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:

Heinz History Center

Quantum Theatre

Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership

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