City Cast Pittsburgh
🏅 Pittsburgh’s garbage olympics
August 18, 2025 · — Francesca Dabecco
Welcome to a new week, neighbor — and welcome back college students. Expect a lot of traffic around Oakland as Pitt kids move back to campus. Keep in mind which roads are closed 🛑
What's CITY Talking About?
Residents Divided Over Possible ‘Cop City’
Pittsburgh City Council is sitting on 168 acres of land that they bought for $1 from the federal government, and their plan is to build a training facility for police, fire, and EMS. But their proposal is on pause. Host Megan Harris is with Public Source's Ember Duke, who explains what's at stake with this facility, why Pittsburghers have reservations, and what to look for when City Council returns from summer recess. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]
Air Quality Monitors Deployed Around Clairton
Following the fatal explosion at Clairton Coke Works, Allegheny County is using mobile air units to test for dozens of hazardous pollutants in the area. The U.S. Steel plant is the largest single source of air pollutants in Allegheny County. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh / WESA / Allegheny Front]
- The two victims killed by the blast have been identified. [TribLive]
AI Data Center Proposed for Springdale
Land developers are looking to transform the old Cheswick Generating Station site into a massive data center complex — but they haven’t provided details on how it would be powered. [KDKA]
- Lawmakers and private companies are making big investment promises to PA, with hopes of making the state an AI powerhouse. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]
Kennywood Launches 21+ Nights
Catch some thrills without the kids at Kennywood’s new 21+ nights on Aug. 22 and Aug. 29. Expect local beer, wine, and cocktails, plus a live DJ, karaoke, foam parties, and more. [Kennywood]
Sponsored Content
Toast the Trees at Arbor Aid!
Celebrate the urban forest at Arbor Aid with Tree Pittsburgh on Saturday, September 27! Enjoy food, drinks, river views, and J Malls in the DJ booth at our beautiful campus on the Allegheny River. Every ticket helps us protect and grow a greener Pittsburgh for all.
Vote for Us!
It's the last week to vote!
The City Cast Pittsburgh team is so excited to be nominated for “Best Podcast” in City Paper’s Best of PGH.
🗳️Vote for us every day through August 22. Find us under the “people and places” category.
What To Do
Monday, Aug. 18
- 🥫 Food Waste Warrior at Phipps (Oakland)
- 🎲 Game Board Night at Bottlerocket (Allentown)
- 🚲 Volunteer at Free Ride Collective (Point Breeze)
- 🍅 Farmers Market at Liberty Green Park (East Liberty)
- 🌽 Farmers Market at Holy Trinity (Robinson)
- 🍜 Amboy Filipino Pop-up at Bar Marco (Strip District)
Tuesday, Aug. 19
- 🏙️ Free Yoga in PPG Plaza (Downtown)
- 🎨 Paint & Sip in Mellon Square (Downtown)
- 🍄 Mushroom Club at Frick Environmental Center (Squirrel Hill)
- 💐 Flower Arranging with P Square Scents (Bellevue)
- 🥕 Farmers Market at Bay 41 (Lawrenceville)
- 🌽 Farmers Market in South Park (Bethel Park)
Wednesday, Aug. 20
- 🧀 Wine & Cheese Pairings at Pittsburgh Winery (Strip District)
- 🚶♀️ Pgh Girls Who Walk at the Reservoir (Highland Park)
- 📽️ From Slavery to Freedom Film Series (Virtual)
- 🧗♀️ Women on Walls Meetup at Ascend (Point Breeze)
- 🍿 Bad Movie Bingo at Bottlerocket (Allentown)
- 🌭 Oakland Block Party in Schenley Plaza (Oakland)
- 🍾 Uncork for a Cause with Bryan Reynolds (Downtown)
📣 Shout out to our newest City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbors James L. and Christin J.
Christin says that, at a time when so many things are disappearing or struggling financially, "I want to support a group that has given me a lot of joy in hopes they don’t disappear too. Thanks for all yinz do!” Thank YOU Christin 🥹
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