Top Stories category, Page 192
Teen identified who was fatally shot in Wilkinsburg
Authorities have identified the teenager killed Wednesday in a Wilkinsburg shooting. Deglin St. Clair, 18, of Pittsburgh’s Larimer neighborhood, was shot in the 1700 block of Wilkinsburg’s Wesley Street shortly before 5:30 p.m., the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said Thursday. The victim was taken to UPMC Mercy hospital, where...
Pet owners demand justice, new laws to deal with funeral director accused of theft
Don’t mess with the pets. That was the resounding message from protesters outside the Allegheny County Courthouse Wednesday, demanding justice for deceased pets they fear were mistreated by Patrick Vereb at funeral homes he operated in Pittsburgh and Harrison. About 20 people were scattered along the sidewalk of the courthouse’s...
U.S. resumes visas for foreign students but demands access to social media accounts
WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department said Wednesday it is restarting the suspended process for foreigners applying for student visas but all applicants will now be required to unlock their social media accounts for government review. The department said consular officers will be on the lookout for posts and messages...
Supreme Court OKs Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care for kids, a setback for transgender rights
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors, a jolting setback to transgender rights. The justices’ 6-3 decision in a case from Tennessee effectively protects from legal challenges many efforts by President Donald Trump’s Republican administration and state governments to roll back...
Western Pa. politicians divided over Middle East conflict
Two Pittsburgh-area U.S. House members on Wednesday blasted President Donald Trump for opening the possibility of thrusting the U.S. into war in the Middle East without congressional approval. Social media posts by some of their Republican counterparts, meanwhile, did not mention the ongoing missile strikes between Israel and Iran but...
Heat dome will blanket much of U.S., with worrisome temperatures in Midwest
Summer will make a dramatic entrance in the U.S. this week with a heat dome that will bring stifling temperatures and uncomfortable humidity to millions. The heat will be particularly worrisome this weekend across wide stretches of Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, where forecasters are warning of extreme temperature impacts....
The world’s only twice-a-year shot to prevent HIV could stop transmission — if people can get it
WASHINGTON — The U.S. has approved the world’s only twice-a-year shot to prevent HIV, the first step in an anticipated global rollout that could protect millions – although it’s unclear how many in the U.S. and abroad will get access to the powerful new option. While a vaccine to prevent...
New Kensington man identified as Tarentum Bridge jumper
A man who jumped to his death from the Tarentum Bridge on Tuesday has been identified. The victim was Thomas Peter Link, 68, of New Kensington, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office. Link jumped into the Allegheny River shortly before 11:30 a.m. and died before he could be...
Fired Allegheny County chief public defender sues for wrongful termination
Allegheny County’s former chief public defender is suing the county manager for wrongful termination. The complaint, filed by Lena Bryan-Henderson on Wednesday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court against John Fournier, seeks reinstatement and back wages. Bryan-Henderson, 60, of Forest Hills said she had no comment on the lawsuit, which...
Housing authority seeks sponsor to fund 9 cottage-style residences in Irwin
The Westmoreland County Housing Authority plans to seek another sponsor for a state application to fund the $2.3 million construction of nine cottage-style houses next to the Grand View Senior Residences. Irwin Borough declined the opportunity. The borough council last week rejected the housing authority’s request that the borough sponsor...
Trump says he’s ‘not looking for a fight’ with Iran but stands ready to act if necessary
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump would not say Wednesday whether he has decided to order a U.S. strike on Iran, a move that Tehran warned anew would be greeted with stiff retaliation if it happens. “I may do it, I may not do it,” Trump said in an exchange with...
Medicare and Social Security go-broke dates pushed up due to rising health care costs, new SSA law
WASHINGTON — The go-broke dates for Medicare and Social Security ‘s trust funds have moved up as rising health care costs and new legislation affecting Social Security benefits have contributed to earlier projected depletion dates, according to an annual report released Wednesday. The go-broke date — or the date at...
Mark Madden: The culture of wrestling is magnetic … so I’m back
Vice TV produced a four-part documentary series: “Who Killed WCW?” I was never mentioned. But, judging by social media reaction to me doing color commentary on TNA Wrestling’s TV taping this Friday at Robert Morris’ UPMC Events Center, you’d think that I was most responsible for putting World Championship Wrestling...
U.S. Steel, Nippon finalize $14.9B merger, security agreement
Japan’s Nippon Steel has finalized its $14.9 billion takeover of U.S. Steel, the companies announced Wednesday, as they unveiled details about the deal, which amounts to a tightly monitored merger. To win government approval, the companies also have entered a national security agreement meant to mitigate worries about Nippon having...
Offers but no buyers on 3 Guardian Angels churches still on the market
Three former churches, once part of the Guardian Angels parish, remain for sale three years after the parish cut seven churches to two, keeping open Most Blessed Sacrament in Harrison and Our Lady of Victory in Springdale Township. “We have people looking all the time,” parish Business Manager Tom Babinsack...
Hunting licenses for 2025-26 season go on sale next week
It’s that time of year again — hunting licenses will go on sale starting next week, the Pennsylvania Game Commission announced. On Monday, hunting and furtaker licenses for the 2025-26 season will be available for purchase. Antlerless deer licenses can be purchased when general license sales open per usual, but...
Iran’s leader rejects call to surrender, saying U.S. intervention would cause ‘irreparable damage’
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s supreme leader on Wednesday rejected U.S. calls for surrender in the face of more Israeli strikes and warned that any military involvement by the Americans would cause “irreparable damage to them.” European diplomats prepared to hold talks with Iran on Friday. The second public...
Morning Roundup: Police sergeant suspended after shoving man, mounted patrols to return to Montour Trail
Here are some of the latest news items happening this morning, Wednesday, June 18: Ellwood City police sergeant suspended after shoving man at Sheetz The Ellwood City Borough Council voted unanimously to suspend and demote Sgt. Robert Magnifico after he shoved a man at Sheetz in June. The decision comes...
Interest in skilled trades surges nearly 14%
At 15, Ryley Potlas already knows what she wants to do with her life. The Kiski Area School District freshman dreams of a career in welding, and she’s getting a jump on it by enrolling at Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center in New Kensington. “There’s a big need for...
Observation of federal Juneteenth holiday varies throughout region
Many areas of Western Pennsylvania are inconsistent in their approach to observing Juneteenth. Federal and state offices are closed and employees will have a paid day off Thursday for the official holiday that was designated in 2021. Meanwhile, workers at courthouses in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties will be on the...
Burrell School District mulls 3.8% tax hike to offset shrinking tax base, decreasing assessments
Burrell School District officials say a shrinking tax base and appeals that could lower property assessments are reasons they’re considering a 3.8% property tax hike. The increased taxes would support a budget the school board will consider Tuesday. The proposed budget totals about $37.7 million, said district Business Manager Jennifer...
‘Abolishing FEMA’ memo outlines ways for Trump to scrap agency
WASHINGTON — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to prepare a memo on how to abolish itself and create a re-branded, radically smaller disaster response organization, according to a copy of the document reviewed by Bloomberg News. As recently as last week, President Donald Trump...
Greater Latrobe OKs 1-mill tax hike for 2025-2026
Greater Latrobe School Board on Tuesday approved a 1-mill property tax increase to help raise local revenue for a final 2025-26 district budget of $68 million. District business administrator Dan Watson had recommended a 2-mill hike to help Greater Latrobe prepare for future capital projects as it deals with school...
Police: Boy, 15, critically wounded after being struck by vehicle in McKeesport
A 15-year-old boy was critically wounded when he was hit by a vehicle Tuesday evening near the intersection of Lysle Boulevard and Coursin Street, police said. The boy was attempting to cross Lysle in front of a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus when a vehicle traveling in the left lane struck...
U.S. spies said Iran wasn’t building a nuclear weapon. Trump dismisses that assessment
WASHINGTON — Tulsi Gabbard left no doubt when she testified to Congress about Iran’s nuclear program earlier this year. The country was not building a nuclear weapon, the national intelligence director told lawmakers, and its supreme leader had not reauthorized the dormant program even though it had enriched uranium to...
