Regional category, Page 20
Pittsburgh stands out as only U.S. city cheaper to buy than rent, report says
Pittsburgh came out on top in a new Realtor.com rental report as the only U.S. city where it’s cheaper to buy a home rather than rent. According to the report, renting saves over $900 per month compared to buying a home in 49 out of 50 of the largest cities...
Staffing agency owner sentenced after employing, harboring illegal workers
A Belle Vernon man was sentenced to more than two years in jail and must pay a $3.6 million fine after pleading guilty to running a temporary staffing agency that provided workers who were living illegally in the United States. Federal prosecutors said Andy Ha, 28, also failed to pay...
Chainsaw sandwich experience coming to Sheetz in Seven Fields
For one day only, customers will have the chance to get their Sheetz Made-to-Order sandwiches sliced in half with a chainsaw — yes, a real chainsaw. The horror film-esque sandwiches are part of a collaboration with the nonalcoholic beverage brand Liquid Death called the “Sheetz x Liquid Death Chainsaw-Sliced Sandwich...
Taco Tuesday goes next-level at these Western Pa. eateries
Western Pennsylvania has no shortage of dining destinations for tacos — and non-traditional tacos are having a moment. If you are looking to take #TacoTuesday to the next level, these local restaurants are just a few that offer specialty tacos all the time. You may find yourself with crunchy cravings...
Lawyers ask Pa. Supreme Court to clamp down on Washington County DA’s use of death penalty
A team of defense attorneys on Tuesday asked the state Supreme Court to restrict Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh from pursuing the death penalty — accusing him of using capital punishment to coerce plea agreements and cooperation from defendants, and to earn political capital among supporters. The petition for...
Teen victim identified in head-on crash in Washington County
One person died in a head-on collision Tuesday morning in Washington County, authorities say. The Washington County Coroner was called around 5:30 a.m. to Route 40, near the road’s intersection with Valley View Road, in North Bethlehem on a report of the crash, a 911 dispatcher told TribLive. The corner’s...
Elimination of a $200 tax could transform nation’s gun regulations
A seemingly small change to a federal law that has regulated some firearms for more than 80 years could be an open door for lawsuits with the potential to transform gun regulations. Part of President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” rolls back to zero a federal excise tax on certain...
Gun owners welcome elimination of tax on gun suppressors, expect increased demand
Willis Paul recently bought his 27th gun suppressor. He said he has collected the accessories for the past five years and, in that time, has shelled out $5,400 in excise taxes. But after changes to the National Firearms Act in the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act take effect...
Pittsburgh woman accused of working as nurse without license at area nursing homes
A Pittsburgh woman is accused of working as a nurse although she lacked professional licensing when she was employed at nine Western Pennsylvania nursing homes between Oct. 1, 2024, and April 2 — including one facility in Westmoreland County and three in Allegheny County. State police said Shannon Nicole Womack,...
Open road tolling on Pa. Turnpike to launch statewide in early 2027
Traditional Pennsylvania Turnpike interchanges will be a thing of the past come January 2027, when the 85-year-old technology will be swapped for open road tolling across the entire roadway. Toll roads east of Reading and on the Northeast Extension were converted earlier this year to the open road tolling system,...
Morning Roundup: Work on Parkway East to shutter traffic in Monroeville; sunny skies in week ahead
Here are some of the latest news items happening this morning, Monday, July 21: Parkway East work to impact Monroeville traffic Part of Old William Penn Highway in Monroeville will temporarily close to traffic Monday night, weather permitting, PennDOT officials announced. Motorists will not be able to travel on Old...
McKeesport man dies following motorcycle crash in Fayette County
A McKeesport man was killed Saturday after a motorcycle crash in Fayette County, Pennsylvania State Police said late Sunday. David Lesko, 34, died after the crash around 6:30 p.m. on Morgantown Road in Springhill Township, police said. Paramedics had rushed Lesko to J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, police said....
Brown University study flags 4 Southwestern Pa. nursing homes ‘at risk’ under Medicaid cuts
Four Southwestern Pennsylvania nursing homes could be in trouble after approval of the federal spending plan described by President Donald Trump as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” according to a Brown University study. But the variation in funding formulas could limit the impact on facilities identified in the study, according...
Health care experts: Medicaid cuts threaten Pennsylvania’s nursing home industry
Zach Shamberg fears federal Medicaid adjustments approved in President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” will worsen a nursing home climate already strained by insufficient care reimbursements and staffing challenges. Shamberg, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, joined a chorus of health care experts speaking out against...
Motorcyclist dies after head-on crash with pickup in Washington County
A motorcyclist died after a crash with a pickup Saturday afternoon in Washington County, state police said. State police said Zachary C. Strohmeyer, 37, of Avella was traveling east on Vance Road in Cross Creek Township on a Harley-Davidson when he became distracted and hit an oncoming pickup head-on. Strohmeyer...
Male retirees embrace fitness to stay healthy and active
Tom Jackson of New Kensington was going through his morning routine this month, lifting weights on several different machines in the basement at the Valley Points Family YMCA of New Kensington. “Working on the weights keeps you active. At my age, there are not a lot of us who (are...
When it comes to assessed property values, what is a mill, anyway?
Taxpayers know their property taxes are expressed in terms of mills or “millage.” The higher the millage number, the bigger the tax bill. But many don’t understand where that comes from. For taxing purposes, a mill is 1/1,000th of a dollar. So a tax rate of 100 mills means the...
Nonprofit’s ‘Frog Week’ a leap into education, improving habitat
AAron Capouellez wants people to know everything they can about how to create, maintain and foster nurturing habitats for Pennsylvania’s frogs and toads. But he doesn’t want them to know where those habitats are, necessarily. It’s one of the odd contradictions of amphibian conservation and a bit of a catch-22...
Penn State buys former fraternity house where Timothy Piazza was fatally hurt
Penn State trustees on Friday authorized the purchase of the former Beta Theta Pi house where hazing led to the death of student Timothy Piazza in 2017. The university will pay $7.3 million for the 0.92-acre property, located at 220 N. Burrowes Road, State College. Sara Thorndike, senior vice president...
Starbucks makes secret menu official
For the first time, Starbucks is acknowledging its secret menu. Though countless “secret menu” items at Starbucks have been circulating online and on social media for years, this week, the coffee giant made the secret menu official. Starbucks Rewards members can now order the top drink customizations, including twists on...
Penn State increases 2026-27 tuition rates for University Park, some branch campus students
Penn State’s budget for the 2026-27 academic year raises tuition for all of its students attending University Park and some of its students that attend branch campuses. The $10.2 billion budget, approved Friday by the board of trustees, includes a 2% tuition increase for in-state undergraduate students attending University Park,...
Flash flood warnings are being issued in W.Pa. at their fastest rate in 20 years
Western Pennsylvania has been awash in flash flood warnings this year. The National Weather Service has issued 112 such warnings so far in 2025, Alicia Miller, hydrologist at the weather service in Moon, said Thursday. That’s more than the past three years combined and more than any year since 2003....
Tuition increase approved for state-owned universities for 1st time in 7 years
Tuition for state universities is set to increase by 3.6% for students this fall, but that figure could decrease if state funding increases, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education said Thursday. In-state undergraduate tuition for this academic year will increase by $139 per semester, to $3,997 per semester, according...
Standing-room-only crowd gets detailed look at plan for Homer City natural gas plant
Members of the public got their first detailed look Wednesday evening at what would be the largest natural gas-fired power plant in the U.S. if it’s built: a 3,200-acre project in Homer City, Indiana County. Representatives from Homer City Redevelopment were on hand alongside officials from local trade unions and...
Morning Roundup: Cooling centers open in Allegheny, Westmoreland; Fayette fire hospitalizes 4
Here are some of the latest news items happening this morning, Wednesday, July 16: Cooling centers open in Allegheny, Westmoreland After issuing a heat advisory Tuesday, Allegheny County will keep its cooling centers open Wednesday as temperatures reach into the upper 80s. Cooling centers will be open in Allegheny County...
