Top Stories category, Page 429
Education funding boost, tax cuts on table as Pa. budget talks begin
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 — More than a month out from the June 30 budget deadline, top Pennsylvania lawmakers are beginning a new round of negotiations with few...
‘She fought until the very last day’: Youngwood organ donor helps save 3 after overdose death
From the printer to the sweeper to the decorations on the wall, almost everything in Anna Vukovich’s Youngwood home reminds her of her daughter Jennifer. Jennifer’s comforter is still on the bed in her childhood bedroom, her purse still hangs on a hook on the wall. “Everytime I pull something...
Man dies in 2-vehicle crash in Shaler
A man died Friday evening in a two-vehicle crash in Shaler. Allegheny County Police said the crash occurred at about 7:40 p.m. in the 3100 block of William Flynn Highway. The victim was not immediately identified. He was traveling alone, as was driver of the other vehicle. That person was...
Sen. John Fetterman wants to create a national mental health commission
PHILADELPHIA — Sen. John Fetterman, who has been open about his struggle with depression, wants to create a federal commission focused on mental health. Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, introduced a bill last week with Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., to create the commission, which would provide policy recommendations to Congress and...
National Weather Service confirm 3 tornadoes in the region; researching another
The National Weather Service confirmed Saturday that an EF-0 tornado with winds of up to 70 mph struck the Harrison City area of Westmoreland County on Friday. Teams were out Saturday in the daylight to gather data and evaluate the damage at four suspected tornado sites, said NWS meteorologist Lee...
McKees Rocks man pleads guilty to storing guns, drugs, machine gun part
A McKees Rocks man caught with methamphetamine, fentanyl and an illegal Glock switch that converts handguns into fully automatic weapons pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to drug and gun crimes. Reginald Blunt, 32, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon before Senior...
Westmoreland register of wills ordered to pay about $500K in fees to county
Embattled Westmoreland County Register of Wills Sherry Magretti Hamilton was ordered to transfer an estimated $500,000 in funds collected by her office over the last four months to the controller’s office by May 28. The register of wills office — which oversees the filing and processing of adoptions, guardianships, wills...
Financial issues cited in pending closure of Latrobe personal care home
More than two dozen residents of a Latrobe personal care home will need to find other accommodations before July 8. Latrobe Manor administrator Kim Cecere said this week the home is working with families of its residents to find other placements for them. The 28 residents include elderly people and...
Steelers fans anticipate Christmas game against Chiefs, speculate on Taylor Swift
Vern Hess welcomed news that the Steelers will play on Christmas Day this year. After the NFL schedule was released the Steelers fanbase had mixed reactions — and many weren’t positive. The team does not play a divisional game until Nov. 17 and opens the season with three out of...
Man arrested after he tried to mail cocaine from New Kensington to California, police say
A man was arrested when, police say, he tried to mail about 2 pounds of cocaine to California from the New Kensington post office. Jonathan Ray Booher, 33, was arraigned Friday before New Kensington District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. on charges filed by the Office of Attorney General of...
Pittsburgh controller, councilman rebuke Gainey over lack of transparency in payment controversy
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey’s administration refused Friday to cooperate with the city’s independent fiscal watchdog in her probe of questionable payments to a contractor. The decision to withhold records from Controller Rachael Heisler caps a week of controversy for the administration, which acknowledged that it would discipline employees for violating...
Westmoreland residents need to log internet speed if county is to qualify for federal cash
Westmoreland County is looking at internet speed, and fast. County officials put out a last-minute call urging residents to participate in online testing of existing internet services as part of a necessary requirement to qualify for funds needed to enhance local broadband infrastructure. Testing needs to be completed before Thursday...
Judge denies Pittsburgh synagogue shooter’s request for new trial
A federal judge on Friday denied a request for a new trial filed by the man convicted of killing 11 people at a Squirrel Hill synagogue more than five years ago. U.S. District Judge Robert Colville used the terms “entirely baseless” and “meritless” when describing arguments from defense lawyers. Robert...
Greensburg man arrested, charged in connection with hit-and-run of 76-year-old woman
The Greensburg man wanted in connection with a December hit-and-run in Greensburg that seriously injured a 76-year-old woman while she was crossing Main Street using a wheeled walker was jailed Friday night. Christopher M. Degnan, 44, was charged with aggravated assault by vehicle, accidents involving injury and four summary counts...
Pittsburgh population holds steady amid regional declines, census says
According to new data from the U.S. Census, Pittsburgh’s population was … stable. The city added 300 people from 2020 to 2023, about a 0.1% increase, according to data from the bureau this week. The estimates show that the city grew from 302,955 people in 2020 to 303,255 in 2023....
Former patients reunite as professionals at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Dr. Matt Kocher was setting up an operating room during his anesthesia fellowship at UPMC Children’s Hospital in Lawrenceville when nurse Alexis Mamros asked if he had ever received anesthesia. He replied that he had, during his cancer treatment. Curious, Mamros asked for details. Kocher mentioned he remembered another patient...
1 killed, 1 injured in Duquesne Heights shooting
One person was killed and another injured in a shooting early Friday morning in Pittsburgh’s Duquesne Heights neighborhood, according to public safety officials. First responders were dispatched to the 200 block of Plymouth Street just before 4 a.m. after a resident called reported a man she didn’t know had knocked...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend, May 17-19
TGIF! Music, food and fun can be found around town this weekend. Here’s what you can do to unwind before Monday. Millvale Music Festival With 330 music acts, 28 stages, all within 0.6 miles, the Millvale Music Festival is back this Friday and Saturday — and it’s got more than...
Tim Benz: Many complaints over the Steelers’ schedule are preemptive excuse making
There sure seems to be a lot of complaining from Pittsburgh Steelers fans and media when it comes to how the NFL drew up the schedule for the Black and Gold. NFL has beef with the Steelers. 4/6 road games to open the year 5/7 road games between weeks 10-16...
Pancake tacos lead the lineup of sweet eats at G&G Restaurant in Vandergrift
A random plastic taco holder in Pittsburgh’s Strip District served as inspiration for a quirky, tasty twist on traditional pancakes at G&G Restaurant in Vandergrift. “I just looked at it and thought that would be cool to stick a pancake into,” said G&G co-owner Chris Kakias, creator of a variety...
Morning Roundup: Hopewell Area school bus driver suspended for alleged gun on board
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, May 17: Hopewell Area school bus driver suspended after alleged gun incident A Hopewell Area School District bus driver was suspended after he was accused of bringing a gun on a school bus while transporting students. Superintendent Jeff...
Bellevue man to face trial on charges that he raped 2 teenage girls
A Bellevue man will face trial on charges that on several occasions in March he raped two 14-year-old girls — one of them a runaway he met at a Downtown Pittsburgh bus stop. Deandre Steele, 34, was held for court Friday following a preliminary hearing. Police said Steele took the...
Report: Justice Alito’s home flew flag upside down after Trump’s ‘Stop the Steal’ claims
WASHINGTON — An upside-down American flag, a symbol associated with former President Donald Trump’s false claims of election fraud, was displayed outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito in January 2021, The New York Times reported Thursday. A photo obtained and published by the newspaper shows the flag...
Severe storms kill at least 4 in Houston, knock out power in Texas and LouisianaVideo
HOUSTON — Fast-moving thunderstorms pummeled southeastern Texas for the second time this month, killing at least four people, blowing out windows in high-rise buildings, downing trees and knocking out power to more than 900,000 homes and businesses in the Houston area. Officials urged residents to keep off roads following Thursday’s...
White House blocks release of Biden audio as Republicans move ahead with Garland contempt charge
WASHINGTON — The White House on Thursday blocked the release of audio from President Joe Biden’s interview with a special counsel about his handling of classified documents, arguing that Republicans in Congress only wanted the recordings “to chop them up” and use them for political purposes. Hours later, the House...
