Top Stories category, Page 3
New mayor, new effort by Pittsburgh council to kill master plan contracts
Pittsburgh City Council is trying once again to kill two controversial contracts. Legislation introduced Tuesday proposes to terminate a pair of costly contracts totaling about $6 million for consultants working on a citywide comprehensive plan meant to guide zoning and development for the next 25 years. Council already passed the...
‘Wicked’ tour prepares for 5-week run at the BenedumVideo
More than a dozen trucks carrying hundreds of props and set pieces lined up behind the Benedum Center in Downtown Pittsburgh on Tuesday, preparing to transform the historic theater into the magical world of Oz. The tour of “Wicked” returns with opening night on Wednesday for its sixth run in...
‘It’s the Wild West’: Pittsburgh council eyes short-term rental crackdown
Pittsburgh City Council is once again grappling with how to regulate short-term rentals, like the Airbnb and Vrbo properties that have become popular in recent years. Councilwoman Deb Gross, D-Highland Park, in July introduced legislation aimed at regulating the rentals. The measure died at the end of the year, as...
Point Park University classes to go remote during NFL Draft in April
In anticipation of Pittsburgh hosting the 2026 NFL Draft, Point Park University has decided to move classes to a remote model from April 20 to 25. Some 500,000 to 700,000 people are expected to attend the football fan event, held April 23-25 around Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park. The...
O’Connor unveils Main and Main initiative to revitalize Pittsburgh business districts
Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor on Tuesday promised to help rebuild neighborhood business districts, like the stretch of Homewood Avenue in the city’s East End that he toured as he launched his Main and Main initiative. Main and Main, O’Connor said, will promote revitalization and investment in business districts throughout the...
Pittsburgh eateries go big for 2026 Winter Restaurant Week
Adventurous eaters and foodies of all ages have an opportunity to try new dishes and old favorites from dining establishments during 2026 Winter Pittsburgh Restaurant Week. With discounted menus and new flavors, some of the region’s best eateries are pulling out all the stops for this weeklong event. Running from...
Judge considers release for Murrysville man accused in neighbor’s assault
A Westmoreland County judge will decide by Friday whether to grant bail to a Murrysville man accused of breaking into a neighbor’s home to make sexual overtures. During a court hearing Monday, defense attorney Pat Noonan said Gregory P. Schneider, 47, was experiencing the effects of a medication change at...
Judge sets state prison sentence for man who punched, kicked and choked dog in South Huntingdon
After Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Ranger played graphic videos depicting the abuse of a dog in court Tuesday, she read messages the defendant sent laughing about his actions. “The dog can’t walk lol,” Zachary Hixson, 31, said in one message. “It’s paralyzed lol,” he said in another, as read by...
Mike Tomlin to Ravens? Here’s what Baltimore owner said
Could Mike Tomlin be ditching the black and gold for purple and black? Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti offered his thoughts, after he was informed of Tomlin’s departure from the Steelers Tuesday. “He did? Is it official? he asked about Tomlin’s decision to step down as head coach. A reporter then...
Mike Tomlin brushes aside talk about his Steelers future after another playoff flop
Aaron Rodgers lamented what the questions about Mike Tomlin’s future reflect about society at large. Cameron Heyward fell on the proverbial sword, blaming himself and his fellow Pittsburgh Steelers players for the questions about Tomlin. The man himself? He skillfully evaded addressing the question head on. “I’m not even in...
Dina Powell McCormick, wife of U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, named Meta president
Dina Powell McCormick, a close ally of the Trump administration and the wife of U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, is Meta’s new president and vice chairman. The Facebook parent company announced her appointment Monday, making a figure with Southwestern Pennsylvania ties a central decision-maker for one of the world’s largest tech...
Trump cancels meetings with Iranian officials and tells protesters ‘help is on its way’
WASHINGTON — President Trump said Tuesday he’s canceled talks with Iranian officials amid a protest crackdown, telling Iranian citizens “help is on its way.” Trump did not offer any details about what the help would entail, but it comes after the Republican president earlier this week said Iran wants to...
Morning Roundup: 1 person injured in Hazelwood shooting
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, Jan. 13: ______________________________ 1 person injured in Hazelwood shooting Pittsburgh police were dispatched Monday evening to the 100 block of Tecumseh Street in Hazelwood in response to an eight-round ShotSpotter alert at approximately 10:15 p.m., according to the...
Building the Valley: Family creates cozy country charm with Bear Roots cafe in Washington Township
Giggles filled the air at Bear Roots cafe in Washington Township as Chrissy Klingensmith pushed her 1-year-old future granddaughter, Hadley, through the shop in a wheeled office chair. It was a small moment, but one that perfectly captured the family spirit behind the business. The cafe, which opened last March,...
Steelers vs. Texans: What they’re saying in Houston after win
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ season ended abruptly Monday night with a 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. As the Steel City processed the disappointment of an early exit, Houston media outlets and fans zeroed in on what they saw as a dominant performance by the Texans’ defense. A...
Supreme Court seems likely to uphold state bans on transgender athletes in girls and women’s sports
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared ready to deal another setback to transgender people and uphold state laws barring transgender girls and women from playing on school athletic teams. The court’s conservative majority, which has repeatedly ruled against transgender Americans in the past year, signaled during more than...
Man who shot Monroeville police sergeant sent to prison for attempted homicide
A Beaver County man convicted of trying to kill a Monroeville police officer is headed to prison for up to 70 years. Jamal Brooks wounded Monroeville Sgt. James J. MacDonald in the Jan. 3, 2024, shooting. Brooks, 34, of Aliquippa was sentenced Monday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court to...
Pa. lawmakers among highest-paid in the country, thanks to automatic pay raises
Automatic pay increases that took effect last month again placed Pennsylvania’s Legislature among the highest paid in the country. The base annual salary for lawmakers in the state House and Senate is up to about $113,591, under terms set by a 1995 law mandating automatic cost-of-living adjustments for top state...
Allegheny Health Network promotes West Penn Hospital head to run regional doctors group
Allegheny Health Network tapped West Penn Hospital’s top official Monday to lead a regional affiliation of doctors and their practices. Dr. Brian Johnson, who’s been president of West Penn Hospital since 2020, was named medical director and chief population health officer at Physician Partners of Western PA. He succeeds Dr....
Future of Fawn EMS coverage remains uncertain
Fawn is the final holdout of a proposed paid, regional ambulance authority — leaving the future of the township’s EMS coverage up in the air. Supervisors must decide whether to join the Alle-Kiski Emergency Services Authority, expected to move forward this fall, or look elsewhere for 911 service. “We haven’t...
Texans defense dominates Steelers in wild-card rout
The wait continues for the Pittsburgh Steelers. So does the weight. The drought without a playoff victory is nine years and counting for the Steelers after they were beaten by the Houston Texans, 30-6, Monday night in an AFC wild-card round game at Acrisure Stadium. The Texans, winners of 10...
Homicide charges filed in March crash that killed Greensburg Salem school van driver
A tractor-trailer driver was arrested Monday on homicide by vehicle charges in connection with a March crash that killed a Greensburg Salem school van driver. Isaac D. Stemple, 23, of Belington, W.Va., is free on $100,000 unsecured bail. Rene Davis, 60, of Hempfield was killed in the March 7 crash...
Minnesota and the Twin Cities sue the federal government to stop the immigration crackdown
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota and its two largest cities sued the Trump administration Monday to try to stop an immigration enforcement surge that led to the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a federal officer and evoked outrage and protests across the country. The state, joined by Minneapolis and St....
Defense demands dismissal of murder, arson charges in 1993 Jeannette fire case
Lawyers for a former Jeannette man awaiting retrial for the 1993 death of his wife and two young children claim Westmoreland County prosecutors cannot prove the fire that killed them was intentionally set. In pretrial motions submitted Monday, defense attorneys for James Young, 58, argued that homicide and arson charges...
Sen. Mark Kelly sues the Pentagon over attempts to punish him, declaring it unconstitutionalVideo
WASHINGTON — Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly sued the Pentagon on Monday over attempts to punish him for his warnings about illegal orders, claiming the Trump administration trampled on his constitutional rights to free speech. Kelly, a former U.S. Navy pilot who represents Arizona, is seeking to block his censure from...
