TribLive stories, Page 189
Jen Mazzocco: Communities need help to cope with storms
This spring, Western and Central Pennsylvania were struck hard by thunderstorms that damaged homes, felled trees, flooded roadways, and overwhelmed local infrastructure and resources already stretched thin. At the storms’ peak, more than half a million businesses and households lost power — some for over a week. As a local...
Pirates slugger Oneil Cruz opens as favorite to win Home Run Derby
Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz opened as favorite to win the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Atlanta. As of Friday afternoon, Cruz was the plus-330 first choice to win the annual contest at DraftKings Sportsbook. Seattle’s Cal Raleigh was second at plus-360, and hometown favorite Ronald Acuna...
Letter to the editor: My choice — Trump
In 2020, electing President Biden was a mistake of choice. In 2024, electing President Trump was a mandate of choice. In May 2024, 64,000 illegal migrants crossed Biden’s southern border. This May, zero illegals crossed that same southern border. The people chose Trump’s border. In 2025, “America first” policy invests...
Cooper-Siegel, Sharpsburg libraries’ summer reading program underway
The annual Summer Reading Challenge has returned to Cooper-Siegel and Sharpsburg community libraries and runs through Aug. 9. The program’s goal, which is open to readers of all ages, is to encourage citizens to read, learn and engage with library programming all summer long. This year’s challenge theme is “Color...
Letter to the editor: Is Trump confused on war powers?
President Trump ordered seven B-2 stealth bombers against Iran, dropping 14 30,000-pound “bunker busting bombs.” He claimed sole authority under the “executive power” of Article II of the Constitution. I think he is confused. Article II names the president “commander in chief” and states that “The executive Power shall be...
The Stroller, July 11, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. Cycling team to host...
Safe to splash? State parks, watershed associations monitor rivers for E. coli contamination
When it rains, it pours E. coli. That’s what water quality testers across Western Pennsylvania might tell you right now. Every week during the summer months, volunteers and employees monitor the region’s public waterways for E. coli, which can flow into lakes and streams from agricultural and sewer systems overwhelmed...
Laurels & lances: Awareness & animals
Laurel: To intervention. There is no tragedy greater than a loss of life — except a loss that could have been prevented. In Westmoreland County, an effort is being made to find ways to reduce the number of suicides. The county’s Suicide Fatality Review Team convened for the first time...
Letter to the editor: Natural gas benefits Pa.
Mary Jo Simmen-Gray’s op-ed “The real story behind the Marcellus impact fee windfall” (July 1, TribLive) highlights the significance of nearly $3 billion in impact fees paid by Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry, but her suggested narrative deviates from the facts. For example, stating fees were imposed “specifically to offset the...
Pirates farm report for July 10, 2025: Bubba Chandler fans 7 in 6 scoreless innings
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 53-36) blanked Gwinnett (Braves), 3-0. RHP Bubba Chandler (4-2, 2.82) had his second straight scoreless outing, allowing five hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in six innings. RHP Eddy Yean (2.61) and RHP Cam Sanders (1.64) each threw a scoreless inning before RHP Kyle Nicholas (3.81) pitched...
Top-seeded Latrobe blanks Unity to advance to District 31 American Legion semifinals
Jack Stynchula pitched a three-hit shutout to lead Latrobe to a 7-0 victory over Unity Post 982 in the decisive third game of a District 31 American Legion baseball quarterfinal series Friday. The Jethawks will face Lower Burrell in Game 1 of the semifinals at 4 p.m. Saturday at Legion...
Whistle-blower backs up claim Trump official planned to defy judge’s order
A whistle-blower Thursday released a trove of messages backing up his claim that a top Trump Justice Department official discussed plans to defy federal judges’ orders in a high-profile mass deportation case. The texts and and emails released by fired prosecutor Erez Reuveni suggest Emil Bove, a principal associate deputy...
Ex-Steelers running back Najee Harris suffers minor eye injury in fireworks accident, agent says
Former Steelers running back Najee Harris suffered an eye injury in a fireworks accident at a Fourth of July event but is expected to make a full recovery by the start of the NFL season, his agent said in a statement released Thursday. According to a report in the San...
Trump praises Fetterman for saying calls to abolish ICE are ‘inappropriate and outrageous’
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D.-Braddock, is still tweeting about ICE after earning President Donald Trump’s praise Wednesday for slamming calls to abolish Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. Fetterman said “ICE performs an important job for our country” in the first of a pair of posts uploaded to X on Thursday. “Any...
Penn Hills celebrates summer with 4-day Community Carnival & SummerFest
Penn Hills knows how to celebrate summer. The municipality partnered with the North Bessemer and Rosedale volunteer fire departments to present the 2025 Community Carnival & SummerFest. The four-day event was held from July 2-5 at Turner Friendship Park, with SummerFest saved for that Saturday. There were a variety of...
Duquesne hires former City League star as women’s basketball assistant coach
Pittsburgh native Michaela Porter has been added to the women’s basketball staff at Duquesne University, the school announced Thursday, her first time serving in an assistant’s role. She is the daughter of former Duquesne men’s coach and ex-Pitt star Darelle Porter, who led the Dukes for three seasons from 1998-2001....
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: July 11-13
If you’re intimidated by the cucumber-hungry crowds of Picklesburgh and you’re looking for something else to do this weekend, don’t worry! There’s still plenty going on around Pittsburgh (outside of Downtown). At least five things, in fact! Swissvale Edible Garden Tour Right at the height of the growing season, Swissvale...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: July 11-13
Has this week felt extra long? Spend your Friday daydreaming about some of the ways you can savor your weekend with these five things happening throughout Westmoreland: Derry celebrates 250th Derry Township is 250 years old this year, and that’s certainly a cause for celebration. This Saturday, come out for...
Carl P. Leubsdorf: Trump etches his place in history
Over the past three elections, President Donald Trump has redefined the United States politically, strengthening Republican support among blue collar workers and reducing traditional Democratic majorities among racial minorities. Now, with the enactment of his misleadingly titled “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Trump has — for better or worse — redefined...
Oliver Bateman: What Pa. Dems can learn from Zohran Mamdani
Thirty-three-year-old state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani’s triumph over aging dynast Andrew Cuomo in New York’s Democratic mayoral primary should have Pennsylvania Democrats taking notes. Not because the state’s voters will eagerly cast their ballots for a democratic socialist preaching about subsidized gender-affirming care — that dog won’t hunt in a purple...
North Allegheny grad Cole Young hits 1st MLB homer, but Mariners fall to YankeesVideo
NEW YORK — Seattle Mariners rookie Cole Young, a North Allegheny graduate, hit his first home run in the majors, but the New York Yankees beat the Mariners, 9-6, on Wednesday night. Young, the No. 9 hitter, hit a two-run blast on an 0-2 count in the seventh inning. Promoted...
Pa. man who blamed ‘wokeness’ for troubles says he beheaded dad to spur a revolution
DOYLESTOWN — A 33-year-old Pennsylvania man told a county judge Wednesday he tried to arrest his father for committing treason, fatally shot him in self-defense, and later beheaded him for “practicality” reasons to rally a revolution against the federal government. Testifying in his own defense, Justin Mohn, of Levittown, went...
Gallery: Photos from July 10, 2025
Embark on a visual journey around the Western Pennsylvania region with TribLive’s latest collection of captivating images for Thursday, July 10, 2025. From the rustic landscapes of Western Pa. to diverse corners of the globe, experience the shared moments of humanity....
Letter to the editor: Leaders should put more emphasis on bridge safety
Why are we getting another surprise major bridge risk now (“Corroded steel prompts closure of Jacks Run Road Bridge in Ross,” July 3, TribLive)? I thought “someone” was inspecting the major bridges after the failure of the Fern Hollow Bridge a couple of years ago. Maybe our leaders and mayors...
Letter to the editor: Does Trump enjoy causing pain, chaos?
How horrifying to read the article “UPMC to stop gender-affirming care for patients 18 and under by month’s end” (June 24, TribLive). This treatment can mean life or death (suicide). President Trump also ended the national LGBTQ+ youth suicide hotline. Since ending USAID, some estimates say more than 300,000 people...
