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April 17, 2026

$68K for a Pittsburgh AirBnB?! Plus, Post-Gazette Saved & Smiley Cookie’s Big Win

City Cast Pittsburgh

$68K for a Pittsburgh AirBnB?! Plus, Post-Gazette Saved & Smiley Cookie’s Big Win

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The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is not shutting down after all! The Baltimore Banner's parent nonprofit just bought the paper from Block Communications Inc. Host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and contributor Colin Williams share the details. Plus, we celebrate Colin's return to the newly-revived City Paper, which started back up this week, and give an update on when to expect the alt-weekly's first print issue. (It's been a big few days for Pittsburgh media!) We also take a mail bag question about whether Mayor Corey O'Connor can do anything about our high utility bills, explain why Airbnb hosts aren't exactly making bank on the NFL Draft, and share some big wins for the Eat 'n Park smiley cookie and the old PIT terminal. Plus, in a members-only bonus segment, we share where you can find public bathrooms Downtown during the draft and all year round.


Update! In our conversation we said a local McMansion was listed for $63k during the NFL Draft — but it's actually listed for an even more eye-popping $68k!


We need your help! We're making a list of 1,000 things we love about living in Pittsburgh. Fill out this form to let us know your favorite things about the city.  It could be anything from your go-to breakfast order to your favorite feral animals (real example) — or maybe it’s the way the lights twinkle on the Sister Bridges.

Notes and references from today’s show:

  • “More things you should know before coming to Pittsburgh for the Draft: how to properly use a pothole.” [Instagram]
  • Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to continue publishing after sale to nonprofit media group [Post-Gazette]
  • The Baltimore Banner’s parent nonprofit acquires the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette [NiemanLab]
  • PODCAST: Mayor O'Connor on Life After the Draft, Taxing Nonprofits & Public Bathrooms [City Cast Pittsburgh]
  • PODCAST: Pittsburgh's Best Bagels [City Cast Pittsburgh]
  • Allegheny County Council puts term limit questions on ballot this fall [WESA]
  • Allegheny County Council proposes bill banning law enforcement — including ICE — from wearing masks [Post-Gazette]
  • Pittsburgh Airbnb hosts seeing low demand for NFL Draft [Post-Gazette]
  • Lights, camera, takeoff: Former Pittsburgh airport terminal rebranded as film set [TribLive]
  • A cookie beat out central Pa. coffee as the coolest thing made in the state [PennLive]
  • Downtown Public Restroom Directory [Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership]

Learn more about the sponsors of this Friday, April 17th episode:

Sustainable Pittsburgh

Allegheny County Poll Workers

Window Nation

Pittsburgh Steelers

Taskrabbit

AIDS Free Pittsburgh

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

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