Local stories category, Page 9
Famed clothier Brooks Brothers files for bankruptcy
NEW YORK — The storied Manhattan clothier Brooks Brothers is filing for bankruptcy protection. The company that says it’s put 40 U.S. presidents in its suits survived two world wars and navigated through casual Fridays and a loosening of dress standards even on Wall Street, but the coronavirus pandemic pushed...
Duolingo co-founder threatens to move jobs from Pittsburgh to Toronto over immigration policies
A founder of Pittsburgh’s prized tech startup, Duolingo, indicated Monday that harsh immigration policies could force him to move the company – and its jobs – to Canada. Luis von Ahn wrote on Twitter that the Trump administration’s moves could cost Pittsburgh. “I’m proud that Duolingo, the most valuable startup...
Levin to reopen some Western Pennsylvania stores Friday
Levin Furniture stores in Hempfield, Monroeville, Wexford, Curry Hollow and 13 other locations around Pittsburgh and Cleveland will reopen at 11 a.m. Friday with former owner Robert Levin at the helm. Levin sold his family’s chain of stores in 2017 to Art Van Furniture but later structured a $25.7 million...
Labor, business group says Pittsburgh can become high-tech manufacturing hub
A group of labor, business and civic officials on Tuesday laid out a plan for Western Pennsylvania’s traditional industries to partner with emerging technology companies to create manufacturing jobs. Members of the Pittsburgh Works Together coalition said during a virtual news conference that following the plan could make Western Pennsylvania...
Pittsburgh airport launches 2nd phase of reopening plan as travel increases
Pittsburgh International Airport said it is launching the second phase of its PIT Safe Travels Program as passenger traffic increases. The airport implemented the program last month to ensure a safe environment in the airport and bolster confidence in air travel in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic. The initiative...
National coin shortage linked to coronavirus pandemicVideo
The novel coronavirus pandemic has caused a coin shortage in the country, according to the Federal Reserve. “What’s happened is that, with the partial closure of the economy, the flow of coins through the economy has gotten all — it’s kind of stopped,” Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell said recently....
PNC commits $1 billion to programs, efforts to stem systemic racism
PNC Financial Services officials on Thursday announced a $1 billion commitment to programs and efforts that would “end systemic racism and support economic empowerment of African Americans and low- and moderate-income communities.” The commitment includes $50 million in charitable support for local and national work promoting social justice, expanding financial...
McDonald’s franchises look to hire 1,700 in Western Pennsylvania
McDonald’s restaurants across Western Pennsylvania are looking for workers to fill at least 1,700 new full- and part-time jobs, the fast-food giant said in a statement. Franchisees who operate 112 restaurants in Western Pennsylvania began what McDonald’s called a quick-hire initiative to provide immediate crew and manager positions. “We are...
URA, Citizens Bank donate $15,000 to Pittsburgh Black Business Relief Fund
A local consulting agency that seeks to advance black businesses in the Pittsburgh area has secured a $15,000 grant via a joint effort from the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and Citizens Bank. Cocoapreneur has started the Pittsburgh Black Business Relief Fund to alleviate the financial burden for black-owned businesses...
Trib’s new eCommerce program helps generate sales while supporting local nonprofits
Trib Total Media has launched a new eCommerce marketplace for businesses and nonprofits looking to increase sales while also supporting the community. The Trib introduced the EverybodyShops.com platform this week in connection with its growing list of Neighborhood News Network sites, which provide hyper-local news to 31 Pittsburgh-area neighborhoods, according...
Giant Eagle takes steps ‘to stand up against racism and social injustice’
The Giant Eagle supermarket chain has announced several measures intended “to stand up against racism and social injustice.” Among the moves announced were: • A $350,000 contribution to support social justice causes; • The closure of its Giant Eagle, Market District and GetGo locations Saturday from 7 to 8 a.m....
Union rep says Post-Gazette seeking buyouts in bid to shrink newsroom by 20%, slash 24 positions
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is offering a buyout option in an effort to shrink its newsroom by about 20%, or at least two dozen employees, a union official said Friday. In exchange for leaving their jobs, full-time employees will receive a week’s pay for every year of service, up to 16...
Lawsuit: Former Mad Mex manager was fired for seeking time off after domestic violence attack
A Pittsburgh woman is suing Mad Mex and its parent company, alleging she was fired for requesting time off for medical treatment and court appearances after a domestic violence attack. The woman, a former manager at the restaurant’s Waterworks mall location, alleged in a lawsuit she was met with roadblocks...
Zoom to open research and development center in Pittsburgh
Zoom, the video-conferencing software company whose popularity has skyrocketed in the social-distancing age, announced Thursday it will open two new research and development centers, including one in Pittsburgh. The company is seeking an office location near Carnegie Mellon University in Oakland. It will open another center in the greater Phoenix...
GNC may be headed to bankruptcy
Battered by the coronavirus-shutdowns of its stores that pushed net losses to $200 million in the first three months of the year, Pittsburgh-based GNC Holdings Inc. may file for bankruptcy protection if it can not convince lenders to delay payments due May 16 on $50 million in debt, company officials...
Global slowdown drops Kennametal earnings, sales
The global economic slowdown hit Kennametal Inc. hard in the quarter ending March 31, as it earned just 3 cents per share from net income that plunged to just $2.24 million on sales that dropped to $483.0 million, a 19% decline from a year ago. The Pittsburgh-based industrial toolmaker said...
Pennsylvania auditor general will look into how state handled business waivers
State Auditor General Eugene DePasquale will audit how the state managed the waiver process used to give businesses exemptions to Gov. Tom Wolf’s shutdown order. “Some business owners complained that the department’s waiver process was too slow and not transparent enough,” DePasquale said. The announcement came a day after Senate...
This Monroeville businessman created the modern conference call, and he’s not done yetVideo
It’s mid-afternoon. You’re in your home office when the laptop pings to remind you of the daily meeting starting in five minutes. If it’s a video call, you make sure your face is presentable. Maybe you slip on a work shirt and smile, knowing they’ll never suspect how your bottom...
Gov. Tom Wolf lays out plan for reopening Pennsylvania’s economy
The plan to reopen Pennsylvania’s economy will be slow and gradual, hinging on a “regional, sector-based approach,” Gov. Tom Wolf said Friday, though he offered no timetable on when the plan would be enacted. The plan, available on the governor’s website, comes in three phases — relief, reopening and recovery...
Workers returning to Pa. liquor stores to boost online sales
To help process online orders, workers will be back on the job at many state-owned wine and liquor stores, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board said Thursday. The stores will not be open to the public. Gov. Tom Wolf’s office gave the OK to reopen more than 100 of the state...
How should you spend your stimulus check? Here is what experts say
The check is not in the mail. But that big coronavirus stimulus check — up to $1,200 for singles, $2,400 for married couples and an extra $500 for each qualified child — might be in your bank account if the IRS has direct deposit information on you. Some families will...
Dick’s Sporting Goods furloughing ‘significant number’ of employees
Dick’s Sporting Goods announced Tuesday it will furlough a “significant number” of employees beginning Sunday, April 12, a response to the closure of its more than 800 stores nationwide as the country grapples with the coronavirus pandemic. In an update addressed to investors on its website, Dick’s said it is...
Pa. ramps up effort to get businesses to help make medical equipment
An online portal created by state officials will help identify businesses that are building much-needed medical supplies and guide others who might be able to pivot their manufacturing toward creating those supplies, Gov. Tom Wolf said Monday. The Manufacturing Call to Action Portal will streamline the process for manufacturers who...
Giant Eagle to limit number of people allowed in stores
Giant Eagle said Monday it will begin limiting the number of customers who can shop at each store at one time. “As supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies remain in operation as essential community resources, we believe it’s vital to heighten our social distancing and sanitization procedures throughout the store,” company...
U.S. Postal Service hiring temporary employees
The U.S. Postal Service is hiring temporary workers to fill mail handling and processing positions at various locations in Western Pennsylvania, the agency announced Monday. People are needed to serve as mail handler assistants, mail processing clerk assistants, clerk assistants and city carrier assistants, according to the postal service. The...
