Top Stories category, Page 1131
Ransomware hits hundreds of U.S. companies, security firm says
WASHINGTON — A ransomware attack paralyzed the networks of at least 200 U.S. companies on Friday, according to a cybersecurity researcher whose company was responding to the incident. The REvil gang, a major Russian-speaking ransomware syndicate, appears to be behind the attack, said John Hammond of the security firm Huntress...
Living Dead Weekend brings zombies back to Monroeville MallVideo
Shoppers encountered an unusual sight at the Monroeville Mall on Friday as the “Zombie Capital of the World” made an appearance for the Living Dead Weekend. The zombified event had its first day full of living dead activities starting at noon and will continue through Sunday. VIP ticket holders were...
Pennsylvania: All adults fish for free on Sunday
For those who don’t have a fishing license, but would like to try it, the state Fish and Boat Commission is offering adults the chance to fish for free for Sunday. While people don’t need a fishing license Sunday, all other fishing regulations, including season and creel limits, still will...
U.S. vacates key Afghan base; pullout target now ‘late August’
WASHINGTON — Nearly 20 years after invading Afghanistan to oust the Taliban and hunt down al-Qaida, the U.S. military has vacated its biggest airfield in the country, advancing a final withdrawal that the Pentagon on Friday said will be completed by the end of August. President Joe Biden had instructed...
WPIAL graduates give back by organizing, working football clinic in WilkinsburgVideo
The voice was as loud and distinctive as it was during his three seasons at Pitt. Only, this time, it was a bit playful. Clearly, Paris Ford was enjoying himself. A few boys weren’t getting in a straight enough line to suit Ford, one of five NFL players with WPIAL...
Allegheny County family’s overdose loss inspires law designed to ‘save lives’
Heather’s Law was signed this week by Gov. Tom Wolf, ending a four-year effort to provide an extra tool in the battle against overdose deaths. Authored by Rep. Eric Nelson (R-Hempfield), the legislation is named for an Allegheny County family’s daughter who died of an overdose. Formally titled Act 41...
Pittsburgh beefing up security presence for Downtown celebrations this weekend
With full-blown Fourth of July celebrations back for this year’s holiday weekend, Pittsburgh Public Safety officials are stepping up security for events Downtown and in Point State Park. After the pandemic canceled celebrations in the city last year, Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said as many as 200,000 people...
RV sales continue to surge for Western Pa. dealers, fueled by 1st-time buyers
Dealerships across Western Pennsylvania are cashing in on growing demand for RVs, a 2020 national trend that has continued through this year. John Park, general manager of Meyer’s Shreck RV in Washington Township, said his dealership sold 450 RVs last year, compared to 150 the year prior. This year, he...
Michigan boy dies 3 days after getting Pfizer covid-19 vaccine; CDC is investigating
DETROIT — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating the case of a 13-year-old Saginaw County, Mich., boy who died in his sleep three days after getting his second dose of a covid-19 vaccine in mid-June. The county health department confirmed the investigation, telling the Free Press...
Where to watch fireworks this weekend in Western Pennsylvania
Though many Fourth of July celebrations were nixed last year, fireworks are back throughout Western Pennsylvania this weekend. Here are some spots to watch the fireworks and enjoy other celebrations during the holiday weekend: Pittsburgh The City of Pittsburgh is hosting a Fourth of July celebration on Sunday from 6...
Cook disputes Guy Fieri; says discrimination charges not resolved at Hempfield casino eatery
A former line cook who alleged racial discrimination at Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen + Bar at Live! Casino Pittsburgh in Hempfield this spring said the situation has not been resolved. The denial by Nate Ridley, 46, of East Pittsburgh came days after Guy Fieri in an interview with The New...
Richard Branson plans 1st space trip days before Jeff Bezos blasts off
Richard Branson plans to fly to space on July 11, days before a similar journey by fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos. The shares of Branson’s Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc. surged. The VSS Unity spacecraft will also carry three Virgin Galactic employees and two pilots from the launch site in New Mexico,...
Pandemic ‘hangover’ could lead to shortage of backyard fireworks
Business was booming for the consumer fireworks industry ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, but a shortage of product could be looming. Impacts from the covid-19 pandemic are causing consumer fireworks companies across the country to receive about 70% of the inventory they ordered, according to Bruce Zoldan, CEO...
Time to celebrate: Western Pa. fireworks companies welcome back July 4th shows, revenueVideo
Professional firework displays once again will light up the sky this Fourth of July holiday as a number of communities and attractions resume shows that were largely canceled last year because of the covid-19 pandemic. The shift toward normalcy is welcomed by pyrotechnic companies across the region, which are gearing...
West Point fire company in Hempfield placed on probation
The West Point Volunteer Fire Company in Hempfield was put on probation this week, a decision township leaders attributed to the resignation or transfer of three members, including the chief. Township supervisors Monday unanimously voted to place the company on probation, giving them 30 days to submit a corrective plan...
Mysterious bird illness prompts Game Commission, Audubon to recommend taking down bird feeders
A mysterious illness causing bird deaths has prompted the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the local Audubon Society to ask the public to take down their bird feeders. “Out of an abundance of caution and in agreement with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, we advise people to remove their bird feeders (including...
Publishers Clearing House issues warning about scammers after Shaler man wins $1 million prize
Dreamers beware. That’s the message from a national sweepstakes company that awarded a $1 million prize to a Shaler man this week. The warning comes from Publishers Clearing House officials in response to a letter forwarded to the company by the Tribune-Review on behalf of a California man who thought...
Quaker Valley student, service dog become beloved duo in school districtVideo
Seeing a brown, curly-haired poodle donning a black cap and gown with gold cords at a high school’s graduation would look out of the ordinary, but in Quaker Valley School District it was a familiar sight. The 10-year-old poodle named Copper had a reason to celebrate as he was the...
U.S. hands Bagram Airfield to Afghans after nearly 20 years
KABUL, Afghanistan — After nearly 20 years, the U.S. military left Bagram Airfield, the epicenter of its war to oust the Taliban and hunt down the al-Qaida perpetrators of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America, two U.S. officials said Friday. The airfield was handed over to the Afghan National Security...
TV Talk: Unity girl sings on ‘America’s Got Talent’
Before she’s on “America’s Got Talent” next week, 9-year-old opera singer Victory Brinker of Unity used to play “AGT” with her 10 siblings as parents Christine and Eric took on the roles of the show’s judges. “All of my brothers and sisters would do acts, and sometimes I would pretend...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: July 2-5
It’s the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Here are some ideas of how to spend it in Pittsburgh. Downtown Pittsburgh Pittsburgh’s Independence Day celebration returns this year. The traditional gathering at Point State Park will include patriotic music and food vendors from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., with the fireworks...
Career and technical schools cope with pandemic, share optimism about future
When the covid-19 pandemic extended into the 2020-21 school year, districts had to find a way to safely accommodate students and still deliver quality education. For career and technical education (CTE) schools, that challenge was multiplied, but as individual schools rose to meet it, they took away plenty of positives...
Pa. mayors petition congressional delegation for $500 million investment in parks
More than a dozen Pennsylvania mayors, including Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, this week petitioned Congress to invest $500 million in parks nationwide to address equity in urban communities. The mayors joined the effort with The Trust for Public Land, which has been leading a coalition of over 300 nonprofits, community...
2 Pittsburgh firefighters join search teams at Surfside collapse; North Side nonprofit starts fund for victims
Two Pittsburgh fire officials traveled to Surfside, Fla. on Thursday to join hundreds of first responders in the search for possible survivors of the 12-story building collapse that has killed at least 18 people and left 145 missing. A captain and a lieutenant of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire have...
Monroeville police warn of phone scam involving officer impersonator
Monroeville police want to warn the public about a phone scam involving someone impersonating an officer in order to obtain money. Police Chief Doug Cole said a woman told police June 30 that someone had called her claiming to be from the department and that a family member was in...
