Meatball Mergers, PennDOT Hellscapes & Emmy Noms for ‘The Pitt’

Part of the Parkway East is closing tonight so PennDot can explode the old Commercial Street Bridge and slide a new one in its place. Traffic will be a nightmare and "demons shall walk the earth," but at least we can watch it on a live stream! Host Megan Harris, executive producer Mallory Falk, and contributor and City Paper managing editor Colin Williams explain how, exactly, you move a giant bridge, share what snacks we'd bring to a demolition viewing party, and warn you about even more road closures up I-79. Then Colin gets his soapbox moment about why more Western PA municipalities should consider consolidating. Finally, we dig into the controversy over a Pride display at the Monroeville Public Library and celebrate 'The Pitt' getting more Emmy noms than any other show this season. And in today's members-only bonus segment, we're sending off our incredible senior newsletter editor, Francesca Dabecco.  **Notes and references from today’s show:** - PODCAST: Your City Could Be Better \[YouTube] - PODCAST: Why Pittsburgh is Giving Rent Discounts Downtown. Plus, Why Local Sports Matter \[Apple Podcasts] - Here's how PennDOT is going to move the new Commercial Street Bridge into place on the Parkway East \[KDKA] - PennDOT to livestream Parkway East bridge demolition and replacement \[TribLive] - Interstate 79 Wexford Interchange Phase Change and Restrictions Thursday Night in Allegheny County \[PennDOT] - Mars Borough leaders approve merger ordinance with Adams Township \[KDKA] - So much fragmentation \[Public Source] - Boldly going to the Duquesne Club and Rivers Club, where few but rich white men had once gone before \[City Paper] - Monroeville turns out in force to spar over library’s Pride display removal \[City Paper] - Henry L. Hillman Foundation becomes latest nonprofit to donate to Pittsburgh \[TribLive] - PODCAST: Why Doesn't UPMC Pay Property Taxes? \[City Cast Pittsburgh] - One year after ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’: 98K fewer Pennsylvanians on SNAP \[Public Source] - ‘The Pitt’ leads Emmy nominations with 25 total nods \[P-Gci] **What Pittsburgh stories should Megan take nationwide?** Call or text us YOUR CITY COULD BE BETTER Hotline at  412-212-8893. Learn more about the sponsor of this Friday, July 10th episode: Woodward Summer Camps **Become a member** of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm. **Want more Pittsburgh news?**  - Sign up for our daily morning newsletter. - We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh. - Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. **Interested in advertising with City Cast?** Find more info here.