TribLive stories, Page 401
Editorial: Self-exclusion is a cry for help
The state does a lot of things to keep people safe. It creates laws about domestic violence. It paints lines on roads. It makes sure the water is clean, the ground is unpolluted and the air is clear. In many cases, the state keeps people safe from themselves. Pennsylvania governs...
The Stroller, Dec. 22, 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. Pet food, supplies needed...
Photo gallery: 2024 Year in Review
2024 was a defining year of the 21st century and the TribLive visuals staff was there to capture unforgettable images of the most significant news, sports and cultural events. From the assassination attempt on former President Donald J. Trump in Butler County, to the debut of rookie pitcher Paul Skenes...
Letter to the editor: Faith the only way to tell the Christmas story
He (Joseph) took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in...
Pitt-Greensburg hosts American Society of Microbiology’s Allegheny branch
The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg in Hempfield recently welcomed participants from more than 15 universities and colleges for the annual meeting of the American Society of Microbiology’s Allegheny branch. Two days of professional development included networking and poster presentations based on participants’ research. Several entries were recognized including: •...
Sports fans enjoy ‘Barbenheimer’ of football with Penn State, Steelers games back-to-back
For Western Pa. sports fans, Saturday’s lineup of back-to-back Penn State and Steelers football games offered the athletics equivalent of the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon that left movie fanatics in a frenzy for the same-day release of films “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” last year. Football fans filled seats and bar stools at Hempfield’s...
Alvaro Folgueiras leads Robert Morris’ win against St. Francis (Pa.)
MOON TOWNSHIP — Alvaro Folgueiras scored 27 points as Robert Morris beat St. Francis (Pa.), 90-77, on Saturday for the Colonials’ second win in a row. Folgueiras added 16 rebounds, four steals and three blocks for the Colonials (8-5). He entered the game averaging 11.7 points and 10.4 rebounds. “He...
Snow squalls snarl Pittsburgh roads, but no major incidents reported, officials say
As snowy conditions wreaked havoc on Pittsburgh roads Saturday, Westmoreland County and other surrounding areas saw little more than a dusting. Colton Milcarek, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Pittsburgh office in Moon, said a snow band — a narrow path of snow — hit the city Saturday morning....
Kathryn Anne Edwards: The influencer economy exposes a 70-year problem for women
The holidays are upon us, and more than ever the burgeoning influencer economy is having an impact on what consumers buy. Few reliable statistics can be found concerning the influencer profession, but several studies suggest the industry is dominated by women in their homes selling products related to the personal...
Facing Trump threats, Al Schmidt defended Pa.’s 2020 election as free, fair and secure and believes same about 2024
This article is made possible through Spotlight PA’s collaboration with Votebeat, a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting. Sign up for Votebeat’s free newsletters here. After Donald Trump lost Pennsylvania in 2020, he used Twitter to direct his fury straight at Al Schmidt, then a Philadelphia city...
Religious school, holiday services and more at Sewickley area houses of worship
Antioch Baptist Church 332 Elizabeth St., Sewickley. 412-741-7688. antioch fwbaptistsewickley.org. Morning worship and praise service is at 10:45 a.m. First Sunday Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m. First Friday virtual Bible study is at 7 p.m. A link is available via Pastor Dean’s Facebook page. Beth Samuel Jewish Center 810...
James Densley, Jillian Peterson and David Riedman: Here’s what is so unusual about the Wisconsin school shooting — and what isn’t
The Dec. 16 shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., shocked the nation, not only for its horror but for its unique profile. This time, a teenage girl opened fire inside her school, killing a teacher, another student and apparently herself, and injuring six others. Although female school...
Sounding off: Politics letter-writers’ top topic
Don’t castigate real Democrats I stewed as I read and reread the letters “Trump’s victory shows rejection of Democrats’ ways” (Nov. 15, TribLive) and “Better under Trump? Think again” (Nov. 15, TribLive). As a lifelong Democrat, I take exception to the castigating of real Democrats. The Democratic Party has been...
Letter to the editor: Biden a flawed president, flawed man
I was a young, politically naive man during Jimmy Carter’s time in office, but even then I could see his was a failed presidency. The humiliation of the Iran hostage situation, including the failed rescue mission, high inflation, record high interest rates, etc. led to this conclusion. In spite of...
Editorial: Will Westmoreland County finally hire an elections director?
Westmoreland County Director of County Operations Greg McCloskey has retired. People do this every day. Yahoo Finance reports an estimated 6.1 million Americans have retired this year — or will in the next 10 days. McCloskey is 61 — a hair short of the traditional 65 but definitely in the...
The Stroller, Dec. 21, 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. MyHeritage research database available...
Letter to the editor: Don’t castigate real Democrats
I stewed as I read and reread the letters “Trump’s victory shows rejection of Democrats’ ways” (Nov. 15, TribLive) and “Better under Trump? Think again”(Nov. 15, TribLive). As a lifelong Democrat, I take exception to the castigating of real Democrats. The Democratic Party has been infiltrated by progressives, poisoning their...
Tim Cowlishaw: SMU-Penn State matchup signals a strange new world for college football
DALLAS — The SMU Mustangs are venturing into the unknown Saturday, and I don’t just mean trying to find University Park on a map, which is a challenge of its own. This is something completely different. For years, one loud chorus of voices shouted that college football needed a real...
Deer Lakes grad Michael Sullivan chosen in MLS draft
Deer Lakes graduate Michael Sullivan has been drafted by MLS club Toronto FC. Sullivan, a midfielder who just completed his senior season at Pitt, was selected with the ninth pick of the second round, 39th overall, of the MLS SuperDraft. Sullivan played 67 games in four years with the Panthers,...
Gary Franks: Lincoln’s pardon and Trump’s victory
In politics, there are some things we have seen before and some things we have not. Abraham Lincoln was criticized for giving a pardon to a family member. So family pardons are not new. How about President-elect Donald Trump’s recent victory over the legacy press? Now that is different. It...
Take the TribLive weekly news quiz: Dec. 20
The following is a regular feature from TribLive: A weekly news quiz:...
State opts not to remove barrier for problem bettors entering casinos
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will not go forward with a proposed change that would have made it easier for problem bettors to return to casinos. People who ban themselves from casinos, a step known as self-excluding, must manually remove themselves from the ban list after their self-exclusion period expires....
Reserve’s Light Up Event spreads holiday cheer
Quite a few Christmas trees in Reserve are sporting a special decoration this year. Folks who braved falling temperatures for the township’s Light Up Event on Dec. 5 received commemorative holiday ornaments as part of the night’s festivities. Plenty of them were given away, as turnout was good despite the...
Rep. Jesse Topper: We can stop the pinch who stole Christmas
It is a few days before Christmas and across the commonwealth, Pennsylvania families are busy looking for last-minute holiday gifts, planning for family gatherings and engaging in charitable efforts to help those in their communities during the holiday season. However, this season is another stark reminder that every Pennsylvanian is...
Stephen Lind: People thought ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ would fail. Sincerity powered its success.
It’s hard to imagine the holidays without “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The 1965 broadcast has become a staple of the season for many generations. But this beloved TV special almost didn’t make it to air. CBS executives thought the 25-minute program was too slow, too serious and too different from...

