TribLive stories, Page 397
Matt Gaetz’ bad boy image finally catches up with him
TALLAHASSEE — Matt Gaetz’ knack for courting controversy has finally caught up with him. The right-wing firebrand, political prankster, steadfast Trump defender and party animal stepped down as the president-elect’s choice for Attorney General once it was made clear to him he didn’t have the needed support in the U.S....
High school sports schedule for Nov. 25, 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...
Duquesne men lose again, this time in Cayman Islands
Duquesne’s season-opening streak without a victory in men’s basketball under first-year coach Dru Joyce III reached five Sunday with a 71-60 loss to South Dakota State in the first of three games in three days for the Dukes at the Cayman Islands Classic in George Town, Grand Cayman. Oscar Cluff’s...
Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro secures $153 million for SEPTA, averting fare hike planned for 2025
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, in a moment suggestive of last year’s fast rebuild of a collapsed I-95 bridge, swooped into Philadelphia Friday to announce he was redirecting $153 million in federal highway funds to SEPTA, averting a significant fare increase planned for Jan. 1. The cash amounts to a fiscal...
Scenes from the Valley: Images captured in the Alle-Kiski Valley from Nov. 14-20, 2024
Here is a weekly look at recent images captured throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley. From major news events to routine gatherings, TribLive’s “Scenes from the Valley” photo package brings to life activities and moments happening in your backyard. To have a photo considered as a “Scenes from the Valley” candidate, please...
Fish photos hazardous to their health? Tips for safer catch and release
Pick a social media platform and a fishing-related hashtag, say #patroutfishing on Instagram. It’ll turn up thousands upon thousands of posts. Anglers have long posed for photos with their latest and biggest catches, but the phenomenon of being able to pull out a smartphone and share your achievement globally is...
Letter to the editor: Kudos to Westmoreland election bureau workers
I would like to commend Westmoreland County Election Bureau Director Greg McCloskey and his team for their exceptional work during the 2024 election. As an observer for Attorney General David Sunday’s campaign, I witnessed firsthand their dedication, transparency and professionalism. The team’s meticulous preparation ensured a fair, smooth process and...
From Drew Allar to Tyler Warren, the story behind Penn State’s game-winning play at Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS — James Franklin had a decision to make, one that could damage or enhance Penn State’s dreams of reaching the College Football Playoff and competing for a national title. Penn State, leading Minnesota by one point with 29 seconds left in regulation, faced a fourth-and-1 at the Golden Gophers’...
Letter to the editor: Let’s call him President Re-elect Trump
The media is addressing former President Trump as president-elect. Trump was in office from 2017 to 2021, so why is he addressed as president-elect? Shouldn’t he be addressed as president re-elect? It was the same with the late former President Ronald Reagan when he was elected to two terms. And...
Editorial: Let’s change the tone of elections in 2025
With the Thursday concession of U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, Pennsylvania’s 2024 election season effectively comes to a close. Republican businessman Dave McCormick has already gone to Washington for new-senator orientation. The sliver of difference between the two candidates — McCormick’s 48.8% to Casey’s 48.6% — triggered an automatic recount. Casey’s...
The Stroller, Nov. 24, 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. Annual Christmas show planned...
Western Pa. experts offer tips on navigating lingering election-related tensions over holidays
The events of the Nov. 5 presidential election divided states, demographics and, in many cases, families. President-elect Donald Trump’s supporters celebrated the Republican candidate’s victory, while many who championed Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris fell into despair. With Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and other holidays following so closely on the heels...
Letter to the editor: Here’s how voting works
Regarding the letter “Why is ID not required to vote?” (Nov. 15, TribLive): I am not an attorney, but here’s what I believe it takes for you to vote. The U.S. Constitution guarantees your right to vote as long as you are a citizen. When you first registered to vote,...
High school sports scores, schedules for Nov. 23, 2024
High schools Football WPIAL playoffs Championship Saturday’s results At Acrisure Stadium Class 5A Pine-Richland 20, Peters Township 9 Class 3A Avonworth 17, Central Valley 0 Class 2A South Park 21, Seton LaSalle 14 Class A Fort Cherry 21, Clairton 20 PIAA playoffs Class 6A Saturday’s result Quarterfinals Harrisburg 42, West...
Trump’s $100,000 Swiss-made watch is a slow seller
Donald Trump is returning to the White House after one of the most remarkable political comebacks in U.S. history. His side hustle as the frontman for a fledgling high-end watch brand, however, is less of a success so far. The majority of the $100,000 wristwatches endorsed by and featuring the...
After years of limbo in LA, 836-pound Bahia Emerald may return to Brazil
LOS ANGELES — For more than 15 years, one of the world’s most famous gemstones — the 180,000-carat Bahia Emerald — has been held in Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department custody, its ultimate fate uncertain amid more than a decade of discord, disagreement and courtroom wrangling. Now, a federal judge...
District college football roundup: Clutch defensive play leads Slippery Rock to playoff win
Brayden Long threw for 270 yards and a touchdown and Michael Henwood made a game-saving defensive play to lead Slippery Rock to a 14-7 victory over New Haven (8-3) in first round of the NCAA Division II tournament Saturday. With Slippery Rock (10-1) leading 14-7 late in the third quarter,...
Westinghouse falls to Bishop Guilfoyle in PIAA quarterfinals
Chase Kissell ran for two touchdowns and threw three TD passes as District 6 champion Bishop Guilfoyle defeated City League champion Westinghouse, 56-15, in the PIAA Class A quarterfinals Saturday at Farrell. The Bulldogs managed 15 points in the second quarter but were held scoreless in the second half. Westinghouse...
Elderly man dies in Homestead house fire
A Homestead man died Saturday in the wake of a house fire on West 12th Avenue, officials said. According to Allegheny County Police, 79-year-old Ronald Jenkins was trapped on the second floor when first responders arrived at about 11:20 a.m. in the 100 block of West 12th Avenue. Firefighters got...
Franklin Regional notebook: 10 Panthers earn all-conference honors
Franklin Regional was well-represented on the PA Big 5/6 all-conference football team this fall. Five players earned first-team recognition — junior center Troy Slezak, senior running back Kyle Dupill, senior kicker Joey Bayne, senior defensive end Macallister Bresnahan and sophomore defensive tackle Andrew Devola. Senior guard Hunter Reinhart, senior athlete...
Counterpoint: Reporters shouldn’t have more First Amendment rights than the rest of us
Do reporters have more rights under the First Amendment than ordinary Americans? Should they? The answer to both questions is “no.” Unfortunately, a bill passed by the House of Representatives and is sitting in the Senate wants to change that. The PRESS Act would allow the media to operate outside...
Point: A federal shield law is needed to protect the press
Like it or not, the Constitution’s First Amendment gives the media special protection in the American republic. That amendment says, “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom … of the press.” With one of the recent presidential candidates unconstitutionally threatening to shut down media outlets or take away...
Sounding off: Presidential election still top of mind
Trump committed to his promises President-elect Donald Trump unburdened me of another great fear when it was announced Mike Pompeo would not be joining the Trump Cabinet. For context, as CIA director in 2017-18, Pompeo plotted to kidnap and assassinate WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. And, more recently, Pompeo was caught...
Letter to the editor: Grow up and accept the results
The election is over, and the Republicans have won decisively. I now see people are shaving their heads, swearing off sex, freezing out their own families and acting in other bizarre ways. I have two simple words for them all: Grow up. In this world, you don’t always get things...
Letter to the editor: How is Trump’s behavior acceptable?
Based on everything the president-elect said and did during his campaign, I thought he was trying to lose. But then we elected him in spite of all the dangerous rhetoric he spewed? Well, the majority (minus millions of missing voters) of the United States has spoken, and we need to...

