Pittsburgh Halloween Costumes, County Cancels Christmas, and a Zoo Lawsuit
National Geographic says Pittsburgh is one of the best places in the world to visit in 2026, Bon Appetit featured — of all places — The Squirrel Cage, and a South Side brewery was named the best in the nation. City Cast Pittsburgh’s Megan Harris and Sophia Lo are talking about six different national lists we should be proud to make, plus a couple that just made us laugh. Also, the downstream effects of the state budget stalemate are coming home to roost: Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced all the nice things we won’t be getting, Allegheny County officials canceled Christmas decor and tours at the historic Hartwood Acres Mansion, and an animal rights group is suing the Pittsburgh Zoo. Plus we’re sharing some of our favorite mostly-last-minute Pittsburgh costume ideas, including several submitted by you!
What’s your favorite Pittsburgh costume? Call or text us at 412-212-8893. We might use it on an upcoming show.
Notes and references from today’s show:
- The best places in the world to travel to in 2026 [National Geographic]
- PODCAST: How Fet-Fisk Turned A Pop-Up Into Pittsburgh’s Best New Restaurant [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- Pittsburgh ranks 3rd in national look at car-optional living [WESA]
- Fat Head’s named Brewery of the Year at festival [TribLive]
- 3 Pennsylvania cities ranked among worst places to live for people with asthma [Allegheny Front]
- $750,000 Homes in Virginia, Florida and Pennsylvania [The New York Times]
- Experience Pittsburgh Dining Like a Local: Chef Nik Forsberg Shares His Secret City [Bon Appétit]
- Sheetz and Wawa tied in new convenience store customer satisfaction ranking [KDKA]
- Animal-rights group sues to free elephants from Pittsburgh Zoo [TribLive]
- Social media influencer charged after jumping into Pittsburgh zoo enclosure [TribLive]
- PODCAST: Baby Animals, Snake Emergencies & Why AZA Matters to the Pittsburgh Zoo [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's memoir is coming out in January [WESA]
- Routes spared, but upgrades nixed in Pittsburgh Regional Transit funding fix [PublicSource]
- Hartwood Acres Mansion holiday tours canceled due to state budget not passed [WTAE]
Learn more about the sponsors of this October 28th episode:
Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership
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
Exploding Bridge, Explosive Poops & Pittsburgh's Newest Pool
It's been an explosive week for Pittsburgh. Executive producer Mallory Falk, producer Sophia Lo, and contributor and City Paper managing...
Cannabis, Skill Games & More Hot Topics Missing From PA Budget
Pennsylvania's facing some big questions. Should we legalize cannabis? Regulate data centers and skill games? Raise the minimum wage? If...
Pittsburgh's Best Ice Cream. Plus, an Ode to Texas de Brazil
If you're out in this heatwave, don't forget to hydrate — and make a stop at a local ice cream shop! Host Megan Harris is with City Cast...
Pothole Villain Returns, Walmart Eyes Bloomfield & Book Deli Debuts
Walmart wants to turn the former Bloomfield Rite Aid into a delivery hub, the Steelers are replacing a ton of seats at Acrisure Stadium (...
Trace Brewing vs. Bloomfield Neighbors
Trace Brewing in Bloomfield has been both dishing and taking a lot of heat online. About a week ago, they announced on Instagram that the...
‘Your City Could Be Better’: Does Pittsburgh Have a ‘Perfect’ Airport? — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
There’s lots to love about Pittsburgh, but being able to get in and out of it easily and cheaply can be an underrated metric of its livab...
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. Tra...
Mechanical Pickles, Giant Eagle's New Owner & Free Outdoor Adventures
Kroger may have just bought Giant Eagle, but this isn't the first time these two brands have been intertwined. Host Megan Harris and prod...
Where To Get a Spa Treatment in Pittsburgh
There's never a bad time for a spa day, and if you're in need of a pick-me-up, we want you to treat yourself! The City Cast Pittsburgh te...
The Best Bagels in Pittsburgh
Can you actually get a good bagel in Pittsburgh? The City Cast Pittsburgh team is on the case. We taste tested offerings from some of the...