Megan Swift stories

Protein powder users should check the brand they’re using. A new Consumer Reports investigation revealed that some protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes contain high levels of lead. Published this week, the findings said 23 products were tested, and more than two-thirds of them were found to contain more lead in...

Batman himself was summoned to Pittsburgh’s Strip District on Monday — but no bat signal went up. Rather, it was the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame inaugural induction ceremony that drew actor Michael Keaton back to his hometown. Though he’s best known for his title roles as Batman, Birdman and Beetlejuice,...

What in the world does “six seven” mean? Perhaps the better question would be: What doesn’t “six seven” mean? Steelers tight end Darnell Washington celebrated with a “67” dance after scoring a touchdown Thursday against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Washington celebration just added to the mainstream madness — those numbers...

The NFL Draft is coming to Pittsburgh, and many fans will want to gear up and show a little hometown spirit. The 2026 NFL Draft Collection is now available on the Steelers Pro Shop website — featuring a total of 49 different items for sale. The draft begins April 23...

With Halloween quickly approaching, costume pieces are starting to be snatched up. Spirit Halloween, the largest North American Halloween retailer, revealed the top costume trends for 2025 — with “KPop Demon Hunters”-inspired outfits taking over. Released in June, the Netflix movie quickly became a cultural phenomenon, becoming the platform’s most-watched...

STATE COLLEGE — Former Penn State offensive lineman Landon Tengwall was shocked by the firing of the university’s longtime football coach, James Franklin. “It has been full-on shock,” Tengwall, 23, of State College told TribLive on Monday. “A lot of people seemed to understand that it needed to be done,...

When Karim Alshurafa heard Thursday’s news of a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release, he felt conflicted. Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza, which could be the first step toward ending a 2-year-old war that has roiled the Middle East. Alshurafa, 42,...

Grandparent scams are on the rise once again, but this time, AI technology is involved, officials say. AARP Pennsylvania warned residents about the resurgence and offered ways for older adults and their families to stay safe. A “Grandparent Scam” usually begins with an urgent phone call from an imposter claiming...

Hollywood is officially coming to the 412. The Pittsburgh Walk of Fame will induct its first class of 10 honorees this month, each receiving their own star. The ceremony is open to the public, and it will take place Oct. 20 at the Strip District Terminal. The installation will feature...

Pasta salad lovers in Western Pennsylvania should double check their refrigerators. Giant Eagle just issued a recall of its “Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad” sold in the prepared foods department of both Giant Eagle and Market District locations across Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland and Indiana — for possible listeria contamination. Listeria...

Marc-Andre Fleury’s final preseason game jersey officially went up for auction Monday — and bids are already up to $16,000. The hockey legend, who is five months removed from retiring as an NHL goaltender, unofficially retired Sept. 27 as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins via a 4-1 win against...

Pittsburgh ranked as the 12th-worst city for bed bugs in Orkin’s 2025 Top 50 Bed Bug Cities List — climbing the ranks higher than in previous years. Last year, the Steel City was in 21st place. Orkin said bed bugs can be found clinging to items like luggage, purses and...

I’m not mad — I’m just disappointed. With the midnight hour came the release of yet another Taylor Swift album. One the megastar previously touted as a record she’s been “wanting to make for a very long time.” “The Life of a Showgirl” promised to encapsulate the gaudiness of life...

Tonight’s the night Swifties have been waiting for — another Taylor Swift album is about to drop. “The Life of a Showgirl” is Swift’s 12th studio album, with an orange and teal theme, and it will be available at midnight. The new album was announced via a countdown on Swift’s...

The Ferris wheel that lit up Pittsburgh’s Roberto Clemente Bridge last year has returned. Running from Thursday through Oct. 12, the Ferris wheel will be featured for Oktoberfest’s Karneval. The wheel will be open daily from noon to 8 p.m., with Fridays and Saturdays extended to 10 p.m. As of...

With Congress and the White House remaining deadlocked over the 2026 federal budget, the U.S. government shut down much of its operations as of midnight Wednesday. The partial shutdown could be a long standoff, Reuters reported, which could lead to the loss of thousands of federal jobs. Agencies are warning...

Pittsburgh’s second annual space festival — known as “SpaceBurgh” — is returning this weekend to Riverview Park. The festival brings together STEM, robotics and astronomy in a citywide celebration of space, according to the event announcement. SpaceBurgh will last from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the park in...

Bright orange newts were spotted at Pennsylvania’s Flight 93 National Memorial in the middle of their migration. According to a Facebook post on the Somerset County memorial’s page, they are red efts — the juvenile stage of Eastern newts. They have red spots on their bright orange skin. The newts...

In a rare address to military commanders on Tuesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stressed the importance of grooming standards, even using the sometimes derogatory term “beardos.” “The era of unprofessional appearance is over. No more beardos,” Hegseth told the audience, which sat in silence, according to Reuters. What does...

Sick of orange barrels and detours dictating your commute? PennDOT wants to hear about it. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation just opened an online survey for the public to submit feedback regarding its construction and maintenance services. Announced Tuesday, the survey will be open through Oct. 21. It’s titled the...

A common chemical found in gel nail polish was banned in Europe. Will the United States do the same? It’s unlikely, experts say. The European Union banned the chemical trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, or TPO, in May because of a possible link to fertility problems based on animal studies, the New...

Pittsburghers are invading the Emerald Isle for Sunday’s Steelers game against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin. With an early kickoff at 9:30 a.m., Steelers fans stuck back in Pennsylvania might be wondering where they can watch the game and still experience some Irish cheer. Here are some of the watch...

First, it was the giant poop emoji statue. Now, it’s a statue of President Donald Trump holding hands with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in jail in 2019. The new 12-foot-tall, spray-painted bronze statue was titled “Best Friends Forever,” and it appeared on the National Mall in front...

Pittsburghers are invading the Emerald Isle for this Sunday’s Steelers game against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin. With an early kickoff at 9:30 a.m., Steelers fans stuck back in Pennsylvania might be wondering where they can watch the game — and still experience some Irish cheer. Here are some of...

Pittsburgh’s Mayor Ed Gainey revealed his favorite food spots around the 412. Spoiler alert: Red Lobster made the cut. In a Pittsburgh-based Scoop TV interview for the WeArePgh series, originally posted on Sept. 15, Gainey ranked his Top 5 restaurants. The interview is circulating on social media platforms, including Instagram...