Top Stories category, Page 445
Point Park, Pitt 2024 grads relish triumphs over pandemic-era troubles
Marley Parker began her studies four years ago at Point Park University living out of a hotel room Downtown — a comfortable enough space just a few blocks off campus, although light years from a normal freshman experience. Housed there temporarily by her university to reduce dorm occupancy amid a...
Steelers get their center, draft WVU’s Zach Frazier in 2nd round
The new coordinator got two shiny new pieces that should go a long way toward instilling an old-school mentality for his offense for the Pittsburgh Steelers. A day after taking a tackle with their first-round pick, the Steelers made it 2-for-2 in adding offensive linemen when they selected West Virginia...
Truck driver injured in crash into Murrysville collision center
Derek Severns was not interested in the irony of a truck colliding with the collision center he manages. Severns was more concerned with making sure his employees were all right. “Amazingly, no one inside was injured,” said Severns, manager at Bowser Collision Center on Route 22 in Murrysville, where a...
Long travel day doesn’t dampen Troy Fautanu’s enthusiasm about being drafted by Steelers
Less than four hours after being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, Troy Fautanu was seated in Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport awaiting a red-eye flight to Pittsburgh. Accompanied by his mother, father and sister, Fautanu had a layover in Detroit before continuing the final leg...
Federal judge keeps accused Jan. 6 rioter from Burgettstown behind bars pending trial
Video evidence shows a man identified as Joshua Lee Atwood screaming obscenities at the law enforcement officers protecting the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But he also has two small children at home and another on the way. Atwood threw a bottle at police, investigators say, then used wooden...
Out of the ashes: Unity fitness center clients help owner recover from devastating fire
For many clients of My Fitness Kitchen in Unity, seeing the damage left behind by a fire this week at the business was heartbreaking. Knowing owner Mark Rullo’s passion and livelihood was in jeopardy made it even worse. That pushed dozens of them to show up Friday morning to the...
Defense claims prosecutor misconduct during 2016 trial for New Stanton motel killing
The lawyer for a McKeesport man convicted of first-degree murder at a New Stanton motel is accusing prosecutors of misconduct during a 2016 trial. Attorney Chris Rand Eyster said prosecutors failed to adequately disclose key information regarding pending federal charges against an eyewitness. The eyewitness testified that she saw Christopher...
United Methodists endorse change that could give regions more say on LGBTQ, other issues
United Methodist delegates have overwhelmingly endorsed a constitutional amendment seen by advocates as a way of defusing debates over the role of LGBTQ people in the church by giving rule-making autonomy to each region of the international church. Delegates voted 586-164 on Thursday for the “regionalization” proposal on the third...
President Joe Biden says he’s ‘happy to debate’ Donald Trump during interview with Howard Stern
NEW YORK — President Joe Biden said Friday that he is willing to debate his presumptive Republican opponent, Donald Trump, later this fall — his most definitive comment yet on the issue. The comment came during an interview with the Sirius XM radio host Howard Stern, who asked Biden whether...
Mt. Pleasant man charged in connection with Jan. 6 riot in Washington, D.C.
A man arrested Thursday in Mt. Pleasant is accused of following a crowd into the U.S. Capitol during the riot on Jan. 6, 2021. William Irvin Fuller, 31, was taken into custody on federal charges of entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted...
Trump’s lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution’s lead witness in hush money trial
NEW YORK — Donald Trump’s defense team in his hush money case sought Friday to undermine the testimony of the prosecution’s lead witness and his account that a tabloid’s practice of helping to bury embarrassing stories about Trump was part of a scheme to aid the Republican’s 2016 campaign. Returning...
Where is the last Ponderosa Steakhouse in Pennsylvania?
Employees of Pennsylvania’s last Ponderosa Steakhouse along Route 8 in Butler County are used to customers taking parking lot selfies and making a big fuss over the staying power of this Ponderosa. Server Denise Morin, 58, has worked at the Ponderosa in Center Township for 40 years. It opened in...
Rooting for Trump to fail has made his stock shorters millions
NEW YORK — Rooting for Donald Trump to fail has rarely been this profitable. Just ask a hardy band of mostly amateur Wall Street investors who have collectively made tens of millions of dollars over the past month by betting that the stock price of his social media business —...
Western Pennsylvania restaurant workers dish on dining etiquette
Workers in the food service industry have their plates full navigating menus, taking orders, making drinks, cleaning tables and running food orders — all while keeping customers happy. The restaurant industry generates more than $28 billion in tips annually, according to a 2023 report from Gitnux, which specializes in consumer...
Two sheriffs lash out at Pittsburgh district judge over bail decision
Sheriffs in two different states on Friday ripped into a Pittsburgh district judge for releasing a man they called a “violent” defendant into the community instead of keeping him in jail. The blistering comments from the sheriffs of Allegheny County and Polk County, Fla. came after sheriff’s deputies in Florida...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh: April 26-28
Rain or shine, it’s a good weekend to get out and about. Here are some things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend. August Wilson Birthday Celebration Block Party Legendary Pittsburgh playwright August Wilson will be celebrated with a birthday block party this Saturday. Held at the August Wilson House, 1727...
Downtown living eyed in next steps of New Kensington’s ongoing revitalization
An early part of redeveloping New Kensington’s downtown has focused on attracting new businesses in an effort to draw more people to the area. The next step in revitalizing the city’s downtown will be getting more people to live there, officials say. Mike Malcanas, owner of Olde Towne Overhaul, said...
Steelers take offensive tackle for 2nd straight draft, selecting Washington’s Troy Fautanu
After ignoring tackle in the first round of the NFL Draft for more than two decades, the Pittsburgh Steelers lately have made it a trendy position on their board. For the second time in as many years, the Steelers selected a tackle with their top pick. Holding the No. 20...
Clairton man wanted in connection with Mount Oliver shooting, victim critical
Allegheny County Police are searching for a Clairton man who is wanted in connection with a robbery and shooting Tuesday in Mount Oliver that critically wounded another man. The suspect, 29-year-old Dorian Ingram, should be treated as potentially armed and dangerous, police said. Described as 6 feet, 1 inch tall...
Growing Greensburg Night Market boosts foot traffic, profile for downtown retail district
Greensburg’s Night Market kicked off its sixth season of vendor browsing and live music Thursday evening, as the city’s civic and business leaders looked forward to the spotlight the monthly event shines on the downtown retail area. Mayor Robb Bell said he’s been amazed by the event’s growth along several...
Old family friends become killer and victim, leading to prison for Braddock man
Cecil Foreman’s family had a longtime relationship with the Kelleys. They all grew up together and had remained friends for decades. Foreman considered 22-year-old Michael Kelley to be like a nephew. But those bonds weren’t enough to stop an argument between the men from turning into a fatal shooting more...
Casey, McCormick agree to 3 debates across Pa. in U.S. Senate race
With the primary election just barely in the rearview mirror, the candidates for Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate wasted no time in thinking ahead to November. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey announced Thursday he wants to participate in three debates this fall. Casey, of Scranton, proposed holding debates in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia,...
‘I just worked, worked, worked.’ Harrison’s Erin McClelland scores upset in Pa. treasurer primary
Outspent and facing an opponent who had won a slew of major endorsements, Erin McClelland engineered the biggest upset in Pennsylvania during Tuesday’s primary, securing the Democratic nomination for state treasurer. McClelland, 49, of Harrison said her public speaking skills, the missteps of her Democratic opponent and her travel across...
Strict new EPA rules would force coal-fired power plants to capture emissions or shut down
WASHINGTON — Coal-fired power plants would be forced to capture smokestack emissions or shut down under a rule issued Thursday by the Environmental Protection Agency. New limits on greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-fired electric plants are the Biden administration’s most ambitious effort yet to roll back planet-warming pollution from...
Higher internet costs could be on the way for low-income Pa. residents as federal subsidies run out
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 — Thousands of Pennsylvanians could soon be hit with higher internet bills when a federal program that gives a discount to low-income households starts...
