Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 13
NFL Draft stage rises on Pittsburgh’s North Shore
Construction crews are in full swing on Pittsburgh’s North Shore as the NFL Draft stage begins to take shape. Steve Farago, the NFL’s director of event operations, said the build kicked off Saturday, when about 50 trucks rolled in loaded with equipment for the massive outdoor theater. The stage is...
Judge blocks Trump order to end funding for National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting Service
WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Tuesday agreed to permanently block the Trump administration from implementing a presidential directive to end federal funding for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service. U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss in Washington ruled that President Donald Trump’s executive order to cease funding for...
Severe thunderstorms could hit Pittsburgh region as temperatures remain warm
Severe thunderstorms could roll into the Pittsburgh region Tuesday afternoon and evening ahead of a cold front, according to the National Weather Service. Damaging winds appear to be the primary threat, although large hail or a tornado could not be ruled out. “We’re pretty confident that we’ll have a good...
Employee of McCandless senior living facility accused of raping co-worker; suspect arrested
An employee of a senior living and memory care facility in McCandless is accused of raping a woman who also works there, according to charges filed by McCandless police. McCandless police charged Diosdado Anvene Ele, 33, of Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood on March 30 with felony counts of rape, involuntary deviate...
Steelers’ Mike McCarthy: Will Howard ‘definitely a real prospect as a starting QB’Video
PHOENIX — Mike McCarthy enjoyed his year off away from coaching and being more involved with his family in 2025. For only the second time in more than a quarter century, he had no role in the draft. But if McCarthy had carried influence in a draft “war room” last...
Philadelphia man sentenced for death threats of political worker
A Philadelphia man who threatened to skin alive a woman working for the state GOP when she failed to answer his text message about being a poll worker will serve 10 months in federal prison. John C. Pollard, 63, pleaded guilty in December to one count of interstate threats. “Political...
Iran remains a stubborn foe after absorbing massive U.S.-Israeli attacks
BEIRUT — Since the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran on Feb. 28, the Trump administration claims to have all but “obliterated” the Islamic Republic’s military capabilities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared last week that “never in recorded history has a nation’s military been so quickly and...
Allegheny Riverfront Park renovations to boost Pittsburgh’s event capacity
Freshly planted trees and new pavers are easily visible through the chain-link fence that is keeping people out of Downtown Pittsburgh’s Allegheny Riverfront Park while renovations are underway. Work is nearly completed, with a ribbon cutting scheduled for Thursday morning. Riverlife, a nonprofit dedicated to maintaining and activating Pittsburgh’s riverfronts,...
Supreme Court rules against Colorado ban on ‘conversion therapy’ for LGBTQ kids
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled against a law banning “conversion therapy” for LGBTQ+ kids in Colorado, one of about two dozen states that ban the discredited practice. An 8-1 high court majority sided with a Christian counselor who argues the law banning talk therapy violates the First...
After a month of war, Hegseth says Iran retains the ability to strike
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth conceded Tuesday that Iran retained the ability to retaliate after a monthlong U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign but repeated claims that Iran’s military capabilities had been crippled, in his first public briefing on the war in nearly two weeks. “They will shoot some missiles; we will shoot them...
Ross man who bought over 200 handguns is accused of firearms trafficking
A Ross man is accused of trafficking firearms after six of more than 200 handguns he bought over 11 years were recovered by police in three states, according to charges filed by the state Attorney General’s Office. Benjamin Ford, 43, was charged Thursday with six felony counts of selling or...
King Charles III to visit U.S. and Bermuda in late April
LONDON — King Charles III is going ahead with a state visit to the United States next month, despite calls for the ceremonial event to be called off due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated criticism of the British government for failing to support the war in Iran. Buckingham Palace...
Trump says nations upset by high fuel prices should ‘go get your own oil’ amid strait closure
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — U.S. strikes hit a city Tuesday that is home to one of Iran’s main nuclear sites, sending a massive fireball into the sky, and Tehran attacked a fully loaded Kuwaiti oil tanker in the Persian Gulf. The attacks were testament to the intensity of the...
Teen shot in Homewood; police detain 2 after foot chase
One teen was arrested and one hospitalized after a shooting Monday night in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood. ShotSpotter recorded 13 rounds of gunfire — followed seconds later by two more shots — near the 500 block of Rosedale Street around 7:25 p.m., a police spokeswoman said. Witnesses told police about 10...
2 New Kensington families healing and accepting community aid after house fire
A day after a Sunday morning fire tore through half of a duplex in New Kensington, residents are recovering from injuries and accepting community donations. Firefighters were alerted just before 8 a.m. Sunday. When crews arrived, flames, which gutted the McCargo Street side of the house, extended into the attic...
Leechburg natives, locals work to find town’s modern identity
Lou Phillips was born and raised in Leechburg. He attended Leechburg Area High School, where he played baseball, basketball and football. He sang in the chorus, dabbled as a thespian in the school’s theater program and participated in countless clubs the school had to offer. “You get to try everything...
Efforts to clean, beautify Pittsburgh ramp up before 2026 NFL Draft
Sam Williams rolled a yellow garbage can down the sidewalk in Pittsburgh’s Market Square, pausing to grab his broom and sweep up some debris. Then, he reached his gloved hands into a metal trash can, tied off the overflowing bag and replaced it with a new one. Williams is one...
Cup of Joe: Pirates must promote Konnor Griffin for home opener
Cup of Joe: Starkey on Sports in 350 words or less I’m sorry. I can’t watch this anymore. We’re four games in, and I have already seen enough of Bryan Reynolds, Henry Davis, Oneil Cruz and especially Jared Triolo, whom the Pirates seem to have confused with Cal Ripken Jr....
After decades of all gold seats, Art Rooney II says Acrisure Stadium’s touch of black add subtle new look
PHOENIX — No, that’s not your eyes playing tricks on you. There are, indeed, new seats getting installed at Acrisure Stadium. And among them are, indeed, specks of black. After a quarter century of a “sea of gold,” the stadium’s newest seating facelift has added some color diversity to its...
Penguins erupt for 8 goals in win over Islanders as Sidney Crosby rejoins lineup
The Pittsburgh Penguins needed their best for a vital Metropolitan Division confrontation with the New York Islanders on Monday. And they got their best back in the lineup as forward Sidney Crosby rejoined his teammates after missing a game due to an undisclosed injury. His return buoyed his team to...
Hempfield Area School Board approves bids for long-awaited renovation at $119 millionVideo
Hempfield Area will move forward with its long-awaited high school renovation after bids were approved by the school board Monday night. Bids proposed last week — for general contracting, electrical, HVAC and plumbing work — came in just under $119 million, about $30 million lower than an estimate pitched about...
The Steelers hold 12 picks in 7-round NFL draft. Can they use them all? Will they?
PHOENIX — As things stand now, the Pittsburgh Steelers hold 12 selections in the seven-round NFL Draft they are set to host next month. Is it tenable to add 12 drafted rookies to the roster? “That’s a great question,” coach Mike McCarthy said Monday from the site of the NFL...
Sen. Dave McCormick, NIH Director Jay Battacharya tour Pittsburgh medical, research facilities
U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick said Monday he would oppose any White House push to reduce funding for the National Institutes of Health, the largest biomedical research agency in the world. Roll Call, citing sources in the medical research industry, reported last week that the White House could seek to cut...
Daniel Unico, Duquesne basketball fan and businessman, dies at 99
Daniel Unico, who created a family business making pizza and bakery boxes in Pittsburgh in the 1960s, believed that much of the success and joy he got from life came from his years studying business at Duquesne University after World War II. He spent the rest of his life thanking...
Catholic churches see a surge of new converts
People are joining the Catholic Church in surprising numbers. This Easter, the Archdiocese of Detroit will receive 1,428 new Catholics into the church, its highest number in 21 years. The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston will have its most in 15 years. In the Diocese of Des Moines, the count is jumping...
