State Government Will Use AI

Pennsylvania plans to use artificial intelligence for “creating or editing copies, updating outdated language, and drafting job descriptions.” Shapiro’s administration says this is a “first in the nation” partnership with Open AI, an enterprise version of ChatGPT limited to the Office of Administration. In September, Pennsylvania created a generative AI governing board. [90.5 WESA / Associated Press]

• ➡️ What does it mean to call something “intelligent” anyway? A CMU professor explains! [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]
• 💻 More AI news: Duolingo laid off about 10% of its contractors. They'll be using AI to streamline content and translations. [Washington Post]

PA Radio Giant Files for Bankruptcy

After failing to pay off nearly $2 billion in debt, the Philadelphia-based radio broadcast company Audacy filed for bankruptcy. Audacy operates more than 200 shows nationwide, including Pittsburgh stations like KDKA Radio, The Fan, and WAMO. The company plans to transition ownership to its lenders, so listeners shouldn’t notice immediate changes. [WHYY]

Downtown To Get a Black Biz Incubator

The Greenwood Plan is turning the Pitt Building into an incubator for Black-owned businesses as well as a coworking and community space. The 100-year-old building at the corner of Smithfield Street and Boulevard of the Allies has a coffee shop, fine-dining area, and more spaces to be renovated. [Pittsburgh City Paper]

Welcome to your Hey Pittsburgh bulletin board: A virtual space to share volunteer opportunities, fundraisers, workshops, and other ways to help your neighbors.

Free Radon Test Kits

January is National Radon Action Month, and you can protect yourself from this cancer-causing gas with free tests through the American Lung Association. If no tests are available for your area, try the Millvale Community Library for at-home tests you can check out and return.

• OR sign up for a free, four-week online program with ROCIS to learn how to use low-cost air monitors to track radon, particle pollution, and carbon dioxide. The next webinar is January 18.

Brunch for Justice

Trace Brewing is hosting a Roe Anniversary Event benefiting Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania on January 21 with food from ShadoBeni and SCOTUS trivia. Register here.

Dry January Workshop

We have Dry January tips on today’s City Cast Pittsburgh podcast, but you can also sign up for a mocktail class at Coughlin's Law with The Open Road on January 24. Tickets are $10.

See How Costumes Are Made

If you’re attending the Prime Stage Theatre’s Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott January 20-21 or 27-28, you can go to the nearby MuseumLab and get a behind-the-scenes look at how theater sets and costumes are made.

Pittsburgh is defined by its mountainous terrain and the waterways that run through it, so naturally, we take our rivers pretty seriously. They aren’t just gorgeous vistas, but centers for outdoor recreation, fresh drinking water, and transportation.

But which river is the best in Pennsylvania? On our side of the state, the Allegheny and Youghiogheny rivers are nominated for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ annual awards – and you can still vote for your favorite until January 19.

Once a winner is named, local groups will receive a $10,000 leadership grant to run year-round activities to celebrate the river.

🌊 If you love our rivers and all that they offer, consider supporting Allegheny Cleanways, UpStreamPgh, Riverlife, Friends of the Riverfront, Three Rivers Waterkeeper, Clean Water Action Project Pittsburgh, and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

• 🍽️ Chef's Dinner at Ritual House | 6 p.m. | $225 | Downtown
• 🚙 The Ultimate RV Show at Monroeville Convention Center | Various Times | free | Monroeville – through Sunday
• 💬 The Creative Hive Networking | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | free | Bloomfield
• 🎨 Public Art Community Workshop with the Kingsley Association | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | free | Larimer
• ♻️ Composting 101 at Citizen’s Library | 6 p.m. | $15 | Washington Pa.
• 📙 “Relic” Book Launch by Ed Simon at White Whale Bookstore | 7 p.m. | free | Bloomfield / virtual
• 🎤 Comedy Night at Brillobox benefiting Light of Life | 8 p.m. | donation | Bloomfield

• 🌍 Climate Art and Networking at Contemporary Craft | 3-6 p.m. | $10 | Lawrenceville
• 🧶 Fiber Art Exhibition Opening at Associated Artists of Pittsburgh | 5-7 p.m. | free | Lawrenceville – through February 23
• 🌟 21+ Night: Astronomy at the Carnegie Science Center | 6-10 p.m. | $25 | Chateau
• 🥂 The Future is Black Soxial at the Navaus House | 6-11 p.m. | donation | North Side

• 🌺 Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show at Phipps Conservatory | 9:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. | $14-22 | Oakland — through March 3
• 🎶 Music & Memories Celebrating African-American Musical Trailblazers at Park Place AME Church | 10 a.m. | $25 | Homestead
• ☀️ Big Free Yoga at Velum Fermentation | 10:30 a.m. | free | South Side
• 🌍 Climate Awakening Guided Tour at Contemporary Craft | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | donation | Lawrenceville
• 🐐 Tree Donation and Goat Meet & Greet at Healcrest Urban Farm | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | donation | Garfield
• 👚 Mean Girls Drag Brunch at Kingfly Spirits | 12:30 p.m. | $20-80 | Strip District
• 🐝 Making Herbal Honeys with Grow Pittsburgh at Garden Dreams | 1-2:30 p.m. | donation | Wilkinsburg
• 🪩 Line Dancing & Potluck with Steel City Squares | 7-11 p.m. | $15 donation | Lawrenceville

The Open Road in Allentown is the oldest NA specialty retailer in the nation, lined with zero-proof spirits, botanical and CBD seltzers, and even dry versions of your favorite classics. We visited the shop to talk to owner Mel Babitz about how this booze-free business is growing, the toughest alcoholic drinks to recreate, and how to pick your perfect beverage.

🎂 Want to get us a birthday present? Sign up to be a City Cast Pittsburgh member so we can keep delivering fresh news into your feeds every weekday.

— Francesca Dabecco

Thanks to City Cast Pittsburgh’s Megan Harris for editing this newsletter!