Ryan Deto stories, Page 23
Innamorato claims Democratic nomination in 6-way race for Allegheny County executive
State Rep. Sara Innamorato declared victory Tuesday night in the crowded Democratic primary race for county executive, unofficial tallies showed. With more than 169,000 votes tallied and 98% of precincts reporting results, Innamorato had collected 37.6% of the votes counted compared with 29.5% for John Weinstein, 19.8% for Pittsburgh Controller...
Duolingo to open full-service taqueria in East Liberty
Pittsburgh’s largest tech company is expanding, but not in the sense the language app’s users might think. The East Liberty-based Duolingo is opening a full-service Mexican restaurant and bar next door to its offices on Penn Avenue. The restaurant, called Duo’s Taqueria, will be open starting Tuesday. Duolingo’s venture into...
Allegheny, Westmoreland, Alle-Kiski Valley races to watch in Tuesday’s primary
Voters will go to the polls Tuesday with a slew of political races on the ballot. Allegheny County will be picking a Democratic nominee in a six-candidate race for county executive, while the county’s longtime district attorney is facing possibly his toughest primary challenge in more than two decades. There...
Allegheny County primary race for DA offers clear differences between candidates
Longtime Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. is facing chief public defender Matt Dugan in a Democratic primary race featuring candidates with widely divergent views. Zappala has garnered headlines during the campaign for targeting security measures at Kennywood amusement park, while Dugan has been boosted by large sums...
Campaigns turn up heat in crowded Democratic primary race for Allegheny County executive
Allegheny County executive candidates — and groups aggressively campaigning on behalf of some of them — are making their closing arguments to voters with less than a week to go until Tuesday’s primary. State Rep. Sara Innamorato, D-Lawrenceville, has appeared to gain some momentum, with a recent poll showing her...
Hallam, Fitzgerald spar over proposed Allegheny County minimum-wage bill
Two political rivals in Allegheny County government are sparring again, this time over a proposal to raise the minimum wage for county workers to $20 an hour. Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald claims the county council bill is legally flawed. Allegheny County Councilwoman Bethany Hallam, one of the sponsors of...
PWSA files for 60% rate increases over next 3 years
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority filed for a proposed rate increase Tuesday that could raise water rates by nearly 60% for more than 300,000 customers in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. PWSA said the proposed rate increases would pay for mandated infrastructure improvements, as well as bring water and sewer...
Oakland restaurant Fuel and Fuddle to close
The popular gastropub Fuel and Fuddle in Oakland announced Tuesday that it will close this month, citing increased rent and other issues. The restaurant at 212 Oakland St. in Pittsburgh is a favorite with college students and located close to the University of Pittsburgh’s campus. It has been open for...
Allegheny County executive candidates raise more than $3M
Candidates for Allegheny County executive have raised more than $3 million this year, a record haul for the race for the county’s top elected position. Five of the six Democratic candidates submitted campaign finance reports by the May 5 deadline. They included former County Councilman Dave Fawcett, state Rep. Sara...
Bike to Work Day to offer free bikeshare rides, coupons, and beverages to cyclists
Get your wheels ready, Bike to Work Day hits Pittsburgh on May 19. And hosts and sponsors of the event are offering a litany of perks to encourage as many cyclists to commute to work as possible. The nonprofit advocacy group Bike Pittsburgh and other sponsors are hosting four pop-up...
Resident looks to block 117-unit apartment development in Shadyside
After a protracted battle appeared to be settled over a proposed 10-story apartment building in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood, another barrier has been put up by a neighborhood resident. Last month, Lania Rubio of Shadyside appealed a March Pittsburgh zoning board ruling in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. She is asking...
Bernie Sanders endorses Sara Innamorato in race for Allegheny County executive
The country’s most prominent progressive politician is endorsing state Rep. Sara Innamorato in the race for Allegheny County’s highest elected office. The endorsement from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., came Tuesday as a poll in the race for county executive showed Innamorato surging into the lead among Democratic candidates. Sanders,...
U.S. Rep. Summer Lee votes against resolution honoring U.S.-Israel relationship
The U.S. House passed a resolution last week honoring America’s relationship with Israel on the 75th anniversary of its independence, but U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, was part of a small group of representatives to vote against the bill. House Resolution 311 passed with bipartisan support on a 401-19 vote....
Pittsburgh Brewing’s IC’d Tea returns to shelves after selling out
The new combination of two beloved Pittsburgh beverages — Turner’s iced tea and Iron City Beer — is back on the shelves. Pittsburgh Brewing Company’s new creation, IC’d Tea, hit shelves across Southwestern Pennsylvania in mid-April. Demand was strong and about a week later it had completely sold out, said...
U.S. Rep. Summer Lee votes against resolution honoring U.S.-Israel relationship
The U.S. House passed a resolution last week honoring America’s relationship with Israel on the 75th anniversary of its independence, but U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, was part of a small group of representatives to vote against the bill. House Resolution 311 passed with bipartisan support on a 401-19 vote....
Pa. breast cancer screening bill signed into law
Pennsylvania created a new law Monday that will require insurers to cover preventive breast and ovarian cancer screenings for high-risk women at no cost. In doing so, the state became the first in the nation to establish such a law. The bill was introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Kim...
Dr. Jonas Salk polio vaccine exhibit opens at University of Pittsburgh
The polio vaccine was created by Dr. Jonas Salk at a University of Pittsburgh laboratory about 70 years ago, and Pitt is honoring that legacy by opening a public exhibit of Salk’s personal equipment to remind visitors and students of the importance of vaccines to public health. The exhibit spans...
Pa. House passes bill officially recognizing Diwali
The state House nearly unanimously passed a bill Wednesday to officially recognize Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights celebrated in the fall. State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-McCandless, introduced the bill and celebrated its passing. Venkat is the first Indian-American representative in Pennsylvania state House history. “This legislation is important in...
Pittsburgh region could prove pivotal in Biden reelection chances
President Joe Biden announced his reelection campaign Tuesday, and the Pittsburgh region could again prove pivotal for his chances at returning to the White House. “There is no doubt that Allegheny County is going to be pivotal to whoever the candidates are on both sides,” said Duquesne University political science...
Pa. agency says soil and water samples remain safe after Ohio train derailment
A train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio near the Pennsylvania border in February spilled toxic chemicals into a stream, immediately prompting concerns about the area’s soil and water quality. Initial testing done by federal agencies showed treated municipal water, well water, and soil in the area were safe. Additional testing...
Fitzgerald endorses Michael Lamb to replace him as Allegheny County Executive
Three-term Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald has finally doled out support for who he wants to replace his position as the top elected official in the county. Fitzgerald, a Democrat, on Monday endorsed Pittsburgh Controller Michael Lamb in the Democratic primary for Allegheny County Executive. Fitzgerald is term-limited and has...
Sen. Bob Casey lobbies for CHIPS funds at semiconductor manufacturer in Youngwood
A $280 billion pot of federal funding was made available last year when the federal CHIPS and Science Act was signed into law, and at least one Westmoreland County manufacturer is ready to expand rapidly if it can gain access to some of those funds. Powerex Inc. said it could...
Vehicle crashes into Pittsburgh animal shelter
A Pittsburgh animal shelter got an unwanted visitor sometime overnight, and it wasn’t an animal. The East Side domestic shelter of the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh was apparently hit by a vehicle after the Homewood shelter closed on Wednesday evening. The exterior brick wall of the shelter suffered significant...
Allegheny County early vote counter to open
The Allegheny County Election Division is opening its over-the-counter voting kiosk Thursday for people to complete and submit mail-in ballots for the May Primary Election. The kiosk is located in the Allegheny County Office Building in Downtown Pittsburgh and functions as a de facto early vote center where registered voters...
Fitzgerald endorses Joanna Doven in Allegheny County Council race
Longtime Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald is finally weighing in on the upcoming Democratic primary election. Fitzgerald endorsed Democratic county council at-large candidate Joanna Doven on Wednesday, issuing his first primary endorsement of the 2023 campaign. Fitzgerald is serving his third term as county executive, Allegheny County’s highest elected position,...
