Top Stories category, Page 185
La Roche University international student sues feds over termination of status
A Saudi Arabian student at La Roche University in McCandless is suing the heads of U.S. Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement alleging they illegally terminated his status as an international student. Khalid Alduaij, 26, filed the complaint Monday in federal court in Pittsburgh. On Wednesday, a judge granted...
Police pursuit of vehicle stolen from Butler County ends with crash in ShalerVideo
A police pursuit of a vehicle stolen in Butler County continued down Route 8 and ended with a crash in Shaler on Wednesday, according to authorities. Shaler officers were alerted to the crash off Eighth Avenue, near Route 8, shortly before 1 p.m., Shaler police Chief Sean Frank said. Officers...
Doing the math: Spat over affordable housing data frames Gainey vs. O’Connor race
A day after clashing with his Democratic rival in a televised debate, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey on Wednesday doubled down on his claim that he’s “delivered” 1,600 units of affordable housing during his city hall tenure. Gainey has recited the statistic on the campaign trail time and again. He referenced...
Accused Hamas sympathizer from Moon charged with having pipe bombs, lying to U.S.
A former Pennsylvania Air National Guard member already accused of defacing Jewish religious property in Squirrel Hill has been indicted on new charges of possessing homemade pipe bombs and lying during a federal background check for top-secret clearance. The latest indictment, filed under seal Tuesday in federal court in Pittsburgh,...
ATI strikes labor deal with nearly 1,000 workers
ATI and its employees have reached a six-year labor agreement. The deal was announced Wednesday, about a week after ATI and the United Steelworkers union reached a tentative agreement on wages, working conditions and benefits for nearly 1,000 employees. Many produce specialty alloys at the company’s Harrison, Vandergrift and Latrobe...
Feds OK settlement between Shapiro, grid manager to control electricity prices
Federal regulators approved a deal between Gov. Josh Shapiro and PJM Interconnection to limit some electricity price hikes. PJM is a regional transmission organization, which works to secure generation capacity for utility companies within its 13-state network. It holds annual auctions in which the lowest bidder earns the right —...
Rockaway Pizzeria sets opening date in Regent Square
The wait is finally over — Rockaway Pizzeria 3.0 will open in Regent Square next week. Owner Josh Sickels said the new location’s grand opening on Braddock Avenue will take place starting at 11 a.m. on May 2. But the wait to actually get a slice of pizza will be...
26 Walmart stores in Pa. to be remodeled
Walmart announced Wednesday it plans to remodel 26 stores across Pennsylvania this year, including some local shops. The nearest stores in the greater Pittsburgh area getting remodeled include Richland, Harrison, Johnstown, Washington, Somerset, Monaca and Punxsutawney. The remodels will focus on enhancing the associate experience and community engagement, Walmart said....
Gov. Shapiro denounces violence in recounting arson attack in New York Times guest essay
Gov. Josh Shapiro recounted the arson attack that burned through his Harrisburg home earlier this month, penning a guest essay published Wednesday in the New York Times. A state trooper alerted Shapiro and his wife, Lori, of the fire just after 2 a.m. April 13. They escaped without injury from...
Logging poised to accelerate in Allegheny National Forest under emergency declaration
Swaths of Allegheny National Forest in northwestern Pennsylvania could be on the chopping block as the federal government moves to increase logging in national forests across the country, a move environmental advocates say could leave lasting harm. In a memo released this month, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins put...
NFL Draft HQ 2025: Who Steelers might pick, position breakdowns, mock drafts
The Pittsburgh Steelers have six overall picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, starting with the 21st overall in the first round. Here are the team’s picks: • Round 1, selection 21 overall • Round 3, selection 83 • Round 4, selection 123 • Round 5, selection 156 • Round 6,...
3 generations of Arnold family facing charges in drug bust
An Arnold grandmother, her daughter and 15-year-old grandson are facing criminal charges after a drug bust last week that, police say, turned up $13,000 worth of crack cocaine and suspected fentanyl. Desdrene Smith, 64, and Brittany Shelton, 34, each are charged with felony counts of possession with intent to deliver...
New York City firm gets initial OK for solar farm on site of former Unity stone quarry
A New York City-based solar farm developer has passed the first hurdle in its plan to develop an array along a rural road in Unity. The township zoning hearing board on Tuesday unanimously approved a special exception that will allow CVE North America to pursue installation of a solar farm...
The Vatican opens St. Peter’s Basilica to public to pay final respects to Pope Francis
The body of Pope Francis was moved Wednesday morning to St. Peter’s Basilica for three days of public mourning for an Argentine pontiff remembered for his humble style, concern for the poor and insistent prayers for peace. The public viewing is largely for ordinary Catholics to grieve the 88-year-old pope,...
Teen recounts 100-foot fall in Harrison Hills Park that left her with broken ankle, back
Star Henwood admits she likes to take risks. Her thrill-seeking tendencies landed her in trouble — and the hospital — last week when she plunged about 100 feet down a hillside in Harrison Hills Park, leading to a two-hour effort by first responders to hoist her back to safety. She...
Pittsburgh metro area air among worst in country, study says
The Pittsburgh region’s air is among the most polluted in the country, according to a study by the American Lung Association. The Pittsburgh-Weirton-Steubenville metro area ranked 16th worst in the nation for daily particle pollution and 12th worst for year-round particle pollution, the report found. Kevin Stewart, director of environmental...
3rd person pleads guilty in Monroeville rental-car scam
A third person has pleaded guilty to involvement in a credit-card fraud scheme which cost a regional car-rental company more than $500,000. Tai Jauna L. Jones, 29, of Pittsburgh pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of access device fraud and aggravated identity theft, after prosecutors said she provided credit...
Gainey, O’Connor take mayoral debate stage once againVideo
With the primary election just under a month away, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor took the debate stage once again — reiterating major campaign plans related to city policing, federal funding, affordable housing and more. The hourlong debate took place Tuesday night live on WTAE-TV,...
Judge rules pretrial challenge filed too late in attempted murder case in New Kensington
A defense effort to have attempted murder charges dismissed against a former Ohio man accused in a New Kensington shooting last year cannot be argued before a pending trial, a judge ruled Tuesday. The lawyer for Iven Cashua Miller Jr., 38, contended the case against his client has substantially changed...
Watch: Gainey and O’Connor spar in Pittsburgh democratic mayoral debate
Pittsburgh’s Democratic candidates for mayor will meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. for a live, hourlong debate at WTAE’s studio ahead of the May 20 primary. WTAE anchor Shannon Perrine will moderate the debate between Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor. Gainey and O’Connor will field questions from...
Justice Department drops lawsuit accusing Pennsylvania city of diluting power of Hispanic voters
HARRISBURG — The U.S. Justice Department has withdrawn its lawsuit that accused a heavily Hispanic city in Pennsylvania of illegally diluting the political power of its growing Hispanic population. U.S. District Judge Karoline Mehalchick in Scranton approved the dismissal of the case against Hazleton on Tuesday, a day after the...
Police confrontation in Lower Burrell ends with no arrests
After a brief confrontation on Tuesday, Lower Burrell police detained four people from a home on Vance Drive before later releasing them. Lower Burrell Detective Steve Aulerich said no arrests were made, but police continue to investigate. He would not give a reason for the warrant’s execution. Upon arrival, the...
Federal judge blocks Trump administration from dismantling Voice of America
WASHINGTON — A federal judge agreed Tuesday to block the Trump administration from dismantling Voice of America, the 83-year-old international news service created by Congress. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that the administration illegally required Voice of America to cease operations for the first time since its World War...
Charges upheld against Rostraver man accused in rape of unconscious woman
A Westmoreland County judge on Tuesday rejected a defense bid to dismiss charges against a Rostraver man accused of using a date rape drug to sexually assault an unconscious woman in her home last year. Nathaniel Tire Johnston, 34, is charged with rape and other offenses based on allegations made...
Hillandale Farms, giant egg producer, sells for $1.1B
Hillandale Farms, among the nation’s top egg producers with a corporate office in Hempfield, was sold last month for $1.1 billion to a Luxembourg-based company. Hillandale Farms, founded by Orland Bethel in 1958, sold its 20-million chicken operations in late March to Global Eggs, according to news reports. Hillandale Farms...
