Editor's Picks category, Page 372
FBI warns ransomware assault threatens U.S. health care system
BOSTON — Federal agencies warned that cybercriminals could unleash a wave of data-scrambling extortion attempts against the U.S. health care system, an effort that, if successful, could paralyze hospital information systems just as nationwide cases of covid-19 are spiking. In a joint alert Wednesday, the FBI and two federal agencies...
Hampton teen inspired by Taylor Swift wins WYEP’s singer-songwriter competitionVideo
Lindsay Liebro hasn’t had years of vocal training or lessons on a musical instrument. The 16-year-old Hampton High School junior says she developed her vocal style by singing in the choir and performing in school musicals. And she is self-taught on the guitar, which she says “came so naturally.” But...
Pitt Library System acquires August Wilson archive
An adage taken from the title of a Thomas Wolfe novel states, “You can’t go home again.” However, August Wilson is doing just that. Or at least his archive is. The University of Pittsburgh Library System (ULS) has acquired the August Wilson archive with the help of Wilson’s widow, Constanza...
SiriusXM launches 14 of its holiday music channelsVideo
SiriusXM announced today that 14 of its 17 holiday music channels are available now on the app. The lineup will include 17 ad-free channels including a new channel, Jolly Christmas. The holiday music channels include traditional songs, classic Christmas carols, holiday pop, country Christmas, contemporary, soul, Hanukkah and Christmas favorites....
TV Talk: CBS’s ‘Mom’ returns next week with Pittsburgh native directing
When CBS’s “Mom” returns next week (9 p.m. Nov. 5, KDKA-TV) the show will have some big changes in store as star Anna Faris’ Christy departs off-screen. It’s a changing-of-the-guard “Mom” series director and Pittsburgh native Jamie Widdoes has overseen before on TV series. He was there when “8 Simple...
Space Force’s second-in-command tests positive for covid-19
The second-highest ranking for the recently formed U.S. Space Force has tested positive for covid-19, the U.S. Air Force said late Wednesday in a statement. Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said the vice chief of space operations, Gen. David Thompson, took the test after learning that a family member with...
See 30,000 pounds of jack-o’-lanterns at Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkins displayVideo
The champion pumpkin weighs 2,111.5 pounds. An Atlantic Giant, this breed of pumpkin will be part of the orange mass at the Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkins Pop-Up Festival on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. The Halloween-inspired event opens Friday and runs through Nov. 5. Because of the pandemic, it will be a drive-by...
Duquesne University, Housing Authority team up to battle health care inequities
Duquesne University is working with the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) and Live Well Allegheny to narrow the health care gap between white and Black people in the Steel City. They are offering health care services to underserved communities during the covid-19 pandemic. The team is providing...
TV Q & A: What happened to ‘Pennsylvania’s icebox’ in TV weather forecasts?
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: Pittsburgh TV weather forecasters’ temperature maps always used to include what the late Joe DeNardo called Pennsylvania’s icebox, Bradford, Pa. Now none do. What caused...
TV Talk: ‘This is Us’ spotlights Pittsburgh’s Jonny Gammage
Please note: This article includes spoilers from the fifth-season premiere of “This is Us” that originally aired 9-11 p.m. ET on Oct. 27, 2020. NBC’s partially Pittsburgh-set “This is Us” often imports real-life Pittsburgh, whether it’s references to sports figures, locations, characters dressed in Steelers gear or a 1970s-era visit...
Here’s what you need to know about the Libertarian candidate for president
Could a psychology lecturer at Clemson University cost Donald Trump the presidency? Possibly, according to Joseph DiSarro, chairman of the political science department at Washington & Jefferson College in Washington County. Jo Jorgensen is the Libertarian Party candidate for president. She won’t win, but for those who won’t hold their...
Top 10 dog costumes for Halloween
Forget about the kids’ costumes — what is your dog wearing for Halloween? Costumes for furry friends are big business. According to the National Retail Foundation, Americans spent about $490 million on Halloween costumes for their pets in 2019. With entertainment options at a minimum during the pandemic, it’s a...
Lost interviews hold new Bob Dylan insights
For nearly half a century, they were blowin’ in the wind: lost interviews that contained surprising new insights about celebrated singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. Transcripts of the 1971 interviews with the late American blues artist Tony Glover — and letters the two friends exchanged — have surfaced at a Boston auction...
Halloween week is the perfect time to tune into ‘Dead and Buried Treasures’
Erik Sprowls recalled watching “Chiller Theater,” a Saturday night show of horror, fantasy and science fiction movies. It was on years ago and hosted by the late Bill Cardille known as “Chilly Billy,” on WIIC-TV, now WPXI-TV. Sprowls has created a production, “Dead and Buried Treasures,” where he shows similar...
TribLive Taste Test: Budget Halloween candyVideo
As we’re all well aware, there are many levels to the candy haul kids bring home on Halloween night. You have your first-tier candy, your Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, your full-sized candy bars, etc. Then you have your middle-tier treats — stuff that’s not your favorite but still good, like...
Scientists remove 98 ‘murder hornets’ in Washington state
SPOKANE, Wash. — Workers from the state Department of Agriculture managed to destroy the first nest of so-called murder hornets discovered in the United States without suffering any stings or other injuries, the agency said Monday. The nest, located in Whatcom County near the Canadian border, created concern because the...
Super supporters: These voters go above and beyond in their adoration for Trump, Biden
As the 2020 general election looms, all eyes are on Pennsylvania. As a key battleground state with 20 Electoral College votes, Pennsylvania is viewed as a linchpin in the candidates’ hopes to win the presidency. Here are eight Southwestern Pennsylvania voters who have gone above and beyond in their support...
Historic roundhouse at Hazelwood Green being transformed into technology centerVideo
A 133-year-old railroad roundhouse in Hazelwood is on its way to becoming the Pittsburgh location of a global entrepreneurship platform for economic development. Leaders of the regional foundations that are working to redevelop the area, known as Hazelwood Green, toured the roundhouse Monday and heard from its designer that the...
Penn Avenue Fish Co. unveils oceanic mural
The crystal blue water is the backdrop for fish, turtles, a stingray and corals found living deep under the sea. The four panels of the 9 feet by 14 feet mural outside of encompasses 100 photos that took four months to shoot. Diver and photographer Cynthia Liefeld of Sewickley captured...
Fox News anchors quarantine after virus exposure on flight
NEW YORK — Several Fox News Channel on-air personalities were exposed last week to someone on a private plane who later tested positive for covid-19, leading the network to take extra precautions this week. The network said in a memo to staff members on Monday that there had recently been...
Proposed bill would provide relief for theaters, music venues
John Pergal is in a difficult situation. Pergal owns the Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall in Lawrenceville, and is part of the ownership group for the Roxian Theater in McKees Rocks. Both buildings are usually filled with the sounds of music and the sight of dancing crowds enjoying their favorite...
Holiday gifts, fine art available at Greensburg Art Center sale
Take it from a member artist — Greensburg Art Center’s annual holiday show and sale is worth a visit. “It’s the best one we’ve ever had,” says Tom Niggel of Greensburg. “The Art of GIFTing” opened Saturday with an informal reception and runs through Dec. 21 at the center, 230...
Police: Florida man stole bulldozer, ran down Biden signs
HAINES CITY, Fla. — A 26-year-old man has been accused of stealing a bulldozer from a Florida construction site, driving it into a neighborhood and knocking down campaign signs for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, according to authorities and homeowners. The man took the bulldozer in Haines City on Saturday...
TV Talk: O’Hara native plots NBC’s new season of ‘Superstore’ as star America Ferrera exits
Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen offers a viewing tip for the coming week. For the 2019-20 season of NBC’s “Superstore,” showrunners Gabe Miller and O’Hara Township native Jonathan Green expected their biggest challenge to be satisfactorily writing star America Ferrera out of the comedy series. And they almost...
Police: Dog tied to Trump sign in Donegal has not been abused
A dog that was tethered to a campaign sign for Donald Trump was not subjected to animal cruelty, the Pennsylvania State Police said on Sunday. Police first visited Donegal Oct. 17, to check on the welfare a dog reported to be tied to a political sign on private property. Photos...
