Top Stories category, Page 25
Mamdani stands by Trump criticism despite friendly White House meeting
WASHINGTON — New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani didn’t back down in an interview that aired Sunday from past criticism that President Donald Trump acted like a despot and a fascist after a surprisingly friendly White House meeting between the two men. The newly elected democratic socialist and the Republican...
FDNY union demands answers on sudden city discovery of 68 boxes of 9/11 toxin docs
The union representing FDNY firefighters is demanding answers after City Hall officials discovered 68 boxes of information on the dangers of Sept. 11 toxins despite claiming for years they couldn’t find any records on what authorities knew about Ground Zero health hazards. “For years, our members made life-and-death medical decisions...
Steelers’ ineptitude in Chicago continues with loss to Bears
CHICAGO — Aaron Rodgers wasn’t available to continue his mastery of the Chicago Bears. He could merely watch from the sideline as the Pittsburgh Steelers continued their misery at Soldier Field. The Bears converted a pair of Mason Rudolph turnovers into 14 points, Caleb Williams threw three touchdown passes and...
In Geneva, U.S., Ukraine officials report progress on ending Russia’s war but offer few specificsVideo
GENEVA — Top U.S. and Ukrainian officials said Sunday they’d made progress toward ending the Russia-Ukraine war but provided scant details after discussing the American proposal to achieve peace that has sparked concerns among many of Washington’s European allies that the plan is too conciliatory to Moscow. U.S. Secretary of...
Fire breaks out in Turtle Creek, investigation ongoing
Emergency responders were called to a business in Turtle Creek for reports of a fire early Sunday. The fire was put out by around 8 a.m., said Kasey Reigner, a spokeswoman for the fire marshal. “From my understanding it is under control,” Reigner said. EOS Energy Enterprises confirmed the incident...
Pittsburgh police make several arrests during Light Up Night
Pittsburgh’s annual Light Up Night is known for its holiday cheer, but some spectators say they saw more than Christmas lights this year, as scattered fights broke out among some attendees and one man allegedly punched a police officer. Pittsburgh Police spokeswoman Emily Bourne said the Saturday night event drew...
Mason Rudolph to start at quarterback for Steelers against Bears
CHICAGO – Mason Rudolph got his first start of the season at quarterback and Aaron Rodgers was inactive Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers faced the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Coach Mike Tomlin made the decision before putting the QBs through warmups Sunday. In a pregame interview with CBS, Tomlin...
Two arrested, one flees after Pittsburgh gunfire
Two people were taken into custody, while another is still on the run, after shots fired led to a crash and chase in Pittsburgh’s Perry South neighborhood overnight. Police were dispatched to the 400 block of Chester Avenue around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday after reports of gunfire. Officers who were...
Editorial: Big money, big batteries and big questions
A manufacturing company wants to expand. It makes announcements. And when the big news comes, there is another disclosure. The federal government is along for the ride. That might sounds like the U.S. Steel-Nippon Steel deal that included a “golden share” specifically controlled by President Donald Trump. It also describes...
Steelers at Bears: Get ready for 2025 Week 12 matchup
Aaron Rodgers has a 24-5 record against the Chicago Bears. But will the Steelers starting quarterback get a chance to improve on that mark as he recovers from a wrist injury suffered last week in a win against the Bengals. Kickoff at Soldier Field is set for 1 p.m. Sunday....
How one Southwestern Pa. school district is trying to improve test scores — while on a budget
Monessen City School Superintendent Robert Motte is faced with a dilemma. Motte admits the district’s state test scores could use some improvement. On the 2024 Keystone Exams, 3% of the district’s students achieved a proficient or higher score in algebra 1. Students hitting that proficient or higher mark in biology...
Increased school funding could lead to higher test scores — but it’s often more complicated
When it comes to education spending, more isn’t always better. At least that’s what the numbers — standardized test scores and per-student spending — suggest about Southwestern Pennsylvania’s school districts. School districts that spend the most per student do not always have the highest test scores, according to data from...
Holiday cheer shines bright at Pittsburgh’s annual Light Up NightVideo
Pittsburgh ushered in the holiday season Saturday as crowds packed Downtown for Light Up Night, taking in tree lightings, street performances and celebratory fireworks. The event drew steady crowds eager to welcome the season, helped along by the mild, comfortable weather. Thousands of people, young and old, turned out wearing...
Despite vast difference in ages, Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph forming bond as Steelers QBs
After Mason Rudolph retreated to the locker room Sunday when he did his part in the second half to secure a 34-12 victory for the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was greeted by a high-five from Aaron Rodgers. It was like Rudolph was living out a dream from his youth. “I think...
No Aaron Rodgers update — but Steelers declare Cam Heyward, Darius Slay healthy for Bears
Aaron Rodgers remains, officially, questionable to play Sunday. But there is no longer any question that two other Pittsburgh Steelers starters will be in uniform to face the Chicago Bears. Via a team spokesman, the Steelers revealed early Saturday afternoon that defensive tackle Cameron Heyward and cornerback Darius Slay had...
Marjorie Taylor Greene’s exit opens room for new political unknown in Georgia
CHATSWORTH, Ga. — U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene built her career as one of Donald Trump’s fiercest defenders. Now, after a dramatic turn against the president she once championed, she’s walking away from a Washington that she said “despised” her. What comes next for her — and for Georgia politics...
‘Woot!’: Westmoreland volunteers enjoy their good deeds for those less fortunate
Sporadic hooting and hollering was coming from inside the Murrysville Christian Concern’s new community building in Export early Saturday, as a group of more than 200 volunteers adorned in blue hairnets scooped, measured and packaged oatmeal kits. The volunteers flanked long tables, which were lined with oatmeal, scales, funnels, toppings...
Ukraine’s allies push back on U.S. peace plan seen as favoring Moscow
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s Western allies rallied around the war-torn country on Saturday as they pushed to revise a U.S. peace plan seen as favoring Moscow despite its all-out invasion of its neighbor. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has vowed Ukrainians “will always defend” their home. A Ukrainian delegation, bolstered by representatives...
Steelers 4 Downs: In Bears matchup, 1 team gets to QB quickly, the other doesn’t
1. Race to the QB When it comes to pressuring opposing quarterbacks, the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t elite. But when they’re successful on the pass rush, they are doing it quickly. Certainly moreso than their opponent Sunday. While according to NFL Next Gen Stats, the Steelers are generating pressure at a...
Students’ weather balloon from Michigan lands (probably) in Brackenridge
From live leeches to building model rockets, a lot happens in Joe Graber’s Michigan high school science class. The most recent project is a weather balloon experiment that could lead to a scavenger hunt in the Brackenridge area. According to a Facebook post by Carrie Balk, a weather balloon launched...
Westmoreland transit authority cuts ties with state lobbyists
A divided Westmoreland County Transit Authority board fired the agency’s state lobbyists this week. Four of the board’s seven members voted against retaining the Harrisburg-based firm, Malady and Wooten, which has represented the county transportation agency’s interests to state officials since 2022. The authority, which operates fixed-route local and commuter...
Overly’s light display — and Santa — return to Westmoreland Fairgrounds
The Overly’s Country Christmas annual holiday lights display is open for the season, ready to host old and new traditions for area families. The lights are accompanied by a Christmas village, model train display, Santa Claus and other attractions. The nonprofit organization regularly donates proceeds from the event to local...
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, former Trump loyalist, says she is resigning from Congress
WASHINGTON — Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a loyal supporter-turned-critic of President Donald Trump who faced his political retribution if she sought reelection, said Friday she is resigning from Congress in January. Greene, in a more than 10-minute video posted online, explained her decision and said she didn’t want...
Victim in fatal Duquesne shooting identified as Homewood man
A Homewood man was shot and killed in Duquesne on Friday afternoon, according to the Allegheny County Police. At 2:22 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 2600 block of Duquesne Place for reports of a shooting, police said. The Allegheny County Examiner’s Office identified him as Eugene Jackson, 61. Police...
Aluminum City Arts could make New Kensington ‘Destination City’
Tony Paletta remembers thinking negatively of New Kensington when he was growing up in the city. He remembers moving away to live on the West Coast for a number of years and returning to New Kensington five years ago. That’s when his perspective changed. “Coming back in 2020, so much...
