Top Stories category, Page 227
Smoother rides ahead: Pa. takes step toward revamping Breezewood interchange
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has taken a first step in redesigning the Breezewood interchange to provide a direct link for motorists who want to exit the turnpike and head south to Maryland on Interstate 70. Turnpike officials this week announced Alfred Benesch and Company, which has offices in Cranberry and...
Gainey defends public safety record a day after Downtown shooting
A day after a teenager was shot in Downtown Pittsburgh, Mayor Ed Gainey on Thursday defended his administration’s public safety record, praised police officers for keeping the city safe and accused local media of not reporting more positive news. The mayor also stood by his choice for the city’s next...
IRS layoffs could hurt revenue collection and foil efforts to go after rich tax dodgers, experts say
WASHINGTON — The layoffs of roughly 7,000 IRS probationary workers beginning this week likely mean the end of the agency’s plan to go after high-wealth tax dodgers and could spell disaster for revenue collections, experts say. The majority of employees shown the door at the federal tax collector are newly...
Injunction sought to halt planned demolition of condemned North Huntingdon tavern
The owners of a former restaurant on Route 30 in North Huntingdon have asked a Westmoreland County judge to halt the dilapidated building’s demolition. The Rivertowne Pub and Grille building has been vacant since it shuttered in 2018. Township officials in 2021 condemned the property after inspectors declared the building...
Case will proceed against mother, daughter accused of stealing from estate of Greensburg Beverage CEO
A mother and daughter accused of stealing a relative’s $4.4 million inheritance from the estate of the late Greensburg Beverage CEO will have criminal charges proceed in Westmoreland County Court, a district judge ruled Thursday. Angela Lynne Valesky, 26, of Murrysville and her mother, Lisa Anne Skatell-Valesky, 51, of Jeannette...
Trump loyalist Kash Patel confirmed as FBI director by Senate despite deep Democratic doubtsVideo
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday narrowly voted to confirm Kash Patel as director of the FBI, moving to place him atop the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency despite doubts from Democrats about his qualifications and concerns he will do Donald Trump’s bidding and go after the Republican president’s...
Retired KDKA-TV personality Jon Burnett dies
Former KDKA-TV weathercaster and daytime talk show host Jon Burnett died of suspected CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) following a 2022 diagnosis of the disease, according to KDKA. He was 71. Burnett shared his diagnosis with KDKA viewers in February 2024 reports by his longtime “Pittsburgh Today Live” co-host Kristine Sorensen,...
Violation notice issued to Lower Burrell steel plant for spill
The state Department of Environmental Protection plans to cite the operator of Braeburn Alloy Steel in Lower Burrell following a hydraulic oil spill at the site this month. DEP spokeswoman Lauren Camarda said the state agency has not determined yet whether any fines or other sanctions are warranted as its...
Box truck kills man near UPMC Mercy hospital in Pittsburgh, victim identified
A man was killed Thursday morning after he stumbled into a road in Pittsburgh’s Uptown neighborhood and was struck by a box truck, according to city police. Pittsburgh police were dispatched at 10:30 a.m. to Forbes Avenue and Pride Street, close to UPMC Mercy hospital, where they found the man...
Where did Penguins radio broadcaster Mike Lange get his memorable calls?Video
Editor’s note: This story was originally published on May 15, 2017. A guy walked into the former Wren Haven bar in Scott Township where Penguins announcer Mike Lange was having lunch and said to the bartender “Buy Sam a drink and get his dog one, too.” “It made me smile...
Memories, sympathies shared following the death of Penguins broadcaster Mike LangeVideo
Condolences, sympathies and memories were being shared on social media following the death of Mike Lange, who will forever be remembered as the voice of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Lange died Wednesday. He was 76. “The Penguins organization joins the family, friends and fans of legendary broadcaster Mike Lange as we...
Snow may impact evening commute more than morning, forecasters say
Snowfall Thursday may have a greater impact on the evening commute than in the morning, according to the National Weather Service. Less than an inch of snow is expected through the morning hours, meteorologist Jason Frazier said. As of about 5:30 a.m., snow was seen sticking primarily to side roads....
Mike Lange’s legacy with the Penguins goes beyond his phrases
When Mario Lemieux joined the Penguins as the franchise’s savior in 1984, there wasn’t an abundance of ways to watch the team’s games outside of the Pittsburgh area. After all, this was decades before the Internet made virtually every sporting contest on Earth viewable through streaming services. But you could...
Residents voice concerns as Penn Township continues developing zoning change proposal
As Penn Township officials continue to weigh a series of zoning changes aimed at increasing economic development, resident Darlene Leslie is worried her quiet home will be disturbed by traffic, noise and pollution. Leslie lives in the eastern portion of the township, about three miles from Bushy Run Corporate Park...
Gilpin supervisors hear complaint about stopping livestreaming public meetings
The Gilpin supervisors are fielding complaints after deciding to stop livestreaming public meetings. According to a social media post by Supervisor Charles Stull, the issue of livestreaming meetings was raised by a “few board members” and added to the February voting meeting agenda for discussion. “Once on the topic, I...
IRS plans to lay off 7,000 probationary workers beginning Thursday
WASHINGTON — The IRS will lay off roughly 7,000 workers in Washington and around the country beginning Thursday, a person familiar with the plans told The Associated Press. The layoffs affect probationary employees with roughly one year or less of service at the agency and largely include workers in compliance...
Legendary Penguins broadcaster, Hockey Hall of Famer Mike Lange dies
Mike Lange didn’t think he would make it in Pittsburgh. Beyond the first week. After arriving in Western Pennsylvania to begin his new job as the play-by-play voice of the Penguins, Lange took up temporary residence with a co-worker and the two went out to a local establishment on his...
North Huntingdon scraps plan for developer to build sports complex on public land
After nine months of debating whether a $30 million sports complex should be built on North Huntingdon’s public works property, township officials Wednesday put a halt to drafting a lease with the developers of the proposed sports complex and terminated any talks with them. The vote to end the process...
More staff members exit Sen. Fetterman’s office as he seeks a political middle ground
The staff churn in Sen. John Fetterman’s office continues. NBC News is reporting that two of Fetterman’s longest serving staff members are exiting as the Pennsylvania Democrat seeks to find a working lane between his party and the president. The departures of Charlie Hills, the communications director, and Tre Easton,...
Senators clash over FBI director pick ahead of confirmation vote
Republicans and Democrats sharpened their arguments over Kash Patel’s fitness to lead the FBI, offering starkly different versions of the nominee ahead of a confirmation vote expected Thursday. Senate Republicans have rallied around Patel’s nomination and his pledges to fight crime, while Democrats have described him as perilously unsuited for...
Sewickley’s Jason Richey in line to become Allegheny County GOP chair
A Sewickley attorney who formerly ran for governor is in line to become the next chairman of the Republican Committee of Allegheny County, as both of his opponents have dropped out of the race. The Allegheny County GOP is scheduled to hold an election Saturday to replace outgoing Chairman Sam...
From Allegheny Center to Windgap, councilman wants police chief nominees to meet Pittsburghers where they are
A Pittsburgh councilman wants to make sure that residents across the city get a crack at grilling any police chief nominee before City Council votes on the appointment. City Councilman Anthony Coghill, D-Beechview, said he hopes to introduce a bill within several weeks to require six public meetings — one...
Boy shot in Downtown Pittsburgh, suspect detained
A teenage boy was shot and wounded on a Downtown Pittsburgh street late Wednesday afternoon, and police have detained the suspected shooter. The incident, a block from the Downtown police substation, happened just after 4 p.m. in the 400 block of Smithfield Street. A city police officer who was driving...
Ross debates placing former Steelers player’s medical marijuana dispensary next to laser tag facility
Ross commissioners tabled a motion to approve a former Steeler’s medical marijuana dispensary after concerns were raised about its proximity to a popular laser tag facility during their Feb. 18 meeting. The proposed dispensary would be at 7725 McKnight Road, where G&G Fitness Equipment currently sits. That would place it...
Meet 3 people leading the preservation of Black history in Pittsburgh
Black history within Pittsburgh is incredibly prevalent: The National Opera House was a hub for jazz artists and musicians like George Benson, the city was part of the Underground Railroad and it has an international Black newspaper. But that legacy needs people to make sure the culture is protected and...
