Ryan Deto stories, Page 33
Pennsylvania’s high-stakes U.S. Senate race between Oz, Fetterman tightens
After a bruising primary that saw Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz emerge as the GOP nominee by less than 1,000 votes, the celebrity surgeon and TV personality’s general-election campaign got off to a slow start. That left an opening for Democratic nominee John Fetterman to define Oz early...
Carnegie Mellon professor speaks out after controversial tweet about Queen Elizabeth II
In her first recorded interview since sending a controversial tweet wishing pain on Queen Elizabeth II that was removed by Twitter, Carnegie Mellon University professor Uju Anya explained her family’s history in Africa and the British role in a war there that her family fled. Last week, shortly before it...
Allegheny County Councilwoman Bethany Hallam banned from, then reinstated to Airbnb
Bethany Hallam was just about finished planning her late October birthday vacation to watch the Steelers play in Miami, then travel to North Carolina for the Pitt-UNC game, and then finish in Philadelphia to see the Steelers take on the Eagles. “It’s like my dream birthday trip,” said Hallam, who,...
U.S. Senate candidates Fetterman, Oz to debate in late October
After repeated calls from his challenger for multiple debates in Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate election, Democratic candidate and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman has agreed to participate in one debate in late October. Fetterman’s campaign said Wednesday that the Democratic nominee has committed to an Oct. 25 debate hosted by Nexstar, a...
Oz backs U.S. Senate bill to protect same-sex marriage rights
Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidate Mehmet Oz has joined more than 400 Republican leaders who are calling on the Senate to pass legislation to protect marriage rights for same-sex couples. Same-sex marriage was legalized in 2015 after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges decision, but Justice Clarence Thomas hinted this...
Twitter removes CMU professor’s tweet wishing ‘excruciating pain’ for Queen Elizabeth II
Twitter has removed a post from a Carnegie Mellon University professor that called the British monarchy a “thieving raping genocidal empire” on the day that Queen Elizabeth II died. The removed post from language professor Uju Anya said of the queen, “may her pain be excruciating.” It was announced early...
South Side paving schedule altered after contract worker shot with BB gun
Chaos on Pittsburgh’s South Side is apparently bleeding over into street paving. Last month, a contract worker was struck with a BB gun pellet, officials said. PennDOT spokesperson Nicole Haney said the incident combined with other harassment that workers were facing from the public led PennDOT to shift paving from...
Pittsburgh International Airport breaks ground on new cargo facility
The $1.3 billion upgrade to Pittsburgh International Airport is well underway, and crews broke ground Thursday on a new cargo facility that will expand the airport’s already growing cargo traffic. Crews began work on Cargo 4, a 77,000 square-foot facility that will expand the airport’s cargo capacity and introduce new...
Allegheny River communities receive $805,000 for trail expansion, maintenance
River trails have become increasingly popular in Pittsburgh, as the region transitions away from using its waterways for heavy industry and instead sees them as outdoor recreation opportunities. That trend continues as several communities along the Allegheny River have received more than $805,000 in state grants to expand and maintain...
Duquesne law school renamed after $50M gift from Thomas R. Kline
Duquesne University is renaming its law school after one of its most prestigious alumni, who recently donated the largest gift in the school’s history — $50 million. The Duquesne School of Law has been renamed to the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University. Kline, a Philadelphia lawyer,...
Pittsburgh Regional Transit commits to zero-emission bus fleet
The Pittsburgh region’s largest public transit provider announced Wednesday that it wants to transition its entire fleet of buses to zero-emission vehicles in the coming two decades. Pittsburgh Regional Transit CEO Katharine Kelleman said the agency’s goal is to have the entire bus fleet be zero-emission vehicles, either electric or...
Pa. roads, bridges to get extra $175M as funding is freed up from state police
An adjustment in Pennsylvania’s state budget will free up an additional $175 million this fiscal year to improve roads and bridges. For years, a portion of the state’s Motor License Fund — intended to provide money for public transportation and highway infrastructure — was instead allocated to the Pennsylvania State...
Biden talks about importance of labor unions, democracy in Labor Day speech in West Mifflin
President Joe Biden spoke about the importance of labor unions and democracy in a Labor Day speech Monday outside a Mon Valley union hall, while also touting his efforts to bring more infrastructure funding to Western Pennsylvania and boost manufacturing. At a United Steelworkers hall in West Mifflin, Biden addressed...
Southwestern Pa. awarded $63M to boost robotics and AI industries in region
Southwestern Pennsylvania has secured a $62.7 million federal grant that local officials hope will boost the region’s robotics and artificial intelligence industries and allow small businesses to take advantage of that growth. The White House announced Thursday the newly formed Southwestern Pennsylvania New Economy Collaborative will receive its funding through...
Pittsburgh’s Rib Fest getting off to smoking hot start after Backyard Brawl brings in record fans
Pittsburgh’s annual Kickoff and Rib Festival has been running on the North Shore for more than 30 years and some longtime vendors say this year’s opening day on Thursday brought the biggest crowds they had ever seen. It helped that tens of thousands of football fans flooded the North Shore...
Pittsburgh’s 3 Sister Bridges to get permanent LED light installations
A temporary lighting display on Pittsburgh’s Rachel Carson Bridge from several years ago was so popular and memorable that Allegheny County officials have decided to make a similar project permanent, and bring artistic lights to all three of the city’s Sister Bridges. The Roberto Clemente Bridge, Andy Warhol Bridge and...
Megabus to expand Pittsburgh service to Buffalo, Central Pa.
A new public transit connection is coming to Pittsburgh thanks to a recently announced partnership between low-cost bus service provider Megabus and Fullington Trailways, a transit service based out of Clearfield County in Central Pennsylvania. The new daily passenger bus service starts on Sept. 1 and will connect Pittsburgh to...
Highmark Health reports $174M in net losses during first half of the year
Pittsburgh-based health care giant Highmark Health on Tuesday reported a net loss of $174 million during the first six months of the year, driven by steep investment losses. Highmark Health reported $12.9 billion in revenue during the first half of the year, up 25% over the same period a year...
Oz courts GOP voters at town hall event in Monroeville
Dr. Mehmet Oz, a former TV personality and celebrity surgeon, has struggled with his approval ratings ever since narrowly winning the Republican primary election in May, and at a campaign event in Monroeville he attempted to persuade his Republican base to come out and support his campaign for Pennsylvania’s open...
Gov. Wolf proposes $2K checks for some Pa. residents to help fight inflation
Gov. Tom Wolf and Democrats are hoping to help low- to middle-income Pennsylvanians as inflation has still led to increased costs of gas, groceries, and other goods over the last two years. Wolf visited Sharpsburg on Monday to campaign for his program to provide Pennsylvanians who make $80,000 or less...
$11.3M in federal funding to go toward infrastructure improvements in Hill District
A neighborhood infamous for being splintered by highways and parking lots is getting a boost from the federal government to help make its streets safer for pedestrians, motorists and other road users. Acting Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack said at a news conference Thursday that Pittsburgh’s Hill District is receiving...
UPMC profits, investment income drop in 1st half of the year
Hospitals across the country, including local health care giant UPMC, reported massive earnings in 2021, but those large profits appear to be slowing down significantly in 2022 thanks to increased operating costs and losses from investment activities. UPMC reported $82 million in operating income — revenue minus operating expenses —...
Fetterman addresses union supporters at Pittsburgh rally, but avoids media questions
Hundreds of union members held a rally Tuesday at the United Steelworkers headquarters in Downtown Pittsburgh to support Democrats that the union endorsed, including congressional candidate Chris DeLuzio, state House candidate Dr. Arvind Venkat and U.S. Senate candidate John Fetterman. It was one of Fetterman’s first public appearances in Pittsburgh...
Meta reveals future of realistic avatars at offices in Pittsburgh
The future of ultra-realistic human avatars has started, and technology for it is being developed in Pittsburgh. Meta, the Menlo Park, Calif.- based global tech company that operates Facebook, Oculus and other tech firms, provided a media tour of its Strip District offices on Tuesday. The company moved into the...
Allegheny County Councilman Tom Duerr not seeking reelection
The youngest Allegheny County councilman said Monday that he will not seek reelection next year. Councilman Tom Duerr, D-Bethel Park, became the youngest elected official in Allegheny County government history when he was elected in 2019 at 24. In a tweet, Duerr said he would not seek reelection because he...
