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September 17, 2025

Escaped Monkeys, Fumes in the Tubes & More Epic Pittsburgh Disasters

City Cast Pittsburgh

Escaped Monkeys, Fumes in the Tubes & More Epic Pittsburgh Disasters

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Pittsburgh has seen its share of catastrophe — from unexpected weather bringing flooding and brutal windstorms to man-made calamities like devastating fires, explosions, and even escaped monkeys. (Seriously. That’s happened here a surprising number of times.) As our nation’s leaders consider doing away with things like federal emergency response, we’re taking stock of all the times it would’ve been really great to have more help, not less. Host Megan Harris is with writer and author Virginia Montanez to talk about some of Pittsburgh's biggest disasters and the important lessons we’ve learned along the way.  

Learn more about the sponsors of this September 17th episode:

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Heinz History Center

Fist Ascent

City Theatre

The Frick

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