Top Stories category, Page 323
Jalen Hurts leads Eagles past Steelers as losing streak at Philly continues
PHILADELPHIA — The Pittsburgh Steelers came here hoping to end a streak that has stretched nearly six decades, one that feels more like a jinx after another defeat at the Philadelphia Eagles. The Steelers can blame an offense missing its best receiver for netting only 2 yards in a futile...
Luigi Mangione’s high-powered attorney is married to Diddy’s top lawyer
Two of New York City’s highest-profile criminal defendants have one thing in common: Their lawyers are married. Karen Friedman Agnifilo, who was retained Saturday by accused CEO killer Luigi Mangione, is married to Marc Agnifilo, who is representing Sean “Diddy” Combs in his case for sex trafficking and racketeering. Friedman...
U.S. agencies should use advanced technology to identify mysterious drones, Schumer says
BOSTON — After weeks of fear and bewilderment about the drones buzzing over parts of New York and New Jersey, elected officials are urging action to identify and stop the mysterious flights. “There’s a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the top Democrat...
Charles ‘Kamikaze Kid’ Bonasorte, former Pitt football player, Oakland kiosk owner, dies
Charles Bonasorte, a former University of Pittsburgh football player and owner of a popular Oakland kiosk, died Friday. Pittsburgh Sports Now’s Harry Psaros said Bonasorte’s death is “a profound loss for the Pitt community.” Bonasorte was raised “just a stone’s throw from the Cathedral of Learning,” Psaros wrote, and frequented...
Virgin Mary statue damaged in possible act of vandalism at Pittsburgh church
Officials are trying to determine how a statue of the Virgin Mary was toppled and damaged this past week outside St. Peter Catholic Church in Pittsburgh’s North Side neighborhood. Maintenance workers arriving Friday morning discovered the damage where the statue had stood near a side entrance to the church, according...
Shooting victim found dead in Swissvale apartment, police say
Allegheny County Police are investigating a shooting that left a man dead Saturday night in Swissvale. First responders answering a 911 call shortly after 8 p.m. found the man dead in an apartment in the 7500 block of Dickson Street, according to police. Officials said they were working to identify...
At least 3 injured in Vandergrift bar shooting, according to dispatcher
At least three people were injured in a shooting early Sunday at a Vandergrift bar, according to a Westmoreland County Emergency Management dispatcher. Officers were called to the scene at Anthony’s Bar, 323 Longfellow St., at about 12:10 a.m., the dispatcher confirmed. Vandergrift Patrolman Joe Gray confirmed that borough Police...
Pittsburgh Brewing wants to make sure docks are in place for summer concerts
One way or another, boaters are expected to have another summer of concert-listening from the water at Pittsburgh Brewing in East Deer. The company submitted an application with the state Department of Environmental Protection to build a temporary dock on the Allegheny River at the rear of its facility along...
Legalized recreational marijuana is on Pennsylvania’s doorstep
Recreational marijuana remains illegal in Pennsylvania. But lawmakers, advocates and even opponents who have spent countless hours debating the topic in Harrisburg say that likely will change soon. Money, specifically the promise of jobs and new tax revenue, has come to dominate the conversation in the General Assembly. Like the...
Westmoreland Register of Wills Office rebounds from year of disarray
On a quiet Friday afternoon, Westmoreland County register of wills staffers worked as usual to process court filings and waited on customers. It was like any other day at the courthouse — but a far cry from the disorganization and disarray that plagued the court-filing office for more than a...
Area wreath ceremonies bear witness to legacy of military service, families’ sacrifices
When 6-year-old Jason McClary placed a memorial wreath Saturday morning at Murrysville Cemetery, he represented all those who lost a loved one in military service — just as he lost the father whose name he shares. The Washington Township boy was less than a year old, and his older brother,...
Former Latrobe CEO’s 20-year sentence commuted by Biden
President Joe Biden on Thursday commuted the sentence of Gregory J. Podlucky, former chairman and CEO of a now defunct Latrobe beverage and bottling company who was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison in 2011 for his role in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme. Podlucky’s commutation was part of a...
Drones, planes or UFOs? Americans abuzz over mysterious New Jersey sightings
CHATHAM, N.J. — That buzzing coming out of New Jersey? It’s unclear if it’s drones or something else, but for sure the nighttime sightings are producing tons of talk, a raft of conspiracy theories and craned necks looking skyward. Cropping up on local news and social media sites around Thanksgiving,...
Former Manhattan prosecutor to represent suspect in killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO
NEW YORK — The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO has added a prominent defense lawyer to his legal team as Manhattan prosecutors work to return him from Pennsylvania to face a murder charge. Luigi Mangione will be represented by Karen Friedman Agnifilo, who was a high-ranking deputy in...
Father, son arrested in Mt. Pleasant Township shooting; preliminary hearing set
A father and son were arrested in Mt. Pleasant Township for firing multiple shots at a man in a moving truck, according to the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office. Paul Caletri Jr., 70, and Paul Caletri III, 30, were arrested by state police. They are each charged with aggravated assault,...
Under Shapiro, half of clemency recommendations remain unsigned
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 — In his first two years as governor, Josh Shapiro has signed about 50 percent of the clemency applications recommended to him by the...
Trump wants to end daylight saving time
NEW YORK — President-elect Donald Trump wants to turn the lights out on daylight saving time. In a post on his social media site Friday, Trump said his party would try to end the practice when he returns to office. “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate...
Pa. AG charges Allegheny County residents in vehicle ‘smash-and-grab’ spree
State authorities have accused four Allegheny County residents of breaking into dozens of vehicles last year throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania, stealing checkbooks, credit, debit and ID cards, and then draining victims’ bank accounts. On Dec. 6, the state Attorney General’s Office charged Ahmed Henderson, Theresa Imel, Elizabeth Madden and Shaquan Moore...
‘I was raised to always help’: Verona man rushes to help residents escape apartment fire
Erik Kust only wants to be known as a good neighbor. Others call him a hero. Thursday night, Kust was heading home from the grocery store. He was about four blocks away from his Verona home when he stopped at an intersection and noticed heavy smoke billowing from the windows...
Crews work to pump grout to stabilize area above Marguerite mine in Unity after sinkhole tragedy
A cement-like grout is being pumped into strategically placed borings and down into the former Marguerite mine beneath Monday’s Union restaurant in Unity. Starting around 8 a.m. Friday a steady stream of cement mixer trucks emptied their contents every five to seven minutes into a machine that pumps it far...
Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh in Station Square to close
After 23 years, the Hard Rock Café Pittsburgh will close. The final day for the establishment, which opened June. 24, 2002, in Station Square in Pittsburgh’s South Side, is Feb. 13. The closure was confirmed in an emailed statement Friday from Hard Rock International. “Hard Rock has enjoyed serving the...
Texas sues New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills by telemedicine
Texas has sued a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills to a Texas woman via telemedicine. The lawsuit was filed in Collin County, Texas, by the state’s Attorney General Ken Paxton on Thursday and announced Friday. It appears to be the first challenge anywhere in the U.S. to a...
Mt. Washington bar and grill to close
After three decades, Redbeard’s Sports Bar & Grill on Shiloh Street in Mt. Washington is closing. Owner Len Semplice announced on social media that the establishment’s last day of operation will be Dec. 21. “This is a sad day,” the post said. “The Mt. Washington community has been our family,...
LGBTQ landmark Brewers Bar gets new ownership in Lawrenceville
After being put up for sale this summer, Brewers Bar in Lawrenceville — Pittsburgh’s oldest gay bar — will remain intact with new ownership in 2025. Justin Beiter will be the face of the bar as a co-owner and operator. He said it will be rebranded, but it will remain...
Rosendahl’s owner upset Irwin officials won’t renew lease in order to make borough offices accessible
A fixture in downtown Irwin for nearly a century is being booted from its Main Street building to make way for municipal offices accessible for those with disabilities. Borough council this week decided not to renew the lease of Rosendahl’s Appliance Center when it expires March 31 so the administrative...
