City Cast Pittsburgh logo
September 25, 2026

UPMC Yields to Trump, County Bans Big Data Centers & Goodbye Millennial Gray?

City Cast Pittsburgh

UPMC Yields to Trump, County Bans Big Data Centers & Goodbye Millennial Gray?

00:00:00
View all City Cast Pittsburgh episodes

UPMC just placed a decade-long moratorium on gender-affirming care for patients under 19 and agreed to pay the federal government $950,000 as part of a settlement with the Department of Justice. Host Megan Harris is with City Cast contributors Sophia Lo and Colin Williams to talk about what comes next. Plus, we're debating whether Pittsburgh Paint Company's 2027 color of the year truly counts as a departure from Millennial Gray, discussing a new ban on large-scale data centers on county property, and bemoaning the influencer stunt that led the Star Wars vending machine on a cross-country journey. And in our members-only bonus segment, Colin shares what he learned about the future of journalism on a recent trip to Germany — and the successes that could be duplicated here in Pittsburgh.

Notes and references from today’s show:

  • UPMC to pay DOJ nearly $1M, agrees to 10-year moratorium on gender-affirming care for trans youth [WESA]
  • Under pressure from Trump, UPMC canceled a trans patient's scheduled top surgery [City Paper]
  • Pittsburgh Paints' 2027 Color of the Year calls for homeowners to 'recalibrate' [WESA]
  • Sophia's Color Swatches
  • A Behind-the-Scenes Look at How PPG Paints Decides Its Color of the Year [Architectural Digest]
  • Orange Era [n+1]
  • Allegheny County Council unanimously bans large data centers on county property [TribLive]
  • Pa. approves steep rate hikes for 2027 Pennie health insurance plans [TribLive]
  • "Star Wars" vending machine visits Los Angeles [Axios Pittsburgh]

👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893 or email pittsburgh@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! 

💌 You can get more Pittsburgh news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Pittsburgh morning newsletter. 

🏡 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 the City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbors program!

🥁 Looking to advertise on City Cast Pittsburgh? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. 

Learn more about the sponsors of this Friday, September 25th episode:

Carnegie Library

The Frick Pittsburgh

Hazelwood Local

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Pittsburgh

Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.

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

Latest Episodes

See all
October 13

Fall Color, Giant Pumpkins & Pittsburgh's Best Asian Groceries

Fall foliage is starting to pop around Pittsburgh. Host Megan Harris and contributor Sophia Lo share their favorite spots to soak up thos...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
October 11

‘Your City Could Be Better’: A St. Paul Cell Phone Ban Teens Might Actually Like — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh

Another Pittsburgh school year has begun — how are cell phones being handled? In Minnesota, one high school is demonstrating that a stric...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
October 9

Shapiro vs. Garrity, a Mafia-Style Toilet Fundraiser & TBD on New Local Taxes

Pittsburgh and Allegheny County officially announced their 2027 budgets and … wow our finances are not looking good. Host Megan Harris an...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
October 8

Pittsburgh's Indigenous History

Pittsburgh loves to talk about its history — the forts, the steel mills, the immigrants, the neighborhoods. But the story of this place s...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
October 7

What Pgh Restaurant Would Hold Your Wake? Plus, Measles & Mulan's Cookbook

It's official: an Allegheny County resident just tested positive for measles. It's part of Pennsylvania's ongoing (and worsening) measles...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
October 6

The Dystopian AI School PA Rejected

Notes and references from today’s show: A.I.-Driven Education: Founded in Texas and Coming to a School Near You [New York Times] Sta...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
October 5

Maple Miso Lattes, Artisanal Croissants & All-You-Can-Eat KBBQ

Korean BBQ, sushi, "artisanal" croissants, and other delectable delicacies are on offer from newly-opened (as well as expanding and reope...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
October 4

‘Your City Could Be Better’: This Basketball Court Is Saving Residents From Floods — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh

When Pittsburgh looks for inspiration for the future, does it look to the Netherlands? That’s what designers and officials in New York Ci...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
October 2

CMU Miami, Bleak Budgets & Duquesne Light’s Strike

Carnegie Mellon University is opening a new campus in Miami, thanks to a $3 billion gift from hedge fund manager Ken Griffin. It's the la...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
October 1

Your Guide to October 2026 in Pittsburgh

October in Pittsburgh is packed with things to eat, see and do — from campy musicals and a pizza opera to the Pittsburgh Art Book Fair an...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art