Does Our State Bird Suck? Plus, ICE Updates & Vacant Lots
Ever wanted to make public art or host an event in an abandoned lot? City Council is considering a proposal to let residents put vacant lots and underutilized park space to good use. Host Megan Harris and executive producer Mallory Falk explain the proposal, plus discuss the unannounced visit U.S. Reps. Summer Lee and Chris Deluzio made to Moshannon Valley Processing Center — the largest immigrant detention facility in the northeast, just a couple hours outside of Pittsburgh. Then City Cast's Elizabeth Kauma joins to diss the ruffed grouse as our state bird (game bird?) and make the case for why Pennsylvania should be repped by the scarlet tanager instead.
Notes and references from today’s show:
- Pittsburgh seeks to turn its green space, vacant lots to productive uses [TribLive]
- Adopt-A-Lot Program [City of Pittsburgh]
- O'Connor to seek state funding to prep city's vacant lots for new housing [Business Times]
- Two Pa. Democrats become first members of Congress to access Pennsylvania’s largest ICE detention facility [Philadelphia Inquirer]
- ICE detainee who spoke out about conditions in Moshannon was punished, transferred [Spotlight PA]
- How many people held by ICE in Pa. have criminal records? Fewer than you might think [PennLive]
- When Do 'Detention Centers' Become 'Concentration Camps'? Experts Look to History [Marshall Project]
- ICE has detained hundreds in Pennsylvania in ‘collateral’ arrests, most of whom have no criminal record [P-G]
- Should the scarlet tanager be our official state migratory bird? [P-G]
Learn more about the sponsors of this Tuesday, June 9th episode:
Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.
Want more Pittsburgh news?
- Sign up for our daily morning newsletter.
- We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh.
- Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Pittsburgh's Best Ice Cream. Plus, an Ode to Texas de Brazil
If you're out in this heatwave, don't forget to hydrate — and make a stop at a local ice cream shop! Host Megan Harris is with City Cast...

Pothole Villain Returns, Walmart Eyes Bloomfield & Book Deli Debuts
Walmart wants to turn the former Bloomfield Rite Aid into a delivery hub, the Steelers are replacing a ton of seats at Acrisure Stadium (...

Trace Brewing vs. Bloomfield Neighbors
Trace Brewing in Bloomfield has been both dishing and taking a lot of heat online. About a week ago, they announced on Instagram that the...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Does Pittsburgh Have a ‘Perfect’ Airport? — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
There’s lots to love about Pittsburgh, but being able to get in and out of it easily and cheaply can be an underrated metric of its livab...

Meatball Mergers, PennDOT Hellscapes & Emmy Noms for ‘The Pitt’
Part of the Parkway East is closing tonight so PennDot can explode the old Commercial Street Bridge and slide a new one in its place. Tra...

Mechanical Pickles, Giant Eagle's New Owner & Free Outdoor Adventures
Kroger may have just bought Giant Eagle, but this isn't the first time these two brands have been intertwined. Host Megan Harris and prod...

Where To Get a Spa Treatment in Pittsburgh
There's never a bad time for a spa day, and if you're in need of a pick-me-up, we want you to treat yourself! The City Cast Pittsburgh te...

The Best Bagels in Pittsburgh
Can you actually get a good bagel in Pittsburgh? The City Cast Pittsburgh team is on the case. We taste tested offerings from some of the...

Why Pittsburgh Has 20K Vacant Homes AND a Housing Shortage
Pittsburgh lost more than half its population since peaking in the 1950s, and our city has more than 20,000 vacant homes. How do we also...

'Your City Could Be Better': The Ultimate USA Trivia Battle. How Much Do You Know? — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
See if your Pittsburgh knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz g...

