Megan Swift stories, Page 11
Carnegie Mellon to pause merit raises amid economic uncertainty
Employees at Carnegie Mellon University will not receive merit increases in their salaries for the upcoming fiscal year. In an email addressed to colleagues Friday obtained by TribLive, CMU President Farnam Jahanian revealed the decision, which he said is a “pause” in merit increases. “I write to you with a...
On-the-spot birth certificate pilot program launches in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is launching a pilot program that will provide on-the-spot birth certificates to help speed up the process for people seeking new jobs and other opportunities. The Pennsylvania Departments of Labor & Industry and Health announced the initiative this week. The service will be available at some CareerLink locations later...
Giant Eagle offers 15% discount to help residents restock after storm
On Sunday, all Pittsburgh-area Giant Eagle and Market District locations will offer a 15% discount off their grocery purchases in the aftermath of this week’s severe storm that left thousands without power. The one-day discount is meant to help those who have to dispose of the contents of their refrigerators,...
Real ID deadline looms: TSA to enforce at airports nationwide
In less than a week now, the federal Real ID requirement goes into effect and will be enforced by TSA agents at airports across the country. Starting May 7, anyone 18 years of age or older will need a Real ID or another acceptable form of identification like a passport...
Uprooted: Tree removal crews tackle surge in calls after powerful storm in Western Pa.
Lori Abbott was watching TV Tuesday night when the lights cut out, a sudden outage triggered by the severe storms sweeping through the Pittsburgh area. “I wanted to see what was going on,” said Abbott, 65, as she walked outside her Milton Street home in Regent Square. “I came out...
‘Our region stands to lose something’: Students, residents rally in hopes of halting PRT cuts
For Wilkinsburg high school student Cameron Taylor, there’s only one way to get to school — by bus. Out of the 569 students who attend City Charter High School in Downtown Pittsburgh, most are like Cameron and rely on public transit to commute. Given Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s proposed increase in...
Posters of immigrant arrests line White House driveway
Posters of immigrant arrestees’ mugshots now line the driveway of the White House — a President Donald Trump administration move to promote its recent crackdown. The dozens of posters appeared on Monday, showing the faces of men with the words “Illegal Alien” and alleged crimes such as “Sexual contact with...
Duquesne receives record number of applications for class of 2029
Duquesne University has received a record number of applications for the class of 2029. More than 13,000 first-year students applied to Duquesne’s undergraduate programs, the university announced Monday. From those applicants, Duquesne expects to enroll a class of approximately 1,500 first-year students and 200 transfer students, as the pool is...
Saquon Barkley addresses criticism over golf outing with Trump
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley hung out and golfed with President Donald Trump over the weekend. The internet reacted. In response, Barkley, also a former Penn State star player, told people to “get out my mentions with all this politics.” Their hangout occurred a day before the Philadelphia Eagles’...
Prantl’s famous Burnt Almond Torte gets New York Times shoutout
Prantl’s Bakery’s famous Burnt Almond Torte keeps getting more famous. The cake that put Pittsburgh on the confectionery map has received a shoutout in the New York Times as among “The 29 Best Retirement Gifts.” Wirecutter, the Times’ product recommendation service, published the list this month, with the cake featured...
2-alarm fire breaks out in South Oakland home
A Sunday morning house fire in South Oakland was caused by flammable construction materials, Pittsburgh fire officials said. The Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire was dispatched to the 3200 block of Dawson Street near Frazier Street just before 8:30 a.m, the City of Pittsburgh reported. The second alarm was called just...
Woman stabbed in Pittsburgh’s Hill District after domestic dispute
Pittsburgh police responded to a stabbing at 5:30 a.m. Sunday in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. In the 2800 block of Centre Avenue, the City of Pittsburgh said, an adult female was found with a stab wound to her upper back/neck area. She was transported in critical condition to an area hospital...
Supercross Championship draws motorcycle fans to Pittsburgh’s North Shore
With the number of cars and tailgaters on the North Shore Saturday, passersby would think fans were gearing up for a Steelers game. Hardly. The excitement was for the 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Acrisure Stadium. Elite riders like Jett Lawrence, Cooper Webb and Haiden Deegan will vie...
1 firefighter hurt in Lawrenceville warehouse fire
A firefighter was hurt battling a four-alarm warehouse fire in Pittsburgh’s Central Lawrenceville section Saturday. The blaze, at a warehouse on 51st Street, was reported just after 10 a.m., according to firefighter Josh Abel. “It’s an entire warehouse fire,” Abel said. “It’s usually our worst nightmare.” Despite a sprinkler system,...
5 things to know about Supercross in Pittsburgh
Off-road motorcycle riders are set to compete in the 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship Saturday inside Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium. The elite riders — including Jett Lawrence, Cooper Webb and Haiden Deegan — will vie for the title of Supercross Champion. Beaver County’s Brian ‘JR’ Saunier, a Hopewell Area High...
‘Trump 2028’ hats for sale through president’s online store
President Donald Trump has officially dropped “Trump 2028” hats on his Trump Store website as of Thursday — for a steep price. The hats, which cost $50 each, were uploaded after 1 p.m. Thursday to the site. “The future looks bright!” the description reads. “Rewrite the rules with the Trump...
Here’s what you need to know about the Signal app
Signal has been the most high-profile app in the news lately because of the controversy surrounding its use by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Signal is a secure messaging platform known for end-to-end encryption, often used for private communication. Concerns about using a commercial messaging app for communicating sensitive military information...
Rockaway Pizzeria sets opening date in Regent Square
The wait is finally over — Rockaway Pizzeria 3.0 will open in Regent Square next week. Owner Josh Sickels said the new location’s grand opening on Braddock Avenue will take place starting at 11 a.m. on May 2. But the wait to actually get a slice of pizza will be...
26 Walmart stores in Pa. to be remodeled
Walmart announced Wednesday it plans to remodel 26 stores across Pennsylvania this year, including some local shops. The nearest stores in the greater Pittsburgh area getting remodeled include Richland, Harrison, Johnstown, Washington, Somerset, Monaca and Punxsutawney. The remodels will focus on enhancing the associate experience and community engagement, Walmart said....
Pittsburgh metro area air among worst in country, study says
The Pittsburgh region’s air is among the most polluted in the country, according to a study by the American Lung Association. The Pittsburgh-Weirton-Steubenville metro area ranked 16th worst in the nation for daily particle pollution and 12th worst for year-round particle pollution, the report found. Kevin Stewart, director of environmental...
Gainey, O’Connor take mayoral debate stage once againVideo
With the primary election just under a month away, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor took the debate stage once again — reiterating major campaign plans related to city policing, federal funding, affordable housing and more. The hourlong debate took place Tuesday night live on WTAE-TV,...
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin gift Alex Ovechkin a Rolex watch
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin received a pricey gift from Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin for becoming the NHL’s all-time leading scorer. Following Thursday night’s game, the pair not only made time to congratulate him, they presented him with time itself: a Rolex watch. The Penguins posted...
TSA clarifies security checkpoint changes at Pittsburgh airport
A day after announcing changes to the security checkpoints, the Transportation Security Administration released a clarification for the new procedures. Starting May 5, TSA PreCheck travelers should use the main checkpoint, but non-TSA PreCheck travelers can use both checkpoints. When travelers arrive at the airport, they will be able to...
College faculty, students, union members rally in Pittsburgh to defend higher education
The government is robbing Americans of the research and treatments they deserve, a University of Pittsburgh laboratory manager said during a rally Thursday in Schenley Plaza. Diversity, equity and inclusion aren’t mere buzzwords, said an associate dean from Pitt. This was the sentiment from Pittsburgh-based professors, leaders and union members...
Pittsburgh International Airport to adjust security checkpoints
Pittsburgh International Airport is making changes to its security checkpoints. Travelers who are enrolled in TSA PreCheck and are ticketed to fly out of Pittsburgh should proceed directly to the main security checkpoint starting May 5. There, they will receive expedited screening benefits as PreCheck members. The alternate security checkpoint...

