Top Stories category, Page 1420
Heat advisory issued for Thursday as 90-degree streak to continue in Pittsburgh region
Southwestern Pennsylvania will continue to sizzle in the 90s through Friday before finally seeing some relief, according to the National Weather Service. Both Thursday and Friday could be 91 or hotter, according to NWS meteorologist Myranda Fullerton. Highs for the region could reach the 90s both days, according to forecasts...
‘Grasping for anything’: Desperation science slows hunt for coronavirus drugs
Desperate to solve the deadly conundrum of covid-19, the world is clamoring for fast answers and solutions from a research system not built for haste. The ironic, and perhaps tragic, result: Scientific shortcuts have slowed understanding of the disease and delayed the ability to find out which drugs help, hurt...
Firearms background checks, purchase denials on rise in Pennsylvania in 2020
Pennsylvania State Police processed about 22% more background checks for firearm purchases so far in 2020 compared to last year. The state’s instant check system also denied 41% more applicants through the first six months of the year compared to the same period in 2019, according to police statistics. Gun...
Supreme Court: Some employers can refuse to offer free birth control
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld Trump administration rules allowing some employers to decline to provide contraceptive coverage on religious or moral grounds, which could leave more than 70,000 women without cost-free birth control. The high court ruled 7-2 for the administration, which made a policy change to...
Allegheny County reports 230 new covid-19 cases, 2 new deaths
Allegheny County health officials reported 230 new covid-19 cases, two additional deaths and eight more hospitalizations on Wednesday. This brings the total number of coronavirus cases in Allegheny County to 4,209. Of those, 4,028 are confirmed and 181 are probable. Wednesday’s numbers are the product of 1,997 test results, health...
As time ticks down on eviction ban in Pennsylvania, crush of court cases expected
A flood of landlord-tenant complaints could be on the way in courts across Pennsylvania as a moratorium on evictions for nonpayment of rent is set to be lifted Friday. Jobs have been lost or hours cut during statewide shutdowns related to the coronavirus pandemic, leaving some renters in a precarious...
In risky bid, Trump stokes racial rancor to motivate voters
NEW YORK — President Donald Trump is wielding America’s racial tensions as a reelection weapon, fiercely denouncing the racial justice movement on a near-daily basis with language stoking white resentment and aiming to drive his supporters to the polls. The incendiary discourse is alarming many in his own party and...
Trump pushes state, local leaders to reopen schools in fall
President Donald Trump launched an all-out effort pressing state and local officials to reopen schools this fall, arguing that some are keeping schools closed not because of the risks from the coronavirus pandemic but for political reasons. “They think it’s going to be good for them politically, so they keep...
Man identified who was killed in early-morning shooting in North Versailles
A 29-year-old man found dead after a shooting at a North Versailles apartment complex early Wednesday morning has been identified. Jamey Green of West Mifflin died around 2 a.m. after being shot along the 500 block of East Pittsburgh-McKeesport Boulevard, Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office reported. Officers with the county...
$600 weekly unemployment federal check runs out at end of July
While Dylan Altemara finishes his master’s degree in human resources and looks for a job, the $600 unemployment weekly benefit boost from the federal government has been a lifesaver. “The additional stimulus money makes everybody whole,” Altemara, 27, of Belle Vernon said of the check he receives under the federal...
Chief Justice Roberts was hospitalized overnight after head injury in June
WASHINGTON — Chief Justice John Roberts was hospitalized overnight last month for an injury he suffered to his forehead after falling while walking for exercise, a U.S. Supreme Court spokeswoman said. Roberts’ doctors believe the fall was because of lightheadedness caused by dehydration and have ruled out a seizure, spokeswoman...
Moon teen wins national songwriting competitionVideo
Maleena Dominick had already written a song about how she felt losing the last few months of her senior year at Moon Area High School to the covid-19 shutdown. So when the 18-year-old heard about the “Living in a Covid World”-themed Robbie’s Hope Foundation songwriting contest, she immediately entered. Dominick’s...
New rules: Foreign students must leave U.S. if classes go online
International students will be forced to leave the United States or transfer to another college if their schools offer classes entirely online this fall, under new guidelines issued by federal immigration authorities. The guidelines, issued Monday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, provide additional pressure for universities to reopen even...
More Allegheny County court staffers test positive for covid-19; judge orders more video hearings
A Pittsburgh Municipal Court employee and probation office staffer have tested positive for covid-19, Allegheny County court administrator Christopher Connors announced Tuesday. He said the court employee’s test was taken July 5 and the probation office worker was tested June 30. The announcement comes a day after other Allegheny County...
U.S. notifies UN of withdrawal from World Health OrganizationVideo
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has formally notified the United Nations of its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, although the pullout won’t take effect until next year, meaning it could be rescinded under a new administration or if circumstances change. Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential...
Ross police officer under review after reports of questionable social media posts
A Ross Township police officer’s social media posts are under review after a Pittsburgh radio station raised questions about them. According to a story by WESA-FM on Tuesday, Sgt. Joseph “JJ” Serowik appears to have commented on Facebook posts that mocked protesters and joked about running them over. Serowik works...
State expected to prohibit indoor dining in Westmoreland, Allegheny as covid-19 cases rise
Pennsylvania officials are expected to put new restrictions on dining and gatherings in five counties around Southwestern Pennsylvania — including Westmoreland and Allegheny — as coronavirus cases in the region continue to rise. The new rules will take effect Thursday, according to two Westmoreland County officials familiar with the proposal,...
Pittsburgh Diocese eliminating positions, moving offices as it struggles with financial impact of covid-19
The Diocese of Pittsburgh cited ongoing challenges caused by the covid-19 pandemic as reasons for staff layoffs and the relocation of its central administration. A staff realignment includes eliminating 11 positions and reducing hours for two positions, the diocese said in a news release Tuesday. Diocesan operations are being moved...
Western Pa. health care leaders: Your simple actions matter the most to prevent covid-19
This letter was signed by nine regional health care leaders, named below. Over the past three months, our organizations have proudly come together in an unprecedented fashion to address the enormous challenges we have faced as a community due to the novel coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic. This public health crisis is...
Pompeo: U.S. ‘looking at’ banning Chinese social media apps, including TikTokVideo
The United States government is “looking at” banning Chinese social media apps such as TikTok, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. Pompeo made the comment Monday during an appearance on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle.” “With respect to Chinese apps on people’s cellphones, I can assure you the United States...
Pittsburgh Council creates LGBTQ commission, passes bill to address racial inequities
Pittsburgh City Council Tuesday unanimously approved legislation designed to help erase Pittsburgh’s racial imbalances and make the city more welcoming to LGBTQIA+ people. Members passed the separate bills unanimously and without discussion. Councilmen Ricky Burgess and R. Daniel Lavelle pushed legislation that includes a five-point platform for improving conditions for...
Plum man sentenced to 12-24 years on child porn charges
A Plum man was sentenced to 12-to-24 years in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to child pornography charges in Westmoreland County. Antonio R. Pampena, 37, pleaded guilty before Westmoreland Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio to two counts of disseminating photos of child sex acts, 35 counts of possessing child pornography and one...
Pa. reports nearly 1,000 new covid-19 cases
Pennsylvania reported nearly 1,000 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the statewide total to 91,299. The state Department of Health reported 995 new cases and 33 new deaths from covid-19, totaling 6,787 deaths statewide. Allegheny County reported 204 new coronavirus cases Tuesday and Philadelphia County reported 288 coronavirus cases...
Man flown to hospital after SUV crashes into tree in Indiana County
A man was flown to a Monroeville hospital after his sport utility vehicle crashed Tuesday morning in Indiana County. The wreck happened before 9:45 a.m. on Route 286 in Conemaugh Township, about a mile east of Clarksburg. Crews had to free the man from his Ford Escape, which was totaled...
Pittsburgh Catholic schools plan temperature checks, masks for students
Elementary schools in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh are set to reopen Aug. 27, and high schools have staggered start dates, the diocese announced Tuesday. Daily temperature readings will be required for students, teachers and staff; school buildings will be disinfected regularly, classrooms will honor social distancing and a mask...
