Best Katie Blackley Podcasts (2024)

1
Pittsburgh's highs and lows, an abstract Downtown billboard, and the Steelerettes 13:42

1+ y ago13:42

13:42

Our final episode of the season is a bit of a mix. We’ll tell you about the highest and lowest points in Pittsburgh. Then we’ll head Downtown to learn how the district transformed its not-so-great reputation with the help of bright, glowing public art. Finally, we’ll meet the women who were cheerleaders for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1960s, the…

1
The history of Squirrel Hill, Frick Park fire hydrants & the first Black and female City Councilors 14:00

1+ y ago14:00

14:00

Pittsburgh’s East End has some of the city’s largest parks, historic buildings and has long been home to trailblazers in city government. We’ll visit Squirrel Hill and answer some of your questions about the community’s past; we’ll hear the stories of two firsts in Pittsburgh City Council: Paul Jones, the first Black councilor, and Irma D’Ascenzo, …

1
The East Busway’s history, 40th Street colorful seals, and the scenic Allegheny River Boulevard 13:19

1+ y ago13:19

13:19

From streetcars to scenic Sunday drives, this episode looks at the transit projects that continue to shape our region. Episode four explains why the 40th Street Bridge has colorful seals; how the East Busway was routed and what led to those decisions; and we take a trip along Allegheny River Boulevard, complete with picnic pull-offs with picturesqu…

1
Downtown wharfs, river depth, and the history of Czechoslovakia’s creation in Pittsburgh 14:10

1+ y ago14:10

14:10

If you’ve spent any time in Pittsburgh, you’ve likely been on or near its three rivers. Follow along with WESA’s Good Question podcast as we walk along the riverfront trails and remember the bustling wharfs that once occupied the space; take a dive into how river depth is measured; and, did you know the groundwork for the creation of the country Cz…

1
Pittsburgh’s panthers, Civil War fort remnants, and a trip to West View Park 17:11

1+ y ago17:11

17:11

Turn right where the Isaly’s used to be! Sound familiar? Pittsburgh loves to remember things that aren’t there anymore. For this episode, we learn about actual panthers that once roamed this region and how they live on at Pitt and throughout Oakland; we travel to the woods of Stanton Heights to find the remnants of a Civil War fortification; and we…

1
Pronouncing ‘Carnegie,’ Schenley bench art, and the origins of the Pirates’ name 12:15

1+ y ago12:15

12:15

Welcome back to 90.5 WESA’s Good Question! podcast. We’re thrilled to launch season two and bring you even more stories about Pittsburgh history and culture. Our first episode highlights city staples. We’ll visit the mind behind the colorfully painted benches in Schenley Park; we’ll look into how the Pirates got their marauding moniker and the team…

1
Slag structures, Downtown chandeliers, and the art of the Sixteenth Street Bridge 14:10

2y ago14:10

14:10

Pittsburgh is a beautiful city for many reasons, and that’s what we’re going to explore in episode six. From the reuse of industrial waste and slag structure public art, to the number of crystals in two of downtown’s most beautiful theaters, we’ll highlight the creativity of this region. And, we’ll answer the question: Why are the large globe struc…

1
Remember the Pennsylvania Canal, Lock and Dam No. 1, and paddle to Brunot Island 15:31

2y ago15:31

15:31

On this episode, we take to the water! Many listeners were curious about the history of the Pennsylvania Canal, which included aqueducts and inclines and mules and was an early way to transport goods in the region. We figure out why there’s no “Lock and Dam No. 1” on the Allegheny River (there used to be!). We’ll paddle to Brunot Island with WESA’s…

1
Making the Pennsylvania Turnpike, carp fishing in the East End, and Skybus 15:35

2y ago15:35

15:35

Let’s take a ride! Be it on the Pennsylvania Turnpike (“America’s First Super Highway,” and a model for the national interstate highway system), the massive Brilliant Viaduct over Washington Boulevard, or Skybus (futuristic transit system that never took off), we’ll explore all the different ways to get around Pittsburgh past and present. (The Good…

1
How Pittsburgh got 90 neighborhoods, Mt. Oliver’s independence, and Downtown lions 15:00

2y ago15:00

15:00

Our third episode revisits stories about why Pittsburgh looks the way it does. It goes into why we have 90 distinct neighborhoods, and talks about annexation (or a lack thereof in Mt. Oliver borough’s case). Plus, we look at a fun architectural feature on one of our most historic downtown streets. (The Good Question! Podcast is sponsored by the Pit…

1
‘Run’ roads, the county belt system, and all about inclines 12:56

2y ago12:56

12:56

Many of our questions come from listeners who are driving and start to notice unusual signs or names. We touch on why many roads have the word “run” in them, as well as the colorful belt system that tried to help drivers navigate Allegheny County. And, of course, a history of our storied inclines (there are two now, but there used to be many more).…

1
The origins of Pittsburghese, the ‘Pittsburgh Left,’ and fish fry season 12:30

2y ago12:30

12:30

Who doesn’t love quintessentially Pittsburgh experiences? Our Pittsburghese story looks at where “yinz” came from, and has a little test to see if you have a Pittsburgh accent; drivers will be familiar with the “Pittsburgh left,” an opportunity to cheat the light and turn left before oncoming traffic moves; and as this is Fish Fry season in the cit…

1
Good Question! Podcast: Trailer 1:16

2y ago1:16

1:16

What have you always wondered about Pittsburgh? WESA's Good Question! podcast investigates your curiosities about our city's history and culture.By Katie Blackley

1
Inclusionary Zoning Becomes Permanent In Lawrenceville, Some City Officials Eye Expansion 22:30

3y ago22:30

22:30

On today’s program: Inclusionary zoning, which requires some developments to create affordable housing units, will be a permanent requirement in Lawrenceville following a pilot project. Now, city leaders look to other parts of Pittsburgh; a public health and filmmaking collaboration looks at mental health among teenagers during the pandemic; and bu…

1
June 12-18 Explained: Election Law Changes, UPMC's Hospital Costs & A Plan To Outsource Medicaid Services 20:11

3y ago20:11

20:11

On this week's Explainer: Sam Dunklau on GOP efforts to change the state's election laws; Sarah Boden on what it costs for care at UPMC Presbyterian; and Kate Giammarise discusses concerns among some lawmakers over a proposal to outsource some Medicaid services.By Susan Scott Peterson, Liz Reid

1
June 5-11 Explained: DA Zappala Could Face Ethics Charges, PPS Wants A Relationship With Ed Gainey & New Unemployment System Launches 20:09

3y ago20:09

20:09

District Attorney Stephen Zappala could face ethics charges; Pittsburgh Public Schools hopes to find an ally in presumptive mayor-elect Ed Gainey; and Pennsylvania's upgraded unemployment system had a rocky start.By Katie Blackley, Liz Reid, Susan Scott Peterson

1
Summer In The City: A Special Episode Of Pittsburgh Explainer 11:21

3y ago11:21

11:21

Summer has arrived in Pittsburgh and we’ve asked a handful of residents to share their favorite foods, events and activities this season in the city.By Katie Blackley

1
May 22-28 Explained: Parnell Waffles On 2020 Election, Dems Intro Fracking Bills & Land Banks Await Help 15:10

3y ago15:10

15:10

Republican Sean Parnell goes back and forth about an audit of 2020's election results; a bill in the state House would make it easier to revitalize main streets; and Democratic state Senators are pushing to increasing accountability for natural gas companies.By Liz Reid, Katie Blackley

1
Bonus Episode: Land & Power Wins Regional Murrow 19:17

3y ago19:17

19:17

By Liz Reid

1
May 15-21 Explained: Primary Results, Roadblocks Getting Meals To Schoolchildren & Vaccinating Non-English Speakers 24:17

3y ago24:17

24:17

This week on Pittsburgh Explainer: an analysis of local primary election results, an investigation into why $1 billion in food aid for families was delayed and a look at the unique challenges of getting non-English speakers vaccinated against COVID-19.By Liz Reid, Katie Blackley, Lucy Perkins

1
May 8-14 Explained: The Candidates And Issues On Your Primary Ballot 37:10

3y ago37:10

37:10

From Pittsburgh's mayoral and council races to what those statewide ballot initiatives really mean, this week's Pittsburgh Explainer talks with political reporters from around Pennsylvania about what you can expect at the ballot box next week.By Katie Blackley, Liz Reid

1
May 1-7 Explained: COVID Mitigations Relaxed, School Board Races & Tree Of Life Redesign 19:28

3y ago19:28

19:28

Host Liz Reid talks with education reporter Sarah Schneider about the upcoming Pittsburgh Public Schools board races; health and science reporter Sarah Boden on upcoming COVID-19 mitigation changes; and arts and culture reporter Bill O'Driscoll on the future of the Tree of Life Synagogue.By Katie Blackley, Liz Reid

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April 24-30 Explained: GOP Vaccine Hesitancy, PPS's Busing Quagmire & PGH Mayor's Race Gets Heated 20:27

3y ago20:27

20:27

On this week's Explainer: WITF's Brett Sholtis on a push to get conservative voters vaccinated in Pa.; Government and accountability editor Chris Potter brings the latest on Pittsburgh's mayoral race; and education reporter Sarah Schneider says students are coming back to classrooms, but a bus shortage could complicate their return.…

1
April 17-23 Explained: Activism After Chauvin Verdict, County Police Oversight & Blight 'Deconstruction' 15:35

3y ago15:35

15:35

Black activists react to the Chauvin verdict, a proposal for a county-wide police review board moves forward, and the city aims to deconstruct homes instead of tearing them down.

1
April 10-16 Explained: Who's Running For Pittsburgh Mayor, The Vaccine Distribution Process & An Affordable Housing Lawsuit 22:36

3y ago22:36

22:36

A look at the candidates who hope to be Pittsburgh's next mayor and how they plan to change the city; what it takes to get the vaccine to providers; and legal challenges to a city affordable housing law.By Liz Reid, Katie Blackley, Lucy Perkins

1
Bonus Episode: WESA Hosts Pittsburgh Mayoral Debate 59:09

3y ago59:09

59:09

WESA and the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation hosted a debate among four Democratic candidates for the office of Mayor of Pittsburgh on Tuesday, April 13.

1
April 3-9 Explained: More Vaccine Eligibility, Eviction Law Changes & News At A PA Detention Center 20:10

3y ago20:10

20:10

On this week's show: vaccine eligibility expands for Pennsylvanians; an update on a state detention center; and the latest changes to the city's eviction moratorium.By Katie Blackley, Liz Reid, Lucy Perkins