TribLive stories, Page 68
Trump says U.S. will release files related to aliens and UFOs
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said he is directing federal agencies to release government documents that discuss extraterrestrial life and unexplained aerial phenomenon. “Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and...
High school roundup for Feb. 19, 2026: New Castle, Central Catholic move into 6A semifinals
Marino Graham scored 18 points and Kai Cox added 17 as No. 2 New Castle defeated No. 7 Mt. Lebanon, 67-49, in the WPIAL Class 6A boys basketball quarterfinals Thursday night. Damian Harrison added 12 points for the Red Hurricanes (22-1), who will meet No. 3 Central Catholic in the...
Mallory Clemmer hits winning shot as Geibel Catholic edges St. Joseph in Class A thriller
The Nos. 4-5 matchup between the Geibel Catholic and St. Joseph girls basketball teams had everything a thrilling playoff game should have. Their were impressive runs by each team, a few mistakes under pressure and a big-time hero at the end. In this game, the late heroics belonged to Geibel’s...
At the library: Here are some upcoming events at the Glenshaw, Millvale and Shaler North Hills facilities
GLENSHAW PUBLIC LIBRARY The Glenshaw Public Library, 1504 Butler Plank Road, Shaler, was established in 1895 and is known as the oldest free library west of the Alleghenies. To reach the library, call 412-487-2121, email glenshawlibrary@gmail.com or visit online at glenshawpubliclibrary.org. Hours are 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays for a...
Elizabeth Forward avenges regular-season losses, beats Belle Vernon in Class 4A quarters
The third time wasn’t the charm for the Belle Vernon girls basketball team Thursday. After winning both section matchups against Elizabeth Forward, the third meeting between the rivals went to the Warriors. No. 5 Elizabeth Forward moved into the WPIAL Class 4A semifinals with a 61-56 win over the Leopards...
Hempfield’s Amelia Droste wins WPIBL girls singles bowling title in thrilling final
In a dramatic showdown between two bowlers on top of their games, Hempfield senior Amelia Droste defeated Plum sophomore Brooklynn Then, 239-237, in the finals of the WPIBL girls singles championships Thursday at AMF Mt. Lebanon. Droste and Then were the top two bowlers in qualifying and turned in strong...
FCC confirms ‘enforcement action’ against ‘The View’ after James Talarico interview
The Federal Communications Commission has confirmed an “enforcement action” is underway against ABC’s “The View” after the talk show featured James Talarico, a Democratic Texas representative running for U.S. Senate. ” We’re taking a look at it,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr told reporters, without providing specifics. His comments came nearly...
Parmy Olson: The AI panic ignores something important — the evidence
Last week, a post written by tech entrepreneur and investor Matt Shumer went viral on social media. Titled “Something Big Is Happening,” it was a rundown of all the ways artificial intelligence would, in short order, decimate professional jobs. Tools like Claude Code and Claude Cowork from Anthropic PBC would...
Smoky blaze leaves crews fighting Buffalo Township fire for more than 5 hours
Fire crews from numerous Alle-Kiski Valley towns battled a house fire for hours Thursday afternoon on Edgewood Drive in Buffalo Township. The blaze was initially reported at the single-story ranch home around 1:30 p.m. Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company Assistant Chief Tyler Hill said crews battled the “stubborn basement fire”...
Data center tax break created to boost economy, add jobs in Pa. could cost state billions
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 — As data centers spread and draw backlash across the state, new figures are emerging about their potential...
Tom Noonan, ‘Manhunter’ character actor who also wrote and directed films, dies at 74
LOS ANGELES — Tom Noonan, a character actor and filmmaker known for playing villains in “Manhunter” and “The Last Action Hero,” died on Valentine’s Day. He was 74. The death was confirmed by Fred Dekker, director of “The Monster Squad,” who wrote on Facebook, “Tom’s indelible performance as Frankenstein …...
Assault on Sudanese city bore ‘hallmarks of genocide,’ U.N. finds
NAIROBI, Kenya — A brutal, 18-month assault by Sudanese paramilitaries on the city of el-Fasher, culminating in a spree of massacre, torture and rape in October, bore the “hallmarks of genocide,” according to a United Nations report published Thursday. The finding was documented in gruesome detail by human rights experts....
Letter to the editor: Keep McCutchen
There is much to look forward to with Paul Skenes and the possibility of Konnor Griffin on the Pirates’ team this year. With two of the top baseball players in the league, why not keep the loyal Hall of Fame walk-in, Andrew McCutchen? His presence on the team is revered...
Letter to the editor: Heading for WWIII?
The ignorant and uninformed cadre of advisers surrounding President Trump have justified his desired expansionism in the Western Hemisphere (the “Donroe Doctrine”) on the Monroe Doctrine of 1823. Rather than supporting Trump’s goals, the Monroe Doctrine categorically rejects them. As a “baby” nation of roughly 50 years (1776-1823), the U.S....
Editorial: When local control means working together
Regionalization is becoming a reality in Pennsylvania. You can see it with police departments. In the Alle-Kiski Valley, departments that were questioning their future are now serving broad swaths of territory. Freeport once struggled to provide round-the-clock coverage with a small roster of officers. Today, as part of the Southern...
The Stroller, Feb. 19, 2026: 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. Bowling fundraiser to aid...
Exceptional people and compassionate touch: Verland sets gold standard for caregiving
When Christina Davis began a new career last year as a caregiver at Verland, she knew she’d be caring for a very special group of people. What she didn’t realize was how much she’d be cared for in return. Davis spent 21 years working as a certified nursing aide in...
Shaler Area’s athletic director bows out after 11 years
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. After 11 years as Shaler Area’s athletic director, retiring Clint Rauscher worked his last day in the school district Feb. 6. He...
Westmoreland happenings: Cooking classes, bingo fundraisers, more
Church news Level Green Presbyterian Church, 105 Olive Drive, Penn Township, will sponsor a pajama party night at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at the church. The Let It Shine black light puppetry ministry of Bethel United Methodist Church in Lower Burrell will perform. Everyone is welcome to wear their pajamas. Cookies,...
Letter to the editor: Questions about Springdale immigrant arrest, protest
There seem to be a few questions not asked or addressed in the article “Confrontation erupts at anti-ICE protest in Springdale” (Feb. 14, TribLive). First, just a reminder that Springdale is a part of the United States, therefore subject to the country’s immigration laws. Also, when you miss a court...
High school scores, summaries and schedules for Feb. 18, 2026
High schools Basketball Boys WPIAL playoffs Class 6A Quarterfinals Thursday’s schedule Fox Chapel (14-9) at Upper St. Clair (21-1), 7:30 p.m.; Hempfield (15-7) at Seneca Valley (13-9), 7 p.m.; Mt. Lebanon (15-8) at New Castle (21-1), 7 p.m.; Imani Christian (7-16) vs. Central Catholic (20-2) at Fox Chapel, 7:30 p.m....
High school roundup for Feb. 18, 2026: Peters Township springs another upset
Can the defending champs also be a Cinderella story? Peters Township girls basketball is making a strong case for it. Taylor McCullough scored 14 points as the 12th-seeded Indians defeated No. 4 Baldwin, 43-36, for their second straight upset in the Class 5A bracket Wednesday night. Peters defeated South Fayette...
Chiefs restructure Patrick Mahomes’ contract, lowering 2026 cap hit
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs restructured Patrick Mahomes’ contract, freeing up $43.56 million for the upcoming 2026 season, a source confirmed to The Kansas City Star. Over the Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald first reported the news. Before the restructure of Mahomes’ contract, the 30-year-old carried a $78.2 million...
9-time WPIAL champion Bob Palko returns to West Allegheny as football coachVideo
Nine-time WPIAL champion Bob Palko is returning to the sideline at a place he knows well: West Allegheny. The school board rehired Palko on Wednesday night, bringing one of the WPIAL’s most successful football coaches back to a program he led for 24 years. Palko won more than 200 games,...
Trump invokes defense law on phosphorus, herbicide supplies
President Donald Trump signed an order aimed at protecting domestic supplies of elemental phosphorus used by the U.S. military and glyphosate-based herbicides common in U.S. agricultural production, according to a White House official. The executive order, which Trump signed on Wednesday, invokes the Defense Production Act to protect domestic supply...
