Top Stories category, Page 280
2nd Amtrak route to New York City included in new PennDOT rail plan
The state wants to know what people want in passenger and freight railroad service, funding, safety and economic development during the next five years. The input PennDOT receives will become part of a 2025 rail plan that will serve as a guide for state and federal investments over the next...
A court loss isn’t the end of the fight for stricter gun laws in Pa., advocates say
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has dealt a blow to Philadelphia and other municipalities’ efforts to pass stricter gun laws, but advocates say their...
Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, sparing the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family. The Democratic president had previously said...
Feats of Strength: Russell Wilson’s huge day, key defensive splash plays secure Steelers shootout over Bengals
During the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris had to leave the contest briefly because he didn’t feel well after a run. He blamed himself for eating too much of a dessert made by tight end Pat Freiermuth’s girlfriend during Thanksgiving...
Ski season set to begin at Seven Springs resort
Skiers can expect to hit the slopes at Seven Springs Mountain Resort beginning Friday. The opening day of the ski season at the Somerset County resort was announced as crews began making snow the day after Thanksgiving. “Last week, we had over a foot of snow at Seven Springs,” said...
Russell Wilson passes for 414 yards, defense forces 3 turnovers as Steelers beat Bengals
CINCINNATI — The Pittsburgh Steelers came here expecting a shootout with the Cincinnati Bengals, knowing they would have to outscore or stop the NFL’s most potent passing attack. The Steelers did both. Russell Wilson delivered their first 400-yard passing game in six seasons. And the defense created three turnovers, including...
Heavy snow, numbing temperatures keep parts of U.S. in a deep freezeVideo
LOWVILLE, N.Y. — Heavy snowfall and numbing temperatures kept parts of the U.S. in a deep freeze Sunday as the Thanksgiving holiday weekend drew to a close. Some snowmobilers and skiers reveled in the wintry conditions, while flinty fans prepared for the NFL game in Buffalo. In the remote Tug...
Trump names Massad Boulos, campaign liaison and family relative, as a senior adviser on Middle East
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday named Massad Boulos, a Lebanese American businessman who is the father-in-law of Trump’s daughter Tiffany, as a senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. Boulos arranged Trump campaign efforts to engage the Arab American community in Michigan, organizing dozens...
Editorial: A month after election, still no answers on Marc Fogel’s detention
For three years, TribLive has periodically contacted the U.S. State Department. We ask the same questions, sometimes tweaked to reflect national or world events. We ask for the most recent information on Marc Fogel. The Butler native and Oakmont teacher has been held in a Russian prison since 2021, when...
Penn Township residents raise concerns over proposed zoning changes
Paul Bush moved to Penn Township three decades ago for the quiet, rural environment. But as the Pennsylvania Turnpike plans a new interchange in Penn Township and township officials weigh proposed zoning changes aimed at encouraging economic development, Bush is worried the community will lose its peaceful atmosphere. “The existing...
Inside ‘The Underground’: Iron Mountain in Butler County preserves audio, video, digital media for the future
When audio engineer Brett Zinn began working with the master tapes of “Learning to Fly” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, he noticed an unusual item on the track list. “I was looking at it, when I was transferring, I’m like, ‘cup?’ What on earth is ‘cup?’ Why would I...
Fraud is a $10B business, according to FTC; Harrison workshop aims to safeguard people
Pennsylvanians lost more than $118 million in phone scams and other frauds last year, taking a particular hit during the holidays, according to the FBI. Across the country, older Americans appear especially prone to fake calls and emails soliciting money for charities, “family emergencies” or other schemes, the Federal Trade...
Forever Young: Families of teens killed in North Park crash fight to move on
Twice a week, Ellie Tourney eats lunch on a stone bench near her son’s grave. She doesn’t want her youngest boy to feel like he has been forgotten. Nearly a year has passed since Jonathan Tourney and Taylor Orlowski were killed on Christmas weekend when the speeding SUV they were...
A year later, families of teens killed in North Park crash remain overcome with grief while fighting to move onVideo
Twice a week, Ellie Tourney eats lunch on a stone bench near her son’s grave. She doesn’t want her youngest boy to feel like he has been forgotten. Nearly a year has passed since Jonathan Tourney and Taylor Orlowski were killed on Christmas weekend when the speeding SUV they were...
1st day of deer rifle season is busy for some deer processors, not so much for others
Mike Galup has hunted with his grandfather since he was a kid, and this year, was no exception. Galup, 29, of West Deer, and Matt Ciocca, 85, were up at 5 a.m. and in the woods an hour later on Saturday — the first day of rifle season — to...
Shoppers near and far embrace New Kensington’s Shop Small Crawl
Kim Denne stood at a table in her gift shop on Saturday, winding white, green and red string around a wooden plaque in the shape of Santa Claus. As each customer entered, Denne greeted them, telling them that all of the products in the store — from the pottery pieces...
Erie slammed with lake effect snow, Shapiro declares disaster emergency; dangerous cold forecast into next week
Some portions of Erie County were under almost 3 feet of snow Saturday in the middle of the hectic holiday travel and shopping weekend, with a forecast of frigid temperatures to start off the week. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a proclamation of disaster emergency. Shapiro said parts of Erie...
3 businesses debut in Westmoreland County — mobile gaming, custom framing, barbershop
For Joe Perriello, opening a mobile video game business is the perfect mesh of work and family. In January, Perriello of Penn Township will launch Rolling Video Games PGH — a 25-foot trailer decked out with seven TVs and 10 gaming consoles that can be transported to children’s birthdays, graduation...
As hunt begins, drought may be a factor in size of harvested deer, quality of antlers, meat
Despite being hunted each fall, deer find ways to survive. The months of dry weather likely will not affect hunting, according to state game officials. But processor Melinda Weimer has noticed a difference in the size and quality of antlers and the amount of quality meat Weimer Meats in Loyalhanna...
‘It keeps my brain sharp’: 88-year-old Norwin library staffer reflects on decades-long career
At 88, Marge Vessalo could have been retired decades ago. But the North Huntingdon resident has no plans to give up her one-day-a-week job at the Norwin Public Library in Irwin. “Retire from the library? Probably never. I think that it is good for the brain,” said Vessalo, who started...
On the range with Pennsylvania’s professional farm sitters
This story first appeared in PA Local, a weekly newsletter by Spotlight PA taking a fresh, positive look at the incredible people, beautiful places, and delicious food of Pennsylvania. Linda Then and her wife Sandy have a lot of mouths to feed. There’s the Jersey steer, the burly Clydesdale, the...
Protecting children or government overreach? Western Pa. reaction mixed on Australian social media ban
Olivia Edwards understands the intent behind Australia’s recent blanket social media ban. “It makes sense,” she said. “The thought behind it is protecting children.” The new law established some of the most stringent internet usage restrictions outside of China and other non-democratic regimes and could be considered a precedent for...
Steelers (mostly) ready for their closeup as ‘Hard Knocks’ begins filming its AFC North series
As might be expected, security is typically tight at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. The parking lot is gated. A 50-foot curtain is available to shield the primary practice field. Facial-recognition software kiosks dot the facility at myriad checkpoints. But the most private areas where the proprietary information often is exchanged...
Roof leak wipes out toy drive contributions at Pittsburgh health center; donations sought
Staff at the UPMC Mathilda H. Theiss Health Center in Pittsburgh’s Hill District neighborhood were met with an unwelcome surprise Friday morning. A roof leak on Thanksgiving damaged the health center and ruined the donations they had collected so far for an annual holiday toy drive. Dr. Jonathan Yadlosky, the...
Shoppers venture out to stores on Black Friday, some lured by the chance to snag Taylor Swift merch
Black Friday was plenty busy around 10 a.m. at the Westmoreland Mall in Hempfield — at least until a false fire alarm went off. But while some headed — albeit very leisurely — for the exits, most took a quick look around and then continued their Black Friday shopping. Braelyn...
