Not ready for robots in homes? The maker of a friendly new humanoid thinks it might change your mind
NEW YORK — As the new robot called Sprout walks around a Manhattan office, nodding its rectangular head, lifting its windshield wiper-like “eyebrows” and offering to shake your hand with its grippers, it looks nothing like the sleek and intimidating humanoids built by companies like Tesla. Sprout’s charm is the...
Wilkinsburg residence 1st in state to earn EnerPHit certification from Passive House Institute
A small home in Wilkinsburg has earned a big architectural distinction. Recently renovated for energy efficiency, the century-old building has earned a Passive House EnerPHit certification from the Passive House Institute — the highest certification available for energy efficiency in existing buildings. It’s the first house in Pennsylvania to achieve...
What to know about breast self-awareness and how it fits into cancer prevention
NEW YORK — What does it mean to have breast self-awareness? It’s a more general, flexible approach to breast cancer prevention that involves staying familiar with how your breasts look and feel. It goes along with other early detection measures like getting regular mammograms. Doctors suggest breast self-awareness as an...
Bonfire Restaurant owners pass torch to new family in Allegheny Township
Jay Snyder has worked at the Bonfire restaurant for most of his life. Born and raised in Allegheny Township, Snyder, 59, began working at the restaurant when he was 14 after his parents, Patty and Jerry, bought it in 1981 from the Mannarino family. Snyder can’t help but reminisce about...
Body & soul: Familiar comfort foods, thoughtfully balanced
Comfort food is often automatically labeled as indulgent and bad. It’s not fair. How can we hold the food we turn to when we are tired, stressed or craving familiarity responsible for giving us exactly what we need? Tough times are when food matters most — not just as fuel,...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Jan. 23-25
There’s no doubt that this is the hardest time of year to live in Pittsburgh, with all the dark, cold and snow. But when you venture out to have some fun, it’s always a great time to live in Pittsburgh. Here are a few events to remember why the city...
Building the Valley: Veteran-owned 12 Bravo BBQ seeks to spotlight Harrison VFW
Frank Frantz isn’t afraid of a little heat. The South Buffalo resident is becoming known locally for his tangy “Bravo” barbecue sauce and slow-cooked brisket, sold the past few years from a roving food truck. He has joined fellow chef James Palumbi of Saxonburg in opening an indoor version, 12...
Kindness at work includes giving honest feedback, limiting meetings and bending rules
NEW YORK — Beth Brown was assigned to a major project at work when hardship struck. First, her 6-month-old daughter fell ill with covid-19. A few days later, her mother passed away. Brown, director of health and well-being at a company that provides employee mental health programs and absence management...
Valentino, fashion designer to the jet set, dies at 93 in Rome
ROME — Valentino Garavani, the jet-set Italian designer whose high-glamour gowns — often in his trademark shade of “Valentino red” — were fashion show staples for nearly half a century, has died at home in Rome, his foundation announced Monday. He was 93. “Valentino Garavani was not only a constant...
Greensburg Restaurant Week offers great values, unique menus
If your New Year’s resolution was to try different foods or to patronize local businesses, the upcoming Greensburg Restaurant Week has you covered. More than a dozen local eateries will be dishing up special menus at discounted prices Sunday to Jan. 24 throughout the Greensburg area. The event was organized...
Craft distilleries make industry, community connections
Throughout the 1700s and 1800s, Western Pennsylvania was the epicenter of American whiskey production. Before the Prohibition era, Pennsylvania cornered the market in rye whiskey. It wasn’t until 2011 that a distillery returned to the state. Matt Strickland, the master distiller for Iron City Distilling, wants to honor that history....
‘Read the room’: Western Pennsylvanians weigh in on cellphone etiquette
Pastor James Arter of First Evangelical Lutheran Church and Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church in Leechburg vividly recalls the moment he experienced a cellphone etiquette faux pas during a funeral viewing. Arter witnessed a female snapping selfies with her phone over an open casket that contained the deceased. “I had...
‘Age in place’ living boasts home elevators, river views in OakmontVideo
The elevator entrance inside the garage of a newly built brownstone is the first clue that the residence at Overlook Brownstones has designed modern living solutions for aging-in-place along the Allegheny River in Oakmont. The state-of-the-art elevator travels from the garage to all four floors of the brick brownstone at...
Here are 6 things to do in Pittsburgh this long weekend: Jan. 16-19
It’s the first long weekend of 2026, for many of us. That gives us some extra hours to enjoy ourselves and get out to see what the city has to offer. Here are some great events going on. Winterfest at The Frick Infuse your winter season with some brightness and...
Bargain grocer Aldi seizes the moment and expands with consumers hurting
The discount grocery chain Aldi is expanding rapidly and plans to open more than 180 U.S. stores this year as more Americans skip nights out at restaurants and cook at home due to anxiety over the nation’s economy. The chain, with U.S. operations based outside of Chicago, went on an...
From just getting started to final details, Greensburg wedding expo helps couples plan their big day
Lindsay Gozdick of Latrobe says her fiance is fine with her working on all the details of their October wedding. “He’s like, ‘figure it out’ — and he’ll like what I pick,” she said. “He would rather be in the garage with his truck.” Gozdick was among future brides —...
Mattel adds an autistic Barbie to doll line devoted to showcasing diversity and inclusion
NEW YORK — Mattel Inc. is introducing an autistic Barbie on Monday as the newest member of its line intended to celebrate diversity, joining a collection that already includes Barbies with Down syndrome, a blind Barbie, a Barbie and a Ken with vitiligo, and other models the toymaker added to...
Latrobe teacher, 18-time marathoner launches coaching business
Rachel Bankaci never considered herself an athlete in her youth. But with 18 marathons under her belt — and a 19th in the works — Bankaci has come a long way from her childhood days of watching track athletes compete in the Olympics. Now, Bankaci is a personal trainer and...
A look at the classic diners still holding on in Western PennsylvaniaVideo
The sizzle of frying potatoes and the scent of fresh coffee and grease. Gleaming chrome fixtures and brightly colored booths. Oldies playing softly in the background. Servers dropping off heaping plates of steaming comfort food. Welcome to the Western Pennsylvania diner. Diners peaked in popularity in the mid-20th century, when...
Historic Boggs Mansion Bed & Breakfast on Pittsburgh’s North Side has rich history
An overnight stay in 2023 at the Boggs Mansion Bed & Breakfast on Pittsburgh’s North Side turned into a business venture for Evan and Bethany Addams. “We stayed here just as a little getaway, even though we live close,” said Evan Addams, of Ben Avon. “The views are stunning. We...
Pittsburgh eateries go big for 2026 Winter Restaurant Week
Adventurous eaters and foodies of all ages have an opportunity to try new dishes and old favorites from dining establishments during 2026 Winter Pittsburgh Restaurant Week. With discounted menus and new flavors, some of the region’s best eateries are pulling out all the stops for this weeklong event. Running from...
A taste of nature can provide balance and calm during the workday
NEW YORK — The crisp crinkle of fallen leaves beneath your feet. The swish and trickle of water moving through a stream. A breath of crisp, fresh air. Spending time in nature can be invigorating or produce feelings of peace and calm. But many professions allow little time or access...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Jan. 9-11
If you struggled through the first full work week of 2026, you’re not alone. Many have been looking forward to Friday since 9 a.m. on Monday. Now that the weekend’s finally on the horizon, what will you do with your free time? Here’s a few ideas around town. RV show...
New dietary guidelines urge Americans to avoid processed foods, added sugar
Americans should eat more whole foods and protein, fewer highly processed foods and less added sugar, according to the latest edition of federal nutrition advice released Wednesday by the Trump administration. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins issued the 2025-2030 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans,...
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...
