Megan Swift stories, Page 8
Sephora opens Strip District Terminal store
A new standalone Sephora store is now open in the Strip District Terminal. Sephora carries more than 300 makeup, skincare, hair and fragrance brands, according to the store announcement. The beauty giant’s latest Pittsburgh area location opened last week at 1649 Smallman St. Other standalone Sephora locations in the region...
Pop-Tarts drop new flavored ice cream sandwiches, pints
Pop-Tarts are a household name — but have you heard of the Pop-Tarts ice cream sandwich? This summer, Kellanova announced its Pop-Tarts were being made into ice cream sandwiches and ice cream pints to help people cool off amid the heat. Kellanova, the parent company of popular brands like Pringles,...
Sheetz unleashes chainsaw on MTO sandwiches to customers’ delight
Getting a Sheetz sandwich sliced in half by a real chainsaw was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Sean Starr. Starr, 36, of Bloomfield, drove to the Sheetz gas station in Seven Fields Friday to participate in the Sheetz x Liquid Death Chainsaw-Sliced Sandwich Experience, where people got to have their Made-to-Order...
AMC tells moviegoers to expect lots of trailers and commercials
Late for the movies? You’ll probably still make it if you’re headed to an AMC movie theater. AMC Theatres announced this month it would be putting more regular advertisements ahead of movie screenings alongside regular movie trailers, according to The Hollywood Reporter. It’s typical for patrons to show up at...
Bacteria risks found at all Lake Erie beaches in Pennsylvania, report says
Health risks were found at all of Lake Erie’s Pennsylvania beaches last year, a new report says. The beaches tested in 2024 were found to be potentially unsafe for swimming on at least one day, according to the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center’s latest analysis of bacteria testing titled “Safe...
Canvas to feature AI technology for educational interactions
AI technology will soon be brought into the classroom through a new integration with the Canvas learning platform. Canvas is the main online platform used by numerous universities like the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State University, as well as K-12 school districts. Instructure, the maker of Canvas, and OpenAI...
Pittsburgh stands out as only U.S. city cheaper to buy than rent, report says
Pittsburgh came out on top in a new Realtor.com rental report as the only U.S. city where it’s cheaper to buy a home rather than rent. According to the report, renting saves over $900 per month compared to buying a home in 49 out of 50 of the largest cities...
Pittsburgh council votes against preservation of Donny’s Place
Donny’s Place — one of Pittsburgh’s oldest gay bars — will not receive official historic designation, clearing the way for its demolition. Pittsburgh City Council voted Tuesday against making the shuttered bar a historic landmark amid legal battles over its proposed designation. The defunct establishment at 1226 Herron Ave. in...
Chainsaw sandwich experience coming to Sheetz in Seven Fields
For one day only, customers will have the chance to get their Sheetz Made-to-Order sandwiches sliced in half with a chainsaw — yes, a real chainsaw. The horror film-esque sandwiches are part of a collaboration with the nonalcoholic beverage brand Liquid Death called the “Sheetz x Liquid Death Chainsaw-Sliced Sandwich...
Cava Mediterranean restaurant to open in Oakland, East Liberty
A new taste of Greece is coming to Pittsburgh later this summer in the form of the popular Mediterranean chain Cava. Two locations of Cava will open this year, restaurant officials said. An Oakland location will open later this summer at 3619 Forbes Ave. Another location will open later this...
Women vie for skillet toss champion at Scottdale Ice Cream Festival
For Kelsey Casoni, throwing a skillet is similar to pitching a softball. On Sunday, she took home her fourth first-place ribbon during the Ladies Skillet Toss at the Ice Cream Summer Fun Festival in Scottdale — and she just started competing two years ago. Casoni, 35, of Hecla, has been...
Anti-Trump protesters make ‘Good Trouble’ in front of the Westmoreland County Courthouse
Though Bob Schaefer was among a crowd of rally-goers Saturday in front of the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg, his white cleric’s collar made him stand out — signaling his role as a pastor. It was the fourth rally in front of the courthouse organized by Abby Graham-Pardus, chairperson of...
Oakdale man faces over 50 dog neglect, cruelty charges
An Oakdale man who is facing more than 50 charges of neglect and cruelty involving dogs was taken into custody, officials announced Saturday. Joshua Michael Humes, 36, was charged by North Fayette Township Police earlier this week, Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin M. Kraus said in a news release. The arrest...
Starbucks makes secret menu official
For the first time, Starbucks is acknowledging its secret menu. Though countless “secret menu” items at Starbucks have been circulating online and on social media for years, this week, the coffee giant made the secret menu official. Starbucks Rewards members can now order the top drink customizations, including twists on...
Flash flood warnings are being issued in W.Pa. at their fastest rate in 20 years
Western Pennsylvania has been awash in flash flood warnings this year. The National Weather Service has issued 112 such warnings so far in 2025, Alicia Miller, hydrologist at the weather service in Moon, said Thursday. That’s more than the past three years combined and more than any year since 2003....
Flash flood warnings are being issued in W.Pa. at their fastest rate in 20 years
Western Pennsylvania has been awash in flash flood warnings this year. The National Weather Service has issued 112 such warnings so far in 2025, Alicia Miller, hydrologist at the weather service in Moon, said Thursday. That’s more than the past three years combined and more than any year since 2003....
Mattel launches new Barbie with Type 1 diabetes
Barbie’s latest look includes a glucose monitor — Mattel’s newest doll is living with Type 1 diabetes. Mattel, Inc. said this week in the announcement that the new Barbie, which is part of the Barbie Fashionistas line, will enable more kids to see themselves reflected in Barbie, as well as...
Furries at Anthrocon raise over $89K for McDonald-based cat rescue
Sandi Eaton had long admired Anthrocon from a distance — but this year, she got to experience the furry convention up close and benefit from it firsthand. As the director of the McDonald-based Nose 2 Tail Cat Rescue, which was the official charity of this year’s Anthrocon, she witnessed the...
Chuck E. Cheese launches adult arcade locations
The Chuck E. Cheese family entertainment chain is rebranding as a new arcade for adults. Titled “Chuck’s Arcade,” the new iteration features nostalgic games and current favorites, alongside its animatronic characters, with the hope of attracting more teens and adults. Games will include retro favorites like Ms. Pac-Man, Mortal Kombat...
Here are some Amazon Prime Day deals for the week
Break out those credit cards — Amazon Prime Day has returned. The longest Prime Day to date, sales begin Tuesday and last through 11:59 p.m. Friday. This year marks the 11th Prime Day, and historically, Amazon has dropped deals on popular products like Apple AirPods, Dyson cordless vacuums, the Laneige...
Furries return to Pittsburgh for 19th Anthrocon
It’s that time of year — the furries are back in Pittsburgh for Anthrocon. And this July, there’s going to be more attendees than ever before, at over 19,000. Anthrocon is the annual furry convention at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center that attracts thousands of people who don animal...
Livvy Dunne shells out $2,850 for Paul Skenes rookie card
Livvy Dunne recently snagged one of boyfriend Paul Skenes’ rare rookie cards — shelling out $2,850 for the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher’s collectible, Sports Illustrated reported. A video of the price negotiation was posted on Topps’ social media account on X. Livvy Dunne just bought a rare Paul Skenes rookie card...
Mechanical pickle ride to debut at Picklesburgh
Think you’ve conquered the mechanical bull? Try taking a ride on a bucking, brined cucumber. A new attraction is coming to the 10th anniversary of Picklesburgh this month where people can put their riding skills to the test in pickle riding. Similar to a mechanical bull, the ride is a...
Great Allegheny Passage ranked among best sunset spots in U.S.
The Great Allegheny Passage has been named one of the best sunset spots in the United States. Running from Cumberland, Md. to Pittsburgh in the Appalachian Mountains and through the Laurel Highlands, the Great Allegheny Passage consists of 150 miles of biking and hiking trails. The Great Allegheny Passage was...
Kennywood and Penn Brewery launch beer collaboration
Kennywood fans can now crack open a cold beer with a splash of the park’s flavor. Penn Brewery announced a collaboration with the iconic West Mifflin amusement park for eight different beers based on popular rides, some of which still exist and some from times past. The announcement was made...
