Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 30
Morning Roundup: Monessen teacher found with gun in school; flood watch issued for multiple counties
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Feb. 20: Monessen teacher found with gun in elementary school A Monessen City School District employee was found in possession of a gun while on school grounds Thursday, the district said in a letter to parents and guardians....
West Newton Bridge project: ‘Gateway to a new beginning’
West Newton residents Wednesday expressed their appreciation for the state’s plans to construct a temporary bridge over the Youghiogheny River that will keep the two sides of the river community connected while a major rehabilitation of the West Newton Bridge closes it for more than a year. “It’s better than...
Deluzio launches reelection campaign
U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio launched his reelection campaign Thursday with a kick-off event at a social hall in Green Tree. Deluzio, 41, of Fox Chapel, is seeking a third term representing a district that includes part of Allegheny County, including much of the Alle-Kiski Valley, and all of Beaver County....
Police use blue bullets to link security guard to fatal shooting at Penn Hills club
The detectives told the jury they had never seen blue bullets at a crime scene. But when they got bullet fragments back from two victims shot at Ballers Hookah Lounge & Cigar Bar in Penn Hills nearly two years ago, scientists from the Allegheny County crime lab reported they had...
Penn Hills School District officials say messages about ICE being at high school are false
Penn Hills School District officials addressed social media rumors and said no Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were at any of its schools on Thursday. The message is in response to a TikTok video of a woman claiming ICE was at the high school. Superintendent John Mozzocio said the video...
New Trump administration order could lead to the detention of thousands of legal refugees
MINNEAPOLIS — The Trump administration has issued a sweeping new order that could lead to the arrest of tens of thousands of refugees who are lawfully in the United States but do not yet have permanent residency, overturning years of legal and immigration safeguards. A memo filed by the Department...
Mt. Oliver cop rear-ends SUV with child inside on Route 51
Danielle Staub regularly takes the same left turn off southbound Route 51 when leaving her friend’s house in Pittsburgh’s Overbrook neighborhood. Staub’s usually uneventful route turned traumatic early Monday when a marked Mt. Oliver police car smashed into her SUV from behind as her 8-year-old daughter sat in the back....
Smoky blaze leaves crews fighting Buffalo Township fire for more than 5 hours
Fire crews from numerous Alle-Kiski Valley towns battled a house fire for hours Thursday afternoon on Edgewood Drive in Buffalo Township. The blaze was initially reported at the single-story ranch home around 1:30 p.m. Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company Assistant Chief Tyler Hill said crews battled the “stubborn basement fire”...
New Mexico reopens investigation into alleged illegal activity at Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico’s attorney general has reopened an investigation into allegations of illegal activity at Jeffrey Epstein ’s former Zorro Ranch. Attorney General Raúl Torrez’s office made the announcement Thursday, saying the decision was made after reviewing information recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice. Although New...
Data center tax break created to boost economy, add jobs in Pa. could cost state billions
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. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — As data centers spread and draw backlash across the state, new figures are emerging about their potential...
Pittsburgh GOP urges tracking of how city spends $12M from UPMC, PNC
The City of Pittsburgh Republican Committee is calling for accountability and transparency from city officials who will be spending millions of dollars gifted by UPMC and the PNC Foundation. In a letter to City Controller Rachael Heisler, committee chair Todd McCollum urged called for a “clear, itemized ledger” showing how...
Pitt, CMU offer inside glimpse of Pittsburgh’s cutting-edge biotech hubs
Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh offered rare looks Thursday into two cutting-edge research facilities during a showcase for the U.S. National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology. Congress created the commission in 2022 to analyze the national security implications of novel biotechnologies, which manipulate cells and genetic material...
State audit to investigate Woodland Hills School District’s finances
Tensions surrounding the Woodland Hills School District’s finances are escalating after the state Department of Education announced plans to audit the district. The announcement came Wednesday evening in a Facebook post from state Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Swissvale, during a packed school board meeting to select a new board president. Last...
Father of Sean Dicer charged with trying to assault TV news crew
The father of a former Highlands School District teacher accused of sexually assaulting students now has legal problems of his own. Harold Dicer, 77, of Plum is charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct after, police say, he attempted to drive his SUV into a television news crew. Dicer...
What to know about the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
LONDON — The brother of King Charles III, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in connection with his close relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. His arrest Thursday follows years of allegations over his links with Epstein, who took his own...
Lower Burrell to donate additional 1.6 acres for Stewart School redevelopment
The Lower Burrell Planning Commission on Wednesday gave support — and some land — to Burrell School District’s redevelopment plan for the former Stewart Elementary School property. But not before questioning some of its details. The commission unanimously approved a 1.6-acre lot line revision for property owned by the city...
Slavery exhibit removed by Trump administration is returning to Independence Mall in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — Workers are restoring an exhibit depicting the history of the nine people once enslaved in Philadelphia amid a legal fight between the city and the Trump Administration. Mayor Cherelle Parker visited the site Thursday morning and saw the work being done, spokesperson Joe Grace said. A federal judge...
Ligonier Country Market proposes borough as new host
The Ligonier Country Market has proposed shifting its regular event from a 9.6-acre Loyalhanna Watershed Association property to downtown Ligonier Borough. The Country Market — launched about 50 years ago — has been held on the watershed association’s property off of Route 30 in Ligonier Township for the past 25...
Trump gets pledges for Gaza reconstruction and troop commitments at inaugural Board of Peace talks
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Thursday at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting that nine members have agreed to pledge $7 billion toward a Gaza relief package and five countries have agreed to deploy troops as part of an international stabilization force for the war-battered Palestinian territory. While lauding...
Innamorato launches Main Streets Allegheny to support county’s business districts
Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato on Thursday announced a $4 million initiative to support main streets, providing funding for public space improvements, small business support and local events. The Main Streets Allegheny program will distribute grants this year to municipalities, community organizations and small businesses. “Main streets are the heart...
More than 100 state lawmakers support Penn State faculty union efforts
More than 100 state lawmakers are supporting a unionization attempt for Penn State University faculty, as a vote to unionize could come this spring. Minority Leader Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, sent a letter to Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi on behalf of 102 state legislators from the House and...
Arts panel made up of Trump appointees approves his White House ballroom proposal
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, a panel made up of President Donald Trump’s appointees, on Thursday approved his proposal to build a ballroom larger than the White House itself where the East Wing once stood. The seven-member panel is one of two federal agencies that must approve...
West View mayor says borough leaders not interested in cooperating with ICE
While West View officials have not been asked about cooperating with federal immigration authorities, they would not be interested in doing so, Mayor John Henry said. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities across the country and locally have prompted numerous borough residents to raise concerns, he said. “I believe this council...
Sidney Crosby’s Olympic injury sparks debate over NHL player participation
Uncertainty continues to surround the status of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby, who was injured in Wednesday’s Olympic quarterfinals contest between Canada and Czechia. Canada coach Jon Cooper provided a limited update to reporters in Milan following his team’s optional practice Thursday, in which Crosby did not partake. “Sid is...
Mark Madden: The Pirates’ fate rests with 2 familiar bats
Optimism abounds with the Pirates, mostly because of a few shiny new toys and not least because 19-year-old phenom Konnor Griffin is hitting bombs at spring training. Griffin will be in Pittsburgh sooner, not later, and the sooner the better. But it feels like the fate of the Pirates in...
