Pgh Needs More Foster Families, Especially For Queer Kids
At any given time, there are 1,300 children in foster care in Allegheny County, and almost one-third of those older kids identify as LGBTQ. They often have to live outside the homes they grew up in because they aren't getting the affirming love and support they need. We’re with freelancer and City Cast contributor Meg St. Esprit and Jaime Simmons, chief engagement officer for Every Child Inc., to talk about why those figures are so high, their own experiences with the foster care system, and what prospective adoptive parents should know.
Read Meg’s beautiful piece for PublicSource: ‘I put my fighting gloves on a lot faster.’ How understanding foster parents may mean ‘life or death’ for trans kids.
Today’s news:
- The lawsuit over the death of Jim Rogers has yielded $8 million to his family
- And it’s your last day to register to vote for the primary. Check your registration here.
Want some more Pittsburgh news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Pittsburgh.
We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh!
Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.
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...

