<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0" encoding="UTF-8" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:admin="http://webns.net/mvcb/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom/" xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:fireside="http://fireside.fm/modules/rss/fireside">
  <channel>
    <fireside:hostname>app02</fireside:hostname>
    <fireside:genDate>Sat, 10 Oct 2026 03:56:49 +0000</fireside:genDate>
    <generator>Fireside (https://fireside.fm)</generator>
    <title>The Right Side of the Rivers - Episodes Tagged with “America First Policy Institute”</title>
    <link>https://therightsideoftherivers.fireside.fm/tags/america%20first%20policy%20institute</link>
    <pubDate>Thu, 08 Oct 2026 09:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
    <description>The Right Side of the Rivers is where Pittsburgh’s history and values meet today’s challenges. This show takes on public issues from a distinctly Pittsburgh point of view — offering commonsense conversations, right-of-center perspectives, and thoughtful discussions on the people, policies, and principles shaping Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and Pennsylvania. Whether it’s local government, community priorities, or statewide debates, The Right Side of the Rivers brings clarity, balance, and a grounded approach to the issues that matter to our city and our future.</description>
    <language>en-us</language>
    <itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type>
    <itunes:subtitle>Pittsburgh perspectives on public issues.</itunes:subtitle>
    <itunes:author>Pittsburgh City Committee &amp; Sidekick Media Services</itunes:author>
    <itunes:summary>The Right Side of the Rivers is where Pittsburgh’s history and values meet today’s challenges. This show takes on public issues from a distinctly Pittsburgh point of view — offering commonsense conversations, right-of-center perspectives, and thoughtful discussions on the people, policies, and principles shaping Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and Pennsylvania. Whether it’s local government, community priorities, or statewide debates, The Right Side of the Rivers brings clarity, balance, and a grounded approach to the issues that matter to our city and our future.</itunes:summary>
    <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/e/e841b650-497b-4563-8f60-efad1910c89c/cover.jpg?v=1"/>
    <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
    <itunes:owner>
      <itunes:name>Pittsburgh City Committee &amp; Sidekick Media Services</itunes:name>
      <itunes:email>missy@sidekickmediaservices.com</itunes:email>
    </itunes:owner>
<itunes:category text="News">
  <itunes:category text="Politics"/>
</itunes:category>
<itunes:category text="Society &amp; Culture"/>
<itunes:category text="News">
  <itunes:category text="News Commentary"/>
</itunes:category>
<item>
  <title>J.D. Longo - Local Leadership, Limited Government &amp; America First</title>
  <link>https://therightsideoftherivers.fireside.fm/jd-longo-local-leadership-limited-government-america-first</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2f83387d-2d0b-42db-9083-fdbeb42c5071</guid>
  <pubDate>Thu, 08 Oct 2026 09:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
  <author>Pittsburgh City Committee &amp; Sidekick Media Services</author>
  <enclosure url="https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/e841b650-497b-4563-8f60-efad1910c89c/2f83387d-2d0b-42db-9083-fdbeb42c5071.mp3" length="150215262" type="audio/mpeg"/>
  <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
  <itunes:author>Pittsburgh City Committee &amp; Sidekick Media Services</itunes:author>
  <itunes:subtitle>J.D. Longo, Mayor of Slippery Rock and Pennsylvania Chairman of the America First Policy Institute, joins The Right Side of the Rivers to discuss local government, energy, education choice, taxes, and economic opportunity. The conversation also covers Pittsburgh’s financial challenges, government accountability, privacy concerns surrounding license plate readers, and civic engagement in Pennsylvania.</itunes:subtitle>
  <itunes:duration>1:16:23</itunes:duration>
  <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
  <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/e/e841b650-497b-4563-8f60-efad1910c89c/episodes/2/2f83387d-2d0b-42db-9083-fdbeb42c5071/cover.jpg?v=1"/>
  <description>&lt;p&gt;Todd McCollum is joined by Eileen Cunningham - filling in for Russell Dryer who is out on special assignment - and this week's guest J.D. Longo, Mayor of Slippery Rock and Pennsylvania Chairman of the America First Policy Institute. Longo joins the podcast to talk about his background, his experience in local government, and the work he is doing with AFPI across Pennsylvania.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The conversation covers energy, education choice, taxes, deregulation, government spending, economic opportunity, and the importance of keeping government accountable. Longo also discusses his experience managing Slippery Rock’s finances, including controlling spending, reducing debt, and avoiding property tax increases.  This discussion is in comparison to the current financial challenges facing Pittsburgh - including pensions, public spending, transparency, and the role local leaders play in protecting taxpayers.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Later, the discussion turns to license plate readers and surveillance technology, including concerns about privacy, constitutional protections, and how law enforcement tools should be used. The episode closes with a look at the 100th anniversary of the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning, college students getting involved in civic life, and some of the political issues shaping Pennsylvania. Special Guests: Eileen Cunningham and JD Longo.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
  <itunes:keywords>jd longo, slippery rock, america first policy institute, pennsylvania politics, local government, energy policy, education choice, economic opportunity, limited government, government spending, fiscal responsibility, property taxes, deregulation, small business, entrepreneurship, pittsburgh finances, pension funding, government accountability, transparency, license plate readers, surveillance technology, privacy rights, constitutional rights, public safety, cathedral of learning, university of pittsburgh, civic engagement, city of pittsburgh republican committee, right side of the rivers</itunes:keywords>
  <content:encoded>
    <![CDATA[<p>Todd McCollum is joined by Eileen Cunningham - filling in for Russell Dryer who is out on special assignment - and this week's guest J.D. Longo, Mayor of Slippery Rock and Pennsylvania Chairman of the America First Policy Institute. Longo joins the podcast to talk about his background, his experience in local government, and the work he is doing with AFPI across Pennsylvania.</p>

<p>The conversation covers energy, education choice, taxes, deregulation, government spending, economic opportunity, and the importance of keeping government accountable. Longo also discusses his experience managing Slippery Rock’s finances, including controlling spending, reducing debt, and avoiding property tax increases.  This discussion is in comparison to the current financial challenges facing Pittsburgh - including pensions, public spending, transparency, and the role local leaders play in protecting taxpayers.</p>

<p>Later, the discussion turns to license plate readers and surveillance technology, including concerns about privacy, constitutional protections, and how law enforcement tools should be used. The episode closes with a look at the 100th anniversary of the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning, college students getting involved in civic life, and some of the political issues shaping Pennsylvania.</p><p>Special Guests: Eileen Cunningham and JD Longo.</p><p><a rel="payment" href="https://secure.winred.com/city-of-pittsburgh-republican-committee/donate-today">Support The Right Side of the Rivers</a></p><p>Links:</p><ul><li><a title="America First Policy Institute " rel="nofollow" href="https://americafirstpolicy.com/">America First Policy Institute 
</a> &mdash; AFPI exists to advance policies that put the American people first. Our guiding principles are liberty, free enterprise, national excellence, American military superiority, foreign-policy engagement in the American interest, and the primacy of American workers, families, and communities in all we do. America First, Always.
</li><li><a title="BCRC of PA Fall Lincoln Day Dinner!" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.butler.gop/">BCRC of PA Fall Lincoln Day Dinner!
</a> &mdash; Join JD Longo, Scott Presler, and more - and enjoy a delightful dinner, engaging conversations, and inspiring speakers.
</li><li><a title="JD Longo &amp; Scott Presler Guest Bartending" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0hTaOSgfXe/?stkn=MTJqeGFsNzdmaW5pYg%3D%3D">JD Longo &amp; Scott Presler Guest Bartending
</a> &mdash; Join JD Longo and Scott Presler for a great night in support of a great cause at this great community staple!
</li></ul>]]>
  </content:encoded>
  <itunes:summary>
    <![CDATA[<p>Todd McCollum is joined by Eileen Cunningham - filling in for Russell Dryer who is out on special assignment - and this week's guest J.D. Longo, Mayor of Slippery Rock and Pennsylvania Chairman of the America First Policy Institute. Longo joins the podcast to talk about his background, his experience in local government, and the work he is doing with AFPI across Pennsylvania.</p>

<p>The conversation covers energy, education choice, taxes, deregulation, government spending, economic opportunity, and the importance of keeping government accountable. Longo also discusses his experience managing Slippery Rock’s finances, including controlling spending, reducing debt, and avoiding property tax increases.  This discussion is in comparison to the current financial challenges facing Pittsburgh - including pensions, public spending, transparency, and the role local leaders play in protecting taxpayers.</p>

<p>Later, the discussion turns to license plate readers and surveillance technology, including concerns about privacy, constitutional protections, and how law enforcement tools should be used. The episode closes with a look at the 100th anniversary of the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning, college students getting involved in civic life, and some of the political issues shaping Pennsylvania.</p><p>Special Guests: Eileen Cunningham and JD Longo.</p><p><a rel="payment" href="https://secure.winred.com/city-of-pittsburgh-republican-committee/donate-today">Support The Right Side of the Rivers</a></p><p>Links:</p><ul><li><a title="America First Policy Institute " rel="nofollow" href="https://americafirstpolicy.com/">America First Policy Institute 
</a> &mdash; AFPI exists to advance policies that put the American people first. Our guiding principles are liberty, free enterprise, national excellence, American military superiority, foreign-policy engagement in the American interest, and the primacy of American workers, families, and communities in all we do. America First, Always.
</li><li><a title="BCRC of PA Fall Lincoln Day Dinner!" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.butler.gop/">BCRC of PA Fall Lincoln Day Dinner!
</a> &mdash; Join JD Longo, Scott Presler, and more - and enjoy a delightful dinner, engaging conversations, and inspiring speakers.
</li><li><a title="JD Longo &amp; Scott Presler Guest Bartending" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0hTaOSgfXe/?stkn=MTJqeGFsNzdmaW5pYg%3D%3D">JD Longo &amp; Scott Presler Guest Bartending
</a> &mdash; Join JD Longo and Scott Presler for a great night in support of a great cause at this great community staple!
</li></ul>]]>
  </itunes:summary>
</item>
  </channel>
</rss>
