TribLive stories, Page 554

AMMAN, Jordan Every hour of every day of the last two months, aid agencies have pleaded for deliveries of humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip. We have been placed in the intolerable position of requesting permission to do lifesaving work. Last week, I wrote to the president of the United...

Behind victories by Audrey Morrison (142 pounds) and Kaylee Dean (235), North Allegheny took home the team title at the Butler girls wrestling tournament Dec. 9. Both had pins in their championship bouts. Morrison was 4-0 on the day, while Dean was 2-0. Sophia Folks (148) and Leyna Rumpler (155)...

The Social Security program is projected to face a funding shortfall in just over a decade. To be clear, this is not as big a nightmare as is often described. Even if we hit this date and Congress did nothing, the program would still be paying more than 80% of...

In just 10 years, Social Security will be insolvent. Some politicians think we can ignore the problem or grow our way out of it — but that’s a recipe for disaster. Without action, the law calls for an immediate 23% across-the-board benefit cut upon insolvency. That’s a $17,400 cut for...

The writer of the letter “Protect children from adult material” (Dec. 11, TribLive) makes vague claims that “adult material” is somehow being made available in public school. Yet he conveniently fails to list even a single title of the supposedly offending material. Instead, he chooses to hide his ineptly constructed...

What is Lisa Baker doing about gun safety? An open letter to Sen. Lisa Baker, chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee: Regarding gun safety legislation now pending before your committee, you are quoted in the Tribune-Review saying, “I said we would invite proposals from anyone that represented something of...

I can’t believe it’s happening! Aid to Ukraine and Israel is being held up by Republicans in the House of Representatives who object to aiding our allies fighting Russian aggression and Hamas terrorism. I did not think I would see the day when so many Americans, especially Republicans, would side...

The tree outside the Westmoreland County Courthouse is 23 feet tall. It is covered with bright lights and red bows. Nearby stands a blue and white menorah in a silvery frame. These aren’t unusual for the season. Symbols of Christmas and Hanukkah are everywhere. But these types of holiday displays...

Matthew Fiedler, a graduate of Fox Chapel Area High School, has received a partial scholarship to Rochester Institute of Technology to pursue performing arts in instrumental music. Fiedler is a first-year student in the Computing Exploration program. Britta Lagerquist, was recently initiated into the Grove City College Circle of Omicron...

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. Food bank accepting donations for prepared baskets Allegheny Valley Association of...

Shoppers had their pick of products and parking Friday ahead of what retailers hope will be a chaotic and profitable weekend — the last full weekend before Christmas celebrations get underway. “It’s not very crowded. I was thinking it would’ve been busier on a nice Friday,” said Karen Belin of...

On Oct. 7, Israel was brutally attacked by the terrorist organization Hamas, which is the governing body in Gaza, elected and supported by the Palestinian residents of Gaza. Hamas massacred over 1,200 innocent civilians, including over 30 American citizens, women, children and infants. They committed mass rape and torture, burned...

High schools Basketball Boys Friday’s results Class 4A Section 2 Blackhawk 66, Hopewell 38 North Catholic 88, Ambridge 45 Class 3A Section 1 Neshannock 64, Freedom 21 Ellwood City 75, New Brighton 33 Beaver Falls 56, Riverside 52 Section 2 Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 55, Brentwood 54 Seton...

U.S Navy Seaman Scott Nettrour, a 2017 graduate of North Allegheny High School, is assigned to Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. He joined the Navy three years ago. “Serving in the Navy offers many unique opportunities and great training,” said Nettrour. “There aren’t...

Jack Bruckner scored 16 points to lead four players in double figures for Bethel Park in a nonsection boys basketball victory over rival Upper St. Clair. Nick Brown added 13 points and Shawn Davis and Tanner Pfeuffer each had 10 for the Black Hawks (2-3). Christian Ito led Upper St....

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia City Council enacted what immigration advocates say is a landmark law to stop so-called medical deportations, in which hospitals spirit seriously ill, undocumented patients out of the country to deeply uncertain futures. Critics call it international patient dumping, an attempt by health systems to avoid the cost...

A Springdale Township man is accused of shooting his wife, then turning the gun onto himself in their home on Friday, according to court documents. Scott A. Mishler, 65, was charged by Allegheny County Police with aggravated assault and attempted criminal homicide in connection with the shooting that was reported...

STATE COLLEGE — Andy Kotelnicki started by telling a story about growing up in a small town in Minnesota. Penn State’s new offensive coordinator was a kid when he was given a football helmet by his mom. It was the classic white Penn State helmet with a stripe down the...

Pittsburgh police are looking for three men and a woman who they say carjacked a driver in Homewood on Friday morning. Police responded to the 1400 block of Oberlin Street, near Chadwick Playground, around 8:30 a.m. for the carjacking report, spokeswoman Emily Bourne said. The victim, who police did not...

Upgrades to traffic signals along Freeport Road in Aspinwall and O’Hara will begin Monday, according to PennDOT. Single-lane restrictions will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays through early April on Freeport Road between 23rd Street in Sharpsburg and Fox Chapel Road in O’Hara. There will be only...

Former President Donald Trump has a big lead over other Republicans fighting for the nomination, but he finishes a distant second to former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley in a theoretical head-to-head matchup against President Joe Biden. The liberal media is quick to cherry-pick what they want...

Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority is looking to make vacant land it owns available for urban farming. The URA board on Thursday approved guidelines for the Farm-a-Lot Program. Through the program, farmers will be able to use vacant URA-owned land for personal agricultural or for the sale of agricultural products including...

The Kaiser Family Foundation recently reported that the annual cost of family health insurance jumped to nearly $24,000 this year, the greatest increase in a decade. While insurance executives and employers may cite a plethora of reasons, one of the chief culprits is lack of oversight over the Wild West...

Service workers help make our lives easier throughout the year — whether it’s by keeping our lawns immaculate or babysitting during date nights. The holidays are an ideal time to show gratitude for the work they do throughout the year. But how much do you tip service workers during the...

Regarding the article “Pittsburgh considers banning fur sales, horse-drawn carriage rides, foie gras” (Dec. 6, TribLIVE): Restaurateurs better hope Pittsburgh City Council member Bruce Kraus does not look a chicken or cow in the eye. Gerald Schiller Penn Hills...