, we're sending off our incredible senior newsletter editor, Francesca Dabecco. 

Notes and references from today’s show:

• PODCAST: Your City Could Be Better [YouTube]
• PODCAST: Why Pittsburgh is Giving Rent Discounts Downtown. Plus, Why Local Sports Matter [Apple Podcasts]
• Here's how PennDOT is going to move the new Commercial Street Bridge into place on the Parkway East [KDKA]
• PennDOT to livestream Parkway East bridge demolition and replacement [TribLive]
• Interstate 79 Wexford Interchange Phase Change and Restrictions Thursday Night in Allegheny County [PennDOT]
• Mars Borough leaders approve merger ordinance with Adams Township [KDKA]
• So much fragmentation [Public Source]
• Boldly going to the Duquesne Club and Rivers Club, where few but rich white men had once gone before [City Paper]
• Monroeville turns out in force to spar over library’s Pride display removal [City Paper]
• Henry L. Hillman Foundation becomes latest nonprofit to donate to Pittsburgh [TribLive]
• PODCAST: Why Doesn't UPMC Pay Property Taxes? [City Cast Pittsburgh]
• One year after ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’: 98K fewer Pennsylvanians on SNAP [Public Source]
• ‘The Pitt’ leads Emmy nominations with 25 total nods [P-Gci]

What Pittsburgh stories should Megan take nationwide? Call or text us YOUR CITY COULD BE BETTER Hotline at  412-212-8893.

Learn more about the sponsor of this Friday, July 10th episode:

Woodward Summer Camps

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