Top Stories category, Page 102
Hopes pinned on ‘unique’ redesign of Wexford I-79 interchange alleviating congestion, reducing crashes
Local officials, business owners and PennDOT are hopeful an investment of nearly $50 million will alleviate congestion and improve safety at the Wexford interchange connecting Interstate 79 with Route 910 in northern Allegheny County. Work is beginning on a $46.5 million, two-year project that will reconfigure the interchange on the...
Punxsutawney Phil, blown glass demo new features at Latrobe’s banana split celebration
Furry weather prognosticator Punxsutawney Phil keeps his strength up by eating corn, kale, carrots — and his favorite, bananas. So, the famous groundhog should be right at home on Saturday when he makes his first ever visit to Latrobe’s Great American Banana Split Celebration. “Before any road trip, we like...
Trump’s crackdown in D.C. leaves residents on edge as federal agents set up checkpoints
WASHINGTON — Federal authorities have set up checkpoints around the nation’s capital, sometimes asking people for their immigration status and detaining them, as President Donald Trump’s crackdown ensnares more residents each day. Trump claimed that a crime crisis required his Republican administration’s intervention in the Democratic-led city this month, brushing...
Highmark operating income hits $121M in 1st half, propelled by covid funds, efficiency gains
Highmark Health, the Pittsburgh-based parent company of Highmark insurance and Allegheny Health Network, posted operating income of $121 million through the first half of the year, with solid performances from its main divisions. That’s a marked decline, though, from the same time in 2024, when Highmark reported a $307 million...
Group accuses Trump of delaying tighter pollution monitoring at steel plants like Clairton Coke Works
An environmental group on Thursday called for stricter pollution monitoring at steelmaking facilities like U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works, a longtime polluter and site of an explosion last week that killed two workers. A report from the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Integrity Project documented potentially dangerous levels of pollutants at steel...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Aug. 22-24
Summer vacation is coming to an end — if it hasn’t already — even if it’s still blazing hot outside. Get some family time in with these events around Pittsburgh this weekend. Pittsburgh Water Lantern Festival This festival is both a fun and a meaningful experience for attendees. Held at...
Appeals court throws out massive civil fraud penalty against President Donald Trump
NEW YORK — A New York appeals court on Thursday threw out President Donald Trump’s massive civil fraud penalty while upholding a judge’s finding that he exaggerated his wealth for decades. The ruling spares Trump from a potential half-billion-dollar fine but bans him and his two eldest sons from serving...
Allegheny Valley School Board divided over students’ cellphone use in schools
Allegheny Valley School Board members haven’t come to a consensus on students’ cellphone access and use in district schools. A debate came Tuesday night after Superintendent Patrick Graczyk recommended the district continue its current policy this school year, which allows cellphones to be used in areas like the hallway or...
China races to build world’s largest solar farm, which would be the size of Chicago
TALATAN, China — Chinese government officials last month showed off what they say will be the world’s largest solar farm when completed high on a Tibetan plateau. It will cover 235 square miles, which is the size of Chicago. China has been installing solar panels far faster than anywhere else...
Morning Roundup: Duquesne Light delays storm-response meeting; police warn of sexual assaults in North Side
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Aug. 21: Duquesne Light delays storm-response meeting Duquesne Light representatives backed out of a scheduled appearance Wednesday before Allegheny County Council’s storm response committee, drawing the ire of state Rep. Abigail Salisbury. The utility had a 5 p.m....
Forecasters see ‘taste of fall’ coming next week for Western Pa.
Ready for some heat relief? A “taste of fall” could be on the way, according to the National Weather Service in Moon. A map issued by the agency Tuesday shows Western Pennsylvania is likely to see temperatures cooler than usual, at least into Monday and possibly through next Friday. The...
Hurricane Erin stirs up strong winds and floods part of a N.C. highway as it slowly moves out to sea
RODANTHE, N.C. — Hurricane Erin battered North Carolina’s Outer Banks with strong winds and waves that flooded part of the main highway and surged under beachfront homes as the monster storm slowly began to move away from the East Coast on Thursday. Forecasters predicted the storm would peak Thursday and...
Access improvements underway at Latrobe Amtrak station
Amtrak is renovating its Latrobe station to improve accessibility for all passengers, particularly those with physical limitations. The project will add a new, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramp with a canopy, providing access from the McKinley Avenue parking area to the train platform. The existing concrete steps will be replaced,...
Residents, landowners tell state regulators they oppose 2nd Rustic Ridge mine in Donegal area
A group of about two dozen Donegal area residents pleaded with state environmental regulators Wednesday to reject an application for another coal mine next to an existing one. They cited mine subsidence damage, loss of water supply, coal truck traffic and stream pollution from the mine the Johnstown company already...
Top White House officials turn to public appearances with troops as a tense Washington watches
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s law-enforcement crackdown on Washington expanded Wednesday and top administration officials visited National Guard troops to support a deployment that has left parts of the U.S. capital looking like occupied territory. Anger and frustration dotted the city as the vice president lauded an operation that he...
Texas House approves redrawn maps sought by Trump ahead of 2026 elections
AUSTIN — The Texas House on Wednesday approved redrawn congressional maps that would give Republicans a bigger edge in 2026, muscling through a partisan gerrymander that launched weeks of protests by Democrats and a widening national battle over redistricting. The approval came at the urging of President Donald Trump, who...
Pittsburgh police probe videos of people taping mice to fireworks, then lighting them
Pittsburgh police are looking for individuals who duct-taped mice to fireworks before igniting the devices, then posted videos of the rodents’ deaths to social media. The police bureau announced Wednesday it was aware of the animal cruelty acts and an accompanying social-media post. Detectives said they have recovered a plastic...
‘Evil’: Ohio man goes to prison for sex trafficking girl at Monroeville hotel
A federal judge has sentenced an Ohio man to 12½ years in prison for renting Monroeville hotel rooms and prostituting a girl and two women he brought across state lines. Donte L. Cole, 40, of Euclid, Ohio transported the girl from Cleveland to the Rodeway Inn & Suites hotel in...
Pa. high court keeps status quo on open-records access to officials’ personal social media posts
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of a Crawford County school district in finding posts made by its board members — including those about district issues — on their personal social media pages are not automatically subject to the state’s open-records laws. Had the decision gone the...
Hurricane Erin picking up steam as it edges along the East Coast
RODANTHE, N.C. — Hurricane Erin began strengthening again Wednesday while creeping toward the mid-Atlantic coast and churning up menacing waves that have closed beaches from the Carolinas to New York City. Forecasters expect the storm to peak going into Thursday and say it could re-intensify into a major hurricane. While...
Monroeville officials, residents await more details on mall redevelopment plans
Monroeville residents who want more information on the future of the Monroeville Mall property will have to wait a bit longer, municipal officials said this month. “Nothing has been submitted to the municipality whatsoever, no plans, no drafts,” said Mayor Nick Gresock of Walmart’s proposal to redevelop the 186-acre mall...
Movie producer pleads guilty to stabbing, stalking wife in South Fayette
An actor and movie producer pleaded guilty Wednesday morning to stabbing his wife nearly three years ago at her South Fayette home. John Mowod, 61, will be sentenced by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Thomas E. Flaherty on Nov. 19 on charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment....
Carnegie Mellon president discusses finances ahead of town halls
Carnegie Mellon University President Farnam Jahanian announced Wednesday that he will hold two town halls next month as he detailed the university’s financial status in a letter to students and faculty. “These forums will allow me and our leadership team to share more about the university’s short-term plans and long-term...
New name, new vibe on tap for Harrison’s Anchor Inn
A pair of well-known restaurateurs are setting their sights on Harrison, seeking to revive the popular Anchor Inn that closed in May. Corey Pistininzi and Sean Watson, owners of BotL in New Kensington and National Public House in Leechburg, purchased the building and are wading through details for a new...
Pirates to promote top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler for bulk relief role
It’s almost Bubba time in the ’Burgh. The Pittsburgh Pirates are promoting Bubba Chandler, ranked the top right-handed pitching prospect in the minors, a source told TribLive on Wednesday morning. The 22-year-old right-hander is expected to be selected to the active roster before Friday’s game against the Colorado Rockies. “Really...
