TribLive stories, Page 306
Letter to the editor: McCormick helping to keep us safe
It been a little over 100 days since David McCormick became Pennsylvania’s newest U.S. senator. I felt that electing a self-accomplished senator would give us a senator ready and able to take on the challenges of leadership in Washington. Sure enough, he has taken on several Senate leadership responsibilities, including...
Letter to the editor: Appreciate the great theater talent in Pittsburgh
I recently had the honor to attend the world premiere of “Art of Wise” by Mark Clayton Southers at Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater. This is a brilliant play, written at a level of the very best playwrights. This experience reminded me that we have highly talented playwrights, directors, technicians and actors...
Editorial: How did Pittsburgh’s overtime budget go so wrong?
In November, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey proposed a 2025 budget that didn’t just hold the line on 2024’s spending, but it also reeled it in by 3%. In December, Pittsburgh City Council passed that budget with few changes. They did so despite concerns over aspects that felt unrealistic. Specifically, there...
Letter to the editor: Message to Summer Lee — impeach Trump
Earlier this month, Rep. Summer Lee did not directly respond to questions about whether she supports impeaching President Trump from office. This is unacceptable. I am unhappy seeing this lack of foresight and leadership from my district’s representative. It’s obvious to me, a concerned citizen and voter, that Trump is...
The Stroller, April 19, 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. Kids’ Fishing Day planned...
Our Lady of Joy in Plum hosts weekly fish fry during Lent in renovated hall
Parishioners and guests of Holy Family Parish’s Our Lady of Joy in Plum enjoyed a variety of foods at the church’s Friday fish frys this Lenten season. The church at 2000 O’Block Road recently renovated its social hall with new drywall, sconces and a paint job among other upgrades. It...
Letter to the editor: Republican endorsements cowardly
With the election of RINO Sen. Greg Rothman as Pennsylvania GOP chair, I fully expect the party to endorse its candidate for governor. There were 15 candidates for governor in 2021-22 when I ran. I don’t believe the party will want a repeat of “just anybody” thinking they can run....
Glitches, unproven tech in Pa.’s new financial aid system exacerbated delays for thousands of students
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. By October, the scale of the crisis was clear. State grants that thousands of students were counting on to pay for college were weeks behind...
Pirates farm report for April 18, 2025: Matt Gorski delivers walk-off double for Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 8-8) defeated Toledo (Tigers), 5-4, on a walk-off RBI double by LF Matt Gorski (.268) in the bottom of the 11th. Gorski went 2 for 4 with a run scored and two RBIs. SS Tsung-Che Cheng (.222) went 3 for 4 with a stolen base. 2B Nick Yorke...
Listen to the 911 call Cody Balmer placed after allegedly setting fire to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s mansionVideo
PHILADELPHIA — In a roughly minute-long phone call to Dauphin County 911, the man accused of setting three fires in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s official residence told dispatchers Pennsylvania’s chief executive needed to leave his family and friends alone. “Gov. Josh Shapiro needs to know that Cody Balmer will not take...
High school roundup for April 18, 2025: Neshannock softball stands alone atop section
Addy Frye gave up two unearned runs and struck out 13 in a complete game and Payton Newman singled, doubled and drove in three runs to lead Neshannock to a 6-2 win over Laurel in a matchup of Section 1-2A softball rivals Friday. Jaidon Nogay doubled and drove in two...
The arson at Gov. Josh Shapiro’s mansion erupted within minutes. The effect lingers
HARRISBURG — The pounding of fists on the governor’s bedroom door was loud and urgent. The mansion was on fire, a state trooper yelled, and Pennsylvania’s first family needed to get out immediately. Gov. Josh Shapiro and his wife, Lori, jumped out of bed and rushed from room to room...
Greensburg Ministerium presents annual ‘Way of the Cross’
The Greensburg Ministerium, representing churches in the community, presented its annual “The Way of the Cross” depiction of the events that led to the crucifixion of Jesus. Actors portrayed events on Good Friday as depicted in the Bible as they made their way through downtown Greensburg. “We are not true...
Parkway East bridge replacement will close part of Old William Penn Highway in Monroeville
Part of Old William Penn Highway in Monroeville will be closed next week as PennDOT replaces the superstructure of the bridge that carries the Parkway East above the road. Old William Penn will close between Evergreen Drive and Duff Road from April 22-25, to allow construction crews to continue replacing...
The people who represent you in D.C. and Harrisburg are allowed to keep their calendars secret
This story originally appeared in Talk of the Town, a weekly newsletter of local stories that dig deep, events, and more from the Spotlight PA State College bureau. Sign up at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/talkofthetown. STATE COLLEGE — Since President Donald Trump’s inauguration, multiple protests have been held outside U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson’s...
Unlike all other Power 4 programs, Penn State has yet to seek out quarterbacks in the transfer portal
College football’s spring transfer portal opened this week, which means the latest edition of the quarterback carousel is underway for teams across the country. Former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava is the biggest name in the portal this spring. Iamaleava, after helping the Vols earn a spot in the College Football...
Mack Trucks to lay off hundreds of workers at Pa. plant, with company blaming tariffs, other factors
Mack Trucks will lay off 250 to 350 workers at its Lehigh Valley Operations plant in Lower Macungie Township because of tariffs and other economic factors. A Mack spokesperson said heavy-duty truck orders “continue to be negatively affected by market uncertainty about freight rates and demand, possible regulatory changes, and...
Ruth Johnston: Assisted outpatient treatment can help people like Cody Balmers
His face breaks my heart, though I realize most people will not react that way to Cody Balmer’s mug shots and arrest footage. Cody attacked our state’s official residence, leaving charred furniture and forcing the governor’s family to flee in the night — on Pesach no less, forcing them to...
In brief: History Center program, summer camps and more in Sewickley area
History Center program Join the Sewickley Heights History Center at 7 p.m. April 23 to commemorate the birthday month of the renowned playwright William Shakespeare with a live performance by writer, actor and singer Yvonne Hudson as Mrs. Shakespeare. Hudson’s original performance piece, “Will’s First and Last Love,” takes patrons...
Carnegie Mellon’s ‘Titanic’ sets sail with alum guest director
The ocean liner RMS Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, killing more than 1,500 passengers on its maiden voyage from Ireland to New York. Looking back at the tragedy during this anniversary week, Carnegie Mellon University’s spring musical is the 1997 show “Titanic, The Musical,” which runs through April 23...
Macy’s at Pittsburgh Mills for sale
Macy’s at Pittsburgh Mills in Frazer is on the market. In what might be another nail in the coffin of the beleaguered mall, one of its last remaining original tenants, and largest, is poised to leave as the department store chain leans into its smaller, more luxury-oriented holdings. A prospectus...
Letter to the editor: In praise of Leechburg lumber donation
A huge shoutout to Stanford’s Home Center for donating the lumber that was stolen from the Leechburg Youth Baseball Association (“Leechburg baseball association’s stolen wood replaced, police investigating theft,” April 2, TribLive). It’s good to know that there are really good people who do really nice things in the A-K...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: April 19-20
Happy Easter! But even if you don’t celebrate, it’s still a great weekend to buy too much chocolate, eat too many jelly beans and put that sugar high to good use with these Pittsburgh-area events. Eggstravaganza at the Aviary Kids of all ages can take part in this seasonal event...
Letter to the editor: Allegheny County deserves clean air
Dear Allegheny County Council, I urge you to allocate the funding necessary to fully staff and operate the Allegheny County Health Department’s Air Quality Program. Due to budget shortfalls, our county lacks the resources to enforce air permits, monitor pollution levels and hold violators accountable. This failure is not just...
Letter to the editor: Family caregivers need assistance
I am writing to publicly thank Rep. Guy Reschenthaler for supporting Alzheimer’s legislation last year, which led to three vital pieces of legislation being passed. I also urge the congressman to support the Credit for Caring Act (HR 2036), a critical piece of legislation that would provide essential financial relief...
