Top Stories category, Page 390
Red Hot Chili Peppers concert review: Veteran rockers bring their California love to sold-out Pittsburgh showVideo
The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ love of California cannot be underestimated — with some Internet estimates putting a reference to the Golden State in about 20% of their songs. That was on full display Tuesday night in a sold-out show at the Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown, where the...
‘Nearly fell asleep on stage’: Biden blames travel for poor debate as he looks to calm revolt
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden blamed travel plans that took him to France and Italy in the weeks ahead of his disastrous debate against Donald Trump for his poor performance on stage, seeking to explain a moment that has upended the 2024 race and imperiled his reelection prospects. “I didn’t...
Pa.’s health secretary wins Senate confirmation to the post on 2nd try
After 18 months as serving as the acting head of Pennsylvania’s Department of Health, Dr. Debra Bogen is now the state’s health secretary. Bogen, a pediatrician and former head of the Allegheny County Health Department, won Senate confirmation on Tuesday by a 42-8 bipartisan vote. “I look forward to continuing...
Rebounding Pittsburgh airport pledges shorter security wait times at new terminal
Pittsburgh International Airport marked a milestone on June 24 when security agents handled more passengers on a single day than ever before. Nearly 20,000 people flowed through the checkpoint that Monday, according to airport spokesman Bob Kerlik. Some passengers reportedly waited well over two hours in the security line that...
Last ride remembers Leechburg man’s adventurous life
Scottie Joe Hawkins got one last ride on his truck Tuesday. Family and friends hoisted his casket onto the flatbed of the tractor-trailer Hawkins used to make his living, repurposing it as a hearse to take him to his final resting place. A special platform was built onto the flatbed...
Plans for Pittsburgh festival fund move forward but lack key element: money
Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday voted to move ahead with a plan to create a fund to support arts and cultural events that were impacted by the covid-19 pandemic — but they don’t seem to have any money for it. Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith, D-West End, last month introduced legislation to...
Pittsburgh finds way to avoid forfeiting nearly $9M in federal covid relief funds
Working against a ticking clock that gives the city only six months to put under contract all remaining federal covid-19 relief dollars, Pittsburgh officials are changing funding streams for projects that might be too slow for the federal government’s looming deadlines. The goal, Director of the Office of Management and...
‘I think … we’re through the surprises,’ overseer of Westmoreland Register of Wills Office says
Work evaluating stacks of files reportedly found in the former chief deputy’s office at the embattled Westmoreland County Register of Wills Office continues while an office retiree is back on the job to help train staff members. Attorney Jim Antoniono, who has been appointed conservator to oversee the office, said...
Ticketmaster data breach confirmed, over 500 million customers possibly affected
Ticketmaster has notified customers about a suspected data breach, USA Today reported. In May, Ticketmaster said it was investigating a data breach after a hacking group known as ShinyHunters claimed responsibility for stealing the information of more than 500 million Ticketmaster customers, the New York Times reported. In the filing...
New Florence mosquito tests positive for virus similar to West Nile
A mosquito sample taken in New Florence has tested positive for a rare disease that first cropped up in Colorado in 1961 and has been known to cause severe conditions including infection of the brain and spinal cord. There haven’t been any reported cases of the Jamestown Canyon virus being...
Drug case proceeds against suspect in fatal Export shooting
A man who police say was involved in a deadly shooting last month in Export waived his right to a preliminary hearing on drug charges Tuesday, sending that case to Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court. Matthew A. Miller, 32, of Export has yet to be charged in connection with the...
Judge delays Trump’s hush money sentencing until at least September after high court immunity ruling
Former President Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush money case has been postponed until at least September after the judge agreed Tuesday to weigh the possible impact of a new Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. Trump had been scheduled to face sentencing July 11 on his New York conviction...
Neighbors look for closure after body discovered in river near Springdale
Closure is about the best neighbors of Bunnie Lee can hope for now that it appears his body has been found, 11 years after he disappeared. “Now, we have closure, but it brings a lot of questions,” said longtime East Liberty neighbor Dorret Payton. “He was missed. He still is.”...
Beryl heads toward Jamaica as a major hurricane after ripping through southeast CaribbeanVideo
ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada — Hurricane Beryl roared through open waters Tuesday as a powerful Category 4 storm heading toward Jamaica after earlier making landfall in the southeast Caribbean, killing at least six people. A hurricane warning was in effect for Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, Cayman Brac and for Haiti’s...
Pittsburgh’s Fourth of July features music, baseball, fireworks
Thursday is America’s 248th birthday and Downtown Pittsburgh has many happenings, from Pirates baseball to fireworks. “The Independence Day tradition in Pittsburgh is one that is enjoyed by people throughout the region,” Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said in a statement. “It brings thousands of people together to celebrate with one...
Morning Roundup: Man accused of shooting at Downtown groups; 1 injured in I-79 crash
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, July 2: Police man fired shots at groups in Downtown Pittsburgh Pittsburgh police are investigating after they say a man fired at least two shots toward a group of people standing outside a store Monday evening in the...
Sunken cars common in the Allegheny River, authorities say after Springdale discovery
Most underwater discoveries in Pittsburgh’s rivers are accidents, said Eureka Fire-Rescue Chief Brad James, whether it’s by recreational boaters or, as was the case Sunday in Springdale, divers conducting training exercises. James doesn’t dive, but he has been with the Tarentum-based company for more than 40 years and wasn’t shocked...
As solar farms begin to blossom in region, some townships look to adopt regulations
Ella Lenhart has a bird’s-eye view of what might be the largest solar panel farm in Westmoreland County: hundreds of panels spread across an enclosed area of a 134-acre parcel in Cook Township. It’s a sight Lenhart does not find all that pleasing. “I had a really nice view until...
After Supreme Court immunity ruling, Biden draws sharp contrast with Trump on obeying rule of lawVideo
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is seeking to put the focus squarely onto Donald Trump following his uneven debate performance last week. Speaking Monday after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling granting broad immunity from prosecution to Trump and other presidents, Biden said the high court’s ruling had undermined the rule...
Security guard accused of homicide in Penn Hills hookah lounge shooting
A security guard is accused of killing one of two people shot at a hookah lounge and cigar bar in Penn Hills a month ago, Allegheny County Police said Monday. Chaz Jackson, 42, of Pittsburgh was charged in connection with the death of 28-year-old Stephanie Stuart. He also was accused...
Spirit to cut back on Palmer Regional flights to Orlando
Spirit Airlines plans to eliminate daily flights from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport to Orlando in August and September, the Florida-based airline said Monday. Spirit will fly only four days a week — Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday — from the Unity airport to the Orlando MCO airport during those two...
Democratic House leader Jeffries, Deluzio defend Biden during Pittsburgh airport visit
House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reiterated his support of President Joe Biden during a visit Monday to Pittsburgh International Airport and used the infrastructure improvements underway there as a reason to talk up the president in the face of his recent poor debate performance. Jeffries, of New York, said...
Duquesne renames law library for Ken Gormley at major donor’s request
The law library at Duquesne University is being renamed for the university president and former dean of its law school, Ken Gormley. Campus officials on Monday said the name change was requested by renowned trial attorney and Duquesne law school alumnus Thomas R. Kline, who in September 2022 made a...
Cleanup of Bushy Run Battlefield tornado damage could take months, officials say
Standing at the head of one of Bushy Run Battlefield’s wooded trails on Monday, it’s hard to tell that a footpath through the trees ever existed. Downed trees, branches, leaves and debris completely block the way, leaving clearings where there once was forest and thickets where paths were once passable....
Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey stands by Biden, says he’s competent to serve a second term as president
SCRANTON — Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey said Monday that President Joe Biden is able to run a strong race and serve a second term in the Oval Office, standing by his close ally in the critical battleground state following a disastrous debate performance that’s prompting some national Democrats to question...
