Maduro set to appear Monday in Manhattan Fed Court after capture by U.S. military
Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro will make his first appearance in a federal courtroom Monday in Manhattan, two days after the Trump administration seized him and his wife in a military operation critics have called a violation of international and U.S. law. After their capture, Maduro and his wife, Cilia...
Talented freshman QB commits to Penn State via transfer portal
Penn State made its big (expected) splash Sunday, gaining the commitment of former Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht via the transfer portal. But a second win followed in short order, one that fans might not have been expecting quite as much. Fellow former Iowa State quarterback Alex Manske is following...
Flights to the Caribbean resuming after Venezuela-related restriction lifts
The Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday lifted its prohibition on flights to the Caribbean and airlines have resumed normal flights. “The original restrictions around the Caribbean airspace are expiring at 12:00 am ET and flights can resume,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote on social media site X. “Airlines are...
Penn State adds 4th transfer of cycle with massive tight end
Let the good news keep coming for Penn State. Iowa State tight end transfer Gabe Burkle committed to the Nittany Lions on Sunday, he announced via social media. The 6-foot-6, 255-pounder is the fourth transfer commitment for coach Matt Campbell. Burkle, who will be a redshirt senior in 2026, ranked...
Daniel DePetris: The foreign policy moves Donald Trump got right in 2025
For President Donald Trump’s supporters, 2025 has been a year of transformation. For his opponents, it’s been nothing short of a long nightmare. The holiday season is a perfect time to look back, reflect and remember the consequential moments of the past year. As human beings, we generally fixate on...
Incoming Scottdale mayor embraces chance to ‘help in the best way possible’
Before entering the race for Scottdale mayor, Lindy House said she never saw herself as a leader. But as she prepared to officially assume her role Monday, Jan. 5, the mayor-elect said she has one goal: to build a stronger link between the community and its government. “Our best leaders...
Kevin Frazier: Beware of panic policies
“As far as human nature is concerned, with panic comes irrationality.” This simple statement by Steve Calandrillo, law professor at the University of Washington, and Nolan Anderson, a research specialist at the Eastern Illinois University, has profound implications for public policy. When panic is highest, and demand for reactive policy...
Letter to the editor: Suggested reading for Hegseth
Open letter to Pete Haggis, I mean Pete Hegseth: Hey, Pete. I know you like shooting boats in the water and also the survivors in the water. I suggest you read about Franz Stigler. He is best known for his role in a December 1943 incident in which he spared...
Letter to the editor: Too many politicians
It is my opinion that we have far too many politicians. They don’t play well together and are continually fighting or suing each other rather than doing their jobs. President Trump is spending unnecessary millions foolishly. Italian marble bathroom, extravagant addition for his gala parties and golf trips to Florida...
Editorial: AI is changing the job hunt
Artificial intelligence is everywhere. The technology is being used to refine medicine, science, business and industry. At the same time, concerns about how fast AI is evolving — and what that means for jobs, the environment and daily life — are growing. In Springdale and other communities, those concerns are...
The Stroller, Jan. 4, 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. Annual quilt show planned...
Customers sad to see grocery staple leave West Deer’s Russellton community; manager explains closing
A going out of business sale is underway at the long-standing Shop ’n Save grocery in West Deer. The store in Deer Lakes Plaza off of Little Deer Creek Road is expected to remain open into February, with discounts gradually increasing from 10%, and will close when everything is gone,...
Steelers vs. Ravens: Get ready for regular season finale
It’s win or home for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens in the season finale Sunday on “Sunday Night Football.” The winner advances to the playoffs, while the offseason starts for the losing team. Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. The game will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock, with...
Letter to the editor: Why does Shapiro need a raise?
One thing that I cannot understand is why Gov. Josh Shapiro gets a 3.3% raise, $8,000, when he was already making almost $250,000 (“Shapiro poised to become nation’s highest-paid governor,” Dec. 26, TribLive). But the people that are on Social Security that make maybe $18,000 to $20,000 get a 2.8%...
Westmoreland athletes of the week: Norwin’s Landon Sidun, Southmoreland’s Zoey Murphy
Landon Sidun School: Norwin Class: Junior Sport: Wrestling Claim to fame: Sidun is the No. 1 ranked 120-/121-pound wrestler in the country by FloWrestling. He recently won the Beast of the East and Powerade tournaments for the second consecutive year. He is a three-time Powerade champion. His career record is...
High school roundup for Jan. 3, 2026: Chartiers Valley takes care of Aliquippa
Julian Semplice scored 26 points to lead Trib HSSN Class 5A No. 3 Chartiers Valley to a 60-45 boys basketball victory over Class 3A No. 2 Aliquippa at The Rumble at North Allegheny on Saturday. Logan Helfrick added 12 points and the Colts (9-1) jumped out to a 14-7 lead...
High school scores, summaries and schedules for Jan. 3, 2026
High schools Basketball Boys Saturday’s results Class 6A Section 2 Imani Christian 53, Norwin 46 Chuckie Mahoney Classic At Burgettstown Avella 60, Burgettstown 47 Washington 59, Fort Cherry 40 McGuffey 45, Weir (WV) 28 Neighborhood Academy 74, Beaver 53 Slammin’ at The Port At McKeesport Central Catholic 49, Woodland Hills...
Mayfield, Buccaneers beat Panthers, stay alive in chase for NFC South title
TAMPA, Fla. — The winner of the NFC South will have a losing record and be crowned at home watching on television. Baker Mayfield threw a touchdown pass to Cade Otton, Chase McLaughlin kicked three field goals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers avoided elimination with a sloppy 16-14 victory over...
Calls for restraint, condemnation: World leaders react to U.S. action in Venezuela
The overnight attacks in Venezuela and the subsequent capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a U.S. military operation on Saturday triggered sharp international reactions, ranging from European Union calls for de-escalation to condemnations from some of Latin America’s most outspoken leaders, who described the use of force...
Counterpoint: Meet the AI agents of 2026 — ambitious, overhyped and still in training
If 2025 was the year artificial intelligence became unavoidable, 2026 will be the year everyone starts talking seriously about AI agents. An AI agent is a software system designed to plan and execute tasks autonomously, make decisions and interact with digital tools or environments with minimal human oversight in pursuit...
Point: Get ready, 2026 is going to be great
Americans should treasure their time with family and friends during the too-busy and too-short holiday season and be excited for what’s in store for next year. Although my predictions for 2026 come with an asterisk because it is impossible to forecast the future accurately, and black swan events can throw...
Parkway East outbound lanes reopen following serious accident
All outbound lanes are reopened on Parkway East after a serious accident shut them down Saturday morning near the Greenfield Bridge. The outbound lanes of I-376 had been closed between the on-ramp from Bates Street at the Oakland interchange at the Squirrel Hill Tunnel, according to PennDOT. A spokesman reported...
Ligonier Township native winds up 45 years of trimming hair in BlairsvilleVideo
Butch Rabic still gives his customers a trim in the same early 20th-century chair he inherited from his predecessor when he took over a Blairsville barber shop in 1980. Though he doesn’t ring up bills on it, he also uses a vintage cash register that can key in a top...
Letter to the editor: Pittsburgh residents who vote Democrat get what they want
I do not understand why reporter Julia Burdelski is so concerned about increased levels of taxation faced by Pittsburgh property owners (“Tax trifecta: Pittsburgh property owners take it on the chin,” Dec. 22, TribLive). The vast majority of Pittsburgh property owners either vote Democrat or do not vote. As a...
Cremation overtakes burial as people rethink death, cost and tradition
A generation ago, burial was the default and cremation the exception. Today, the roles are rapidly reversing. By 2035, 80% of Americans will opt for cremation over burial, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. That’s a stunning figure, considering that just 55 years ago, only 5% of people chose...
