Editor's Picks category, Page 329
Critical race theory: What it is, what it isn’t, and what it means for education in Pennsylvania
Critical race theory is not being taught in Pennsylvania public schools, educators say. As with most national flashpoint topics, critical race theory is gaining traction in Pennsylvania. The hot-button issue is pitting progressively minded educators and lawmakers against conservative stakeholders — from parents, voters, to politicians — determined to keep...
Signature Dishes: Jerk tofu part of authentic Caribbean menu at 2 Sisters 2 Sons in SharpsburgVideo
This is part of an ongoing series highlighting Signature Dishes at locally owned restaurants in the region. See Trib Total Media’s new online directory of restaurants, Dine Local, at dinelocal.triblive.com. When Marline Siddo visits her family in Jamaica, she comes home to Pittsburgh’s North Side lugging stuffed suitcases. They are...
TV Talk: Apple TV+’s ‘Schmigadoon!’ offers a joyful ode to and send-up of musicalsVideo
Fans of Broadway musicals and the TV series “Pushing Daisies” and “Galavant” unite: Apple TV+’s “Schmigadoon” is the musical comedy series you didn’t know you need. A joyfully silly fantasy, “Schmigadoon!” begins by showing viewers how two doctors, Melissa (a game Cecily Strong, “Saturday Night Live”) and Josh (the equally...
Ricki Wertz, star of WTAE-TV’s ‘Ricki and Copper,’ diesVideo
Ricki Wertz, one of the original stars of Pittsburgh TV as the host of WTAE-TV’s “Ricki and Copper” and “Junior High Quiz,” died Wednesday in Chicago. She was 86. The cause of death was not immediately available. A Wilkes-Barre native, Ruth Elizabeth Wertz Bordenkircher came to Pittsburgh to study acting....
Summer Fest returns as unofficial 1-year anniversary celebration of merged Guardian Angels Parish in HarrisonVideo
A carnival atmosphere, live music and the smell of food and funnel cake are all part of the unofficial anniversary celebration of the Guardian Angels Parish this week. The parish, in the Natrona Heights section of Harrison, was formed by the merger of six congregations: Our Lady of Victory, Our...
Britney Spears can hire own lawyer in conservatorship case
LOS ANGELES — A new attorney has been appointed to represent Britney Spears in her conservatorship after a hearing in which the singer tearfully spoke about the case’s impact on her life. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny on Wednesday approved Spears hiring former federal prosecutor Mathew Rosengart to...
Preserved 1922 Sears mail-order home in McCandless provides glimpse into the pastVideo
Alicia Dallago had no clue that the McCandless home she bought in 1998 represented a unique slice of American history. She was just enthralled by the way it looked and made her feel when she stepped inside. “I loved the antique look and quality of the house,” said Dallago, 79,...
Eat’n Park, Turner Dairy Farms partner to create Smiley Cookie Milk
Turner Dairy Farms in Penn Hills has taken its milk plenty far off the beaten path in the past, with flavors ranging from strawberry to chocolate-banana to the “Star Wars”-themed blue “Blue Banthamilk.” Its latest offering comes as part of a partnership with local mainstay Eat’n Park: Smiley Cookie Milk,...
Pittsburgh’s City Theatre plans live season with 3 world premieres
City Theatre Company will reopen its doors in Pittsburgh’s South Side for a 47th season including six live and in-person productions featuring collaborations with local and national theater companies, community partners and first-time and returning artists. Three of the productions will be world premieres, including one that explores immigration in...
Pitt hikes tuition, room and board costs for fall 2021
The cost of Pitt education is increasing this fall as the university prepares to resume routine operations after more than a year of pandemic restrictions. The increases, adopted Tuesday, call for a 2.5% bump to the lowest base tuition at Pitt’s Oakland campus, taking the cost for Pennsylvania residents from...
TV Q&A: What happened to QVC and HSN over the air?
Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen answers reader questions every Wednesday at TribLive.com in a column that also appears in the Sunday Tribune-Review. Q: Why are QVC and HSN no longer on Channel 16.5 and 16.4 over the air? I don’t have cable. Is there somewhere else I can...
Carnegie Science Center event takes Pittsburghers to the rivers
How does river water get turned into clean drinking water? How is the risk of overflow into rivers reduced during heavy rains? The answers to these and other questions will be provided by the Carnegie Science Center during its H2Oh! River Weekend on July 24-25. The annual aquatic event focuses...
TV Talk: Susan Koeppen returns to anchor new WPXI-TV newscast
Because the ratings for “Ellen” have been terrible in Pittsburgh for several years, it was unsurprising this month when WTAE-TV announced a 4 p.m. newscast. Similarly, with original episodes of “Judge Judy” ending on broadcast TV — she’ll have a new, similar show on free, ad-supported streamer IMDbTV in late...
Whole Foods donates refrigerated van to food rescue group in PittsburghVideo
Whole Foods Market on Tuesday donated a refrigerated food delivery van to the food rescue and hunger relief organization 412 Food Rescue. The donation took place outside the Whole Foods on Centre Avenue in Pittsburgh store as part of its Nourishing Our Neighborhoods program, which is designed to help food...
Unwanted pets: Giant goldfish turn up in Minnesota waterwaysVideo
BURNSVILLE, Minn. — Officials in Minnesota said they’re finding more giant goldfish in waterways, prompting a plea to citizens to stop illegally dumping their unwanted fish into ponds and lakes. The goldfish, which can grow to the size of a football, compete with native species for food and increase algae...
North Huntingdon artist part of 5th annual chalk art festival
Everyone can be an artist July 24-25 in Somerset as the annual Chalk the Block festival returns for its fifth year. Art will cover the sidewalks of Uptown Somerset, courtesy of professional chalk artists, competitions for emerging and youth artists, a mini-mural from Laurel Arts and an open art-making space...
‘Crown,’ ‘Mandalorian’ top Emmy nominations with 24 each
LOS ANGELES — “The Crown” tied with “The Mandalorian” for the most Emmy nominations Tuesday with 24 apiece, but the Marvel universe also got bragging rights with runner-up “WandaVision.” Emmy nominees with local ties include Pittsburgh native Billy Porter (lead actor in a drama) for “Pose,” which also received nominations...
Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival back for 1-day fall event
Fans of the Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival will be able to get a taste of what they’ve missed during two years of pandemic-driven cancellations during a one-day event set for Oct. 2. The Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Mini-Fall Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in...
Experts: Don’t use Magic Eraser to whiten your teeth
Some trends can be harmless fun — pet rocks, Beanie Babies and the Ice Bucket Challenge, for example. But some trends can be downright harmful — ingesting TidePods, swallowing a spoonful of cinnamon, and the latest: Using Mr. Clean Magic Erasers to whiten your teeth. The trend has been making...
Kraft serves up mac and cheese flavored ice cream
How about some macaroni and cheese ice cream for dessert? A mashup of the dinnertime staple and the cold treat is coming for a limited time from Kraft Heinz, the Pittsburgh and Chicago-based company, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, which is based in Brooklyn, N.Y. The Kraft Macaroni & Cheese...
Tots bring home the bacon at Derry Township Agricultural FairVideo
Three-year-olds Kyler Bishop and Sofia Cline went home with blue ribbons Monday from the Derry Township Agricultural Fair. It was their first time showing pigs and they went head-to-head in the ring, guiding their animals around with a small whip while judge Sean Gallagher watched closely. He gave both of...
TV Talk: WPXI reporter Amy Hudak marries WTAE’s Jim Madalinsky
Pittsburgh TV stations are rivals in coverage and ratings but for two reporters at different local stations, it’s just a matter of doing similar work for different outlets. And given their respective beats, they don’t compete with one another on stories, which should make married life a bit easier. WPXI-TV...
Unopened Super Mario 64 game from 1996 sells for $1.56M
DALLAS — An unopened copy of Nintendo’s Super Mario 64 has sold at auction for $1.56 million. Heritage Auctions in Dallas said that the 1996 game sold Sunday, breaking its previous record price for the sale of a single video game. A spokesman did not immediately respond to an inquiry...
Unopened Legend of Zelda game from 1987 sells for $870,000
DALLAS — An unopened copy of Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda that was made in 1987 has sold at auction for $870,000. Heritage Auctions in Dallas said the video game sold Friday. The auction house said it was a rare version that was created during a limited production run that...
For McKeesport filmmaker, ’80s-style horror movie has happy endingVideo
It’s not often a horror movie helps someone get their head on straight, but it happened for Mark Cantu. The McKeesport-based indie filmmaker was considering giving up on his chosen career path when he was inspired to begin writing what would become “Massacre Academy,” set for a world premiere July...
