Top Stories category, Page 131
Politics from the pulpit now OK, IRS says
The Rev. Bob Ross’ weekly messages to parishioners at Heritage Baptist Church in Jeannette never tackle politics. It’s the way Ross views his role as a local faith leader. “I”m not political, so I’m not going to talk about politics from the pulpit,” Ross said. “My job is not to...
Trump to meet NATO secretary general as plan takes shape for Ukraine weapons sales
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is set to meet President Donald Trump this week on the heels of the U.S. leader announcing plans to sell NATO allies weaponry that they can then pass on to Ukraine. Rutte will be in Washington on Monday and Tuesday and plans...
Making Strides: Westmoreland horse show blends competition with compassion
Jillian Masciantonio spent most of the weekend multitasking. She handed out ribbons to winning horse handlers in a show arena at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds under a blazing July sun. She listened for her name on a radio in between taking questions from a reporter to make sure the Summer Showcase...
2 women killed in Kentucky church shooting after trooper shot; suspect killed, police say
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Two women died Sunday at a Kentucky church in a shooting spree that began when a state trooper was wounded after making a traffic stop, police said. The suspect in both shootings was also killed. The suspect carjacked a vehicle after the traffic stop near Lexington’s airport...
Senate panel cites Secret Service lapses in Trump rally shootingVideo
A “cascade of preventable failures” within the U.S. Secret Service nearly cost President Donald Trump his life during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania last year, according to a Senate committee report released Sunday. The Republican-led Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which oversees the Secret Service, found that a...
Hot, muggy weather forecast to continue along with risk of excessive rainfall
Thunderstorm and flash flood warnings for parts of Allegheny and Westmoreland counties on Sunday have expired, but the risk for more heavy rain along with oppressively muggy weather continues into the coming week, according to the National Weather Service. The weather service issued warnings for severe thunderstorms and flash flooding...
Search for Texas flood victims paused as heavy rain brings new threat of high waters
KERRVILLE, Texas — More heavy rain in Texas on Sunday paused a weeklong search for victims of catastrophic flooding along the Guadalupe River and led to high-water rescues elsewhere as officials warned that the downpours could again cause waterways to surge. It was the first time a new round of...
AI opens new worlds for the blind
When Chris Donahue opens the door to let his dog out, he is unable to see where the animal runs. The Brighton Heights resident is blind, but he can find his dog outside via the Ray-Ban AI (artificial intelligence) Glasses he’s wearing. “Meta, I am blind,” says Donahue, 48. “Do...
Editorial: Prediction, prevention are critical to natural disaster response
Rising waters threatened. Alerts were issued. Girl Scouts were evacuated. It might sound like the story of the flash floods in Texas, where 27 people were killed at a Christian girls camp by the sudden weather. But it isn’t. It’s the story of 105 people escorted from a Kummer Road...
Butler ‘united and stronger than ever’ year after Trump assassination attempt, Kelly says
A year ago today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly didn’t know what to make of the loud popping sounds he heard. Then, after hearing another burst, he realized they were gunshots. What to that point had been a jubilant campaign rally for Donald Trump at the Butler Farm Show grounds was...
A year after their father’s death, Corey Comperatore’s daughters still looking for their new normal
Each Valentine’s Day, Allyson Comperatore said, her father brought home flowers for her and her sister. This February, the first without their dad, friends and neighbors came together to shower the daughters with flowers. “We’ve had people there for us every step of the way, whether it was shoulders to...
Golden lamp returns to top of Lamp Theatre marqueeVideo
The lamp above The Lamp Theatre marquee in downtown Irwin was returned to its rightful place Saturday morning after a lengthy refurbishing. “It was all coming apart. The finish was coming off of it,” said Mike Brady, an Irwin public works employee who took on the task of giving new...
Here’s how weather alerts, warnings make it to the public in Western Pa.
The repercussions of fatal flooding on the Fourth of July in the sun-scorched Texas Hill Country are being felt more than a week later and 1,500 miles away in the similarly hilly terrain of Western Pennsylvania. Those reflecting on the tragedy are not just people shaken by the loss of...
A year after Trump’s near-assassination, friends and allies see some signs of a changed man
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump was on stage at the Iowa State Fairgrounds earlier this month, kicking off the country’s 250th anniversary celebration, when he heard what sounded like fireworks in the distance. “Did I hear what I think I heard?” Trump remarked as he spoke from behind a wall...
Police say ‘irate’ person stabbed, 2nd suffers cuts in McKeesport bus station incident
A man described as “irate” was stabbed and a second person suffered cuts during an incident at the McKeesport bus station Saturday morning. Port Authority Police charged Brayden Dixon, 21, of Indianapolis, Ind., with a felony count of aggravated assault, misdemeanor counts of simple assault, indecent exposure and open lewdness,...
With 911 working normally, investigation continues into cause of outages
Pennsylvania’s 911 system is again functioning normally. Late Friday, 911 calls resumed routing normally across the state, after what were described as “intermittent outages” earlier in the day. The root cause of the issue is under investigation, and an independent review will be performed to determine what can be done...
Ohio woman charged in Murrysville bank fraud scheme
An Ohio woman police believe is part of an organized crime group is accused of involvement in a check cashing scheme in Murrysville, according to authorities. State police released surveillance photos of the suspect last month, seeking help identifying her in connection with the theft of $5,400 in a fraud...
Jeannette police to patrol highrise
City police will begin patrolling Jeannette Manor after council approved an agreement with the Westmoreland County Housing Authority. Jeannette Police Chief Derek Manley said he thinks the move will boost relationships with residents and deter crime. “I feel that it’s a big benefit for the department and the residents both,”...
Trump announces 30% tariffs against EU, Mexico to begin Aug. 1
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — President Donald Trump on Saturday announced he’s levying tariffs of 30% against the European Union and Mexico starting Aug. 1, a move that could cause massive upheaval between the United States and two of its biggest trade partners. Trump detailed the planned tariffs in letters posted to...
AI-powered heart scans transform care at Allegheny Valley Hospital
Cardiovascular analysis that used to take hours can now be done with the click of a button at Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison. As artificial intelligence seeps into almost every aspect of life, the technology is helping to revolutionize medical care at the Allegheny Health Network community hospital. “When you...
Fireflies are making a noticeable return to Western Pa.
The flickering fields of summer nights are back. Fireflies, it seems, are abundant again. Throughout the region, people are noticing more of the largely nocturnal, flashing insects. Once a staple of summer evenings, lightning bugs had seemed to become scarce over the past few years thanks to a loss of...
Dick’s Diner in Murrysville to be featured as 1 of ‘America’s Best Restaurants’
Jim Fox III remembers sitting down to a table at Dick’s Diner as a child with his father, even though his dad was the founder of the popular Fox’s Pizza chain. The family recognized the appeal of a small-town diner like Dick’s. Today, Fox owns the restaurant, which will be...
Judge orders Trump administration to halt indiscriminate immigration stops, arrests in California
LOS ANGELES — A federal judge on Friday ordered the Trump administration to halt indiscriminate immigration stops and arrests in seven California counties, including Los Angeles. Immigrant advocacy groups filed the lawsuit last week accusing President Donald Trump’s administration of systematically targeting brown-skinned people in Southern California during its ongoing...
Fallout over Epstein files cascades, roiling relations between AG Pam Bondi and FBI’s Dan Bongino
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department and FBI are struggling to contain the fallout and appease the demands of far-right conservative personalities and influential members of President Donald Trump’s base after the administration’s decision this week to withhold records from the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation. The move, which included the...
West Nile virus found in mosquito samples from multiple Allegheny County neighborhoods
Allegheny County Health Department officials announced mosquitoes collected in certain parts of the county this month tested positive for West Nile virus. Samples found to have the virus were taken July 8 from Wilkinsburg, Schenley Park, Mt. Washington, Beltzhoover, Mt. Oliver and Hazelwood. West Nile virus is the leading cause...
