Top Stories category, Page 32
Central Pa. man charged in Trafford power substation explosions
A Central Pennsylvania man was jailed Tuesday in connection with two explosions in 2025 at a Duquesne Light substation in Trafford. Derrick W. McCarty, 32, of McVeytown is accused by borough police of trying to cut high-voltage lines Feb. 1 at the substation near the Trafford Commerce Center, according to...
O’Connor’s 1st executive order aims to streamline permitting process in Pittsburgh
On the campaign trail, Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor vowed to attract more businesses, housing and development. On Tuesday, his first full day as mayor, O’Connor signed an executive order that he hopes will be a starting point for that goal. The order gives various city departments — including the Department...
Steelers ‘a relatively healthy group’ headed into ‘single-elimination tournament’
Remarkably, on the cusp of their playoff opener the Pittsburgh Steelers are injury-free in regards to their active roster. Coach Mike Tomlin during his weekly news conference Tuesday termed his team “a relatively healthy group” as it prepares to host the Houston Texans this coming Monday night in the wild-card...
As Pa. energy prices rise, advocates skeptical that lawmakers will put aside partisan differences
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 — Democrats and Republicans who lead the Pennsylvania legislature have singled out increasing energy production as a goal...
Why did a helicopter land in Point State Park?
A helicopter hovered above — and landed in — Point State Park Tuesday morning in Downtown Pittsburgh as part of Pennsylvania State Police preparations for the 2026 NFL Draft coming to the city this spring. The state police helicopter touched down just before 9 a.m. for about eight minutes, according...
HBO hosts free coffee truck for AGH employees ahead of ‘The Pitt’ season 2
Fans of “The Pitt” are excitedly awaiting the season two premiere of HBO Max series, which will return at 9 p.m. on Thursday after an Emmy Award-winning first season. But no group is looking forward to the next installment more than the people who work at Allegheny General Hospital. The...
Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro has $30 million for his reelection bid, a new state record
HARRISBURG — Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro set another campaign finance record for Pennsylvania with $30 million on hand as he seeks a second term this fall, his campaign said Tuesday. Pennsylvania has emerged as the nation’s premier presidential battleground state, and Shapiro’s strong showing in the 2022 governor’s race elevated...
Greensburg questions traffic flow for proposed Sheetz site on East Pittsburgh Street
Greensburg Mayor Robb Bell and Councilman Randy Finfrock have traffic-related safety concerns about an updated plan for a long-awaited Sheetz gas station and convenience store on the eastern edge of the city. Those concerns center around traffic going in and out of the proposed location at East Pittsburgh Street and...
‘Surreal’ moment: North Allegheny teacher catches Ravens kicker’s missed FG
Fate seemed to be at work on multiple levels during Sunday night’s Steelers game. Not only for Pittsburgh, which edged the Baltimore Ravens 26-24 in a nail-biter, but also for Justin Karolski, who happened to be seated in the end zone where Ravens kicker Tyler Loop missed the would-be game-winning...
Turtle Creek man charged with attempted homicide after teen shot at close range in Duquesne
Police early Tuesday arrested a Turtle Creek man they say was one of two gunman who fired dozens of shots a day earlier at a 15-year-old boy in Duquesne, grazing his elbow. Jamar Saunders, 21, fired at the victim around 2:30 p.m. near a grassy lot at on Auriles Street,...
5th anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack brings fresh division to the Capitol
WASHINGTON — Five years ago outside the White House, outgoing President Donald Trump told a crowd of supporters to head to the Capitol — “and I’ll be there with you” — in protest as Congress was affirming the 2020 election victory for Democrat Joe Biden. A short time later, the...
Website aims to boost community involvement in plans for paid EMS authority
Officials trying to start a regional, paid EMS service are hoping a new website explaining the plans will bolster public involvement in the creation of the service. The authority will cover Brackenridge, Harrison and Tarentum and aims to continue 24/7 ambulance service by merging Eureka Community Ambulance in Tarentum and...
Steelers fans revel in ‘nail-biter’ victory over Ravens, berth in NFL playoffs
Knicky Nelson was dressed head to toe in Pittsburgh Steelers gear, but that didn’t stop her from perusing the merchandise at Dick’s Sporting Goods in the Waterworks on Monday in search of a deal. Nelson was still smiling from the Steelers’ improbable, heart-stopping 26-24 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on...
This Jan. 6 plaque was made to honor law enforcement. It’s nowhere to be found at the Capitol
WASHINGTON — Approaching the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, the official plaque honoring the police who defended democracy that day is nowhere to be found. It’s not on display at the Capitol, as is required by law. Its whereabouts aren’t publicly known, though it’s...
Duquesne City School student grazed by bullet
A Duquesne City School District student was grazed by a bullet Monday afternoon, according to school officials. Police were called to Duquesne High School during bus dismissal around 2:30 p.m. for a report of gunfire. Authorities responded and shortly thereafter called for a SWAT team, according to TribLive news partner...
Experts slam CDC guidance to slash childhood vaccination schedule
Pennsylvania medical experts fear vaccination rates will wane after federal health officials issued a nonbinding, but possibly influential, recommendation Monday that kids get fewer shots. Jim O’Neill, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, slashed the number of shots all children should receive to 11 from 17....
Cuba faces uncertain future after U.S. topples Venezuelan leader Maduro
HAVANA — Cuban officials on Monday lowered flags before dawn to mourn 32 security officers they say were killed in the U.S. weekend strike in Venezuela, the island nation’s closest ally, as residents here wonder what the capture of President Nicolás Maduro means for their future. The two governments are...
Westmoreland slashes benefits for retired workers
Westmoreland County’s salary board on Monday rescinded a policy that allowed nonunion employees to receive health benefits after retirement, a move officials said could save taxpayers up to $3.5 million annually. The three commissioners and Controller Jeffrey Balzer voted unanimously to eliminate the program, which allowed retirees to buy into...
Amy Weise Clements becomes acting Allegheny County controller
Amy Weise Clements on Monday stepped into the role of acting Allegheny County controller, replacing Corey O’Connor, who left the post to become Pittsburgh’s mayor. Weise Clements has served as deputy controller since O’Connor’s predecessor, Chelsa Wagner, appointed her in 2012. Previously, she was Allegheny County’s budget director for eight...
North Huntingdon police cruiser rammed head on during pursuit of stolen vehicle
A North Huntingdon police cruiser was damaged in a pursuit Saturday after authorities said a fleeing suspect rammed it head on, according to court papers. Police attempted to stop a stolen Hyundai Elantra they said was driven by Julian Jamar Johnson, 39, of Pittsburgh, on Route 30 in the township...
U.S. cuts number of vaccines recommended for every child, a move slammed by physicians
WASHINGTON — The U.S. took the unprecedented step Monday of cutting the number of vaccines it recommends for every child — a move that leading medical groups said would undermine protections against a half-dozen diseases. The change is effective immediately, meaning that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...
Here’s how to score a ticket for Steelers’ playoff game against Texans
The Steelers released a limited number of tickets for their first home playoff game in five years, and by Monday afternoon fans could still score a seat. Tickets were going for as little at $157 on the Steelers’ official ticket website at ticketmaster.com. The Steelers face the Houston Texans in...
Steelers’ DK Metcalf declines to comment on fan incident that got him suspendedVideo
After a verbal volley featuring variations of “no comment” to four questions, a team employee made DK Metcalf smile early Monday afternoon. “Thank you, Miss Teresa,” Metcalf said when asked how excited he was to be back with his teammates. His two-game suspension served, Metcalf was given a reprieve in...
Pittsburgh council welcomes fresh face to its ranks, District 2’s Kim Salinetro
Pittsburgh’s newest City Council member, Democrat Kim Salinetro, who will represent the city’s West End neighborhoods, took the oath of office on Monday. Salinetro was sworn in alongside returning council members Anthony Coghill, D-Beechview, R. Daniel Lavelle, D-Hill District, and Erika Strassburger, D-Squirrel Hill, all of whom won another term....
Maduro says ‘I was captured’ as he pleads not guilty to drug trafficking charges
NEW YORK — A defiant Nicolás Maduro declared himself “the president of my country” as he protested his capture and pleaded not guilty Monday to federal drug trafficking charges that the Trump administration used to justify removing him from power in Venezuela. “I was captured,” Maduro said in Spanish as...
