Top Stories category, Page 188
Trump grapples for upper hand in debate over damage caused by U.S. strikes on Iran
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — President Donald Trump on Wednesday rejected an early intelligence assessment that U.S. strikes inflicted only a marginal setback on Iran’s nuclear program, insisting that his country’s spies did not have the full picture and defending his own swift conclusion that American bombs and missiles delivered a...
Trump gets ‘golden share’ power in U.S. Steel buyout. U.S. agencies will get it under future presidents
HARRISBURG — President Donald Trump will control the so-called “golden share” that’s part of the national security agreement under which he allowed Japan-based Nippon Steel to buy out iconic American steelmaker U.S. Steel, according to disclosures with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The provision gives the president the power...
One more sizzling hot day for the eastern U.S. before temperatures plunge 30 degrees
NEW YORK — A record-smashing heat wave broiled the U.S. East for another day Wednesday, even as thermometers were forecast to soon plunge by as many as 30 degrees in the same areas. The day’s heat wasn’t expected to be as intense as Tuesday, when at least 50 heat records...
Full steam ahead: Whiskey Throttle Fair on tap for Westmoreland Fairgrounds this weekend
Westmoreland County natives Mike Morelli and Justin Lilienthal are throwing the biggest party of their lives this weekend. They are planners of the first-ever Whiskey Throttle Fair — featuring bands, car and bike shows, tattoo artists and food vendors — at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds in Mt. Pleasant Township this Friday...
Housing for foreign high school students could be coming to Oakmont
The former site of the Oakmont Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation could become a student housing center for private school students from Europe and Asia. A petition to obtain a special exemption to use the property as dormitory-style housing for high school students was passed in a 2-0 vote by...
Pittsburgh Zoo receives $10 million donation
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium received a $10 million donation Wednesday that will pay for new zoo facilities and programs. The donors have decided to remain anonymous, according to a statement from the zoo. “This tremendous gift really serves as a catalyst for other gifts and growth at the Zoo,”...
Man dies after falling down open stairwell in Downtown Pittsburgh apartment building
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the man who died Wednesday after police say he apparently fell multiple stories in an open stairwell of a Downtown apartment building. The victim was Michael Mongelluzzo, 52, of Pittsburgh, according to the medical examiner’s office. Pittsburgh police responded around noon to...
‘Your choice destroyed this family’: Man gets life for killing ex-girlfriend
The defendant spent 13 minutes telling the court how much he loved the victim, how much he loved her family, how grateful he was to have been a part of it. And how he never intended to kill her. But that statement, read from handwritten notes that went on for...
Giant Eagle buys prescription files from another 15 Rite Aid stores, completing buying spree
Giant Eagle has purchased prescription files from another 15 Rite Aid stores as part of a fourth and final wave of transfers from the bankrupt pharmacy chain to the Cranberry-based grocer. Altogether, Giant Eagle has bought files from 83 Rite Aid stores across Pennsylvania and Ohio since late May. The...
House shelves effort to impeach Trump over Iran strikes
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to set aside an effort to impeach President Donald Trump on a sole charge of abuse of power after he launched military strikes on Iran without first seeking authorization from Congress The sudden action forced by a lone Democrat, Rep. Al Green...
NATO leaders agree to hike military spending, restate ‘ironclad commitment’ to collective defense
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — NATO leaders agreed Wednesday on a massive hike in defense spending after pressure from President Donald Trump, and expressed their “ironclad commitment” to come to each other’s aid if attacked. The 32 leaders endorsed a final summit statement saying: “Allies commit to invest 5% of GDP...
A fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel gives rise to hopes for a long-term peace
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran appeared to be holding on Wednesday after a rocky start, giving rise to cautious hope that it could lead to a long-term peace agreement even as Tehran insists it will not give up its nuclear program. The ceasefire...
Man killed in White Oak dirt bike crash
A man was killed early Wednesday after crashing a dirt bike into a guard rail in White Oak, according to Allegheny County police. At 1:18 a.m., police were called to the 1200 block of Long Run Road, where officers found a man lying in the road, according to police. The...
Editorial: Mayor’s spokesperson does disservice by denying violence, injuries
Disregarding people’s concerns doesn’t make them go away. Over the weekend, the city of Pittsburgh had several violent altercations, including three shootings. The most prominent happened late Sunday in East Liberty. ShotSpotter recorded 14 rounds fired. Five people were shot. Two adult males were transported by ambulance in critical/serious condition,...
Pickleball popularity presents sustainability problems with plastic balls
When pickleball exploded in recent years as America’s favorite sport, the pastime came with collateral damage — plastic neon-colored balls piling up in landfills. More than 500 million pickleballs are manufactured each year, seemingly with nowhere to go, said Jeff Pepper, an avid player from Verona. “The number is huge,”...
Hear ye, hear ye: Hanna’s Town seeks reduced speed
Motorized vehicles and paved roads didn’t exist when Historic Hanna’s Town was settled in 1773. Fast forward 252 years and the modern transportation environment is juxtaposed against the centuries-old historic site that was Westmoreland County’s first government seat. The contrast is causing problems for thousands of visitors who must cross...
Cuomo concedes NYC Democratic mayoral primary to Zohran Mamdani
NEW YORK — Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo conceded New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary to Zohran Mamdani as the 33-year old member of the state Assembly had a significant lead in the race Tuesday night. Cuomo’s concession came as the race’s outcome will be decided by a ranked choice count...
Environmental groups demand Nippon Steel work to cut emissions after buying U.S. Steel
With U.S. Steel’s $14.9 billion sale to Nippon Steel made official last week, environmental advocates say it’s time for corporate leadership to take make real strides toward limiting pollution. “U.S. Steel has gotten everything that it wished for in this deal with Nippon,” said Matt Mehalik, executive director of the...
Fragile ceasefire appears to hold between Iran and Israel as Trump vents frustration with both sides
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel appeared to hold Tuesday after initially faltering, and U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration with both sides, saying they had fought “for so long and so hard” that they do not know what they are doing. But even...
Norwin School Board members critical of removal of archived YouTube videos
A Norwin School Board member and several residents are questioning the removal of archived school board meeting videos from the district’s official YouTube page. Administrators were not able to provide a specific reason at this week’s school board meeting why several livestreamed recordings of 2024 school board meetings — and...
With nowhere to hide, these workers are left with no choice but to endure sizzling temps
It was so hot Tuesday that Chris Kelly had to pull his roofing crew from their regularly scheduled job. “Once it hits about 85 or 90 degrees, we don’t even install because the shingles will heat up to the point that walking on them will scar them,” said Kelly, owner...
Former IT manager for Heinz Endowments indicted for embezzling nearly $1 million
The former IT manager for the Heinz Endowments is charged in federal court with embezzling nearly $1 million. Charles A. Richardson, 45, of Pittsburgh, was indicted on five counts of wire fraud and four counts of money laundering on June 17. The indictment was unsealed on Tuesday. He is free...
Court affirms dismissal of charges against retired minister accused of $350K theft
The state Superior Court on Monday upheld the dismissal of charges against a retired North Side pastor accused of stealing more than $350,000 from his church. The Rev. Wayne C. Peck, 73, of Highland Park, was charged in 2022 with theft and receiving stolen property after he was accused of...
UPMC to stop gender-affirming care for patients 18 and under by month’s end
UPMC has confirmed it will end gender-affirming care for patients 18 and younger in response to the Trump administration’s policies aimed at transgender youth. A spokesperson for UPMC, the region’s largest hospital network, said federal guidance has made it clear clinicians who provide care such as puberty blockers and hormone...
Former McKeesport detective admits stealing $1 million from police union
A former McKeesport detective and police union finance officer pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing more than $1 million from his fellow officers. Joseph Osinski, 56, will be sentenced Sept. 18 on four felony counts — including theft by deception and receiving stolen property — by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge...
