TribLive stories, Page 562

WASHINGTON — A divided Supreme Court on Monday turned down a Christian group’s free-speech challenge to the laws in California and 21 other states that forbid licensed counselors from using “conversion therapy” with children and teenagers. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr. filed dissents, and Justice Brett M....

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. HARRISBURG — State lawmakers will return to Harrisburg next week in hopes of finally ending nearly six months of partisan deadlock on the last pieces...

A visit from Santa, children’s activities, hot chocolate, the lighting of Christmas tree and a Menorah display were all part of the inaugural Light Up Fox Chapel on Dec. 6 at the borough building, 401 Fox Chapel Road. Fox Chapel Borough and the Cooper-Siegel Library partnered to host the event....

The Seton Hill men’s basketball team made a quantum leap in coach Ben Wilkins’ first season. After winning only three games during the 2021-22 season, the Griffins went 16-13 (11-11 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) in 2022-23. If Wilkins wanted to keep his team on that trajectory, he knew one of...

Last year, the girls basketball team from Greensburg Central Catholic made it to the WPIAL quarterfinals and PIAA semifinals. The team is still stacked with talent, with the potential of making another deep playoff run. Avery Davis, who figures to have a large role with the Centurions, is motivated as...

For most athletes, the first year of college is a big adjustment period. The schedule demands, the faster pace of play, juggling academics, etc. Knoch grad Ryan Lang seemed to handle both with aplomb last year. As a freshman on the Allegheny men’s basketball team, Lang averaged 14.8 points while...

Blawnox hosted a day-long celebration on Dec. 2 to celebrate the holiday season. The annual Best of Blawnox Cookie Tour kicked off events. More than 20 vendors signed up for cookie sampling and giveaways. Families decorated ornaments to put on the borough tree or could take them home. Santa arrived...

STATE COLLEGE — Gary Stokan’s relationship with Penn State head coach James Franklin goes back more than 20 years. Stokan, the 68-year-old CEO of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, was in town Monday morning to officially invite Penn State to the game. The No. 10 Nittany Lions (10-2) will face No....

Pittsburgh has the opportunity to take the lead in a federal initiative that enlists the arts to inspire empathy and combat intolerance. United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture is a set of strategies and funding resources introduced by the Biden-Harris administration to counter the corrosive effects of hate-fueled violence on...

Pennsylvania lawmakers aren’t going to be able to go to work for a while. Yes, it sounds like the start to a particularly frustrating joke. But it’s true. The House of Representatives won’t be able to go back into chambers for about three months because of repairs. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star...

Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church is hosting The Longest Night Service, a quiet service of music and reflection for those seeking peace during the holiday season. The service will be at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 18 in the atrium of the church located at 384 Fox Chapel Road in Fox Chapel....

Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s departure from Congress brings to mind ambition and the other side of ambition’s coin: humiliation — the thirst for fame and power on one side, ignominious failure on the other. Classical literature abounds with ambitious characters; heroes are by definition ambitious. McCarthy says he will “serve America...

The Pitt wrestling team’s sixth victory of the season proved to be a signature win Sunday afternoon, as the Panthers upset No. 5-ranked Ohio State, 21-13. The Panthers (6-1), ranked No. 19 in the nation, picked up six bout victories to secure the win over the Big Ten powerhouse Buckeyes...

I wish the news stories about the enhanced Giant Eagle myPerks would contain all the facts. Currently fuelperks+ users get 10 cents off a gallon of gas or 2% off groceries for every 50 fuelperks. In the future, it will take 100 perks for 10 cents off gas and 150...

Make-A-Wish Telethon Plum High School’s annual Make-A-Wish Telethon will be held Dec. 21. Donations can be made that day by calling 412-471-WISH. The public can watch the livestream of the telethon on , and then it will be replayed over the holiday break on Comcast’s Channel 98 and Verizon’s Channel...

Christmas cookie walk Monroeville United Methodist Church Youth Group is hosting a Christmas cookie walk for the community from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 16, or until the cookies run out. There will be a large variety made by the youth and church members. Cookies are $10 per pound....

Holiday Story Walk The Sewickley Public Library has partnered with Allegheny Land Trust, Leetsdale Borough and Ohio Township Community Park to offer three Holiday StoryWalks in the parks this holiday season. Visitors are invited to bundle up and stroll down the walking path at Audubon Greenway, Henle Park and the...

Welcome to Christmas concert The annual Welcome to Christmas concert will be held at Deer Creek Presbyterian Church Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. The Tuesday Gospel Singers will be featured along with flute soloist Mary Ehmann and the Deer Creek choir and bells. There is no charge for the concert...

Trinity Tower United Methodist Church Trinity Tower United Methodist Church welcomes Pittsburgh’s “Lady of the Blues,” Miss Freddye Stover on Dec. 17 to provide special music during the 10:30 “Celebration” worship service at the church, 6729 Saltsburg Road, Penn Hills. Accompanied by Michael Huston on guitar and Benj Spencer on...

In regard to the Hempfield Area School District book policy, I’ll use Eden as my high school parable — Voice of Westmoreland (VOW) is the serpent and Moms for Liberty (MFL) are Adam and Eve. VOW seems to want to allow adult material in an under-18 environment. MFL and parents...

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. HOPE Center accepting donations The Alle-Kiski HOPE Center is seeking donations...

If I give something to you and you misuse it or transfer ownership to another, your actions aren’t my fault and I shouldn’t be blamed. I’m responsible only for my own actions. Such is the case when, following the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, millions of dollars worth of...

Editorial cartoons for the week of Dec. 11....

Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of Dec. 11....

High schools Basketball Boys Sunday’s results The Clash at New Castle Franklin 53, Mohawk 50 Mt. Lebanon 71, Erie 47 Shenango 55, Ellwood City 47 Monday’s schedule Nonsection Aliquippa at Ambridge, 7:30 p.m. Armstrong at Perry Traditional Academy, 7 p.m. Beth-Center at Waynesburg, 7:30 p.m. Brentwood at Albert Gallatin, 7:30...