Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 46
6 things to know about the Pirates’ home opener
The Pittsburgh Pirates open the home portion of their 133rd season today against the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park, and all eyes will be on Konnor Griffin, the consensus No. 1 prospect in baseball. Griffin was called up from the minors Thursday and will make his major-league debut. First pitch...
Pa. appeals court faults Pittsburgh for not reinstating fired cop
A state appeals court on Thursday found that the City of Pittsburgh committed an unfair labor practice two years ago when it failed to reinstate a police officer it fired after he was accused of sexual assault. Officer Aaron Fetty took his case to arbitration in November 2022 and won...
What were those low-flying Black Hawk helicopters doing over Downtown Pittsburgh?
Four Black Hawk military helicopters buzzed over Downtown Pittsburgh and the city’s North Side in broad daylight for more than 30 minutes Thursday afternoon. And nobody seemed to know why. Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor’s spokeswoman didn’t know about it. Allegheny County’s spokeswoman wasn’t sure, either. City and Allegheny County Police...
Judge weighs testimony from surviving children in Delmont mother’s murder trial
Whether two daughters and a stepson will be required to testify against their mother in her upcoming murder trial is now in the hands of a Westmoreland County judge. At issue is whether the three children are competent to testify against Lauren Maloberti, 36, or if the court will allow...
Bishop Mark Eckman makes first visit to Allegheny County Jail for foot-washing ceremony
Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop Mark Eckman had two messages for incarcerated men at the Allegheny County Jail during his first visit on Maundy Thursday: God loves them, and there is hope. “God wants us to share an eternity in heaven,” Eckman said. About 50 men gathered in the jail’s...
Hegseth asks the Army’s top uniformed officer to step down while U.S. wages war against Iran
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked the Army’s top uniformed officer, Gen. Randy George, to step down, the Pentagon said Thursday, as the United States wages a war against Iran. A Pentagon official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter, confirmed that George has...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: April 3-5
Not only is it Easter weekend, but it’s also Pirates Home Opener weekend! If you manage to find time between celebrating those two important holidays, here are some things to do around town that will be just as fun. Jurassic Quest Bring the whole family to real-as-life animatronic dinosaurs this...
Rivers Casino to offer $500 parking spots during NFL Draft
Parking for the NFL Draft won’t come cheap — at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, spots are going for more than $500. Rivers Casino announced that fans can purchase in advance a four-day parking package for the draft for $500 plus taxes and fees, which will include full 24/7 in/out privileges. It...
Shapiro’s reelection campaign reports raising over $10M during first quarter
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s reelection campaign said it raised more than $10 million during the first three months of the year — twice as much as the previous record for a gubernatorial campaign in the first quarter of an election year. “This remarkably strong showing underscores the broad support for...
Allegheny County Jail starts paying incarcerated people for working, going to class
For the first time, those incarcerated at the Allegheny County Jail are being paid for the work they do. The program began March 25. During the first week, according to Deputy Warden Connie Clark, 377 people were paid. The remuneration was for providing vocational services — like cleaning, cooking, painting,...
Judge grants home detention to man charged with hate crime in attack on Jewish Pitt student
A judge Thursday released to home detention a Pittsburgh man accused of attacking a University of Pittsburgh student because he was Jewish. The decision followed testimony over two days this week during which the government sought to keep Muhammed Koc in jail before trial, alleging he was both a flight...
Shapiro holds wide lead over Garrity in race for Pa. governor, poll shows
A new poll shows Gov. Josh Shapiro with a commanding lead over Treasurer Stacy Garrity in his bid for a second term. The Susquehanna Polling and Research poll, released Wednesday, has Shapiro leading Garrity by 22 percentage points (58% to 36%). Just 5% of likely voters remain undecided at this...
Pittsburgh baseball fields get boost with $600K in donations
Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor on Thursday announced $600,000 in donations to improve city baseball fields, the latest in a string of financial contributions from outside groups. The Pennsylvania Laborers District Council is providing $300,000 for new scoreboards at fields across the city that are used for youth sports. The mayor...
Almost 100 communities need new road salt supplier after vendor ends contract with council of governments
A lot of Allegheny County communities need a new road salt supplier. The South Hills Area Council of Governments (SHACOG), which runs a purchasing alliance for road salt, learned this month its salt vendor will not renew its contract with SHACOG for the coming winter. According to an April 1...
Respect the chair: April Fools’ Day prank targeting parking chairs in New Kensington draws ire, smiles
Don’t worry, New Kensington isn’t declaring war on the Western Pennsylvania “parking chair.” A Facebook post, masquerading as a city announcement and posted on April 1, was exactly what is was meant to be: an April Fools’ Day prank. The post surfaced in a Facebook group simply titled “New Kensington,”...
Carnegie Mellon students call for policy barring admin from altering or removing messages on The Fence
Seven months after Carnegie Mellon University convened a committee to develop new recommendations for operating The Fence — a long-standing “student-centered space for free expression and community,” as the university describes it — students are pushing for action. On Thursday, a petition backed by at least nine student groups and...
Pam Bondi, a Trump loyalist who oversaw Justice Department upheaval, is out as his attorney general
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Thursday that Pam Bondi is out as his attorney general, ending the contentious tenure of a loyalist who upended the Justice Department’s culture of independence from the White House, oversaw large-scale firings of career employees and moved aggressively to investigate the Republican president’s perceived...
Officer-involved shooting in Lower Burrell deemed justified
Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli deemed the use of force justified in a February officer-involved shooting at a home in Lower Burrell. The gunfire exchange between officers and Jordan Lindner happened on Feb. 14 after, police say, he shot into a home on Rodgers Drive and then at officers...
Here are some things to know about Passover
Passover, or “Pesach” in Hebrew, begins this week, marking one of the most widely observed holidays in Judaism. Here is what to know about the tradition, its meaning and how it’s celebrated. What is the story of Passover? Passover is a major Jewish holiday that commemorates the biblical story of...
Monroeville receives $1 million to replace aging asbestos-cement water lines
The Monroeville Municipal Authority will have the chance to replace nearly 10,000 feet of aging water line thanks to more than $2 million in federal funding announced this week. U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, presented a check on March 31 for just under $1.1 million to the authority as part...
Pirates to promote No. 1 prospect Konnor Griffin for MLB debut in PNC Park opener
Konnor Griffin will make his major-league debut in the home opener, as the Pittsburgh Pirates are promoting the 19-year-old shortstop who is the consensus No. 1 prospect in baseball. The Pirates announced the news by posting a video on social media Thursday morning under the caption, Opening Debut. It showed...
Former UPMC doctor accused of trying to kill wife says he acted in self-defense
Gerhardt Konig told a Hawaii jury this week he was devastated when he discovered messages that seemed to show his wife was having an affair with a colleague. The former UPMC anesthesiologist, who used to live in Mt. Lebanon, is facing attempted murder charges. His wife, Arielle Konig, last week...
All-Star additions excited to make Pirates debuts at PNC Park in home opener
The first time Brandon Lowe visited PNC Park, he made a point to step onto the field and see the city skyline so that he could appreciate the view of one of baseball’s most beautiful ballparks. After seven seasons of playing at Tropicana Field and one makeshift season at a...
Zappala no longer seeks death penalty against man charged with killing McKeesport police Officer Sean Sluganski
The man accused of killing McKeesport police Officer Sean Sluganski will not face the death penalty if found guilty. On Wednesday, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office filed a notice to rescind its intent to seek capital punishment against Johnathan Morris — just days after receiving his psychiatric records. “Experts...
Bret Michaels says it’s a ‘dream come true’ to perform as part of NFL Draft festivities in Pittsburgh
Bret Michaels has sung the national anthem at a Pittsburgh Steelers game back in 2000 at Three Rivers Stadium. He’s led the Terrible Towel twirl. And he’s played a set at halftime (Oct. 26 last year during “Sunday Night Football” between the Steelers and Green Bay Packers.) That’s not to...
