Megan Swift stories, Page 13
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...
Pittsburgh parks rank 15th nationally, research says
Pittsburgh parks have placed 15th out of 100 on the annual 2025 ParkScore Index, which is conducted by the national nonprofit Trust for Public Land. The ranking matches Pittsburgh’s all-time high on the list in 2020, and is two spots above its rank last year of 17th place. Will Klein,...
‘I Voted N’At’ sticker debuts for Election Day in Allegheny County
Across Allegheny County for Election Day, voters are receiving a new sticker instead of the typical “I Voted” sticker. Instead, voters are receiving the printed sticker that won the first ever Allegheny County Elections Division “I Voted” Sticker Contest. Molly Bozick, a 10th grade student at Mt. Lebanon High School,...
Heinz and Uber Eats partner to verify ketchup-serving restaurants
Have you ever wondered which restaurants serve or don’t serve Heinz ketchup? Well now, you won’t have to. Kraft Heinz is teaming up with Uber Eats to create Heinz Verified — a program designed to single out restaurants that serve Heinz products. According to Kraft Heinz, 84% of people say...
1st week of testimony in Diddy trial concludes with graphic accusations
The first week of testimony in the Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial is concluding — and with it Casandra “Cassie” Ventura’s testimony. Ventura, the R&B singer who was Combs’ girlfriend for around a decade, had filed a lawsuit alleging he sexually and physically abused her. It was settled in late 2023,...
Cold temperatures to return to Western Pa. next week
While it might feel like summer today in Western Pennsylvania, a change is headed this way. Friday had the potential to reach 85 degrees, according to David Shallenberger, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Moon. After that, a cold front is moving into the area next week. Saturday will...
Pittsburgh population grew by nearly 3,000, census shows
Pittsburgh’s population is on the rise, new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau revealed. The city added 2,902 people from 2023 to 2024, bringing the total population to 307,668 — an almost 1% increase, according to census figures. Chris Briem, regional economist at the University Center for Social & Urban...
Pirates to give away Mac Miller bobbleheads
The Pittsburgh Pirates will pay tribute to the late Pittsburgh-born rapper Mac Miller by giving away commemorative bobbleheads during a game in July. On Thursday, the team shared a teaser video on social media featuring a montage and the message, “This is for you, Malcolm.” Miller, whose real name was...
McDonald’s to hire 375K new employees
This summer, McDonald’s said it will hire 375,000 employees across the United States. The plan marks one of the fast-food chain’s largest hiring pushes in years, Today reported. McDonald’s hopes to open 900 new restaurants in the U.S. by 2027 and plans to serve more customers during summer months. Specifically,...
Livvy Dunne becomes Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model
Livvy Dunne, a Pittsburgh Pirates fan favorite, has become a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model. The recently retired NCAA gymnast is the girlfriend of Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes. She’s made numerous appearances to watch him play in Pittsburgh. The former LSU Tiger was chosen to be one of four covers...
Fetterman again in the news for the wrong reasons
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Braddock, has again found himself in the news for the wrong reasons, with recent stories calling his mental health into question. Fetterman, the former Braddock mayor and Pennsylvania lieutenant governor who was once considered a rising progressive star, has faced his share of bad press over...
Regent Square’s annual yard sale still on despite storm damage
Despite widespread damage including downed trees, telephone poles and power lines from last week’s severe storm, Regent Square’s annual yard sale is still on for May 17. The neighborhood’s yard sale includes about 100 households, said Aidan Kestigian, vice president of the Regent Square Civic Association’s board. Regent Square includes...
About 40,000 Pennsylvanians to receive unclaimed property letters this week
More than 40,000 Pennsylvanians are set to receive letters this week indicating they’ll be receiving money because of unclaimed property, state Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced Wednesday. Unclaimed property can include dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, forgotten stocks, insurance policies, tangible property like the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes and...
What to expect at Pittsburgh airport with (or without) Real ID
Travelers arriving at Pittsburgh International Airport Wednesday without a Real ID or another acceptable form of identification should prepare for possible additional screening. Starting Wednesday, federal Real ID requirement goes into effect and will be enforced by TSA agents at airports across the country. Anyone 18 years of age or...
Somerset office used for 9/11 education slated for DOGE termination
A downtown Somerset office leased by the U.S. National Park Service for Flight 93 and 9/11 education is being targeted for the chopping block by the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency. On the DOGE website, the Somerset office appears under the “leases” section, where it’s one of 643 terminations...
Luigi Mangione musical set to debut in San Francisco
Most are familiar with the name Luigi Mangione by now — the 26-year-old charged with killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York in December. Well, his case is now being made into a musical. Titled “Luigi: The Musical,” the show will debut June 13 in San Francisco at the...
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...
