Joe Pegher

In the first-ever live episode of The Right Side of the Rivers, hosts Todd McCollum and Russell Dryer are joined by Greenfield resident and committee member Joe Pegher for a candid conversation about Pittsburgh’s industrial heritage, the tragic US Steel plant explosion in Clairton, and the future of steel in the Mon Valley.

They discuss current challenges facing the city — including police staffing shortages, crime response tools like ShotSpotter, and controversial traffic-calming measures — while highlighting Joe’s deep community roots and his perspective on local leadership in Council District 5. With personal stories and policy debate, this episode blends heartfelt reflection with clear-eyed analysis of what Pittsburgh needs to move forward.