44 minMay 8, 2026

Shapiro v. Chatbots, Market Square Curfew & Summer Music Fests

Show Notes

Gov. Josh Shapiro is suing Character.AI, saying its chatbots are posing as doctors and offering medical advice. Executive producer Mallory Falk, producer Sophia Lo, and contributor Colin Williams dig into the jaw-dropping details from the lawsuit. Plus, we talk about a new teen curfew at Market Square, staffing cuts at the Post-Gazette, an exciting summer music festival lineup, and the city's plan to add chairs and loungers at its public pools. And in our members-only segment, we talk about the drama around PNC's return-to-office mandate.

Want to unlock the bonus segment? Become a City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm.

Don't miss it! Host Megan Harris is moderating a debate about Pittsburgh's brand on Wednesday, May 27 from 5-7pm at the Pittsburgh Foundation. Reserve your ticket for the free event here.

Notes and references from today’s show:

Pittsburgh's pools get chairs, loungers for the first time ever [WTAE]
2026 Citiparks Lifeguard Survey [Citiparks Aquatics]
New policy restricts when unaccompanied teens can enter Pittsburgh’s Market Square [WESA]
Walnut Capital to take over The Terminal in the Strip District [P-G]
Pennsylvania sues Character.AI over claims chatbot posed as doctor [NPR]
Shapiro wants Pennsylvania to regulate AI chatbots. How would that work? [WESA]
Newspaper Guild members allege anti-union discrimination in Post-Gazette offer letters [City Paper]
More than 40 news sources remain in Pittsburgh’s fragmented media landscape [Public Source]
As Spirit Airlines shuts down, businesses inside Arnold Palmer Regional Airport feel impact [KDKA]
15 Pittsburgh Music Festivals for Good Tunes and Community [City Cast Pittsburgh]

Learn more about the sponsors of this Friday, May 8th episode:

Bike PGH

Union Project

PGH Cultural Trust

Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh

PGH Power & Fitness Fest

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