TribLive stories, Page 359
Jim Abrahams, co-writer of ‘Airplane!’ and ‘The Naked Gun,’ dies at 80
Jim Abrahams, a writer and director behind slapstick comedies like “Airplane!” and “The Naked Gun” series, has died. He was 80 years old. The cause of death was natural causes, his son Josh said in a statement. He died at his home in Santa Monica, California. Along with childhood friends...
Capitol rioter’s defamation suit against Fox News dismissed
A Delaware court judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News filed by a Jan. 6 rioter who said the network falsely identified him as an FBI informant. U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer L. Hall granted Fox News’ motion to dismiss the suit filed last year by Ray Epps....
Christine Flowers: I discovered the meaning of Thanksgiving in a Paris apartment
Thanksgiving was never an important holiday for me. Gathering the family from near and far for a celebratory meal wasn’t unusual; our family was composed of Italians and a small sprinkling of Irish. Growing up, we always gathered around different tables at different houses, broke out the biscotti and anisette...
CFP chair explains why Penn State stayed ahead of Notre Dame in latest rankings
Some thought Notre Dame could — or perhaps should — jump Penn State in the latest edition of the College Football Playoff selection committee rankings. That didn’t happen. Penn State retained its No. 4 spot in the CFP committee’s latest top 25. Notre Dame, meanwhile, moved up one spot to...
Westmoreland happenings: Kolachi sale, bingos, wreath class, more
Fundraisers • Jeannette American Legion will host bingo at 1 p.m. Dec. 1 at the post, 109 S. Fifth St. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Cost: $25 per packet, includes regular and special games. There will be a $750 jackpot game, magic number, door prizes and 50-50. The kitchen will...
Bethany Mandel: How super glue saved my childhood Thanksgivings
For most kids, Grandma and Grandpa’s house is their favorite place to visit. Filled with toys and endless affection, treats and hugs. For ordinary people, Thanksgiving is a particularly special time to spend with family. That wasn’t my childhood. Don’t worry — this isn’t a sob story. My grandparents were...
Merchant Oyster Co. in Lawrenceville is closing, building for sale
A popular Lawrenceville restaurant will be shucking its last oyster soon. Merchant Oyster Co. is closing up shop next week, the restaurant announced on social media. The Butler Street oyster joint will hold its last day on Dec. 4 with a special ticketed event. “This decision wasn’t easy, but we’re...
Gallery: Photos from Nov. 27, 2024
Embark on a visual journey around the Western Pennsylvania region — and the world — with TribLive’s latest collection of captivating images for Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. From the rustic landscapes of Western Pa. to diverse corners of the globe, experience the shared moments of humanity....
Letter to the editor: Counting Thanksgiving blessings
Responding with advice to the article “Western Pa. experts offer tips on navigating lingering election-related tensions over holidays” (Nov. 24, TribLive): If you are not happy with the recent election results, you could isolate yourself and not associate with family and miss out on being around others; or rise above...
Editorial: Break bread, not hearts, this Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is not the same from one house to the next. Some families spend all day with relatives coming and going, talking and laughing and eating from an endless buffet. Some gather around an elegantly laid out table for a formal dinner. Some hold hands as they say grace. Some...
The Stroller, Nov. 27, 2024: 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. Fund aids animals with...
Letter to the editor: Thankful for Pa.’s energy bounty
The first Thanksgiving in 1621 occurred after the pilgrims of Plymouth overcame food scarcity thanks to the bountiful harvest their Wampanoag neighbors helped produce. Fast- forward four centuries, and New Englanders face two modern scarcities: Patriot wins and affordable energy. The former is a gift for Steelers fans hoping Pittsburgh finally...
High school scores, summaries and schedules for Nov. 26, 2024
High schools Football PIAA playoffs Class 6A Semifinals Friday’s schedule Downingtown West (13-1) vs. St. Joseph’s Prep (9-2) at Coatesville, 7 p.m. Saturday’s schedule Central Catholic (11-2) vs. Harrisburg (11-2) at Mansion Park, Altoona, 1 p.m. Class 5A Semifinals Friday’s schedule West Chester Rustin (13-1) vs. Roman Catholic (10-4) at...
High school roundup for Nov. 26, 2024: Dominic Casile scores pair in Fox Chapel win
Dominic Casile scored a pair of goals to lead Fox Chapel to a 4-2 victory over Cathedral Prep in PIHL Class 2A hockey Tuesday night. Tucker Cullen added a goal and two assists and Pierce Osterholm also scored for Fox Chapel (5-1-1). Tucker Kinnear and Mathius Sprickman scored for Cathedral...
John Dorfman: Pfizer, Schlumberger are January Bounce candidates
Stocks that struggle during the first 10 months of the year often fall further during November and December, as some investors sell to realize a tax loss. Once the tax-motivated selling subsides, such stocks frequently bounce back in January. Each year, I offer a few January bounce candidates — ones...
Canadian cannabis company buying up American brewers
A Canadian cannabis company is tapping into a flailing American industry: craft beer. The cannabis company has purchased multiple United States craft breweries, thus becoming the fifth-largest craft brewer in the U.S. as a result. According to The Wall Street Journal, Tilray Brands has purchased a total of 18 craft...
Judge excuses Rudy Giuliani lawyers, refuses to delay trial amid courtroom outburst from ex-mayorVideo
NEW YORK — A judge on Tuesday cut loose Rudy Giuliani’s attorneys in his bankruptcy-related matter and denied efforts to push back his trial so he could participate in Donald Trump’s inauguration at a manic Manhattan federal court hearing that ended with an outburst from the former New York City...
New Kensington fire hall shooting ruled suicide, coroner says
The death of a man found outside New Kensington’s No. 5 fire hall Tuesday has been ruled a suicide, according to the Westmoreland County Coroner’s office. A shooting at the fire hall in the 500 block of Camp Avenue was reported to county 911 shortly after 4:30 p.m. The man,...
‘Your situation is a tragedy’: Former Penn Hills basketball standout sentenced in killing
Jeremiah Ligon had a lot going for him. A standout guard on his Penn Hills basketball team, he got a scholarship to play basketball at Clarion University in 2016. But he dropped out after less than a semester. A few years later, he was charged with killing a man. On...
Brian Leri, longtime chef at Hoffstot’s Cafe Monaco, remembered for devotion to restaurant, customers
Brian Leri, 51, of Natrona Heights, the longtime executive chef at Hoffstot’s Cafe Monaco in Oakmont, died Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. Leri spent 30 years at the eatery after graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., in 1994. He became the restaurant’s executive chef in 2002....
Joel Dahmen’s biggest win was keeping his PGA Tour card: AnalysisVideo
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — Getting a PGA Tour card is difficult enough. Joel Dahmen can attest to that. He was a natural talent whose life got turned upside down when his mother died of cancer his junior year of high school. His brother was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and...
Allison Schrager: Trump’s economic policy can’t be just nostalgia
President-elect Donald Trump’s economic legacy may well depend on whether he prefers the comparative form of an adjective. Specifically, does he believe it is hard to make a living in the U.S. — or harder than it used to be? It is not an insignificant distinction. The central conceit of...
Judge denies bond for man accused in Parkway West road rage shooting
A McKeesport man accused of shooting another in the face during an alleged road rage incident on the Parkway West this summer will remain in jail pending trial. Rashawn Hall, 22, asked the court earlier this month to reconsider his request to be released on bond, arguing that he has...
Jason W. Park: Trump has a clean slate; we’ll see where it goes
President-elect Donald Trump will wield what he calls an “unprecedented and powerful mandate” handed to him by voters to help him reach his goals. There is no doubt on the part of Democrats that he will ram his agenda down their throats while all three branches of government have swung...
Bishop T.D. Jakes sues Homestead pastor, alleges extortion attempt
The founder of a Dallas megachurch is suing a former Homestead pastor convicted of sex assault for libel, accusing him of making false claims in an online podcast and attempting to extort him out of millions of dollars. Bishop T.D. Jakes, also renown as a motivational speaker and author, filed...

