Megan Swift stories, Page 14
Pittsburgh leaders push back as possible HUD field office closure threatens low-income housing
As a single mother of five, Jala Rucker has depended on low-income housing to help to support her family. But with the federal government reportedly poised to close numerous U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development field offices — including Pittsburgh’s — through reorganization, the future of low-income housing hangs...
Allegheny Health Network to move workers into North Side’s Nova Place
Allegheny Health Network is preparing to move into Nova Place on Pittsburgh’s North Side. The Nova location will house 200 of the medical system’s remote clinical workforce and other employees beginning in 2026. The new lease is 20 years. Employees on that team include digital nurses, teleICU clinicians and virtual...
‘It was home’: Pittsburgh-area Ukrainian family hopes to someday return to Kyiv
Natalia Rusyn can still recall the terror she felt at the sound of air raid sirens and explosions shortly before she fled Ukraine in late 2022. “It was so stressful,” she said, quietly mourning her home country, under assault from Russia. “I was so scared.” Rusyn, 52, a pastry chef...
South Fayette Youth Football treasurer charged in connection with $60K theft
The treasurer of the South Fayette Township Youth Football Association is charged with stealing over $60,000, officials said. Jaella Richard, 41, of Bridgeville, had access to the association’s checking account as treasurer — which enabled her to steal $64,742.75 worth of funds, according to a criminal complaint in the case....
State police to ramp up presence for IUPatty’s weekend
With IUPatty’s weekend quickly approaching, Pennsylvania State Police announced an increased presence of troopers and liquor control officers in Indiana The three-day celebration is thrown by students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. This year’s festivities will take place from Friday through Sunday. State police said there will be increased traffic...
Grove City College names its 10th president
Bradley J. Lingo will serve as Grove City College’s next president following a unanimous vote of the Board of Trustees. In July 2025, Lingo will replace Paul J. McNulty, who served since 2014 as the school’s ninth president, following his retirement at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. “Brad...
‘Sky’s the limit’: Robert Morris students, alumni look forward to NCAA Tournament
Brett Magulick could sense the anticipation Sunday in Robert Morris University’s UPMC Events Center as this year’s NCAA Tournament bracket was announced. “This is kind of uncharted territory for RMU, and you could tell that everyone’s excited to be here,” said Magulick, 19, a freshman at the university. “You can...
Parts of Western Pa. remain under tornado watch as weather damage rocks region
Parts of Western Pennsylvania were under a tornado watch until 4 p.m. Sunday as severe weather pummeled the region. The following six counties were under the tornado watch, according to the National Weather Service in Moon: Armstrong, Clarion, Indiana, Jefferson, Forest and Venango. Cities affected included Brookville, Clarion, Davis, Ford...
St. Patrick’s Day gatherings continue in Oakland (but not on roofs) after mishap that injured 16
Music was bumping and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations were underway once again on Semple Street in Oakland on Saturday — the day after a porch roof collapsed at an off-campus house there near the University of Pittsburgh, sending 16 young adults to the hospital. Music is bumping here on Semple...
Pedestrian fatally struck by vehicle in East Allegheny
Pittsburgh police are investigating a fatal vehicle crash that killed a pedestrian early Saturday morning in the East Allegheny neighborhood. Police from Zone 1 were called to the scene, the intersection of East Ohio Street and East Street, at about 2 a.m. A man was found in the roadway with...
Striking Post-Gazette production and advertising workers accept buyout
Striking production and advertising workers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette have accepted a buyout offer, the Communications Workers of America union announced Thursday. The news comes after the Post-Gazette outsourced production of its print edition to the Butler Eagle — eliminating 31 union jobs in Allegheny County. The Post-Gazette has trimmed...
Pennsylvania ‘Box Demon’ identified from Ring doorbell footage
The mysterious, creepy “Box Demon” spotted on Ring doorbell footage in York County has been identified, police said. On Tuesday, a woman called the Northern York County Regional Police Department to report a suspicious person — who showed up unannounced at her home and proclaimed to be the “Box Demon”...
Measles case detected in eastern Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s first measles case of 2025 has been reported in Montgomery County — outside of Philadelphia. The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Office of Public Health said March 2 that it was investigating a confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated child in the county. As of...
Giant goldfish at Presque Isle serves as reminder for invasive species week
Think goldfish are tiny? Think again. A massive goldfish turned up during an electrofishing survey in Presque Isle on Lake Erie, prompting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to share the shocking find on Facebook for National Invasive Species Awareness Week. “Your pet store goldfish after two years in the...
Crystal Light Vodka Refreshers set to join hard seltzer market
When one thinks of Kraft Heinz, ketchup — not alcohol — usually comes to mind. Until now. Crystal Light Vodka Refreshers are launching this month in two flavors: Wild Strawberry and Lemonade. Packs of four will be $9.99 at select retailers in the Northeast U.S. region. Crystal Light is one...
‘This is to keep all of us safe’: Officials urge travelers to get Real ID before deadline
The countdown is on: In just two months, U.S. travelers will need a gold star on their driver’s license to fly domestically — the symbol of a Real ID. Starting on May 7, anyone 18 years of age or older will need a Real ID or another acceptable form of...
Real ID deadline is approaching
The deadline is quickly approaching to acquire a Real ID to fly domestically. Starting on May 7, anyone 18 years of age or older will need a Real ID or another acceptable form of identification to fly domestically or visit certain Federal and military facilities, as well as enter nuclear...
Western Pa. residents flock to Pittsburgh to rally against Trump’s policies
Trisha Cleckley traveled by bus almost two hours from her Beaver Falls home on Tuesday morning to get to Pittsburgh in time to be part of the city’s 50501 anti-President Donald Trump protest. A pro-democracy and pro-human rights national movement, 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, 1 movement. Pittsburgh’s...
Ukrainian supporters rally in Pittsburgh after Trump’s contentious meeting with Zelenskyy
Monday’s lunch hour in Downtown Pittsburgh featured a sea of blue and yellow as rallygoers gathered on Grant Street to support Ukraine in the wake of President Donald Trump’s contentious meeting Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. Chants of “Ukrainians and Zelenskyy proud and true, the...
CDC estimates flu vaccine effectiveness as cases slam the region
This year’s flu vaccine has been effective overall against the current strains of the virus, despite cases and hospitalizations surging in the region, according to the latest federal data. About 54.9% of the influenza A H3N2 strains — which is causing about half of all cases this season — is...
FDA cancels key meeting to discuss flu vaccine, leaving some experts baffled
The flu vaccine’s future is murky after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration abruptly canceled its committee meeting to recommend the makeup of seasonal flu shots for the 2025-26 influenza season. Dr. Amesh Adalja, a Pittsburgh-based infectious disease physician and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security,...
Banana Republic on Walnut Street in Shadyside to close
The Banana Republic store on Walnut Street in Shadyside is set to close after being open for more than 30 years. Two signs posted in the store’s windows say “We’re Closing: March 2025.” A specific date has not been announced. The two-story store is located at 5542 Walnut St., at...
Trump Gaza AI video draws online pushback
Using an artificial intelligence video, President Donald Trump shared his proposals for the potential development of the war-torn Gaza Strip. The video was posted Tuesday evening on Truth Social and then on Instagram. The AI 33-second video depicts Trump as a golden statue, along with mini golden statues for sale,...
Pittsburgh Public Schools leaders recommend closing 14 schools
After years of discussion and potential closures, Pittsburgh Public Schools leaders this week released recommendations for the district’s restructuring — including the shuttering of 14 schools. Because of declining enrollment, underutilization and aging infrastructure, the feasibility report advised the district to close the following schools:Allegheny 6-8Arsenal PreK-5Fulton PreK-5King PreK-8Linden PreK-5Manchester...
Damage reported at U.S. Steel facility in Braddock, followed by increase in air pollution
An incident over the weekend at the Edgar Thomson Steel Works facility in Braddock resulted in damage to the building, described as a hole. U.S. Steel submitted a breakdown report to the Allegheny County Health Department, saying the incident occurred at 7 a.m. Sunday. It did not offer specific details...
