Editor's Picks category, Page 5
After a snow delay, Lower Burrell gets in its Christmas parade
Lower Burrell celebrated Christmas with its fourth annual parade on Saturday, a week later than originally planned. While the parade is held at night when lights shine more brightly, the snow on Dec. 13, instead of contributing to the atmosphere, forced its cancellation and rescheduling, Mayor Chris Fabry said. The...
Everything you need to know about Christmas, and how it has evolved into a global holiday
Christmas is a Christian holiday that observes the birth of Jesus. But did you know that the earliest followers of Jesus did not annually commemorate his birth? Or that Santa Claus is inspired by the acts of kindness of a fourth-century Christian saint? And have you heard about the modern-day...
NORAD continues decades-long tradition of tracking Santa’s trip around the world
PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. — Sometimes kids drop the phone after hearing Santa won’t show up if they’re not asleep. Others who call the NORAD Tracks Santa hotline wonder if St. Nick will be able to find them. Adults who also remain devoted to the jolly figure said to...
Coffee and music collide at new Squirrel Hill spot
Lattes streamed and tunes spun on vinyl at Squirrel Hill’s new music themed coffee shop this week. Pre Amp Coffee Studio opened on Nov. 11 – just before Thanksgiving. Since then, co-owner Danny Ryan said the space has been busy. “Squirrel Hill, particularly, you get a lot of people that...
Duck-themed Elf on the Shelf brings holiday cheer to South Park Elementary Center
South Park Elementary Center has two real-life Elves on the Shelf — and unlike the popular holiday toy, these elves don’t stay put. On Friday, Principal Kelli Dellarose and assistant principal Katelyn Vogel dressed in the familiar red-and-white outfits, taking on the role of the mischievous elves who traditionally watch...
Demeatria Boccella recognized by Mayor Ed Gainey for dedication to Black arts
Demeatria Boccella sees the beauty in everyone and everything. The Shadyside resident has built groundbreaking platforms that celebrate the cultural contributions of the African Diaspora and continues to broaden global understanding of Black arts, fashion and beauty. She founded FashionAFRICANA, a program that attracts global talent, designers and leaders to...
‘Sunnymede’ estate boasts European-style architectural roots, for sale in Sewickley Heights
An Old World estate with authentic European details and an impressive architectural pedigree is on the market in Sewickley Heights. Sunnymede is a French-inspired luxury estate designed by the late, renowned architect William Boyd Jr., boasting historic formal gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the man behind the design of...
Trailer for Jimmy Stewart biopic teases Indiana County native’s career, WWII service
The first look at a movie about the life of Indiana County native Jimmy Stewart has been released. The 75-second teaser for “Jimmy” gives viewers a quick glimpse of how the film, starring KJ Apa in the title role, will delve into Stewart’s illustrious movie career and service during World...
Trisha Yearwood melds country and Christmas spirit with PSO at Heinz Hall
We’re on the one-week countdown to Christmas, and yet, it can still be a struggle to get into the holiday spirit for some. Clearly, country superstar Trisha Yearwood sensed the need for a boost in all things merry and bright — with her “Christmastime with Trisha Yearwood: 12 Days of...
Romanian court sentences Wiz Khalifa to 9 months for drug possession
BUCHAREST, Romania — American rapper Wiz Khalifa was sentenced by a court in Romania on Thursday to nine months in jail for drug possession, more than a year after he took part in a music festival in the Eastern European country. Khalifa was stopped by Romanian police in July 2024...
Yinzer Dogs opens brick-and-mortar location in Cranberry
The Yinzer Dog has a house n’at. The Original Yinzer Dogs food truck — inspired by the Original Hot Dog Shop, a popular Oakland spot from 1960 to 2020 — opened a brick-and-mortar location this past weekend in Cranberry. The location “is great because it is close to the UPMC...
Pennsylvania is mailing out money. Are you on the list?
If you live in Pennsylvania, you could be getting a check in the mail soon. Treasurer Stacy Garrity said Thursday that nearly 100,000 Pennsylvania Money Match checks — totaling over $22 million — are on their way to people across the commonwealth. Pennsylvania Money Match, which was created in 2024,...
Upper St. Clair High School senior class has 16 sets of twins
One might do a double-take looking at the list of seniors at Upper St. Clair High School. There are 16 sets of twins in the 2026 graduating class — roughly one in every 10 members of the 299 students is a twin. Thursday is doubly special as it is National...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 19-21
The holidays are officially underway — Christmas is just days away, Hanukkah is lighting up the nights and the winter solstice is Sunday. Incorporate these events into your holidays for a little extra fun this weekend. Trans-Siberian Orchestra For almost three decades, progressive rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra has been turning...
One Tech Tip: Spend quality time with loved ones, not a screen, over the holidays
The Christmas holiday season is a time to step back from the busy pace of modern life and connect with our nearest and dearest instead of screens, apps and chatbots. Here are some suggestions on how to unplug from the online world for the next few weeks as you sit...
Downtown Pittsburgh ice rink ranks No. 1 in North America
Pittsburgh’s iconic ice rink is considered the most beautiful ice rink in North America — beating out the famed Rink at Rockefeller Center, according to a hotel chain. The ranking was released by Premier Inn, a United Kingdom hotel chain, which compiled a list of 56 ice rinks from around...
TV Talk: ‘Pluribus,’ ‘The Pitt,’ ‘Andor’ among 2025 TV’s best scripted shows
As broadcast channels move into reruns for the holidays, it’s an ideal time to catch up on the best scripted series of the year: 1. “Pluribus” (Apple TV): Writer Vince Gilligan (“Breaking Bad”) re-teams with “Better Call Saul” star Rhea Seehorn for this unique, often darkly comic story of an...
The Mattress Factory museum names Anthony Elms as artistic director
Installation-focused North Side contemporary art museum The Mattress Factory will be turning 50 in 2027, and it’s keeping up with the times with a new artistic director who will join the museum in February. Detroit native Anthony Elms will take the reins of all artistic programs early next year. With...
The Oscars will move to YouTube in 2029, leaving longtime home of ABC
In a seismic shift for one of television’s marquee events, the Academy Awards will depart ABC and begin streaming on YouTube beginning in 2029, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Wednesday. ABC will continue to broadcast the annual ceremony through 2028. That year will mark the 100th...
Faith-based entertainment sees a revival in Hollywood. Defining what it is can be a challenge
LOS ANGELES — At the movies this fall, Josh O’Connor plays a hot priest with a complicated past, Keanu Reeves is an angel who lost his wings, and Elizabeth Olsen has a romantic dilemma in the afterlife. Hollywood, it seems, has found God. But it’s not just starry big-budget Netflix...
What Americans think about giving cash as holiday gifts
NEW YORK — Welcome to exhausted America 2025: Most adults are more than a little fine with doling out cash as gifts, and many plan to be asleep before midnight on New Year’s Eve, according to a new AP-NORC poll. About 6 in 10 Americans say cash or gift cards...
Girl group Danity Kane bare their souls amid poppy hit songs at Jergel’s
For many of us in our 30s and 40s, you need to say no more than “this pop group was formed on a 2000s MTV reality show” and we’re there. That would explain the sold-out crowd Tuesday night at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille in Warrendale. Unfortunately, sometimes nostalgia has a darker...
TV Q&A: Where did KDKA’s Erica Mokay go?
Q: What’s up with Erica Mokay on KDKA-TV, who’s been missing from KDKA+ morning news with John Shumway? She has been off, then came back for a few days, and now she’s off again. Has she been sick? — Nancy, via Facebook Rob: It’s December, a time when TV news...
Study finds humans were making fire 400,000 years ago, far earlier than once thought
LONDON — Scientists in Britain say ancient humans may have learned to make fire far earlier than previously believed, after uncovering evidence that deliberate fire-setting took place in what is now eastern England around 400,000 years ago. The findings, described in the journal Nature, push back the earliest known date...
Fans celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday in Britain and beyond
LONDON — Fans of Jane Austen celebrated the acclaimed author’s 250th birthday on Tuesday with a church service in her home village, festive visits to her house and a virtual party for those paying tribute from afar. Thousands of enthusiasts around the world have already taken part in a yearlong...
