City Cast Pittsburgh logo
March 14, 2025

Grumpy Bus Pickles, Vintage Kennywood & How To Get a Real ID

City Cast Pittsburgh

Grumpy Bus Pickles, Vintage Kennywood & How To Get a Real ID

00:00:00
View all City Cast Pittsburgh episodes

Make room in your wallet for your Real ID and your season passes for our local amusement parks, including Kennywood, Sandcastle, and Idlewild. We’re making the case for both — plus how and when to get them — and introducing yinz to Kennywood’s new-old mascot, Jeeters. Pittsburgh Regional Transit is using pickle cartoons to shame us for bad behavior on the buses and T stops. The University of Pittsburgh has issued a hiring freeze, and officials say it’s not entirely because of changes in federal policy and funding. Pittsburgh technology startups KEF Robotics and Swan are working with Ukraine on drone technology and testing on the front lines against Russia. The National Labor Relations Board is reviewing claims by the United Steelworkers union against U.S. Steel, but it’s not clear whether they can make an official ruling. And Pittsburgh’s Fringe Fest is coming! We’re sharing a bit about its history and how you can get involved.

Notes and references from today’s show:

  • How Well Do You Know Pittsburgh? Take This Quiz! [Hey Pittsburgh]
  • How to Get Your Real ID in Pittsburgh [City Cast Pittsburgh]
  • REAL ID Document Check [Commonwealth of Pennsylvania]
  • Kennywood's Steel Curtain roller coaster won't be ready for 2025 opening day [WTAE]
  • Kennywood knew Steel Curtain would be closed before asking people to buy season passes: lawsuit [KDKA]
  • Jeeter’s Instagram Account [Instagram]
  • Rider Etiquette Pickle Campaign [PRT]
  • America Turns to Ukraine to Build Better Drones [Wall Street Journal]
  • Steelworkers' union accuses U.S. Steel of discouraging workers from speaking out against company sale [KDKA]
  • How Trump’s Firings “Paralyze” the NLRB [Mother Jones]
  • The University of Pittsburgh orders a hiring freeze for faculty, staff [WESA]
  • Pitt says hiring freeze not entirely Trump’s fault [PublicSource]
  • Pittsburgh Fringe Festival 2025 Shows [Pittsburgh Fringe]

Learn more about the sponsors of this March 14th episode:

The Frick Pittsburgh Museums and Gardens

KESEM

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

Want more Pittsburgh news? Sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Instagram @CityCastPgh!

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Pittsburgh

Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
June 17

Debunking Pittsburgh Myths

As Pittsburghers, we have so much pride in our city. After all, we're the City of Champions and the City of the Bridges! But can we reall...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
June 16

Bone Rooms, Power Outages & Primanti’s ‘Stolen’ Art

Pittsburgh International Airport (briefly) lost power during the big storm last week – something that wasn't supposed to happen because o...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
June 15

Dirty Pasta, Swedish Candy & Dinner Under a Volcano?

Still mourning Stuntpig's closure in Squirrel Hill? Executive producer Mallory Falk and producer Sophia Lo have recommendations for new s...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
June 14

'Your City Could Be Better': Why Every Region Needs A Park Map Tool Like Salt Lake’s — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh

Do you know how many parks Pittsburgh has? Residents of Salt Lake County have wondered about their parks for years — that is, until City...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
June 12

Morgan Wallen Drama, Vape Shop Regulations & YMCA's Log Cabin

You know you've messed up when both the National Weather Service and Mayor Corey O'Connor have to call you out for your lies! The City Ca...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
June 11

The Best Chicken Dishes in Pittsburgh

Ordering chicken when you're eating out doesn't feel like the sexiest option, but City Cast contributor and Post-Gazette dining critic Ha...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
June 10

8 Pittsburgh Home Tours You Have To Take this Summer

If you love scrolling through Pittsburgh's wildest Zillow listings, don't miss your chance to actually go inside some of those fancy home...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
June 9

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 l...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
June 8

Are Pittsburgh Breweries OK?!

Is Pittsburgh's beer scene in trouble? Earlier this year, Fat Head's closed down, and now both Penn Brewery and the Abbey on Butler have...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
June 7

'Your City Could Be Better': How Las Vegas Saves More Water Than Any Other City — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh recycles some of its water, but not as much as Las Vegas, where the water there stays in the city. How else could a desert cit...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art