Top Stories category, Page 3
TV Talk: Michelle Wright anchors her final WTAE broadcastVideo
And then she was done. After 30 years at WTAE, most of that time as a morning news anchor, Michelle Wright said farewell to viewers Friday just before 7 a.m., capping a sweeps month of on-air walks down memory lane, including a live visit with “Good Morning America” host Robin...
Allegheny Valley Regional Police looking to acquire river patrol boat
The Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department may soon be out on the water. That’s because the department — which serves Cheswick, Springdale Township and East Deer — is set to purchase a river patrol boat this spring. Despite the region’s three rivers, police boats are relatively rare, according to Allegheny...
Middle Eastern man living in Pittsburgh accused of fraud, ID theft in using a dead man’s name for years
Federal authorities have accused a Middle Eastern man of illegally living in Pittsburgh, misusing visas and providing a false name among other related offenses. Mahmoud Almasry, 44, also known as Mohammad Jiham, had been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of fraud and misuse of visas,...
Police arrest 2; find large amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, crack, marijuana, $15k and a rifle in Penn Hills raid
Two people have been taken into custody following a drug bust in Penn Hills on Friday morning. Their names have not yet been released in connection with the investigation, and the charges against them are pending. Police executed a search warrant at a home in the 300 block of Idlewood...
Gov. Shapiro discusses AI regulation in schools during Carnegie visit
High school students are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence for homework help, advice and even companionship — leaving school administrators wondering where to draw the line. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro brought that discussion to the Carnegie Clubhouse at Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania on Friday, meeting with students...
McCormick visit to Pittsburgh spotlights driverless trucking leader Aurora, liquefied natural gas industry
Aurora Innovation, a Pittsburgh company leading the charge on autonomous trucking in the U.S., is looking for cheerleaders in government to shape regulation of the emerging industry. They may have just found one in U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, who said Friday on a tour of an Aurora manufacturing facility in...
Police investigate reported climb of Gulf Tower in Downtown Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh police said Friday they launched an investigation after officers detained — but did not arrest — a person who reportedly scaled the Downtown skyscraper that reigned for 40 years as Pennsylvania’s tallest building. A man and a woman, who authorities did not name, were involved in a “reported incident”...
Pittsburgh’s housing authority sets aside $5M to protect low-income tenants in Homewood building
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh on Thursday earmarked $5 million that could be used to acquire a Homewood apartment building if the city needs to seize it to protect tenants. The 100-unit Homewood House on Frankstown Avenue in Homewood is one of several properties throughout the region...
Former Greensburg officer Regina McAtee, convicted in drug case, fights to keep city pension
A retired Greensburg police officer convicted in a federal drug trafficking scheme is appealing a decision that rescinded and forfeited a portion of her pension. The lawyer for Regina McAtee claims the Greensburg police pension commission erred this month when it ordered she return more than $75,000 in retirement benefits...
ICE facilities are planned for Pa. Will the Shapiro admin sue to stop them?
This story was produced by the Berks County bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom. Sign up for Good Day, Berks, a daily dose of essential local stories at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/gooddayberks. READING — Maryland’s attorney general is suing the federal government to prevent ICE from converting a warehouse into an...
‘It feels amazing’: Immigrants become U.S. citizens in Pittsburgh naturalization ceremonyVideo
”I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United...
The NFL Draft opens to new group: Tech innovators
The NFL wants you for the upcoming draft — if you’re a technology innovator, that is. The league on Friday unveiled the NFL Draft Innovation Challenge, a crowdsourcing initiative to “enhance the fan and event experience.” The league is inviting individuals, startups and established companies to propose new tools and...
Duolingo posts $400M profit for 2025 but lowers short-term outlook
Duolingo enjoyed a strong 2025 by most financial metrics, surpassing $400 million in profit on just over $1 billion in revenue. It’s a vast improvement from 2024, when the company made $89 million with a revenue of $748 million. Even so, the Pittsburgh-based educational technology company on Thursday warned investors...
Peters Township teen charged in sextortion scheme has counts reduced in deal with DA
Attorneys and prosecutors Friday agreed to drop 267 charges against a Peters Township High School senior accused of soliciting and collecting nude and pornographic images and videos of teenage boys. Zachariah A. Meyers, 18, still faces 67 criminal counts in the alleged catfishing and sextortion scheme following a preliminary hearing...
Tambellini’s closure marks the latest changing of the guard in Pittsburgh food
A fixture in the Pittsburgh dining scene is pressing pause. Joseph Tambellini Restaurant announced on its website that the fine-dining establishment is “currently on a break until further notice.” The restaurant has been a Highland Park staple for nearly two decades after it replaced Laforêt in a converted brick house...
Bill Clinton says he ‘did nothing wrong’ with Epstein as he faced grilling over their relationship
WASHINGTON — Former President Bill Clinton told members of Congress on Friday that he “did nothing wrong” in his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and saw no signs of Epstein’s sexual abuse as he faced hours of grilling from lawmakers over his connections to the disgraced financier from more than two...
Challengers test Summer Lee’s grip on congressional seat in Trump-era midterms
A popular and polarizing Democratic congresswoman is staking her reelection bid on her record in a midterm election seen by many as a referendum on President Donald Trump. While Beltway experts say this year’s race in Pennsylvania’s 12th District is Rep. Summer Lee’s to lose, the progressive firebrand from Swissvale...
Papa Johns pizza chain will close 300 stores across U.S.
Papa Johns announced it plans to close about 300 stores across the United States by the end of 2027. The announcement was made by the Kentucky-based pizza chain during an earnings call on Thursday, USA Today reported. The company also said during the call that it has cut its corporate...
Morning Roundup: 2 injured in East Hills dog attack; Ohio Township home catches fire
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Feb. 27: 2 injured in East Hills dog attack Two people were injured after being attacked by a dog Thursday afternoon in Pittsburgh’s East Hills neighborhood. At about 2:30 p.m., EMS, police and Animal Care & Control officers...
Intervala expands at former Westmoreland Sony site, plans to hire 45 workersVideo
The former Sony site in East Huntingdon once hummed with television production; today, it is finding new life as a high-tech anchor thanks to a $6 million expansion by electronics manufacturer Intervala. The company, which moved into the RIDC Westmoreland Innovation Center near New Stanton in 2021, announced Thursday it...
Beyond churches, Western Pa. restaurants are reeling in diners with fish frenzy
The Lenten season ushers in a dining fish sandwich frenzy at many restaurants in Western Pennsylvania. Whether it’s fried, broiled or baked, fish Lenten specials are popping up on most menus, offering an tasty and easy way to enjoy fish — and keep your kitchen clean. Turn Fridays into Fry-days...
Holy fish fries: Fish consumption skyrockets during Lent
Lent becomes a feeding frenzy when it comes to fish fries. Tons of breaded or beer-battered cod and haddock are consumed in Southwestern Pennsylvania during the 40-day holiday period in which Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays leading to Easter. Imperial-based wholesaler Nappies Food Service exports to churches and restaurants...
‘Buyers of last resort’: Experts weigh in on Namdar’s Macy’s purchase
Despite owing Frazer and Allegheny County millions of dollars in fines, the owner of the Pittsburgh Mills mall campus is purchasing real estate there. It’s a practice that experts say is uncommon but not prohibited. “In general, I mean, if real estate’s for sale, and you have a buyer and...
Mt. Pleasant man charged in connection with monkey torture videos
A Mt. Pleasant man has been charged in federal court with paying people overseas to torture monkeys and video record the acts. Joseph Garrett Buckland is charged with conspiracy to create and distribute “animal crush” videos. Animal crushing involves intentional crushing, burning or other torture. It is illegal for anyone...
Lawmakers say U.S. military used laser to take down Border Protection drone
FORT HANCOCK, Texas — The U.S. military used a laser to shoot down a Customs and Border Protection drone, members of Congress said Thursday, and the Federal Aviation Administration responded by closing more airspace near El Paso, Texas. It’s not clear why the laser was deployed but it’s the second...
