Higher Taxes, Ozempic Limits & 50 Years of Terrible Towels

Your taxes could be going up. City Council and Pittsburgh Public Schools both officially proposed increases for next year. Host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and producer Sophia Lo explain how we got here and how much extra you might be paying if the tax hikes do, in fact, get approved. Plus, they discuss a new direct flight to one of Pittsburgh's favorite places, new state restrictions on GLP-1 drugs, the Terrible Towel's big milestone birthday, and your final opportunity to snag an exclusive City Cast Pittsburgh beanie. Get more from City Cast Pittsburgh when you become a City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at https://membership.citycast.fm Request a song for our holiday show! Call or text the HOLIDAY HOTLINE at 412-212-8893. Notes and references from today’s show: Our Ultimate Pittsburgh Gift Guide [City Cast Pittsburgh] PODCAST: 'Sloppy' City Budget, Zombie Studies & Giant Eagle vs. Everybody [City Cast Pittsburgh] Same budget, different universes: Pittsburgh council, mayor diverge on 2026 spending plan [TribLive] Pittsburgh City Council grapples with competing narratives surrounding budget [P-G] Sharply contrasting views of Pittsburgh budget emerge ahead of looming votes [WESA] Property Record Search [Allegheny County] PODCAST: Can Pittsburgh Afford the NFL Draft? [City Cast Pittsburgh] PODCAST: Are Pittsburgh Schools Closing Or Not?! [City Cast Pittsburgh] Without closures, Pittsburgh Public Schools projects $6M deficit with 4% tax hike [TribLive] Pa. cyber charter reforms give PPS budget unexpected 'wiggle room' amid last-minute revisions [WESA] Pennsylvania restricts weight-loss drugs for Medicaid patients amid budget woes [Spotlight PA] Pittsburgh-area ICE arrests through mid-October more than triple last year’s level [Public Source] PODCAST: What Actually Happens During an ICE Raid? [City Cast Pittsburgh] PODCAST: Lo que realmente ocurre durante una redada de ICE [City Cast Pittsburgh] HHS changed the name of transgender health leader on her official portrait [NPR] Former Gov. Wolf, Pa. Democrats slam deadname of Rachel Levine portrait [Go Erie] The Terrible Towel Turns 50 [Pittsburgh Magazine] Pittsburgh lands direct flights to Dublin [Axios Pittsburgh] Learn more about the sponsors of this December 12th episode: Fulton Commons Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames - Get $35 off the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST 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.