Paczki, Parades and a Very Yinzer Mardi Gras
It’s the Friday news roundup! This week, learn the history of paczki, take a tour of Chinese treats ahead of the upcoming new year parade, and entertain a real-time sip of a Southern classic with the City Cast Pittsburgh team. Lead Producer Megan Harris is back and on mic with Elizabeth Kauma, Francesca Dabecco, and Mallory Falk talking about some of our favorite foods of the season and a few ways to spend your three-day weekend. Plus, hear Morgan Moody check in with the owner of Party Cake Bakery in the South Hills.
As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism.
- Check out Squirrel Hill’s lineup for this year’s Lunar New Year parade
- A fun primer on New Year treats, savory and sweet!
- Learn more about the history of Pittsburgh paczki and where to find them
- The Hey Pittsburgh newsletter featured Party Cake Bakery in our Brookline neighborhood guide
- Melissa McCart’s amazing 2018 piece about Mike Chen’s chef visa challenges
- And find something fun among this list of Mardi Gras events happening this weekend and next!
Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter.
We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!
Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation. Sign up for the newsletter and follow us on social.
Latest Episodes
Pgh Restaurants Are Getting Pricier. Who’s Profiting?
Remember when dining out didn’t feel quite so expensive? Post-Gazette dining critic and City Cast contributor Hal B. Klein has the litera...

Pgh’s (Very) Tight Budget, Bad Driver Roundup & Homegrown Art
Mayor Corey O’Connor just proposed his budget for 2027. The good news: more funding for parks and rec centers. The bad news: our city is...

Snail Mail Group, Silent Book Club & More Cozy Pittsburgh Activities
The days are shorter, temperatures are dropping, and Pittsburgh’s gray skies will soon be making their comeback. But instead of dreading...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: A ‘Rage Room’ That’s Saving a City — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
It’s fall in Pittsburgh, but just this week, cities across the country experienced record-high heat. In Somerville, MA, the city governme...

Fetterman-Proof Senate, Fish Nor Fowl Closure & Page's Ice Cream Truck Crash
The dust has settled after Election Day, and there’s a lot to unpack! Democrats’ big wins have changed the political landscape but nation...

Pittsburgh's Best Thanksgiving Takeout in 2026
Whether you’re hosting a small group, need some backup for a big family, or just want to grab an impressive dish to contribute to the Tha...

Did PA Dems Win a Trifecta?
Pennsylvania Democrats have declared a trifecta, saying they've taken full control of the state House, state Senate, and governor's offic...

What Could Democrats Do With More Control?
It's Election Day, and Pennsylvania Democrats are hoping to win a trifecta for the first time in decades: controlling the state Senate, H...

A Procrastinator's Guide to the 2026 PA Election
Tomorrow is Election Day! If you haven't done your homework yet, host Megan Harris and executive producer Mallory Falk are here to guide...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Who Controls Austin’s Autonomous Vehicles? — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
When you think of Waymo, you might not yet think of Pittsburgh. But you should definitely be thinking of Austin, Texas. State law governi...

