TribLive stories, Page 729
5 former Pennsylvania governors call for open primaries; ‘it’s the right thing and smart thing to do’
Pennsylvania’s five former governors are calling for the state to end its generations-old practice of limiting participation in primary elections to Republicans and Democrats. In a letter, Govs. Tom Ridge, Mark Schweiker, Ed Rendell, Tom Corbett and Tom Wolf call for having Pennsylvania join the 43 other states that allow...
Pa. Lottery’s big winners would get to choose if they want to remain anonymous
Pennsylvania Lottery players could choose to remain anonymous after cashing in a winning ticket that carries a prize of at least $100,000 under legislation that passed the state Senate on Monday. The chamber voted 45-0 to send a bill to the House of Representatives that would limit the required information...
Attorneys for suspect in Uber slaying try to block use of dashcam footage, statement in court
Attorneys for the Pitcairn man accused of killing an Uber driver nearly two years ago are asking the court to suppress video evidence from a camera inside the car that captured the moments leading up to the woman’s death. Calvin Crew, 24, could face the death penalty if convicted of...
‘El Chapo’ son pleads not guilty to federal narcotics charges under tight security in Chicago
A son of Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman pleaded not guilty to sweeping narcotics trafficking charges Monday during a brief hearing under tight security in Chicago’s federal courthouse. Dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit and shackled at the ankles, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, 33, listened to the proceedings through a Spanish interpreter,...
Commentary: How are Russians overall reacting to the war in Ukraine? With indifference.
“The special military operation in Ukraine unified Russian society. An absolute majority of Russians support the special military operation.” In September, this war propaganda trope will become a part of the official school curriculum in Russia. It will be among many other lies about the war in Ukraine that will...
Allegheny County grand jury investigating Haunted Hills Hayride, Airbnb shootings
An Allegheny County grand jury is hearing evidence in at least two high-profile cases involving deadly shootings that both happened more than a year ago but police have yet to file charges, sources familiar with the proceedings said. The panel, which sits at the District Attorney’s Office in the Dormont...
Bell Acres man gets 1 year, 1 day in federal prison for $15M tax fraud
A federal judge called Joseph Nocito’s crime “almost inexplicable.” Nocito grew from humble beginnings to become a wealthy businessman who supported a variety of charitable causes, from the Catholic Church and youth organizations to his alma mater. The Bell Acres man was known to help his employees in times of...
Erwin Chemerinsky: When is it wrong to urge social media platforms to take down false information?
A recent decision by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit puts in jeopardy one of the few tools that exist to deal with false speech on the internet. The court ruled that the White House, the FBI, the surgeon general’s office and the...
Norwin grad Declan O’Brien thriving in 3rd season as receiver at Allegheny
When Braden Layer was serving as offensive coordinator for the Allegheny football team, he had speedy wide receiver Alex Victor at his disposal. He was a player who, in Layer’s words, “made my life a lot easier.” The numbers bear it out. Victor graduated in 2020 as the Gators’ all-time...
Greensburg Central Catholic’s Sasha Hoffman excels on, off tennis court
Alexandra “Sasha” Hoffman got into tennis later than most who pick up the sport. The junior at Greensburg Central Catholic only began playing tennis four years ago, while many of her opponents picked up a racquet in elementary school. But one can hardly tell she’s a relative beginner because of...
Westmoreland County Senior Spotlight: Norwin’s Rick Zappone
While a loss isn’t exactly the way any team wants to end the year, losing to the eventual champion always helps shake that bad feeling off a little. This was the case for Norwin’s boys soccer team, which fell to Pine-Richland in the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs last season. Center...
Knoch contingent hoping to elevate La Roche volleyball to top of AMCCVideo
La Roche women’s volleyball coach Nicole Bajuszik has spent a lot of time around the Knoch middle and high school girls programs. She lives in the district, so it’s a convenient place to conduct youth clinics and, perhaps, pick up a couple of recruits along the way. And why not?...
A-K Valley Senior Spotlight: Kiski Area’s Liam Foley
Change can be a disruptive force. For the Kiski Area boys soccer team, a coaching change leading into the season has been met with a determination to sustain the status quo. New coach Ben Fiore comes in from Ambridge and was a Kiski Area soccer player from 2011-15. When he...
Liz Weston: Why retirees may want to buy an immediate annuity now
An immediate annuity is an insurance product that provides guaranteed income: You give an insurer a chunk of money, and the company gives you a stream of payments that can last for life. The payments begin within 12 months of purchase. Now may be a good time for retirees to...
Analysis: Penn State’s Nick Singleton staying patient amid big play drought
Nick Singleton accelerated through an open hole, crossed the end zone and let his feelings flow, slamming the ball to the ground and pumping his fists. Saturday’s 16-yard touchdown run at Illinois was a moment of relief for Singleton. It was also, believe it or not, his longest rush of...
Pa. innovation is focused in Pittsburgh, State College, Philadelphia as other areas miss out
(The Center Square) — Pennsylvania could become a national leader in innovation — if the support is there and state leaders embrace reform. “Innovation matters so much to economic performance, yet the state’s innovation drift is resulting in a broader economic drift,” Brookings Metro Senior Fellow Mark Muro told legislators...
Car cruise in Bethel Park benefits St. Jude hospital
A car cruise to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is scheduled for 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 7 at Highpoint Fitness, 1000 Higbee Drive, Bethel Park. The cruise is open to classic, exotic and super cars, plus trucks. Donation is $5 per participating show vehicle, and admission for spectators...
In brief: Monroeville area happenings, week of Sept. 18, 2023
International Day of Peace The Rotary Club of Monroeville is coordinating an International Day of Peace event from noon to 2 p.m. Sept. 23 at Monroeville Park West, 2399 Tilbrook Road. Featured will be ethnic food trucks, cultural music, free Kona Ice and family activities. Feel free to wear your...
In brief: Plum-Oakmont area happenings, week of Sept. 18, 2023
Benefit concert planned The Oaks Theater in Oakmont will host a benefit concert for the Rosedale Food Pantry in Penn Hills. Doors at 310 Allegheny River Blvd. open at 1 p.m. Sept. 24. The show is scheduled for 2 to 5. Entertainment includes Miss Freddye Blues Band, the Nied’s Hotel...
In brief: Edgeworth police contract approved, fire safety fair and more in Quaker Valley
Contract approved Edgeworth officials recently approved a new police contract. The five-year agreement is for 2024-2028. It includes a 5% raise the first year, 4% raises in years two and three and 3% raises in years for and five. Officers agreed to contribute 12% toward their medical insurance. Borough manager...
In brief: Library health week, trunk or treat and more in Penn Hills
Trunk or treat Penn Hills Masonic Lodge (Infinity Lodge No. 546) is partnering with Verona’s Masonic Lodge (Verona Lodge No. 548) to host a Trunk or Treat 5-7 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Penn Hills Masonic Center, 5793 Saltsburg Road, Verona. For more information, visit infinity freemasons.com. Penn Hills Library Health...
In brief: Leaf pickup, Zombies of the Corn and more in Pine, Richland
Fall leaf pickup Richland’s fall leaf pick ups will be Oct. 18, Nov. 8 and Nov. 29; or Oct. 20, Nov. 10 and Dec. 1 depending on which day residents’ garbage pick up occurs. The service is provided to reduce the impact of leaves on the municipal stormwater system, streams...
Letter to the editor: Clean energy expansion a Pittsburgh climate win
Clean energy is something that we need more of in Western Pennsylvania. The announcement of the expansion of the Mon Valley Eos Energy facility (“Federal loan to support $500M expansion at Eos Energy’s Mon Valley facility,” Sept. 1, TribLIVE) is a step in the right direction. For too long, the...
Letter to the editor: Boys in girls’ locker rooms
In my letter “Biden’s proposed Title IX changes no way to help children” (April 16, TribLIVE), I wrote of the danger of the Biden administration’s proposed rule change to Title IX. Among other harms, I speculated that it would lead to a mixing of boys in girls’ locker rooms. Unfortunately,...
Letter to the editor: Educational cuts bad for our future
The problem with cuts to education is that you are shorting the future. The future is bright for certain people who possess certain skill sets. If they don’t develop, we as a nation on’t develop. Lost potential leads to decline in the individual and the nation. It’s expensive, yes. But...
