Top Stories category, Page 1000
Moderna announces full U.S. approval for its covid vaccine
WASHINGTON — Moderna announced Monday that U.S. health regulators granted full approval to its covid-19 vaccine, a shot that’s been given to tens of millions of Americans since its emergency authorization over a year ago. The action by the Food and Drug Administration means the agency has completed the same...
Tickets going fast for upcoming ‘Hamilton’ run in Pittsburgh
The hit musical “Hamilton” returns to Pittsburgh for performances Feb. 22 through March 13 at the Benedum Center in the downtown Cultural District. Prospective audience members who haven’t purchased tickets yet would be well advised to do so soon, said Marc Fleming, vice president of marketing, communications and Broadway programming...
Pittsburgh couple who survived bridge collapse thought they were going to die, twice
A Pittsburgh couple in a red pickup truck cheated death twice as the Forbes Avenue bridge collapsed Friday and crashed to the ground with their truck still on it. Ten people were injured in the collapse, including Tyrone and Velva Perry, both 69, of Pittsburgh. An estimated 14,000 motorists daily...
Westmoreland commissioners approve $1.3 million plan for 2022 tourism
The Westmoreland County commissioners approved spending $1.3 million to promote what one called the “crown jewels” of the region. The money, generated through a portion of the county’s 5% hotel tax, will pay for marketing efforts as well as upgrades to parks, the purchase of property and grants to help...
Officials: Mattress fire caused evacuation of Pittsburgh’s Roosevelt Arms apartments
A resident smoking in bed resulted in a mattress fire that led to the evacuation late Sunday of the Roosevelt Arms high-rise apartments in Downtown Pittsburgh, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety. Reported at around 11:30 p.m., the fire was contained to an apartment on the 10th floor of the 14-floor...
Senators move closer to deal on Russian sanctions billVideo
WASHINGTON — U.S. senators are close to agreeing on a Russia sanctions bill that could include penalties even if President Vladimir Putin doesn’t send troops into Ukraine, Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez said. Lawmakers will be briefed this week by Biden administration officials, including military leaders, on the standoff...
Residents near collapsed Forbes Avenue bridge adjusting to traffic, longer commutes
Life will be a little different for people living near the collapsed Forbes Avenue bridge. The consensus among residents is that while the loss of the bridge over Fern Hollow in Frick Park has created some inconveniences, they’ll adapt just fine. They don’t have a choice. The vibe in nearby...
O’Connor: Rebuilding Forbes Avenue bridge could take 2 years, more than $10M
Declarations of emergency from Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and Gov. Tom Wolf could help fast-track federal and state money to help pay for the cleanup and construction of the Forbes Avenue bridge over Fern Hollow in Frick Park. How quickly the process will move along is uncertain, but constructing a...
Spotify to add advisories to podcasts discussing covid-19
NEW YORK — As a result of protests of Spotify kicked off by Neil Young over the spread of covid-19 vaccine misinformation, the music streaming service said that it will add content advisories before podcasts discussing the virus. In a post Sunday, Spotify chief executive Daniel Ek laid out more...
GOP lawmakers call out Trump on pardons for Jan. 6 riotersVideo
WASHINGTON — Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham forcefully disagreed with former President Donald Trump for saying he might pardon people convicted in the U.S. Capitol riot if reelected, saying they should be jailed “and get the book thrown at them.” Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu...
It got so cold in Florida, iguanas fell from trees
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A cold snap in Florida is different than in other places. We put on heavy coats when it’s 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). No blizzard conditions here in the Sunshine State, but we have our issues as well when the thermometer drops. The National Weather...
After the blizzard, the East Coast digs out under sunny skyVideo
BOSTON — The sun shone down on much of the East Coast on Sunday, a day after a vicious nor’easter brought blizzard conditions to many areas, and left more than 100,000 customers without power for a stretch that could last into Monday. Winds that had gusted to more than 80...
Franklin Regional marching band director announces retirement days before Disney trip
Citing ongoing health concerns and family considerations, longtime Franklin Regional School District band director Lawrence Silvestri announced his retirement Saturday, according to band officials. Silvestri’s immediate retirement was announced Saturday via private email forwarded through acting marching band director Nick Nutter to high school marching band members and parents. “Yes,...
Howard Hesseman, star of ‘WKRP in Cincinnati,’ dies at 81
NEW YORK — Howard Hesseman, who played the radio disc jockey Dr. Johnny Fever on the sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati” and the actor-turned-history teacher Charlie Moore on “Head of the Class,” has died. He was 81. Hesseman died Saturday in Los Angeles due to complications from colon surgery, his manager...
Trump dangles prospect of pardons for Jan. 6 defendants
CONROE, Texas — Former President Donald Trump is dangling the prospect of pardons for supporters who participated in the deadly Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol if he returns to the White House. “If I run and if I win, we will treat those people from January 6th fairly,”...
Housework or sleep? Study says it depends when you were born
When Gen Xer Amy Rottier went shopping for her young children two decades ago, she drove to a mall and browsed for what she needed. Her millennial daughter, Helen, who is studying for a doctorate and doesn’t have children, buys anything she needs with a click on her iPad. The...
2 men shot outside Greensburg bar
Greensburg police are seeking the public’s help in connection with a shooting early Sunday that sent two men to area hospitals. Police Det. Justin Scalzo said the shooting occurred just before 2 a.m. along Pennsylvania Avenue outside the Rialto Cafe bar. “Neither of the injuries are life threatening. We’re asking...
2 reported injured in row house fire in Beltzhoover
Two people including a firefighter were injured by a fire in a row house in Pittsburgh’s Beltzhoover neighborhood Saturday, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety officials. Firefighters and emergency response crews were called to a row house fire in the 300 block of Boggston Avenue just before 5 p.m. The fire...
Jerry Weber, founder of Jerry’s Records in Pittsburgh, dies
Jerry Weber, the beloved Pittsburgh purveyor of vinyl, has died. Weber owned Jerry’s Records on Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill — a haven for vinylheads and a kingdom of records. “We are devastated to hear of Jerry’s passing,” the record store wrote Saturday on Facebook. “Our beloved founder and Pittsburgh’s...
Lawmakers react to Frick Park bridge collapse
One of the Pittsburgh area’s congressmen is pointing to Friday’s bridge collapse as proof of the need for the nation’s latest infrastructure spending plan. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills, praised the “brave and rapid response” of first responders and wished those who were injured speedy recoveries. “It was a miracle...
Holding onto hope inside a covid ICU: ‘It’s like working in a war zone’Video
Inside a room in the intensive care unit at Allegheny Health Network’s Jefferson Hospital, a covid-infected man lies prone on his stomach, hooked up to a ventilator that is breathing for him. The room is noisy, even though the man can’t speak. Chimes and beeps are accompanied by the constant,...
Lower Burrell man accused of threatening Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert online
A 55-year-old man accused of making threats on social media to harm Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert and his family was taken into custody after a search of a home in Lower Burrell on Saturday. Matthew A. Betts was found hiding in a storage locker at a residence on Lori...
Pa. hospitals wrestle with nursing shortages as pandemic drags on
The stress of a two-year pandemic combined with an aging workforce and shortage of teachers has led to a critical staffing shortage among nurses. Joy Peters, chief nursing officer for Allegheny Health Network’s Jefferson Hospital, said staffing levels in almost every department at Jefferson are down 30% to 40% from...
‘It’s a resource problem’: 1 in 8 bridges in Pa. rated in ‘poor’ condition, records show
A bridge that collapsed in Pittsburgh’s Frick Park is one of hundreds of bridges rated in similar “poor” condition throughout the region and one of thousands across Pennsylvania. Ten people were injured Friday morning when Fern Hollow Bridge, which carries Forbes Avenue over Fern Hollow Creek, collapsed, sending a Port...
Ligonier firefighters secure ownership of 85-year-old borough building at auction
There was little drama during Saturday’s auction of the former Ligonier Borough Municipal Building. Ligonier Volunteer Hose Company 1 made the winning $315,000 bid that will allow the fire company to keep using it. Winning the public auction of the 85-year-old building at 112 N. Fairfield St. was a big...
