TribLive stories, Page 319
Pirates farm report for April 5, 2025: Javier Rivas, Maikol Escotto lead Greensboro to 2-0 start
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 1-3) and Iowa (Cubs) had their game canceled because of inclement weather. Friday’s game that was suspended as well will resume in the top of the 10th inning at 12:15 p.m. Sunday. Sunday’s game will begin 45 minutes after the conclusion. Next: Sunday vs. Iowa (Cubs), 12:15 p.m....
Westmoreland high school athletes of the week for April 6, 2025: Franklin Regional’s Toryn Fulton and Derry’s Jeremiah Gess
Toryn Fulton School: Franklin Regional Class: Senior Sport: Softball Claim to fame: Fulton led the Panthers (5-2) to a pair of wins in a variety of ways. She had a double, home run and three RBIs in a 6-4 win over McKeesport. Then, she stole a career-high six bases, doubled,...
Sidney Crosby is now Penguins’ all-time leading scorer against 17 franchises
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby scored the only goal in a 1-0 home overtime win against the Ottawa Senators on March 30. In addition to getting the victory, Crosby became the Penguins’ all-time leader in points against the Senators (58), breaking a tie with fellow franchise pillar Jaromir Jagr (57)....
Sheldon H. Jacobson: How to win the lottery without buying a ticket
Lotteries have become ubiquitous, available in nearly every state. The most recognized national lotteries, Mega Millions and Powerball, have jackpots that reach $1 billion a few times every year. Of course, that payout is spread over 29 years, with the first year around $15 million and the final year around...
Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ rocks with a passion
First and foremost, a quick history lesson: on July 13, 1971, 13,000 people filled Pittsburgh’s Civic Arena. Those excited concertgoers were the first ones to see an authorized performance of what was then only a concept album, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. That concept...
Police trying to determine when, where a woman dropped off at hospital was stabbed
A woman was in critical condition after being dropped off at a hospital with a serious stab wound early Saturday, Allegheny County Police said. At about 5:15 a.m., Penn Hills police called in county police detectives to investigate an incident in which a female was stabbed in the chest. The...
Counterpoint: Crackdown on international students is a self-inflicted wound?
Recent detentions and deportations of international students have sparked controversy, raising concerns about the long-term damage to the United States’ reputation as the global leader in higher education. Meanwhile, the increasing number of U.S. students studying abroad underscores the importance of international academic exchanges. Several high-profile cases have highlighted the...
Point: Deport immigrants who are advocating evil
In then-President Joe Biden’s words, Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, massacre of Israeli civilians was an act of “pure, unadulterated evil,” resulting in “the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust,” with “more than 1,000 civilians slaughtered,” “stomach-turning reports of … babies being killed.” Yet, over the last year and a...
Letter to the editor: We’re watching the destruction of our country
On one hand, we have witnessed the detainment of Mahmoud Khalil, a legal alien, for organizing and leading protests against the slaughter of thousands of Palestinians and the destruction of their homeland. On the other, 1,600 duly tried and convicted American citizens involved in the attempted overthrow of our government...
Sounding off: Libraries, Steelers, Idlewild purchase, DOGE cuts on readers’ minds
Our communities need libraries As a former public librarian and current school librarian, I am in a position to tell you about the impact libraries have on communities. At the Carnegie Library, the staff and I helped elders learn how to use computers for the first time, taught them how...
Letter to the editor: The real Pentagon waste not being addressed
The Pentagon is not able to pass an audit of its expenses. It cannot account for around one-half of its budgeted $850 billion. There is waste and abuse in failed weapons programs, unnecessary nuclear expansion and exorbitant prices for goods and services by defense contractors. The failure of DOGE to...
Editorial: Is this the Pirates’ year?
Baseball is a game of numbers. Sure, every sport can claim that to some extent. A scoreboard is all about the numbers, after all. A tie is never broken by an essay question. But baseball may be the peak intersection of jocks and accountants. Even before the book (and movie)...
Religion digest April 5, 2025
Lenten luncheons, services planned Leechburg The Leechburg Ministerium will host the final Lenten lunch at 11:45 a.m. Friday at Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church, 271 Main St. Donations will be accepted to support the ministerium emergency voucher fund. Tarentum There will be Lenten lunch and worship service Wednesday at First...
The Stroller, April 5, 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. Car seat loaner program...
Letter to the editor: Solving the senior care workforce crisis
Pennsylvania’s aging services providers, including nursing homes, senior living communities and home and community-based services, continue to sound the alarm about their ongoing workforce crisis. We don’t have enough qualified workers to care for Pennsylvania’s fast-growing older population, due to costly staffing agencies and limited government support. To help, LeadingAge...
Pirates farm report for April 4, 2025: Konnor Griffin collects 2 hits, steals 2 bags in Bradenton debut
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 1-3) and Iowa (Cubs) were suspended with the game tied 3-3 in the 10th inning. The game will be resumed Saturday at 5 p.m. 1B Matt Gorski (.333) went 2 for 4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI. DH Malcom Nunez (.200) went 1 for...
High school scores, summaries and schedules for April 4, 2025
High schools Baseball Friday’s results Class 3A Section 1 Riverside 9, Ellwood City 5 Class 2A Section 1 Burgettstown at California, ppd. Section 2 New Brighton at Freedom, ppd. Section 3 Apollo-Ridge at Springdale, ppd. Class A Section 2 Rochester 15, Summit Academy 0 Rochester 16, Summit Academy 0 Nonsection...
High school roundup for April 4, 2025: North Catholic ace throws 6-inning no-hitter with 15 Ks
Kennedy Brown threw a six-inning no-hitter with 15 strikeouts to lead North Catholic to an 11-0 win over Western Beaver (1-5, 0-1) in Section 3-4A softball Friday. Natalia Rushak went 3 for 4 with a double, home run and four RBIs and Samantha Foley hit two doubles for North Catholic...
Al Sharpton calls on PepsiCo to restore DEI initiatives, threatens boycott
The Rev. Al Sharpton is giving PepsiCo three weeks to meet with him — or suffer a boycott — to discuss reversing the company’s recent move to do away with its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, according to a letter shared with the Associated Press. On Friday, Sharpton wrote to...
Former Falcons great Julio Jones officially retires from the NFL
FLOWERY BRANCH — Julio Jones, perhaps the greatest wide receiver in Atlanta Falcons history, has elected to retire from the NFL. Jones, a seven-time Pro Bowler who helped the Falcons nearly win Super Bowl 51, played 13 seasons in the league after the team traded up to select him with...
WVU’s Hodge would pay hefty buyout if he leaves after 1 season
New West Virginia coach Ross Hodge’s five-year agreement will pay him $15 million and includes a hefty buyout if he leaves within a year — a nod to predecessor Darian DeVries, according to a document released by the school Friday. After Hodge signed the document March 26, he remained as...
Crowd erupts for Marc Fogel’s ceremonial first pitch at Pirates home openerVideo
Wearing a Roberto Clemente jersey, Marc Fogel walked to the mound, tipped his cap and blew two kisses to the sold-out PNC Park crowd at the Pirates’ home opener Friday. He then threw a ceremonial first pitch toward the plate to phenom pitcher and reigning National League Rookie of the...
Believe it or not, there were some winners in the stock market this week
NEW YORK — Most of the numbers on Wall Street this week were bright red, but not all of them. Companies that focus on food, health care and other necessities gained ground or held relatively stable, despite a slump in the broader stock market over worries about an escalating trade...
Foster care agencies in Pa. took millions owed to kids in their care, often keeping them in the dark
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. Counties across Pennsylvania are taking millions of dollars in Social Security benefits owed to kids in foster care, a practice some child advocates equate to...
Interior secretary orders national parks to be open and accessible as workforce is cut
Under criticism for staff cuts across the country, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is directing national parks to “remain open and accessible” and says officials will ensure proper staffing to do so. The order, issued late Thursday, also calls for a detailed review of each park’s operating hours, trail closures and...

