Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 4
NFL Draft safety plan includes increased police, EMS presence across Pittsburgh
Authorities said they are not aware of any credible threats of terrorism or violence tied to the week of NFL Draft events in Pittsburgh. Public safety officials Friday outlined preparations for the draft, including an increased police and EMS presence across the city. The FBI will deploy hundreds of agents,...
Shapiro, Garrity spar over Iran
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Treasurer Stacy Garrity are sparring this week over the war in Iran. Garrity, who is unopposed for the Republican nomination in this year’s race for governor, took exception Thursday to Shapiro describing the conflict as “the president’s war of choice.” In response to a reporter’s...
Pa. Game Commission to vote on increasing number of Sundays in deer rifle season
The Pennsylvania Game Commission will vote Saturday on potential adjustments to the deer rifle season, which officials believe could bolster interest in hunting among youth and young adults. The game commission’s nine-member board met Friday in Dauphin County to discuss opening deer rifle season on Nov. 28, a Saturday, and...
Drone ban set for NFL Draft sites in Pittsburgh
Airspace over Pittsburgh’s North Shore and Point State Park will be closed to recreational and personal drones during the 2026 NFL Draft, FBI officials said Friday. Richard Evanchec, who leads the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office, said anyone operating an unauthorized drone in the restricted airspace could face both criminal and...
New Carnegie Mellon program pairs start-up entrepreneurs with investors
Founders of fledgling tech startups at Carnegie Mellon University are getting a glimpse inside the minds of venture capitalists and a shot at $240 million in potential investments. The university’s Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship recently launched its Deep Tech Venture-Ready Program, a six-month course in wooing venture capitalists followed by...
Once part of Drive-In Capital of the World, this rural complex fights for survival
“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” blared across the massive screen at Riverside Drive-In on April 2 to mark opening night of the 2026 season at the Parks Township theater. But owners were quick to say, without recent community support, the screen would have remained dark. A GoFund Me organized by...
Dating choices or draft picks — the cognitive science behind either is similar, CMU professors say
The human behavior and decision-making aspects behind a person’s dating life doesn’t stray too differently from the choices that coaches and general managers make when selecting a player in the NFL Draft. “You date someone and you make a choice to commit to this person, or keep looking,” said Cleotilde...
Why are the Penguins fighting more this season?
It wouldn’t be entirely accurate to say it was an easy target. But it was definitely a tempting target. During a 5-2 home win by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk, one of the most vexing players in the entire NHL, struck Penguins forward Connor Dewar...
Petition launched to show support to Aspinwall Council’s censuring, resignation request of mayor
An Aspinwall resident has launched a petition campaign seeking signatures in support of borough council’s recent censuring request of Mayor Scott Zimmermann, and the calls for his resignation. Its virtual version, posted to ipetitions.com, is titled “Upholding Integrity and Accountability in Aspinwall Leadership.” It purported to have had a little...
What you need to know for NFL Draft weekend
The 2026 NFL Draft will take over parts of Downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore from April 23-25. Whether you’re coming in from out of town or a local looking to join the fun, there are lots of logistical concerns to consider. Here’s your guide for what you need to...
Penguins playoff tickets set to go on sale
The Pittsburgh Penguins locked up their first trip to the Stanley Cup playoffs since 2022 with a 5-2 victory in New Jersey on Thursday night. They will have home-ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs, which are set to begin April 18. The NHL won’t announce a full...
U.S. and Iran prepare for ceasefire talks as Netanyahu authorizes negotiations with Lebanon
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — With the ceasefire in Iran still shaky, Vice President JD Vance headed Friday to Pakistan for high-level talks with Iranian officials, as Israel and Hezbollah traded fire and Tehran maintained its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz. Many issues could derail the truce and the...
State College named best college town in America by USA Today
State College — home to Penn State University — was named the best college town in America by USA Today readers. Just over 100 miles east of Pittsburgh, the borough of about 41,000 residents stands out, readers say, for its blend of small-town feel and big-campus energy. The report, part...
Forecasters caution of wildfire risk in Allegheny County
Meteorologists issued a warning Friday that Allegheny County is at marginal risk for wildfires. The combination of low humidity and breezy wind will create marginal fire weather conditions across the region, said the National Weather Service in a social media post. “Brush fires become more likely in this environment, so...
Pittsburghese Primer: A newcomer’s guide on speaking Yinzer
Whether it’s a judicious use of the word “yinz” or the flattening of vowels in words like “out” or “down,” Pittsburghers have a distinctive way of speaking — but for us, it’s totally natural. “That’s why you can pretty easily pick out a Pittsburgher,” said Brian Butko, director of publications...
Penn Township withdraws zoning violation notice from Club at Blackthorne, but other legal disputes continue
Penn Township is no longer accusing the Club at Blackthorne, a private event and wedding venue located in a housing community, of violating the municipality’s zoning ordinance. However, several other legal disputes surrounding the clubhouse continue. The Blackthorne Investors appeal and clubhouse zoning variance request will continue to be discussed...
Penguins defeat Devils, clinch 1st postseason berth since 2022
When Bryan Rust speaks, he isn’t prone to ambiguity. He gets to the point. On the first day of Pittsburgh Penguins training camp, Sept. 18 in Cranberry, the versatile top-six winger was asked what his goals were for the 2025-26 season. “Dragging this team that nobody thinks can make the...
Federal judge finds Pentagon violating court order to restore access to reporters
WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Thursday ruled that the Defense Department is violating his earlier order to restore access to the Pentagon for reporters, a setback in the administration’s efforts to impede the work of journalists. U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman sided with The New York Times for the...
Brashear physical education class a learning opportunity for future teachers and students with special needsVideo
A new, collaborative physical education class at Brashear High School is proving beneficial to all students involved. Its first mission is giving Brashear students with intellectual disabilities a sense of belonging and inclusion through sport, said Brashear health teacher Christine Wolski. But the class is also a learning experience for...
Western Pa. educators rope historic Artemis II mission into classrooms
Penn-Trafford High School science teacher Ryan Tucek has spent years studying the lunar exploration of the 1970s. But, just like his students, NASA’s Artemis II is the first space mission Tucek has witnessed himself. Artemis II launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., last week, beginning a...
URA moves ahead with $200M tax diversion for Downtown Pittsburgh projects
The Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority board voted Thursday to earmark up to $200 million in property taxes over 40 years to revitalize Downtown, but the plan is far from final. The entities that would forfeit control of prospective tax revenue — Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Public Schools and Allegheny County — still...
Judge throws out homicide case against 2 men in Pittsburgh slaying
A judge on Tuesday threw out homicide charges against two men accused of a homicide in Pittsburgh five years ago. Jamil Malik Lee, 25, of Upper St. Clair and Jahli Woods, 24, of McKees Rocks, were charged with criminal homicide and conspiracy stemming from the April 9, 2021, shooting death...
White House secures foreign steel for ballroom project
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has championed the U.S. steel industry, promising to strengthen it and to impose stiff tariffs on foreign metals to shield manufacturers from overseas competitors. Yet the White House has secured tens of millions of dollars’ worth of donated foreign steel for Trump’s $400 million ballroom...
Shapiro, Fetterman, McCormick ask DHS to upgrade security for NFL Draft
In just a few weeks, Pittsburgh anticipates roughly 700,000 football fans will arrive for the 2026 NFL Draft. And even though elected officials have said the Steel City is prepared to host the three-day event, a trio of statewide lawmakers wants additional support from the Department of Homeland Security. “I...
Coast Guard sets security zones on Pittsburgh waterways for NFL Draft
The U.S. Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Unit in Pittsburgh released its security guidelines Thursday ahead of the NFL Draft. A security zone will be in effect on local waterways during the event “to ensure public safety, safeguard participants, and protect the maritime transportation system.” The regulated areas will be enforced...
