Megan Swift stories, Page 10
Gov. Josh Shapiro touts Pennsylvania as nation’s golf capital during U.S. Open visit
Gov. Josh Shapiro called the state of Pennsylvania the “golf capital of the United States” during a visit Friday to the Oakmont Country Club for the U.S. Open. The Keystone State has hosted the most United States Golf Association championships compared to any other state — at 95 as of...
U.S. Open meteorologist runs 1-man show from women’s locker room at Oakmont
Amid the sweeping grounds of Oakmont Country Club sits one man alone in the women’s locker room of the clubhouse — meteorologist Jake Swick — whose sole job is to monitor the weather for the U.S. Open in real time. Inside that women’s locker room is a window that opens...
What is a Labubu? Viral monster dolls tough to find in Pittsburgh region
When Divina Rocco first heard of the viral Labubu plush dolls sold by the Chinese collectibles retailer Pop Mart, she admittedly thought they were “ridiculous.” Now, she owns seven of them. The monster-like creatures were created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. He created “The Monsters” in 2015, first as...
A trip inside the U.S. Open merchandise tent in OakmontVideo
Before Yasuhiro Kano strolled over to the 34,000-square-foot U.S. Open merchandise tent Monday at Oakmont Country Club, he set a budget: $500. By the time he was done, Kano, 55, of Chicago, had shirts, hats and souvenirs for friends back in Illinois, but he stayed on budget. “I like golf,”...
Are cellphones allowed at Oakmont for the U.S. Open?
Fans attending the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club this week might be wondering if they can use their cellphones to take photos or videos of their favorite golfers. The answer is yes. “We encourage people to bring their cellphones,” said Danny Sink, senior director of U.S. Open Championships. However,...
New Bruster’s Real Ice Cream to open in Shadyside
A new Bruster’s Real Ice Cream location is opening up this summer at the border of Shadyside and Bloomfield. Owner Chad McWreath said the new location at 4815 Centre Ave. is anticipating an opening in mid-July. McWreath, 53, of Mt. Washington, already owns one Bruster’s location at 4584 Browns Hill...
Point Park names provost, senior vice president of academic affairs
Point Park University has promoted Shari Payne to provost and senior vice president of academic affairs after she served in the role on an interim basis. She has been serving in the interim role since January, after joining Point Park in 2023 as dean of the new School of Continuing...
Weekend lanes closures on Parkway East could snarl Pittsburgh traffic
Expect a busy weekend on Pittsburgh roads — especially along the Parkway East, where traffic will be squeezed into a single lane as part of a construction project. The parkway will have lane restrictions this weekend affecting the city of Pittsburgh and the boroughs of Edgewood, Swissvale, Wilkinsburg and Churchill...
Voodoo Brewing in New Kensington to remain open amid other closures
Voodoo Brewing in New Kensington is here to stay, despite the closure of the company’s Pittsburgh and Seven Fields locations. It’s because Voodoo Brewery, located at 956 5th Ave. in downtown New Kensington, is independently run and owned. “We are an independent location, so we’re not beholden to any corporate...
Some tomatoes, cucumbers sold in Pennsylvania recalled
Tomatoes and cucumbers purchased at local Western Pennsylvania stores could be contaminated with salmonella, health officials said. Ray & Mascari Inc. of Indianapolis, recalled 4 Count Vine Ripe Tomatoes packaged in clam shell containers because of potential contamination with salmonella. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young...
Voodoo Brewing Co. to close North Shore location
Pittsburgh’s North Shore is losing a pub. After a final night on Tuesday, Voodoo Brewing Co. will shut its doors. The pub made the announcement Sunday on its Facebook page thanking the North Shore and patrons for business over the almost three years its been in operation there. “What a...
Peach ring vodka soda drinks land at Sheetz and PNC Park
Looking for something new to sip on this summer? Two vodka sodas inspired by peach ring gummies are making their way to Pennsylvania — and you’ll find them both at Sheetz stores and Pirates games at PNC Park. Shpiked Peach Ringz and Shpiiiked Peach Ringz are the drinks dropping across...
Canadian wildfire smoke to linger over Western Pa.
Canadian wildfire smoke is here to stay in Western Pennsylvania — at least for this week. “Right now, it looks like it could be a decent portion of the week,” said Andrew Kienzle, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Moon. By Thursday during the day, though, some rain...
Anthrocon 2025 chooses cat rescue group as charity
Fur meets purr: Anthrocon 2025 has named a cat rescue outfit as its official charity this year. The McDonald-based nonprofit Nose 2 Tail Cat Rescue was selected as charity for Anthrocon 2025. Anthrocon is the annual furry convention in Pittsburgh that attracts thousands of people wearing animal costumes. This year,...
Nakama Japanese Steakhouse mysteriously closes in South Side
Nakama Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar on East Carson Street on Pittsburgh’s South Side appears to be closed for good. Rich Cupka, owner of Cupka’s Cafe 2, which is also on East Carson Street, confirmed the news to TribLive on Thursday. Cupka said he was outside of Nakama on Tuesday...
Wilkinsburg School District names new superintendent
The Wilkinsburg School District named Jocelyn V. Artinger as its next superintendent. The news came Tuesday night following a unanimous vote during the Wilkinsburg school board meeting. Artinger, who has 17 years of experience in public education, served as principal of Markham Elementary School in the Mt. Lebanon School District...
Is your love story legendary? Prove it and win $20K in online contest
Do you and your partner have a unique love story? Well now, you can put it to the test — and win a cash prize. Couples across the nation can enter “America’s Favorite Couple,” share their love stories, and try to win $20,000. The online contest, hosted by West Homestead...
Warmer temperatures coming to Western Pa., forecasters say
The temperatures have dipped as of late, but Western Pennsylvania should warm up soon, says the National Weather Service. How about the sun? Well, let’s not get greedy. “Right now … the outlook calls for a warmer than normal conditions and possibly wetter than normal conditions,” said meteorologist Timothy Cermak...
What you need to know to attend the U.S. Open in Oakmont
About 200,000 people will flock to Oakmont Country Club for the U.S. Open golf championship. Danny Sink, USGA’s senior director of U.S. Open Championships, is advising local residents to use alternate routes to reach their destinations and avoid the crowded roads. With shuttle buses running to and from off-site parking...
Southwest Airlines grounds free bag policy
Southwest Airlines, long favored by travelers for its free checked bags, is ending that popular policy. Starting Wednesday, most Southwest passengers will pay $35 for their first checked bag and $45 for the second, the New York Times reported. However, customers flying Business Select or those with high loyalty status...
Danica Patrick dishes on ’emotionally abusive’ relationship with Aaron Rodgers
Danica Patrick opened up about her former relationship with NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers — calling it “emotionally abusive.” The retired NASCAR driver, 43, discussed her time together with the NFL player, 41, on the May 21 episode of “The Sage Steele Show,” People reported. There has been daily speculation that...
Emails from Trump shooter show he was designing a bomb, report says
Thomas Matthew Crooks, who attempted to assassinate now-President Donald Trump in July, was in the process of designing a bomb, according to documents obtained by CBS News. Crooks, 20, ordered more than two gallons of nitromethane from an online specialty fuel retailer using an encrypted email account. When the purchase...
Pennsylvania starts rollout of new license plates
The wait is finally over for Pennsylvanians — people across the commonwealth can now start to order the new “Let Freedom Ring” license plates. Gov. Josh Shapiro unveiled the new Pennsylvania license plate and state welcome sign designs in July, ahead of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. “With all eyes...
Group of cicadas to surface in Pennsylvania for 1st time since 2008
A rather punctual bunch of bugs is about to make a return to Pennsylvania — for the first time since 2008. Meet Brood XIV, a group of cicadas that’s been chilling underground for the past 17 years. Now, they’re clocking back in for a noisy spring debut across at least...
2 major newspapers unknowingly publish AI book list with imaginary book titles
An AI-generated book list with imaginary book titles and nonexistent plots was published by two renowned newspapers — the Chicago Sun-Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer. The articles were published in the papers’ “Heat Index” special sections, a multipage insert filled with tips, advice and articles on summertime activities, The Washington...
