Megan Swift stories, Page 17
‘A nightmare’: Ligonier native takes to skies to battle Los Angeles fires
Capt. RK Smithley has been one of about a dozen aerial firefighters battling the Los Angeles wildfires, which have killed at least 24 people. “This is kind of a historical event that we’re operating right now,” he said. “My gut reaction was it’s a nightmare.” A Ligonier native, Smithley, 65,...
Free at-home radon test kits available in Allegheny County
Free radon test kits are now available through the Allegheny County Health Department. While supplies last, over 900 kits can be picked up between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Housing and Community Environment office — 3190 Sassafras Way. Approximately 40% of homes across Pennsylvania are...
Meta becomes latest company to eliminate DEI programs
DEI programs are ending at major companies — with the latest changes happening at Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. Meta announced the rollback of its major diversity-oriented programs in a memo Friday, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision outlawing affirmative action in college admissions, Axios reported....
‘Unbelievable’: Pittsburghers with Los Angeles ties shocked by wildfire devastation
Natalie Kurlander can’t turn away from TV updates of the wildfires raging in the Los Angeles area. “It’s just so devastating,” said Kurlander, 57, who lived in the city for more than 25 years. She now lives in Pittsburgh’s Murdoch Farms with her husband, Carl, who is director of the...
Astrobotic will shoot for the moon again this year
After Peregrine Mission One burned up in the atmosphere and broke apart over a remote part of the Pacific Ocean a year ago, Astrobotic has been prepping for a second attempted launch to the moon in 2025 — Griffin Mission One lunar lander. Peregrine was supposed to solidify the Pittsburgh-based...
‘I Voted’ sticker contest voting opens in Allegheny County
Are you tired of receiving the generic American flag “I Voted” sticker that’s given out during elections? Well, you now have a chance to provide input for the design of the Allegheny County “I Voted” sticker that will be used in the upcoming primary and general elections. Voting is open...
‘I Voted’ sticker contest voting opens in Allegheny County
Are you tired of receiving the generic American flag “I Voted” sticker that’s given out during elections? Well, you now have a chance to provide input for the design of the Allegheny County “I Voted” sticker that will be used in the upcoming primary and general elections. Voting is open...
Pittsburgh Walk of Fame nominations open for Strip District installment
Over 250 different legends with Southwestern Pennsylvania roots have been nominated to receive a bronze star in the future Pittsburgh Walk of Fame. “It’s been amazing and heartwarming to see the number of people that have been nominated and the variety of their talents and skills and areas of expertise,”...
Red dye could be banned in food, drinks
Are you a fan of red-colored bubble gym, candy or fruit cocktails? Valentine’s Day is almost here, bringing with it bright red- and pink-themes. But the bright cherry-red dye, red dye No. 3, used in drinks and snacks could be banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the...
New year, new focus on performing arts at Point Park, president says
Point Park University is revamping its performing arts department, it announced Monday. The School of Dance and the School of Theatre, Film and Animation will be the two parts of Point Park’s Conservatory of Performing Arts. “With having these two new focused schools, we’re really positioning Point Park and Downtown...
Bird flu kills 200 snow geese in Pennsylvania
About 200 snow geese were found dead last week in the Allentown area — likely because of the bird flu. The dead birds were found in both Nazareth Township in Northampton County and Upper Macungie Township in Lehigh County, the Pennsylvania Game Commission reported. Preliminary in-state testing revealed the presence...
Police investigate 2 overnight shootings in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh police are investigating two shootings that happened overnight Saturday — one in East Liberty and the other downtown. At 10:30 p.m. Saturday, police were called to a residence in the 6200 block of East Liberty, where a male believed to be in his early teens was found with a...
Steelers vs. Bengals: What they’re saying in Cincinnati after win
The Cincinnati Bengals delivered the final blow to the Pittsburgh Steelers Saturday night — the team’s fourth consecutive defeat and end to its regular season. With losses to the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and now the Bengals, the Steelers blew a chance to clinch the AFC North...
Acrisure Stadium employee arrested for threatening co-workers with kitchen knife
An Acrisure Stadium employee was arrested Saturday before the Pittsburgh Steelers game — after threatening fellow employees with a kitchen knife. Just before 4 p.m., Pittsburgh police responded to reports of a “disorderly employee” working in an Acrisure kitchen area. The employee was a male, who has not been identified,...
Western Pa. snowstorm will impact Monday morning commute
A snowstorm coming into Western Pennsylvania starting Sunday evening will likely impact the Monday morning commute. Allegheny County will see between 3-6 inches of snow, and Westmoreland County will see between 3-10 inches, according to Andrew Kienzle, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Moon. Pittsburgh is expected to...
‘It’s really cold’: Westmoreland County residents polar plunge into 2025
For Craig Shevchik, polar plunging into Keystone Lake at the beginning of January is tantamount to spending time in the freezer. “I’m cold,” was his first reaction after emerging from the lake on Saturday morning. Shevchik, 52, of Greensburg, led the charge into the freezing cold water for the fourth...
Rise of the iPhone, social media ‘opened up a new world’ in 21st century
Editor’s note: One-fourth of the way through this century, TribLive is looking ahead to the next 25 years, using the events of the past 25 as a road map of what possibly is to come. This installment of the occasional series looks at technology and social media. Jessica Ghilani vividly...
Advocates push for historic designation of Donny’s Place, once a popular Pittsburgh gay bar
A grassroots group trying to thwart the demolition of one of Pittsburgh’s oldest gay bars is pushing for Donny’s Place to be designated as a historic city landmark so it can’t be torn down. The defunct establishment at 1226 Herron Ave. in Polish Hill opened in 1973 and closed two...
Fueled by anger and caffeine, 200 Starbucks workers strike in Pittsburgh area
In Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood on Tuesday, the sound of holiday songs filled the air outside the closed Starbucks at Forbes Avenue and Atwood Street. But the carolers weren’t fueled by holiday cheer. They were actually striking baristas from various stores in the Pittsburgh area demanding a union contract alongside their...
North Shore bars expect large Christmas Day crowds for Steelers game
Donavon Epps anticipates a busy Christmas Day on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. As front of house manager at Bar Louie, he said the Steelers’ 1 p.m. home game against the Kansas City Chiefs should bring in a good amount of fans — despite the holiday. Bar Louie will operate from 11...
Pittsburgh-area dry cleaners react to EPA chemicals ban
David Pratt felt relieved upon learning that the Environmental Protection Agency banned two known carcinogens used in consumer products and dry cleaning. Environmental advocates pushed for the banning of some of the chemicals for over 30 years, he said. Both have been used since the early 1900s. “It means that...
Penn State hotel prices soar ahead of home playoff game
The Penn State Nittany Lions take the field Saturday for the team’s first-ever playoff home game, and hotel prices are surging in the State College area. The Nittany Lions will play the Southern Methodist University Mustangs, a team that’s used to playing under sunny skies in Texas. Weather forecasts for...
Russia announces development of free cancer vaccine amid skepticism
Russia said it has developed a cancer vaccine that will be distributed to Russian patients for free starting in early 2025 — but the news has drawn skepticism. Andrey Kaprin, the general director of the Radiology Medical Research Center of the Russian Ministry of Health, announced the development on Dec....
Digital authorization required for Americans to travel to U.K. in 2025
Planning a trip to the United Kingdom in 2025? If so, you’ll need more than just a passport. Starting Jan. 8, American citizens will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization in order to enter the U.K., Time Magazine reported. “U.S. citizens transiting through or traveling to the United...
Millions of Stanley mugs recalled
Could your Stanley travel mug be dangerous? About 2.6 million of Stanley’s switchback and trigger action stainless steel travel mugs sold in the U.S. have been recalled due to a burn hazard, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The mugs’ lid threads can shrink when exposed to heat and...
