Pittsburgh Potties, Public School Closures, and a Permanent Ferris Wheel?
It’s the Friday news roundup! The Ferris wheel from Oktoberfest might be gone, but another one is waiting in the wings as part of the North Side’s Esplanade development. We’re talking about the final and very controversial consultants’ proposal to close over a dozen Pittsburgh schools. Plus, more public bathrooms are coming Downtown and why Schenley Park’s Columbus statue was back in the news.
We always cite our sources:
- Piatt Companies presented its plan for the Esplanade development to the City Planning Commission.
- Consultants shared their final plan for reconfiguring Pittsburgh Public Schools.
- Learn more about the plan here.
- A group of public school parents came up with an alternate plan.
- About four years since it started, the legal battle over the Columbus statue in Schenley Park is still going on.
- City officials decided to sweep the encampment on Grant Street, and Our Streets Collective is accepting donations to help our neighbors.
- Anchor Hocking confirmed that the company will close its glass plant in Charleroi.
- Victims of the shooting at Trump’s first rally in Butler gave their first interview and said the Secret Service was negligent in its duties.
- The city’s looking to put more public bathrooms Downtown.
If you enjoyed today's interview with Alterations Express Marketing Manager, Jen Rondinelli, learn more here.
Learn more about the sponsors of this October 18th episode:
Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council
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

Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Your Guide to September 2026 in Pittsburgh
September in Pittsburgh means fall is coming! Check out a new regal-looking harpy eagle at the National Aviary, drive some golf balls off...

Pittsburgh’s High-Speed Rail Fantasy
Should Pittsburghers stop dreaming about high-speed rail and start celebrating the trains we already have? The reality of having one is a...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Why Is PIT the Gold Standard?
Pittsburgh’s airport might not be the international hub it once was (RIP USAir), but it stands alone in a newer, lesser-known way: having...

Did Disney Do Us Dirty? Plus, Guerilla Crosswalks & Capo's Investigation
A new collaboration pairs Disney characters with every NFL team, and the choice to represent the Steelers has been… controversial. Did Di...

Your Guide to Making Friends in Pittsburgh
It can be daunting to make new friends in Pittsburgh. Lots of people are still tight with their buddies from kindergarten, and it's not a...

Is Flooding Getting Worse in Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh is on track to have its wettest August on record, which is especially concerning since flooding is our most frequent natural d...

Taco Bell Lawsuit, Unsafe Sidewalks & Cryptid Dance Party
Is a local woman suing Taco Bell and Taylor Farms over cyclosporiasis? Is Downtown finally getting a grocery store in the form of Trader...

Where To Eat Late in Pittsburgh
Back-to-school season means late nights are back — and sooner or later, you’re going to get hungry. We’re revisiting our 1,000th episode,...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Portland Made Its River Cool — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
How often are you out in nature in Pittsburgh? It’s not always easy to know which natural resources are clean and safe to use in an urban...

Pablo Pledgescobar, Impounded E-Scooters & Shapiro’s Data Center Play
Penn State frats are facing yet another scandal –– this time a cocaine trafficking ring that investigators say involved students, alumni,...

