City Cast Pittsburgh logo
October 3, 2025

'Sloppy' City Budget, Zombie Studies & Giant Eagle vs. Everybody

City Cast Pittsburgh

'Sloppy' City Budget, Zombie Studies & Giant Eagle vs. Everybody

00:00:00
View all City Cast Pittsburgh episodes

Giant Eagle says it's lowering prices on hundreds of products, jussst as the beloved Midwestern chain Meijer announced a new location north of Pittsburgh. Outgoing Mayor Ed Gainey released his draft for the city’s 2026 budget, and his most vocal critics are getting pretty creative with their complaints. Plus, Spirit Christmas is coming, Pitt announced a new Horror Studies Center, vaccination exemptions are going down for students countywide.

And it’s the last day of our fall membership drive. Get more from City Cast Pittsburgh when you become a City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at https://membership.citycast.fm/ 

Notes and references from today’s show:

  • Gainey pitches budget plan with no tax hike [TribLive]
  • Why Corey O'Connor Wants To Be Pittsburgh's Next Mayor [City Cast Pittsburgh]
  • Why Tony Moreno Wants To Be Pittsburgh's Next Mayor [City Cast Pittsburgh]
  • How the federal shutdown could disrupt daily life in Pa. [Axios Pittsburgh]
  • PA Candy Trivia! How Pennsylvania is Your Halloween Haul? [City Cast Pittsburgh]
  • Giant Eagle is lowering prices on more than 300 grocery staples [WPXI]
  • Meijer's cryptic announcement of expansion into Pittsburgh sparks intrigue in competitive grocery market [Pittsburgh Business Times]
  • Here's where the region's first Meijer store is likely to set up shop [Pittsburgh Business Times]
  • Wawa to open stores in Centre County, inching farther into Sheetz's territory [KDKA]
  • University of Pittsburgh launches world's first center to study horror genre [WESA]
  • Religious, philosophical vaccine exemptions on the rise in Southwestern Pennsylvania [Next Gen Newsroom]
  • Spirit Christmas to open 2 Pittsburgh-area locations this holiday season [WPXI]

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 3rd episode:

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

City Cast Neighbors - Now through Oct. 3 when you sign up you get this awesome tote that says Neighbors Make Pittsburgh

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

Hey Pittsburgh

Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation. Sign up for the newsletter and follow us on social.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
November 12

Your Guide to a Pittsburgh Staycation

Who says you have to leave town to get away? From grand historic hotels and quirky neighborhood Airbnbs to cozy cabins and airport-adjace...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
November 11

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...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
November 10

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...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
November 9

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...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
November 8

‘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...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
November 6

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...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
November 5

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...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
November 4

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...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
November 3

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...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
November 2

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...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art