Laurels & lances: Charging & changing
Laurel: To giving students a break. It isn’t the fault of those enrolled at Penn State’s New Kensington or Fayette campuses that university leadership voted to close the schools at the end of the Spring 2027 semester. With that hanging in the not-so-distant future, it makes sense that some students...
Letter to the editor: Believing the true Christmas story
Regarding the letter “The real Christmas story” (Dec. 3, TribLive): First, I would agree that what we do not know in any narrative can be satisfied with tradition, adopted speculation and human interpretation. This, however, ignores valid historical truth. My belief is that the Christmas story is best told by...
Former Steelers linebacker Myles Jack arrested on felony firearms charge in Texas
Myles Jack, a former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, is facing firearms charges after being arrested Tuesday in Frisco, Texas. According to a Frisco Police Department news release, officers responded to a welfare check at 5:40 a.m. Tuesday and heard gunshots from inside a residence. Officers set up a perimeter and evacuated...
Penn State’s Terry Smith offers updates on coaching staff, opt-outs ahead of Pinstripe Bowl
Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith met with media members on a video conference call on Thursday morning ahead of the Lions’ Pinstripe Bowl matchup with Clemson at Yankee Stadium. Smith said as of Thursday morning, only four Penn State veterans have opted out: defensive tackle Zane Durant, running...
Former Penn State QB Beau Pribula enters transfer portal again, will leave MissouriVideo
A former Penn State quarterback and fan favorite is entering the transfer portal again. Beau Pribula, Penn State’s former backup quarterback, has informed Missouri that he will enter the transfer portal, according to a Thursday report from CBS Sports. Pribula spent one season as the Tigers starter after leaving Penn...
Riverhounds, captain Danny Griffin agree on new 2-year contract
The captain of the USL Championship-winning Pittsburgh Riverhounds will continue to wear the black and gold. Danny Griffin and the Hounds agreed on a two-year contract Thursday that will keep the midfielder in Pittsburgh for the near future. The deal also includes a club option for 2028, which would make...
John E. Jones III: A year of challenges to the US justice system
Dickinson College President John E. Jones III was appointed as a federal judge by President George W. Bush and spent 20 years on the bench after being confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate in 2002. Jones spoke with The Conversation U.S. Senior Politics Editor Naomi Schalit about America’s legal landscape...
Hundreds of rapes in State College area weren’t reported in public police data over nearly a decade
This story was produced by the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. Sign up for our north-central Pa. newsletter, Talk of the Town, at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/talkofthetown. Over the span of nearly a decade, the State College Police Department...
Deluzio shares challenges of politics, public service with Shaler Area’s newspaper staff
Editor’s note: The following story was submitted for the Shaler Area Student Section, a collaboration between TribLive and The Oracle, the student newspaper of Shaler Area High School. U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Fox Chapel, met with Shaler Area High School students Nov. 12 for an hourlong conversation that ranged from...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 19-21
The holidays are officially underway — Christmas is just days away, Hanukkah is lighting up the nights and the winter solstice is Sunday. Incorporate these events into your holidays for a little extra fun this weekend. Trans-Siberian Orchestra For almost three decades, progressive rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra has been turning...
Letter to the editor: Whatever happened to decorum in politics?
Lori Falce’s column about the language of our politicians was right on (“America needs a bar of soap — and not just for Ralphie,” Dec. 12, TribLive). The word “decorum” comes to mind. Look it up if you don’t know what it means. Very few of our politicians have it....
Powerball jackpot reaches estimated $1.5 billion; Pa. ticket wins $1 million
While there was no big winner in Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing, one ticket sold in Pennsylvania won $1 million. Without a main winner, the jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.5 billion for Saturday’s drawing. The $1 million-winning ticket sold in Pennsylvania was one of five nationwide to match the five...
Letter to the editor: Greensburg parking problems
I was in downtown Greensburg on a recent Friday, and I drove to the library to inquire about book donations. I parked in front and ran up the steps and saw that the door was locked. There was a sign stating the library was closed on Fridays. I decided to...
What you need to know about college volleyball to follow Pitt in the NCAA semifinalsVideo
Women’s college volleyball is more popular than ever and about to hit its peak. Pitt’s women’s volleyball volleyball team will play in the national semifinals for the fifth straight season Thursday night. The Panthers are the first program to accomplish the feat since Texas did so from 2012-16. Pitt will...
The Stroller, Dec. 18, 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. LB Christmas parade rescheduled...
Westmoreland happenings: Bingo fundraiser, meeting, pancake breakfast, more
Church news Harrold Zion Lutheran Church will host a Longest Night Blue Christmas service for anyone who finds the holidays a difficult time at 5 p.m. Dec. 21 at the church, 671 Baltzer Meyer Pike, Hempfield. The service will include prayer, reflection and hope for those mourning the death of...
Editorial: Transparency matters on ICE agreement
Did Springdale do the right thing in signing an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement without voting publicly or placing it on an agenda? It is hard to say yes, even if you agree with the partnership. For one thing, it wasn’t just hidden from residents. Springdale Manager Terry...
Letter to the editor: The politics of trickle-down hatred
Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins captured an uncomfortable truth when she warned of a “politics of trickle-down hatred.” You hear it in the hate-filled rants of Donald Trump that have normalized prejudice and bigotry. But the politics of trickle-down hatred didn’t arise spontaneously. It was cultivated and amplified by Trump, media...
High school roundup for Dec. 18, 2025: South Fayette coach, Neshannock forward hit milestones
Haylie Lamonde and Juliette Leroux scored 18 points apiece to lead South Fayette to a 72-26 victory over Montour in Section 3-5A girls basketball Thursday night, giving Lions coach Bryan Bennett his 200th career win. Ryan Oldaker had 14 points and Lailah Wright added 12 for South Fayette (7-0, 3-0)....
John Fetterman says Trump’s blockade on Venezuelan oil shipments ‘makes a lot of sense’Video
Sen. John Fetterman has come out in support of President Donald Trump’s blockade of Venezuelan oil shipments in yet another move that will surely rankle fellow Democrats. Fetterman appeared via NewsNation on Tuesday night with host Chris Cuomo, who read a rambling post by Trump on his Truth Social platform...
Shaler Area sophomore invited to White House to mark executive order to boost childhood cancer research
Editor’s note: The following story was submitted for the Shaler Area Student Section, a collaboration between TribLive and The Oracle, the student newspaper of Shaler Area High School. Usually a visit or tour of the White House must be requested through a member of Congress — a U.S. representative or...
The Mattress Factory museum names Anthony Elms as artistic director
Installation-focused North Side contemporary art museum The Mattress Factory will be turning 50 in 2027, and it’s keeping up with the times with a new artistic director who will join the museum in February. Detroit native Anthony Elms will take the reins of all artistic programs early next year. With...
Kate Harper and Conor Lamb: New energy sources needed now to combat soaring prices
From the industrial revolution to the digital revolution, Pennsylvania has led the way in American energy production. But now it’s clear that the AI-fueled tech industry boom is poised to push our electrical grid to the brink. The question is: Will Pennsylvania keep its place as America’s energy leader? Or...
Prolific artist Nevin Robinson became household name by depicting familiar scenes
Editor’s note: The following story was submitted for the Shaler Area Student Section, a collaboration between TribLive and The Oracle, the student newspaper of Shaler Area High School. Bed-ridden with rheumatic fever and surrounded by the busyness of the city, a young Nevin Robinson became captivated by the beauty Pittsburgh...
In brief: Sewickley Hills budget passes, winter concerts and more
Budget approved Sewickley Hills council voted to approve its 2026 budget on Dec. 9. Real estate taxes remain at 2.84 mills. Projected revenues and expenses were listed at slightly less than $800,000. Income includes about $272,150 in earned income taxes, $270,600 in current real estate taxes, $69,250 in interest earnings,...
