Mexico, Canada get exemption to 10% U.S. levy, but USMCA risk looms
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down many of Donald Trump’s tariffs offers some relief to Mexico and Canada, but a much bigger set of risks still hangs over the trade relationship that joins the three countries. The president said in the afternoon the U.S. would impose a 10%...
Tariff ruling bolsters Supreme Court’s credibility in eyes of Duquesne President Ken Gormley
The Supreme Court dealt a major blow Friday to President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff plan — and notched a major victory for believers in checks and balances, according to Duquesne University President Ken Gormley. Gormley, a law professor and nationally recognized constitutional scholar, took the 6-3 decision as a clear...
Lawsuit claims Nippon failed to avert fatal Clairton Coke Works blast
A lawsuit filed by the sister of a man killed in an explosion at Clairton Coke Works last summer alleges that if owner Nippon Steel had addressed ongoing, known safety concerns at the facility when it took over U.S. Steel, her brother would still be alive. Trisha Lynn Quinn, the...
Grateful Dead-inspired restaurant opens in Latrobe
It’s been nearly a decade since Latrobe resident Richie Matsko first wrote down his ideas for a restaurant menu inspired by his favorite band, The Grateful Dead. Matsko brought his vision to life Feb. 7, opening a bar and restaurant in Latrobe dubbed Terrapin Bistro. It was inspired by the...
U.S. trade deficit declined in 2025, but gap for goods hits a record despite Trump tariffsVideo
WASHINGTON — The U.S. trade deficit slipped modestly in 2025, a year in which President Donald Trump upended global commerce by slapping double digit tariffs on imports from most countries. But the gap in the trade of goods such as machinery and aircraft — the main focus of Trump’s protectionist...
Tariffs paid by midsize U.S. companies tripled last year, a JPMorganChase Institute study shows
WASHINGTON — Tariffs paid by midsize U.S. businesses tripled over the course of past year, new research tied to one of America’s leading banks showed on Thursday — more evidence that President Donald Trump ‘s push to charge higher taxes on imports is causing economic disruption. The additional taxes have...
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...
Pitt, CMU offer inside glimpse of Pittsburgh’s cutting-edge biotech hubs
Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh offered rare looks Thursday into two cutting-edge research facilities during a showcase for the U.S. National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology. Congress created the commission in 2022 to analyze the national security implications of novel biotechnologies, which manipulate cells and genetic material...
Innamorato launches Main Streets Allegheny to support county’s business districts
Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato on Thursday announced a $4 million initiative to support main streets, providing funding for public space improvements, small business support and local events. The Main Streets Allegheny program will distribute grants this year to municipalities, community organizations and small businesses. “Main streets are the heart...
For peat’s sake: Persian Gulf sheikh explores deal with Ambridge maker of artificial peat moss
PittMoss says its paper and cardboard-based peat moss alternative can do a lot: reduce waste, cut carbon emissions and, critically, grow plants better than the real thing. The proprietary mixture of shredded recyclables and organic fertilizers might even be able to “totally transform” the soil of one of the driest...
Grandson of the inventor of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups accuses Hershey of cutting corners
The grandson of the inventor of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups has lashed out at The Hershey Co., accusing the candy company of hurting the Reese’s brand by shifting to cheaper ingredients in many products. Hershey acknowledges some recipe changes but said Wednesday that it was trying to meet consumer demand...
Mark Zuckerberg testifies at trial accusing social media firms of addicting kids to their platforms
LOS ANGELES — Mark Zuckerberg and opposing lawyers dueled in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday, where the Meta CEO answered questions about young people’s use of Instagram, his congressional testimony and internal advice he’s received about being “authentic” and not “robotic.” Zuckerberg’s testimony is part of an unprecedented social...
Ferrante’s Lakeview on Route 30 to change hands
Christina Augustine is following in her grandfather’s footsteps — and her mother’s and her aunt’s. Next month, Augustine, 42, of Addison will become the general manager of Ferrante’s Lakeview — a restaurant and special events venue that has operated off Route 30 in Hempfield for about 70 years. Her grandfather,...
Green Beacon Gallery in downtown Greensburg searches for a new home
Greensburg was not a random choice for Phil and Steve Harrold’s art and music gallery. The initials of the West Pittsburgh Street venue, called Green Beacon Gallery, align with a common abbreviation for the name of the city — which the brothers deemed deserving of an open stage for local...
Warren Buffett’s company invests in the New York Times 6 years after he sold all his newspapers
OMAHA, Neb. — Five years after Warren Buffett sold off all of Berkshire Hathaway’s newspapers and predicted unending declines for most of the industry, Berkshire disclosed a new $350 million investment in the New York Times on Tuesday. The somewhat surprising move highlighted the quarterly update Berkshire filed with the...
John Dorfman: These hyper-pricey stocks face terrible odds
Chasing hot growth stocks? Beware of those that sell for 100 times revenue. To say these represent the triumph of hope over experience is putting it mildly. For many years, I’ve published a warning list of stocks that sell in that rarified range. Starting in 2000, I’ve compiled 20 lists,...
Bayer agrees to $7.25 billion proposed settlement over thousands of Roundup cancer lawsuits
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Agrochemical maker Bayer and attorneys for cancer patients announced a proposed $7.25 billion settlement Tuesday to resolve thousands of U.S. lawsuits alleging the company failed to warn people that its popular weedkiller Roundup could cause cancer. The proposed settlement comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is...
Trump administration backs Kalshi, Polymarket as states move to ban prediction markets
NEW YORK — The Trump administration is throwing its support behind the prediction market operators Kalshi and Polymarket in a critical legal battle between the growing prediction market industry and states that wish to ban these platforms. The move by Michael Selig, the recently appointed chairman of the Commodity Futures...
Trump family business files for trademark rights on any airports using the president’s name
NEW YORK — The Trump family company has filed to trademark the use of the president’s name on airports but says it doesn’t plan on charging a fee — at least for a proposed renaming of one near his Florida home. Applications filed by the Trump Organization with the federal...
EU privacy investigation targets Musk’s Grok chatbot over sexualized deepfake images
LONDON — Elon Musk’s social media platform X faces a European Union privacy investigation after its Grok AI chatbot started spitting out nonconsensual deepfake images, Ireland’s data privacy regulator said Tuesday. Ireland’s Data Protection Commission said it notified X on Monday that it was opening the inquiry under the 27-nation...
Whether it’s a mini-sabbatical or an adult gap year, more people are taking extended work breaks
If you daydream about getting a break from work, you might picture two weeks of vacation or a long weekend getaway. But some people dare to imagine something bigger and find ways to get a substantial breather from stress or their day-to-day routines. Mini-sabbaticals. Adult gap years. Micro-retirement. Extended career...
Tax season is here. Here’s what you need to know for stress-free filing
NEW YORK — Tax season is underway and you have until April 15 to file your return with the IRS. If you want to avoid the stress of the looming deadline, start getting organized as soon as possible. “Don’t wait until the last minute but also don’t rush,” said Tom...
Inflation measure falls to nearly 5-year low as gas prices fall and housing costs cool
WASHINGTON (AP) — A key measure of inflation fell to nearly a five-year low last month as apartment rental price growth slowed and gas prices fell, offering some relief to Americans grappling with the sharp cost increases of the past five years. Inflation dropped to 2.4% in January compared with...
Wendy’s closing hundreds of U.S. restaurants to focus on value amid falling sales
Wendy’s is closing several hundred U.S. restaurants and increasing its focus on value after a weaker-than-expected fourth quarter. The Dublin, Ohio-based company said Friday that its global same-store sales, or sales at locations open at least a year, fell 10% in the October-December period. That was worse than the 8.5%...
Aurora’s driverless trucks soon to be a common sight across the Sun Belt
Aurora Innovation plans to have more than 200 driverless tractor-trailers on the road by the end of the year as part of a rapid expansion across the Sun Belt. The anticipated growth would mark a new era of commercialization for the company, which is headquartered in Pittsburgh’s Strip District, after...
