TribLive stories, Page 788
Letter to the editor: Joining RGGI a win for Pa.
I strongly disagree with Rep. Eric Nelson’s position on the Regional Gas Greenhouse Initiative (RGGI) and the use of fossil fuels (“Why is Shapiro so quiet on Pa.’s energy policy?” May 30, TribLIVE). The data on Pennsylvania joining RGGI show a win for our economy, health and environment. RGGI, a...
Letter to editor: 4th Amendment protects personal papers
In response to the writer of the letter “Trump deserved 4th Amendment protection” (June 22, TribLIVE): You are obviously a fairly intelligent person, to achieve Ph.D. or MD status. But you obviously didn’t read the entire amendment and digest its meaning. So I’ll help you out. It is meant to...
DeSantis signs controversial ‘radioactive roads’ bill lobbied by fertilizer giant Mosaic
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed a bill that will allow the Florida Department of Transportation to study the use of phosphogypsum, a mildly radioactive byproduct of the phosphate manufacturing process, in road construction. The measure — dubbed the “radioactive roads” bill by critics — was lobbied by Tampa-based...
Pirates farm report for June 29, 2023: Vinny Capra’s 4 RBIs helps Indy top Louisville
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 34-42) edged Louisville (Reds), 9-8. 3B Vinny Capra (.237) was 3 for 4 with four RBIs, including a three-run home run. LF Canaan Smith-Njigba (.242) hit a two-run homer, his ninth of the season. SS Alika Williams (.250) was 2 for 4 with a solo homer and two...
Trump ‘standing order’ to declassify documents not found by DOJ, Intelligence agency
A “standing order” that former President Donald Trump has claimed authorized him to instantly declassify documents removed from the Oval Office could not be found by either the Justice Department or Office of Director of National Intelligence. The disclosure by the agencies was made in response to a Freedom of...
Report: Chinese spy balloon was made with off-the-shelf American parts
The large Chinese spy balloon that floated over half the U.S. before being shot down by a fighters jet in February was reportedly made in part with off-the-shelf U.S. equipment. It’s unclear if materials used to make the balloon were acquired legally, according to ABC News, which is a cause...
St. Alexis Festival returns in July with carnival rides, midway, food and kiddie land
Carnival rides, a midway, food, a kiddie land, bingo, more food, live bands, dance companies and even more food will be part of an “amazing” summer festival that has become a tradition in the North Hills. The St. Alexis Festival will take place July 12-15 from 6-11 p.m. on the...
Peter Morici: Biden’s protectionism driving emerging economies into China’s hands
America and its Western allies face a new era of geopolitical tensions with a coalescing alliance of autocratic states — China, Russia, North Korea, Iran and perhaps Saudi Arabia. It’s become fashionable to warn about the dangers of a new Cold War. But competing with China for influence among emerging...
‘I think he was blatantly psychotic,’ psychologist says of Pittsburgh synagogue attacker
Robert Bowers recounted to the forensic psychologist interviewing him in explicit, sometimes graphic detail the steps he took — not only in choosing his target for attack, but in how he methodically moved through the Tree of Life synagogue as he carried out the attack. How he wanted to create...
For barbecue season and the Fourth of July, grill a whole spiced chicken
A grilled whole chicken that’s deeply and perfectly browned yet still juicy can be hard to pull off at home. But a couple easy tricks ensure success for your Fourth of July barbecue. First, we spatchcock the bird, which involves cutting out the backbone of a whole chicken and pressing...
Mickey Dutrow: Solar a budget solution for Pa. schools
Next year, Pennsylvania school districts will be staring down a financial cliff as the historic covid-19 pandemic funding ends. The stakes are even higher now since the state Supreme Court ruled that the General Assembly must find ways to pay for public education. When compounded with crumbling infrastructure, increasing mental...
Fireworks, parades, festivals — your guide to Fourth festivities
From 5K runs to firework shows, there’s a variety of ways to celebrate Independence Day with friends and family this year. Here’s a list of firework displays, parades and festivals: ALLEGHENY COUNTY North Boroughs Celebrate Community Day at Avalon Community Park on New Brighton Road Saturday from 6 p.m. to...
Fern Hollow Nature Center’s first Summer Soiree a success
Fern Hollow Nature Center’s first annual Summer Soirée was held June 9 at Sewickley Quarter. “We are really pleased. The event sold out and within two hours we were able to raise just over $5,000,” said Fern Hollow executive director Sam Capezzuto. “Our Fern Hollow family really showed up. It...
Here’s which fireworks are legal, illegal in Pennsylvania
Nearly every U.S. state has legalized the purchase and use of fireworks, but regulations vary in strength across the country. In Pennsylvania, more advanced and explosive fireworks are illegal, but other types are widely available for purchase. Those caught violating state and local ordinances could face significant fines and even...
Sewickley Troop 243 members earn Eagle Scout Rank
Five members of Sewickley Troop 243 achieved their rank of Eagle Scout: Luke Hotchkiss, Will Maxwell, Will McKee, Eddie Ondek and Spencer Wiehe. Since first awarded in 1912, only about 4 percent of Scouts have achieved this ranking. To do so, a Scout must not only display citizenship for the...
Letter to the editor: Trump violated law
The writer of the letter “Trump deserves 4th Amendment protection” (June 22, TribLIVE) bases his argument on the Presidential Records Act. Before writing his letter, perhaps he should have actually read the act, which states in part that the official records of the president and his staff are owned by...
Letter to the editor: All our constitutional rights are sacred
As a veteran, I am sick and tired of the fake outrage concerning the Second Amendment when far right fascists rage all-out war against other constitutional rights, particularly the First and 14th Amendments. Current book ban trends are for no other reason than that the material makes certain people “uncomfortable,”...
Editorial: Pa. needs better reintegration plan when paroling former prisons
SCI Greensburg was once a center of activity in Westmoreland County. It housed around 900 inmates. It was staffed by 360 people, generating paychecks that fueled business throughout the area. Then, in 2013, it closed. Overnight it went from being a place with purpose to a question mark. What would...
The Stroller, June 29, 2023: 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. Free tuition reimbursement offered for nurses Concordia Lutheran Ministries will host...
Smoky haze from Canadian wildfires expected to linger over Western Pa. for rest of the week
Young children and those with respiratory ailments are being urged to stay indoors for a second straight day as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to shroud Pittsburgh in a fog-like haze. A Code Red air quality alert for fine particulates was issued Thursday for 13 Western Pennsylvania counties by the...
Letter to the editor: Renewable energy is reliable
State Sen. Gene Yaw’s recent commentary claiming the retirement of Homer City’s coal-fired power plant will be a “crippling blow” to the regional energy grid is misleading at best (“In Homer City, another step in killing the grid,” June 14, TribLIVE). PJM Interconnection — our grid operator — found no...
Pirates farm report for June 28, 2023: Ji Man Choi homers in Indians loss
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 33-42) allowed four home runs and fell to Louisville (Reds), 7-6. 1B Ji Man Choi (.333), making a rehab start, hit a two-run home run and had three RBIs. C Endy Rodriguez (.252) was 2 for 4 with an RBI, his 32nd of the season. 2B Aaron Shackelford...
National Geographic lays off all of its staff writers
National Geographic has laid off all its staff writers, leaving the venerable, award-winning magazine to be pieced together by editors and freelancers. In all, 19 editorial staffers were cut, including the small audio department at the magazine. They had been notified in April that the ax would fall, The Washington...
Elwood Watson: Quoting Hitler an example of the shift on the right
Last week, an Indiana chapter of Moms for Liberty, a nonprofit organization that advocates for “parental rights” in education, ended up apologizing and condemning Adolf Hitler after previously using a quote from the racist and antisemitic Nazi leader in its newsletter. “We condemn Adolf Hitler’s actions and his dark place...
Pittsburgh synagogue attacker had ‘very serious mental health history from a very young age,’ expert says
“He moves through the world under a vague feeling of threat and paranoia.” “He is quick to agitation.” “Active psychosis makes it impossible for him to assess stimuli and read the world appropriately.” All of those findings, an expert in neuropsychiatry and epilepsy testified Wednesday, mean that Robert Bowers could...
