City Cast Pittsburgh
🥂 Make dinner plans for NYE
December 11, 2025 · — Francesca Dabecco
Pop quiz! Where is PA’s largest Christmas tree? What holiday song was written by a local? What does the pickle ornament mean? 🎄
If you think you know any of the answers to this holiday trivia, tune into today’s City Cast Pittsburgh podcast to play along with some special guests from NEXTpittsburgh, City Paper, and QBurgh.
Psst — if you listen today, you’ll have an advantage in tomorrow's newsletter game 👀
📣 And if our trivia questions, news roundups, and event recommendations bring you delight, become a City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbor today!
What's CITY Talking About
Pennie Enrollment Drops
For every person who signed up last month, two other Pennsylvanians ended their Pennie health coverage in anticipation of skyrocketing costs. The price of health plans under the Affordable Care Act is expected to double (or more) in 2026 if Congress doesn’t extend federal subsidies. [🔐Philadelphia Inquirer]
O’Connor Names New Staff Members
Mayor-elect Corey O’Connor has a long to-do list when he gets sworn into office next month, and he’s slowly building out his staff before the big day. Get to know his latest picks, including Sophia Shapiro (daughter of Gov. Josh Shapiro), for special assistant to the chief of staff. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh / TribLive]
PPS Students Fall Behind on Reading
Pittsburgh Public Schools is directing teachers to dedicate more time to reading instruction after test scores show a decrease in reading proficiency over the past year. [WESA]
- Why did the school board nix a school closure plan? [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]
Joe Manganiello Moves Back Home
Actor Joe Manganiello and his fiancée Caitlin O'Connor bought a house in Mt. Lebanon, where he grew up. It'll serve as a home base between their work travels to New York and Los Angeles. O'Connor also has local roots — she was raised in Uniontown. [Pittsburgh Magazine]
- Learn about Manganiello's hot take on Pittsburgh pizza. [📝 City Cast Pittsburgh]
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What To Do
Thursday, Dec. 11
- 🎷 Jazz Influence Jam Session at Arsenal (Dormont)
- 🪡 Mend + Meal at Otto Finn (Lawrenceville)
- 🎶 Mannheim Steamroller Christmas at Benedum Center (Downtown)
- 🎁 Wrap-a-Thon Fundraiser for Western PA Diaper Bank (Point Breeze)
- 🪴 Houseplants 101 with Grow Pittsburgh (Regent Square)
- 🎸 A Celtic Rock Celebration at Velum Fermentation (South Side)
- 🧗 Climbing Meetup at Iron City Boulders (Lawrenceville)
- 🎀 Winter Solstice Garland Workshop at Armful of Flowers (Mt. Washington)
- 🎨 Maker's Market at Castle Consortia (Mckees Rocks)
- 🥃 Cozy Cocktails Class at PA Market (Strip District)
- 🪻 Natural Dye Workshop at Contemporary Craft (Lawrenceville)
Friday, Dec. 12
- 👽 Stranger Science 21+ at the Kamin Science Center (Chateau)
- 🎶 Pittsburgh Plays Ozzy for Parkinson Foundation (McKees Rocks)
- ❄️ Winter Teen Night & Fashion Show at the Warhol (North Side)
- 🎤 Holiday Pops at Heinz Hall — Dec. 21 (Downtown)
- 🐈 Pittsburgh C.A.T. Holiday Party at Archie's (South Side)
- 🔮 Witchy Winter Wonderland at Helltown Brewing (Strip District)
- 🎂 Cake & Sip at Happenstance Cafe (Lawrenceville)
- 💄 Holiday Bingo & Drag at Mix Candle Co. (Lawrenceville)
- 🔥 Winter Heat at the Carnegie Art Museum (Oakland)
- 🥳 Snowy Soiree at Antiques on Ohio River (Bellevue)
- 🍲 Soup 'N' Schvitz with Bad Sauna (Point Breeze)
- 🛍️ Craft Maker Market at CoStar Brewing — Dec. 14 (Etna)
- 🎷 Jazz Fridays at Greenhouse Co-op (Greenfield)
- 🥂 Festive Fridays at Forge Vintage & Goods (Dormont)
- 🚲 Critmas Bike Ride in Friendship Park (Friendship)
- 🔔 Slay Bells Drag at PTown Bar (Oakland)
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