Top Stories category, Page 489
Summer Lee pulls out of Muslim group fundraiser amid pressure from rivals, Jewish advocates
U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, has canceled a speech at an upcoming fundraiser hosted by a national Muslim advocacy group amid mounting criticism over her participation. Lee, a freshman House member and progressive, was scheduled to speak this weekend at the annual state banquet for the Council on American-Islamic Relations’...
Macy’s to close 150 stores as sales slip as it pivots to luxury at Bloomingdale’s, Blue Mercury
NEW YORK — Macy’s will close 150 stores over the next three years and 50 by the end of 2024, the department store said Tuesday after posting a fourth quarter loss and declining sales. At the same time the company signaled a pivot to luxury. It said it would open...
Israel, Hamas indicate no deal is imminent after Biden signals Gaza cease-fire could be close
JERUSALEM — Israel and Hamas on Tuesday played down chances of an imminent breakthrough in talks for a cease-fire in Gaza, after U.S. President Joe Biden said Israel has agreed to pause its offensive during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan if a deal is reached to release some hostages....
Trump, Biden win Michigan primary. But voters uncommitted to either candidate demand attention
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump won the Michigan primaries on Tuesday, further solidifying the all-but-certain rematch between the two men — yet early results from the state were highlighting some of their biggest political vulnerabilities ahead of the November general election. A vigorous “uncommitted” campaign...
Morning Roundup: Officer hit by vehicle; police seek missing Jefferson Hills teen
Here are a few morning news items for Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024: Beaver County officer struck by driver A Beaver County police officer conducting a traffic stop was struck and injured by a vehicle Monday. TribLive news partner WTAE reported a New Sewickley Township officer was conducting a traffic stop...
Pittsburgh man killed in Charleroi shooting
A Pittsburgh man was killed late Monday night in a shooting in Charleroi, according to Pennsylvania State Police. State police said Tev Jerod Mungo, of Pittsburgh, was shot just before 11 p.m. Monday outside of a residence in the 800 block of Lookout Avenue in the Mon Valley borough in...
BridgeUP program gives districts a chance to ‘grow your own’ teacher
LeAnn Dupree “always wanted to be a teacher,” but paying for a four-year college degree wasn’t in the cards for her. So she settled for an associate degree and entered the workforce, working three jobs including as a paraprofessional educator to make ends meet. She switched from special to early...
Employers at job fair face hurdles to fill slots — fewer workers and low unemployment rate
About four dozen businesses and organizations seeking workers at a job fair this week in Hempfield are facing a double whammy as they attempt to woo prospective employees: The jobless rate is at a record low, and there are fewer people in the workforce since the covid pandemic upended the...
Former Franklin Regional superintendent tapped as consultant to find new leader at Hempfield Area
Hempfield Area School District’s superintendent search is officially on. The district board tapped education consultant Peter Emery D’Arcangelo to begin its search for a new district leader to replace Tammy Wolicki. Wolicki announced her retirement Jan. 22, following an extended leave of absence. Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education Kimberlie Rieffannacht...
Manhattan DA wants gag order for Trump, seeks to play ‘Access Hollywood’ tape at hush-money trial
NEW YORK — Prosecutors in Donald Trump’s New York hush-money criminal case asked a judge Monday to impose a gag order on the former president ahead of next month’s trial, citing what they called his “long history of making public and inflammatory remarks” about people involved in his legal cases....
Biden hopes cease-fire, hostage deal to pause Israel-Hamas war can take effect by next MondayVideo
President Joe Biden said Monday that he hopes a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas that would pause hostilities and allow for remaining hostages to be released can take effect by early next week. Asked when he thought a cease-fire could begin, Biden said: “Well I hope by the beginning of...
Pharmacy information company hack has impact on Western Pa. pharmacies, chains
A cyberattack disrupted operations at a pharmacy information company beginning about two weeks ago, impacting a number of pharmacies around the country. UnitedHealth subsidiary Change Healthcare first reported on its website Feb. 21 that it is “experiencing a cyber security issue.” In updates Friday, the company said it was still...
Federal probe targets organ collection groups for potential fraud
The nonprofit organizations that collect and distribute organs for transplantation in the United States are under federal investigation to determine if they’ve defrauded the government, the Washington Post reported Monday. The probe seeks to determine whether organ procurement organizations, or OPOs, which work alongside hospitals to procure everything from kidneys...
Gator, turtles pulled from fire at Nate’s Reptile Rescue in South Park
At least one alligator and several turtles were pulled from a fire Monday afternoon at Nate’s Reptile Rescue in South Park. Allegheny County Deputy Steve Costello noticed the building at the intersection of Brownsville and McCorkle roads was ablaze just before 4 p.m., Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Mike Manko said. South...
Allegheny County hits U.S. Steel with $1.9M fine over Clairton Coke Works emissions
Allegheny County officials Monday hit North America’s largest coke-manufacturing facility — which is also the county’s top source of air pollution — with a $1.9 million fine for uncontrolled emissions. It’s the third-largest penalty levied against U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works in the past five years. The fines stem from...
Ex-FBI informant charged with lying about Bidens to remain jailed while he awaits trial, judge rules
LOS ANGELES — A former FBI informant charged with fabricating a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden’s family must remain behind bars while he awaits trial, a judge ruled Monday, reversing an earlier order releasing the man. U.S. District Judge Otis Wright II in Los Angeles ordered Alexander Smirnov’s...
Black Pa. country musicians celebrate the Beyoncé effect, invite new listeners to stick around
This story first appeared in PA Local, a weekly newsletter by Spotlight PA taking a fresh, positive look at the incredible people, beautiful places, and delicious food of Pennsylvania. As Beyoncé’s rootsy new country singles “16 Carriages” and “Texas Hold ‘Em” usher in a new era for the superstar, other...
Woman pleads guilty in catalytic converter theft ring targeting Westmoreland, Indiana counties
An Indiana County woman pleaded guilty Monday to involvement in a catalytic converter theft ring, and attorneys indicated another suspect may do the same. Debbra Lynn McAdams, 56, of Homer City entered a general plea to theft, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief and criminal use of a communication facility. Two...
New Kensington gun store burglary suspects enter not guilty pleas
A federal grand jury returned indictments against two men accused of burglarizing a New Kensington gun store in January. Michael Guin, 26, of Harrison and Steyn Sarduy, 18, no address available, each are charged with conspiracy and theft of a firearm from a licensed firearms dealer. Guin also is charged...
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium staff endure ‘trying time’ amid 3 animal deaths
Three animal deaths at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium this month have brought “profound sadness” to its staff, officials said Monday during a news conference. “This is a lot for our staff to deal with right now,” said the zoo’s president and CEO Jeremy Goodman. “It is very tough when...
Outback Steakhouse closes North Hills location
No more shrimps on the barbie in Pittsburgh’s North Hills. Outback Steakhouse, the Australian-themed restaurant chain, closed its McKnight Road location in McCandless this past weekend. The move was part of a nationwide consolidation of older restaurants. The chain is owned by Tampa-based Bloomin’ Brands and is well-known for steaks...
Robert Morris seeks to build $28M hockey arena
Robert Morris University wants to build a $28 million arena on campus for its Division I men’s and women’s hockey programs and is seeking $10 million from the state for the project. If it comes to fruition, the state-of- the-art venue would hold 2,500 people through general spectator seats “with...
RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel will leave post March 8 as Trump moves to install new loyalists
NEW YORK — Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel will leave her post March 8, having been forced out of the GOP’s national leadership as Donald Trump moves toward another presidential nomination and asserts control over the party. McDaniel announced her decision in a statement on Monday morning. “I have...
Morning Roundup: Tractor-trailer overturns in Washington County
Here are a few morning news items for Monday, Feb. 26, 2024: Tractor-trailer overturns on I-70 A tractor-trailer crashed and turned over on its side Sunday evening, splaying across Interstate 70 in Washington County. The crash happened around 7:15 p.m. in the eastbound lanes on I-70 near the 13.5 mile...
Week’s winter warmup: Temperatures to reach into 60s, rain likely later
A late winter warmup will hit the Pittsburgh area Monday, with temperatures forecasted to eclipse the 60s multiple times this week. The region will experience above-average temperatures from Monday through Wednesday ahead of an expected cold front that will reach Southwestern Pennsylvanian later in the week, according to TribLive news...
