Your Airbnb Takes, State Budget Standoff & Poulet Bleu's Return
Earlier this week, we talked about a city council proposal to regulate Airbnbs and other short term rentals — and our listeners had a lot to say! Host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and producer Sophia Lo are opening the mailbag to share your perspectives. Plus, we discuss how PA's budget impasse is starting to hurt everyday people and why Uber decided to enter the chat. We also run through some local wins and losses, from the Squirrel Hill fire to Poulet Bleu's return.
Notes and references from today’s show:
- Every state in the nation has some form of a budget in place — except Pennsylvania and Michigan [Pennsylvania Capital-Star]
- Why PA's (Probably) Punting on Cannabis & Late With Our Budget [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- 10 Pa. lawmakers refuse pay during budget standoff [P-G]
- Pittsburgh Public Schools could drain its reserves by mid-October if state budget impasse persists [WESA]
- PA budget impasse is underway for libraries, foster care, and more as Pa. budget sits unfinished [Spotlight PA]
- No Kings movement announces new wave of protests in Pittsburgh [TribLive]
- Philadelphia transit agency will use project reserves to avoid cuts. Pittsburgh's might do the same thing [AP]
- Uber says it has a solution to Pa.'s public transit funding problem. There's a big catch [Spotlight PA]
- Can Taxing Uber Rides Save Public Transit? [City Cast Pittsburgh]
- Chronic Pa. budget failures prompt talk of smaller Legislature, pay suspensions, 2-year planning [P-G]
- Pennsylvania is a top pumpkin producer [Axios Pittsburgh]
- Acrisure ranks 3rd-worst stadium in the NFL for game-day traffic [TribLive]
- Large fire in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood causes collapse at apartment building [KDKA]
- City Seeks Partners to Help Illuminate 250th Independence Day Celeb [City of Pittsburgh]
Learn more about the sponsors of this September 12th episode:
Huel - Get 15% off with code PITTSBURGH
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.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

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

Allegheny County’s Giant Tax Reset, Explained
Allegheny County has been ordered to reassess every residential and commercial property in the county — about 550,000 — for the first tim...

The Bartenders' Guide to Pittsburgh Dive Bars
Who knows a great bar better than the people who’ve worked behind one? Pittsburgh bartenders Aubrey Halliburton and Lisa Considine, co-ow...

Can Butler County Flip? Plus TikTok Trouble & North Side Cats
A special election in Butler County could be a bellwether for Pennsylvania Democrats ahead of the midterms in November. Host Megan Harris...

Where To Shop Vintage, Thrift, Consignment & Flea
Pittsburgh is a great hub for thrift, vintage, consignment, and flea market shopping — whether you’re hunting for a perfectly broken-in j...

Red-Light Cameras, Dirty Rivers & Pittsburgh’s Cutest Potato
Pittsburgh’s red-light cameras are officially here — and so are some new reasons to be nervous about the river water you’re maybe swimmin...

The Tiki Bar Reddit Can’t Stop Talking About. Plus, Yemeni Coffee & RIP Bryant Street
Downtown's new tiki bar has a volcano, a sunken fire pit, and a drink menu that admits it was made with AI. Host Megan Harris and interim...

Can Waymo Crack Pittsburgh?
Have you had a Waymo sighting lately? It suddenly seems like these robotaxis are everywhere. Pittsburgh has been a testing ground for aut...

Restaurant Week, '90s Nostalgia & Cathy's 100th Birthday
One of Pittsburgh's most iconic buildings is 100 years young. Host Megan Harris and audience development manager Rachel Carlson share wha...

Pittsburgh's Grocery Store Showdown
Giant Eagle has long been the main grocery game in town — it's celebrating 95 years in the Burgh with special merch — but that's about to...

