Top Stories category, Page 12
Westmoreland water authority says harsh winter weather stressed system
Arctic winter conditions that set upon Western Pennsylvania over the past month have the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County working overtime. Snow and freezing temperatures in late January and early February resulted in hundreds of water line breaks, leaks, frozen pipes and longer work hours for the crews assigned to...
Former Steelers safety Mike Wagner, key member of Steel Curtain defense, dies
Four-time Super Bowl champion Mike Wagner, a ballhawk at safety and a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor, has died. He was 76. The Steelers, for whom Wagner played all 10 of his NFL seasons, announced his death Wednesday night. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of...
Kennedy’s push to find cause of autism divides Hill Republicans
WASHINGTON — One year into his first term, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s focus on autism is showing how polarizing Trump administration health policy can be for Capitol Hill Republicans. Some GOP lawmakers say Kennedy’s interest in autism is counterproductive and could cause long-term mistrust in...
‘Unconscionable’: At Ash Wednesday vigil in Pittsburgh, Christians decry ICE tactics, pray for immigrants
Michael Airgood felt compelled Wednesday to join dozens of fellow Christians who prayed for peace and called for humane treatment of immigrants during a vigil in Downtown Pittsburgh. “I’m here because I think what our government is doing to immigrants and people of color is unconscionable,” said Airgood, a minister...
Public health, green groups sue EPA over repeal of rule supporting climate protections
WASHINGTON — A coalition of health and environmental groups sued the Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday, challenging the rescinding of a scientific finding that has been the central basis for U.S. action to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. A rule finalized by the EPA last week revoked...
Trump administration releases Hudson tunnel funds it froze for months, allowing work to restart
The $205 million held since October by the Trump administration in a political spat over the region’s largest infrastructure project has been restored, the Gateway Development Commission said Wednesday in a statement. The money, part of nearly $15 billion earmarked by Congress for the construction of the $16 billion Hudson...
Downtown Pittsburgh assault near Kaufmann’s clock leads to 3 arrests
Police on Wednesday arrested three of four suspects charged with punching and kicking a man dozens of times earlier this month while beating him in Downtown Pittsburgh near the landmark Kaufmann’s clock. The three — Shakeem Griffey, 31, of Pittsburgh; Mateke Katzbeck, 26, of Pittsburgh; and Caleb Mitchell, 23, of...
Transportation Department says more than 550 driving schools must close over safety failures
More than 550 commercial driving schools in the U.S. that train truckers and bus drivers must close after investigators found they employed unqualified instructors, failed to adequately test students and had other safety issues, the federal Transportation Department announced Wednesday. The move marks the Transportation Department’s latest effort to improve...
Billionaire Les Wexner says he was ‘duped’ by adviser Jeffrey Epstein, ‘a world-class con man’
NEW ALBANY, Ohio — The billionaire behind the retail empire that once blanketed shopping malls with names such as Victoria’s Secret and Abercrombie & Fitch told members of Congress on Wednesday that he was “duped by a world-class con man” — close financial adviser Jeffrey Epstein. Les Wexner also denied...
Pitt Athletics to host block party complementing NFL Draft
The 2026 NFL Draft isn’t just for fans of the pro game anymore — Pitt Athletics has announced that a three-day block party will take place during the April festivities in Pittsburgh. “We’re excited to partner with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust to create a one-of-a-kind experience for our fans during...
Former Highlands teacher headed to court on 2nd set of charges
The defense attorney for a former Highlands elementary school teacher accused of indecent assault on two students attempted Tuesday during a preliminary hearing to paint the alleged interactions as merely friends hugging. Attorney Duke George, representing former Highlands School District teacher Sean Dicer during a preliminary hearing Wednesday at District...
Construction to begin on Oakland’s Panther Hollow Bridge
Construction is set to begin on the Panther Hollow Bridge, which has been closed since inspectors discovered corrosion on the span’s steel trusses during an inspection in fall 2024. Pittsburgh on Wednesday said repairs on the 640-foot-long bridge — which spans Panther Hollow near Anderson Playground — will start within...
Mt. Washington’s PJ McArdle Roadway reopens after rockfall
Pittsburgh’s PJ McArdle Roadway reopened Wednesday afternoon less than five hours after city officials closed it when rocks fell from a Mt. Washington hillside. Workers from multiple Pittsburgh departments responded to the scene around 9:15 a.m. following a report of fallen rocks, said Molly Onufer, a spokeswoman for Mayor Corey...
Wilkinsburg man to face trial on charges he held people at gunpoint in Duquesne home
A Wilkinsburg man is facing trial after police said he held a group of people captive at gunpoint at a Duquesne home in December — just days after being released from jail for a separate assault. During a preliminary hearing Tuesday in Duquesne, a district judge held 20 charges against...
Shutdown may delay answers about planned ICE facility in Berks County
This story was produced by the Berks County bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom. Sign up for Good Day, Berks, a daily dose of essential local stories at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/gooddayberks. Update: Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach said Tuesday evening there’s no meeting planned for Feb. 18. He said he...
Woodland Hills board president resigns after felony charges
Woodland Hills School Board President Terri Lawson has resigned following controversy surrounding suspected misuse of nearly $10,000 in unauthorized purchases on a borough credit card. Lawson, former Rankin borough manager, was charged with felony counts of theft and fraud as well as misdemeanor counts of forgery and tampering with records...
Mark Madden: Costly personnel blunders have buried the Steelers in mediocrity
As the Pittsburgh Steelers look to break a string of nine seasons with no playoff wins, there still seems to be an underlying faith among the citizens that the Steelers have a great organization and will ultimately get it right. But nine years is a pretty big sample size to...
TV Talk: WTAE promotes from within, names new morning co-anchor
Following Michelle Wright’s Feb. 27 final broadcast before retirement, morning traffic reporter Elena LaQuatra will succeed Wright at the anchor desk as WTAE returns to a two-anchor morning format. Janelle Hall will remain at the morning anchor desk alongside LaQuatra and meteorologist Ashley Dougherty but Ryan Recker will move to...
8 backcountry skiers found dead and 1 still missing after California avalancheVideo
NEVADA CITY, Calif. — Crews found the bodies of eight backcountry skiers near California’s Lake Tahoe and were searching for one more after they were caught in an avalanche, the nation’s deadliest in nearly half a century, authorities said Wednesday. Authorities said the skiers had little time to react. “Someone...
Recent bitter weather has wreaked havoc on humans. What about nature?
Ice scrapers and heavy coats have been temporarily set aside for sunglasses, but the natural world is still reeling from the deep freeze that gripped the region for the past several weeks. During the final week of January, temperatures only made it as high as 17 degrees, dipping to their...
Oakmont approves resolution for non-cooperation with ICE and Customs & Border ProtectionVideo
Oakmont officials Tuesday night unanimously approved a resolution prohibiting the borough from engaging in noncriminal federal immigration law enforcement. The resolution also made clear Oakmont would not enter into a 287(g) agreement, which allows local police departments to aid U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in immigration enforcement. The partnership is...
Springdale residents divided, frustrated after recent ICE detainment
Springdale Council and residents are divided over the local police department’s cooperation with ICE. Several displeased residents took the chance to confront officials Tuesday at council’s first meeting since the detainment of Springdale resident Randy Cordova-Flores, 36, originally from Peru. But the meeting — attended by a few dozen residents...
Ex-Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger discusses personal ‘transformation,’ avoids podcast feud with Joey Porter
There was no mention of the criticism he faced from a former teammate, but Ben Roethlisberger briefly touched on his own maturation process in the latest episode of his podcast. The retired Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback steered clear of the controversy stirred up last week by ex-linebacker Joey Porter Sr., who...
FBI, St. Paul police probing ICE arrest that resulted in skull fractures
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota and federal authorities are investigating the alleged beating of a Mexican citizen by immigration officers last month, seeking to identify what caused the eight skull fractures that landed the man in the intensive care unit of a Minneapolis hospital. Investigators from the St. Paul Police Department and...
Former Greensburg officer convicted of drug dealing must repay pension benefits
Greensburg’s police pension commission on Tuesday approved a decision that seeks the repayment of $75,400 by a retired officer who was sentenced to probation on federal drug crimes. The commission OK’d the findings of fact, conclusions of law and decision regarding the forfeiture of pension benefits paid to Regina McAtee....
