TribLive stories, Page 68
Counterpoint: Ban kids from social media? Yes, absolutely.
Should the United States follow Australia’s lead in banning children under 16 from social media platforms? Absolutely! Australia has set a new global standard by requiring platforms to act in children’s best interests. Its new law raises the minimum age to 16, requires age verification, and holds platforms financially accountable...
Point: Throwing parental rights on the barbie won’t fly in the United States
The world’s first social media ban of users under age 16 is in effect in Australia. Whatever parents’ genuine concerns and understandable frustrations around their kids’ safety online, the Aussie approach is not the answer and should not be emulated by U.S. lawmakers. The Australian ban covers Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat,...
Letter to the editor: Approve clean projects to bring down price of electricity
In her story “Why your electric bill is rising this winter and how to prepare” (Nov. 29, TribLive), Megan Trotter states “the price of power has surged because of international conflicts, growing energy consumption and the rising price of natural gas, which made up 43% of electricity generation in 2023...
Letter to the editor: Follow the money on marijuana
Everyone should have the right to choose what they put in their body. But when it comes to “weed,” it’s time to listen to science instead of a 22-year-old budtender claiming “Purple Kushberry Magic” cures depression, headaches and arthritis or an MD collecting $200 to certify the self-diagnosis you walked...
The Stroller, Dec. 27, 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. Bingo bash planned in...
Letter to the editor: Pa. leaders failing us on guns
College campuses should be safe spaces for students. But in the U.S., they aren’t, as this month’s mass shooting at Brown University proved. After reading Megan Trotter’s article “Pittsburgh-area natives share their stories of Brown University shooting” (Dec. 15, TribLive), which detailed how Brown students from the Pittsburgh area were...
Elder abuse agencies fail to mitigate risk as Shapiro admin defends system, touts changes
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. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — In November, Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich found himself in the hot seat. He was...
High school scores, summaries and schedules for Dec. 26, 2025
High schools Basketball Boys Friday’s results Allegany tournament Allegany (MD) 61, Armstrong 47 Aquinas Academy tournament Seton LaSalle 69, Winchester Thurston 60 Springdale 82, Aquinas Academy 71 Burgettstown tournament Geibel Catholic 65, Riverside 64 Brashear 71, Burgettstown 54 Plum tournament Knoch 54, Latrobe 46 Highlands 85, Plum 82 (2OT) Sharon...
High school roundup for Dec. 26, 2025: Penn Hills, Elizabeth Forward win at South Allegheny tournament
Aiden Thompson and Amon Hawthorne scored 16 points apiece to lead Penn Hills to a 58-35 boys basketball victory over Franklin Regional at the South Allegheny tournament on Friday night. Calix Clark added 12 for Penn Hills (4-4). Webber Rankin and Logan Walter scored 11 points each for Franklin Regional...
California withdraws lawsuit challenging Trump’s $4 billion high-speed rail funding cut
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California this week withdrew its lawsuit against the Trump administration over the termination of about $4 billion in federal funding for its high-speed rail project, citing the federal government’s unreliability as the reason for the decision. The development follows a lawsuit filed in July, when California sued...
Michigan agrees to 5-year contract with ex-Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan has agreed to a five-year contract with Kyle Whittingham to replace fired and disgraced football coach Sherrone Moore, according to multiple reports. Whittingham announced two weeks ago that he would step down after 21 seasons as Utah’s coach. Morgan Scalley was promoted from defensive coordinator...
Police identify suspect they say shot at woman and her dog during domestic incident in Shadyside
Police have released the name of the man who arrested Friday in connection with a violent domestic incident in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood after, police say, he fired shots at a woman, her dog and an employee of a nearby business who had confronted him. Allegheny County Police filed several charges...
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt pregnant with 2nd child
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Friday that she’s expecting to become a mom for the second time. “The greatest Christmas gift we could ever ask for — a baby girl coming in May 2026,” she wrote on Instagram. “My husband and I are thrilled to grow our family...
At least $18.7M poured into this year’s critical Pa. Supreme Court retention races
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. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — Special interests, organizations connected to Pennsylvania’s richest man, and groups with mysterious donors broke spending records to...
Sharon Sedlar: When students fear for their lives, families deserve genuine choices
Sending kids to school shouldn’t be an act of courage — but for many families, it is. Just one mile from my home, at Carrick High School in Pittsburgh, there was a stabbing. During this horrifically violent episode, kids texted with their parents to let them know they were ok....
Robin Abcarian: Australia just banned kids from social media. Shouldn’t we all?
Earlier this month, Australia became the first country in the world to enact a social media ban for kids under 16. As the children of Oz wept and gnashed their teeth (I presume), Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged them to “start a new sport, learn a new instrument or read...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 26-28
Christmas is over! Both the craziness and the stress have ended and we have almost a week until the new year. This is the perfect time to eat too much chocolate and too many leftovers, make plans with friends and see what’s going on in the city. Harlem Globetrotters: 100...
Letter to the editor: Let’s get the Dallas Cowboys to the Super Bowl
Although I am not a Steelers fan, I do understand fans’ anger, pain and frustration with the team. The last time my favorite team went to the Super Bowl, my children were in high school. Now I have four grandchildren. Every year I pray for my team, “Please just get...
What you need to know about Highmark First Night in Pittsburgh
Downtown Pittsburgh will put on its holiday best to host the annual Highmark First Night, presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. The Cultural District will be ringing in the new year with a jam-packed lineup of performances, activities, fireworks and a midnight ball-raising. Tens of thousands of people are expected...
Letter to the editor: Let’s rename GOP ‘Cult of Trump’
The letter “Let’s change Dems’ name to Communist Party” (Dec. 16, TribLive) manifests as many falsehoods as you’d hear at a Trump rally. It’s true that most Americans would like to have some safety nets to help the less fortunate, but that’s hardly communism. The writer presents no points that...
The Stroller, Dec. 26, 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. Super bingo to benefit...
Laurels & lances: Charity & clarity
Laurel: To a spirit of giving. Western Pennsylvania communities deserve credit for stepping up — again — at a time when generosity is harder to give. This year’s Toys for Tots campaign was more important than ever as families through the region struggle with high prices and stretched paychecks. Hundreds...
Letter to the editor: Legislators must fix flaw in crypto GENIUS Act
As someone deeply involved in both my community and our local banking ecosystem, I’ve taken a close look at the newly passed GENIUS Act. It appears to have positioned us to be a leader in the fast-growing world of digital assets and cryptocurrencies. However, there’s a flaw in this legislation...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Dec. 26-28
Westmoreland County offers several live music performances, museum events and community gatherings to fill the final weekend of 2025. From holiday-themed bingo to the conclusion of a worldwide church jubilee, here are five local events scheduled for this Friday through Sunday. Bon Journey A staple of the Western Pennsylvania music...
Icy road conditions on tap Friday for Pittsburgh-area motorists
Roads in the Pittsburgh area are about to get icy. The second of two clippers — storm fronts starting in Canada and sweeping past the Great Lakes into Western Pennsylvania this week — has led the National Weather Service to put Pittsburgh under a winter storm watch. Up to a...
