Megan Trotter stories, Page 9
What do new flu vaccine standards mean?
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s newly appointed Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) upheld recommendations for the fall flu vaccination to be administered to anyone 6 months and older, as long as the shots are completely mercury-free. While some Western Pennsylvania doctors say the new recommendations won’t change...
ICE arrests 14 at Marshall Township Mexican restaurant
Community activist Jaime Martinez rushed to Tepache Mexican Kitchen & Bar’s Marshall Township location after learning 14 people had been arrested by immigration agents. Martinez and eight other members of Casa San Jose, a nonprofit that works to support Pittsburgh’s Latino community, arrived at the restaurant Wednesday afternoon. “I see...
Pittsburgh cancels International Parade as immigration anxieties remain
Pittsburgh has canceled its International Parade & Festival and the Pittsburgh World Cup amid concerns over a federal immigration crackdown. The International Parade, typically a multicultural affair containing vendors and music, was declared a potential target for ICE immigration raids. The Pittsburgh World Cup was intended to be a community...
Play about ‘Jaws’ actors bickering on set extends run in Braddock
As the iconic 1975 blockbuster “Jaws” marks its 50th anniversary this week, the stage play “The Shark Is Broken,” which dives into the behind-the-scenes drama of the movie’s actors stuck on a boat with a constantly malfunctioning mechanical shark, enters its fourth week of a sold-out run in Braddock. Since...
Hound Haus café and dog park opens in East Liberty
For many dog owners, their pets are considered family. This idea that led local dog lovers, Tom and Danielle Lafe, to open an all-in-one coffee shop, bar and dog park in East Liberty earlier this month. Hound Haus, located on Broad Street, had its grand opening on June 7, revealing...
Group of Girl Scouts safe after flash flooding near North Park cabin
Emergency crews rescued a group of Girl Scouts and counselors Tuesday after flash flooding near their cabin in North Park, police said. Police and fire departments arrived at 1:20 p.m. to a cabin near Kummer Road after a nearby stream started overflowing, police said. “They were in no immediate danger,”...
2 people rescued after vehicle travels over Highland Park hillside
Two people in a Jeep SUV were injured after it careened over a Highland Park hillside and into the woods Monday afternoon, police said. The accident scene was at Reservoir Drive and Farmhouse Drive. First responders found an adult female driver and an adult male passenger trapped in the SUV...
Influencer builds community for Pittsburgh’s new young professionals
Navigating life post-college graduation can be trying for many people in their early 20s, as emerging adults face a whole new set of challenges — acclimating to a new city, starting a career and creating a community. Social media influencer Arjun Manjunath is using his platform to create a space...
Pittsburgh officials aim to ensure peace at No Kings protests
Pittsburgh officials are preparing for No Kings Day demonstrations against the Trump administration and hoping to work with protesters in maintaining peace. Director of Public Safety Lee Schmidt on Thursday said officers are communicating with protest organizers to coordinate the best way to “protect their First Amendment rights and ensure...
Kennywood’s Steel Curtain stalls, stranding riders on hill
Kennywood’s Steel Curtain came to a complete stop with riders onboard Saturday after the roller coaster’s safety sensors were triggered mid-ride. Social media posts showed photos of 24 riders stuck on the lift hill as the coaster sat motionless on the tracks. Kennywood spokeswoman Lynsey Winters said the Steel Curtain...
Medical experts slam Kennedy’s dismissal of CDC vaccine advisers
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision to remove every member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory committee has sparked major outcry among the health care community. Some medical experts, including doctors in Western Pennsylvania, say he has created a hostile environment for vaccines. On Monday,...
Carnegie Mellon alumni, former faculty win big at Tony Awards
Carnegie Mellon University alumni and faculty had a strong presence at this year’s Tony Awards, which recognized excellence in Broadway theatre for the 78th year in a row. Throughout the night, two CMU alumnae received a Tony. Natalie Venetia Belcon received one for her role in “Buena Vista Social Club”...
Little time to dry: More storms headed for Pittsburgh region after flooding
The Pittsburgh region won’t have much time to recover from weekend flooding, as more storms are expected to roll in Monday evening, meteorologists said. Mike Kennedy, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Moon, said residents can expect continued thunderstorms to begin Monday around 6 p.m. and to continue...
Real ID deadline has arrived: What you need to know
Travelers planning a domestic flight this week should be prepared as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is no longer accepting state-issued identification that are not Real ID-compliant at security checkpoints. On Wednesday, all airline passengers 18 and older, including TSA PreCheck and Clear members, must have a Real ID or...
How did 26 million pounds of dirt get into Acrisure Stadium for Supercross?
The inside of Acrisure Stadium looks pretty dirty, and that’s by design. The typical green football field has been replaced by 26 million pounds of dirt. Made up of roughly 500 truck loads of dirt, the track will be the course for the 15th installment of the 17-event American Motorcyclist...
‘Growth is hard work’: Chaplain steps down at Allegheny County Jail
Dressed in neon green jumpsuits, 54 men formed a line in Allegheny County Jail’s visitor area midafternoon. They waited to receive a tray with servings of fish, rice, hummus, pita bread, mixed vegetables and a slice of chocolate cake, in celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the last day of Ramadan. Rev....
Clairton woman charged with beating student, 11, outside elementary school
Clairton police have charged a parent with beating an 11-year-old girl last week outside an elementary school during morning drop-off in an assault captured on surveillance video. Jasmine Snow, 40, of Clairton struck and dragged the girl and threw her to the ground in front of at least one witness...
Man indicted in ‘grandparent scam’ that hit Western Pa. residents
An 89-year-old hearing impaired man received a call from someone he believed was his son on Dec. 12, stating he had been arrested for a drunken driving crash in Baltimore. Shortly after, the man received another phone call from someone posing as an attorney. This person said that the son...
Allergies hitting you already? You’re not alone
Sneezing earlier than normal? Congested? Eyes watery? You’re not alone or imagining it. Allergy specialists in Western Pennsylvania say allergy seasons are getting longer and intensifying. Patients with allergy symptoms started visiting Allegheny Health Network allergist and immunologist Dr. Ali Ayyash in mid-February. “Typically, the spring pollen season starts towards...
Teen stole Giant Eagle Fuel Perk information from customers, police say
Denise Huspaska was surprised to learn that approximately 1,500 points from her Giant Eagle advantage card had been used to purchase $30.49 worth of fuel at a gas station in Peters Township. She hadn’t been there on Feb. 17 as an alert stated. Unsure how someone gained access to her...
ACLU demands University of Pittsburgh lift suspension of student group supporting Palestine
A letter from the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh’s Students for Justice in Palestine called for the immediate revocation of the chapter’s interim suspension. The letter, addressed to Pitt Chancellor Joan Gabel, stated that the university violated SJP’s First Amendment rights by...
Shapiro touts AI program for state employees during visit to Carnegie Mellon
Gov. Josh Shapiro unveiled the results of the first-ever generative artificial intelligence pilot program for state employees during a visit Friday to Carnegie Mellon University. Partnered with CMU and OpenAI, an artificial intelligence research organization, Shapiro signed an executive order in September 2023 to expand and govern the use of...
Judge imprisons Moon man for role in distributing ‘staggering’ amount of drugs
Carrying a Marshalls shopping bag stuffed with cash, Kijana Lowe left his Moon residence on the morning of Nov. 13, 2021, according to a federal affidavit. He drove to a Motel 6 in Coraopolis, parked his rental car near the motel entrance and flashed his headlights. A male met him,...
Ukrainian community in Western Pa. shaken by Trump and Zelenskyy public spat
Negotiations between President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy deteriorated into shouts Friday during what was supposed to be the signing of a minerals deal. The argument left some members of the Pittsburgh region’s Ukrainian community disturbed. The tense meeting occurred in the Oval Office over a proposed deal that...
University of Pittsburgh reviews doctoral admissions amid federal funding cuts
After ceasing new doctoral offers of admission on Friday, the University of Pittsburgh has since confirmed it is in the early stages of developing new advanced degree admission offers within fiscal constraints caused by federal funding cuts. “The university is in the early stages of extending Ph.D. offers of admission...

