Pittsburgh's $40M Deficit? Plus, Chipped Ham Returns & Nightmare on Penn
Mayor Corey O'Connor announced yesterday that Pittsburgh's facing a shortfall of up to $40 million and he's reopening the 2026 budget. Executive producer Mallory Falk is with contributor and TribLive reporter Colin Williams to share what we know so far. Then, newsletter editor senior Francesca Dabecco joins the team to talk about never-ending construction on Penn Ave, development plans in the Lower Hill, a sneak preview of Pittsburgh's newest concert venue, and Isaly's return to the Strip District. (How much will they charge for a chipped ham sandwich?!)
Come work with us! We're hiring an audience development manager and podcast contributors. Learn more about the roles here. The deadline to apply is Monday, March 16.
Notes and references from today’s show:
- Pittsburgh faces budget shortfall of up to $40M, leaving city finances in crisis [TribLive]
- PODCAST: Is Pittsburgh Going Broke? [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- New phase of Penn Avenue reconstruction in Pittsburgh to begin with extensive detours [TribLive]
- Penn Avenue Strategic Plan [Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation]
- First look: Citizens Live at The Wylie [Axios Pittsburgh]
- URA details new approach for portion of Lower Hill redevelopment site [Pittsburgh Business Times]
- O’Connor unveils plan to streamline Pittsburgh permitting, overhaul zoning code [WESA]
- PODCAST: Pittsburgh's Big Idea To Fix Downtown. Plus, Do Local Sports Really Matter? [Your City Could Be Better]
- Former Westinghouse site in Churchill could become a mixed-use ‘dream come true’ [Post-Gazette]
- Council votes to restrict Allegheny County employees from cooperating with ICE [Public Source]
- PODCAST: Sara Innamorato on ICE, Buying a House & Next Steelers Stadium [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- Isaly's will be returning to Pittsburgh's Strip District this coming summer [KDKA]
Learn more about the sponsors of this March 13th episode:
Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.
Want more Pittsburgh news?
- Sign up for our daily morning newsletter.
- We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh.
- Text or 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
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...
Why Pittsburgh Has 20K Vacant Homes AND a Housing Shortage
Pittsburgh lost more than half its population since peaking in the 1950s, and our city has more than 20,000 vacant homes. How do we also...
'Your City Could Be Better': The Ultimate USA Trivia Battle. How Much Do You Know? — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
See if your Pittsburgh knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz g...
Can You Swim in Pittsburgh's Rivers? Plus, Teens in Public & Train Tours
If the hot weather has you considering a dip in the Allegheny, Mon, or Ohio, take heed! City Cast contributor Meg St-Esprit joins host Me...
Your Guide to July 2026 in Pittsburgh
There's a heatwave, but there's also no shortage of things to do in Pittsburgh! City Cast's Megan Harris, Sophia Lo, and Francesca Dabecc...
Is AI Pittsburgh's Next Labor Fight?
Ever wonder how exactly our city employees are using AI…and whether there are safeguards in place to make sure these tools are being used...
Can Pittsburgh Hold Onto Tech Startups? Plus, Household Robots and Data Centers
Pittsburgh is getting ready to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, and we’re partnering with Public Source and Technical.ly to explore...