Top Stories category, Page 194
Turnout for Western Pa. primaries gets bump from mail-ins, but still draw fewer than 1 in 3 voters
Fewer than one in three registered voters in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties are expected to cast a ballot in this year’s primary. That may seem paltry, particularly compared with November’s hotly contested presidential election when voter turnouts in the two counties approached or exceeded 80%. But this year’s projected turnouts...
Federal officials launch investigation into Mexican tall ship that struck Brooklyn BridgeVideo
NEW YORK — Federal transportation officials have launched an investigation into why a Mexican navy tall ship hit the Brooklyn Bridge in a collision that snapped the vessel’s three masts, killed two crew members and left some sailors dangling from harnesses high in the air. The ship known as the...
FBI investigating explosion at California fertility clinic as act of terrorism
The person believed responsible for an attack targeting a Southern California fertility clinic Saturday posted rambling online writings before an explosion that investigators are treating as an act of terrorism, according to a law enforcement official. The suspect, who died in the explosion that tore through the clinic and rattled...
Allegheny Valley residents take advantage of chance to get firearm carry permits closer to home
Lee Anne Pennington had a license to carry a firearm when she lived in Butler County, but let it expire. It’s been about four years since she moved to Springdale, but it wasn’t until Saturday that Pennington got a new permit. She took advantage of the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office...
Hobbyists descend on Monroeville to meet sports icons and pad card collections
If a player so much as drops a baseball in the dirt during certain hours, it becomes game-used memorabilia. But the smudged, worn wooden bat in Tim Thoma’s hand really saw some action. From 1965 to 1968, it belonged to Roberto Clemente. The Pirates legend used the bat to help...
Severe weather leaves at least 27 dead, including 18 in Kentucky
LONDON, Ky. — At least 27 people have been killed by storms systems that swept across part of the U.S. Midwest and South, with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announcing Saturday that 18 of the deaths came in his state and 10 others were hospitalized in critical condition. A devastating tornado...
Trump warns Walmart: Don’t raise prices due to my tariffs but do eat the costs from those taxes
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Saturday ripped into Walmart, saying on social media that the retail giant should eat the additional costs created by his tariffs. As Trump has jacked up import taxes, he has tried to assure a skeptical public that foreign producers would pay for those taxes...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Steelers will pay a price for waiting on Aaron Rodgers
I’m not one to predict the results of the Steelers’ season week-by-week when the schedule is released in May. That’s lazy media, and a lot can happen between now and when those games get played. But I will predict this: The Steelers will lose Week 1 at the New York...
Possible PSNK closure a blow to area school districts, but they’ll continue to promote the option
Nine students from last year’s graduating class from Kiski Area High School intended to attend Penn State New Kensington. But, so far, only two students from this year’s graduating class plan to do so. And Superintendent Jason Lohr can’t help but think that press coverage surrounding Penn State’s announcement of...
New Florence voters to decide if post-Prohibition alcohol ban is lifted
When Becky Richey and her husband opened C&T’s Pizza in New Florence a quarter-century ago, it never occurred to them that their customers couldn’t enjoy a cold brew with their meal. A referendum on Tuesday’s primary election ballot pitched by Richey could give her thirsty patrons another drink option by...
Pearl Jam shows off impressive versatility in sold-out Pittsburgh concertVideo
Is there any rock band, playing at the arena level, that is more versatile than Pearl Jam? The veteran Seattle rockers – who have moved far beyond their grunge days – continued to make their case in a sold-out show Friday night at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Visiting the...
At least 4 dead after tornado and severe storm batters St. Louis, mayor says
ST. LOUIS — At least four people died and authorities were searching from building to building for people who were trapped or hurt after severe storms including a possible tornado swept through St. Louis. The storms Friday afternoon tore roofs off buildings, ripped bricks off of siding and downed trees...
FDA clears first blood test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease
U.S. regulators have approved the first blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, potentially making it easier to find and treat patients with the mind-robbing disease that affects nearly 7 million Americans. The test made by Fujirebio Diagnostics Inc., a unit of Japan’s H.U. Group Holdings Inc., was cleared for...
Apollo’s Jackson House holds generations of history, family ties — including Jimmy Stewart
The General Samuel M. Jackson House in Apollo received a special visitor Friday morning when Indiana County actor Jimmy Stewart’s daughter, Kelly Stewart Harcourt, visited the estate for the first time, and his nephew, Ethan Perry, returned to the house with her. Stewart often visited the home on Terrace Avenue,...
Supreme Court rejects Trump bid to resume quick deportations of Venezuelans under 18th-century law
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Friday barred the Trump administration from quickly resuming deportations of Venezuelans under an 18th-century wartime law enacted when the nation was just a few years old. Over two dissenting votes, the justices acted on an emergency appeal from lawyers for Venezuelan men who have...
Some Bruceton jobs spared, but unions say HHS still pushing major cuts
Although some of the federal jobs at the Bruceton Research Center won’t be cut after all, the national unions representing the workers warned Friday that the Department of Health and Human Services is still moving forward with deep cuts to its workforce. Dozens of positions at the Bruceton center, located...
Federal judge strikes down workplace protections for transgender workers
A federal judge in Texas struck down guidance from a government agency specifying protections against workplace harassment based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk of U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas on Thursday determined the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission exceeded its statutory...
Police seize 2 pounds of methamphetamine from Derry man’s car
A Derry Township man was arrested Thursday after police seized two pounds of methamphetamine from him, according to court documents. Todd F. Stumpf, 59, is charged with possession with intent to deliver. Police received a tip Wednesday that Stumpf was traveling from Maryland to Blairsville, carrying two to four pounds...
Hempfield Big Lots store among locations in Western Pennsylvania slated to reopen
A few former Big Lots stores in the region are preparing for a rebirth under the same name. Locations in Hempfield, Ross, Penn Hills, Washington, Indiana, Rochester and Johnstown are on a list of 11 stores statewide reopening June 5 after their assets were transferred to a North Carolina-based discount...
Pa. lawmakers take aim at ‘big gap’ in laws regulating pet cremation
State lawmakers want to prevent a repeat of the recent scandal that saw a funeral director accused of charging for pet cremations but dumping the animals in landfills instead. A bipartisan caucus is pushing a bill that would ramp up industry standards for animal cremation and lay down stiffer penalties...
Election HQ: Voter guide for 2025 Primary Day in Western Pennsylvania
Primary election day in Pennsylvania is Tuesday, May 20. The biggest race in the area is for Pittsburgh mayor with the Democrat and Republican primaries being competitive. Pennsylvania has a closed primary system, which means voters not registered to a party cannot vote in the primary. Voters registered as Democrat...
Cold temperatures to return to Western Pa. next week
While it might feel like summer today in Western Pennsylvania, a change is headed this way. Friday had the potential to reach 85 degrees, according to David Shallenberger, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Moon. After that, a cold front is moving into the area next week. Saturday will...
Springsteen, Trump, Kid Rock trade political barbs
Bruce Springsteen’s songs have chronicled the working American’s hopes and dreams for 50 years. In that time, The Boss’ political bent has never been buried. Sure, some Reaganites may have misunderstood “Born in the U.S.A” as a patriotic anthem, but “American Skin (41 Shots)” clearly details the fears some have...
Student loans have been confusing lately. Here’s a guide to know where you stand
NEW YORK — Between collections resuming, courts blocking student loan programs and layoffs at the Education Department, borrowers might be confused about the status of their student loans. Recently, the Education Department announced it would start involuntary collections on defaulted loans, meaning the roughly 5.3 million borrowers who are in...
Idlewild & SoakZone improves coasters, adds ice cream treat, welcomes duck for 148th season
A familiar ride with a fresh look will greet fans of coaster thrills when Idlewild Park opens for its 148th season on Saturday. And next month, the Ligonier Township amusement park will gain an added attraction with the arrival of the World’s Largest Rubber Duck. Park visitors this season will...
