Top Stories category, Page 499
GOP-led House impeaches Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas — by 1 vote — over border managementVideo
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House voted Tuesday to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, with the Republican majority determined to punish the Biden administration over its handling of the U.S-Mexico border after failing last week in a politically embarrassing setback. The evening roll call proved tight, with Speaker Mike Johnson’s...
‘Keep going,’ voices told Wilkinsburg driver. He did, someone died, and now he’s headed to prison
The voices were telling him he didn’t have to stop. As Jack Lamont Sherwood fled from Monroeville police at more than 100 mph on Aug. 26, 2022, “the voices in his head were telling him, ‘Hey — you didn’t do anything wrong,’” his defense attorney said. ”’Just keep going. Keep...
Refinery issues, change to summer gas likely to push prices higher, analyst says
Gas prices are on the rise, and the worst is yet to come, an industry analyst says. The national average was about $3.23 Tuesday, AAA reported. That’s about 8 cents more than a week ago and 15 cents more than a month ago. In Pennsylvania, the average was at an...
Fire companies faced lack of hydrants in South Huntingdon blaze
The 10 fire companies that responded to a destructive house fire in South Huntington Township last week were challenged by a lack of nearby fire hydrants, according to Turkeytown Volunteer Fire Department chief Dan Pergola Jr. “Our crews made every effort to fight the fire, along with the neighboring companies,...
What’s that sound on Facebook? A glitch, Meta confirms.
Why is Facebook chirping at you? Apparently, it’s not supposed to. And you’re not imagining it. Some Facebook users have been complaining about a new chirping sound that occurs when scrolling through the cellphone app. Turns out it’s just a glitch. Andy Stone, Meta’s communications director, confirmed via the X...
New Kensington man accused of firing shots from ‘ghost gun’
An investigation of gunshots Sunday night in New Kensington turned up a “ghost gun,” police say. Officers recovered a 9mm handgun they say Brandon Keith Allen, 27, of New Kensington was carrying and threw away while police chased him along Leishman Avenue, according to a criminal complaint filed against Allen....
Greensburg council approves city workers as volunteer firefighters to respond to daytime calls
Greensburg council has made it easier for city workers who are volunteer firefighters to respond to emergency daytime calls. Council approved a resolution Monday to permit volunteer firefighters who work city jobs to answer fire calls during the regular workday. In Greensburg, 10 of the 15 public works employees are...
Preliminary hearing set for man charged in fatal shooting of Lower Burrell restaurant owner
A preliminary hearing for a man accused of killing a Lower Burrell restaurant owner in December is scheduled for Wednesday morning. Nathan Salem, 45, of Lower Burrell faces a preliminary hearing before District Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec. He faces first-degree murder and criminal homicide charges in connection with the shooting...
Treasury Secretary Yellen visits Pittsburgh, won’t tip hand about review of pending U.S. Steel sale
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Tuesday became the latest Biden administration official to visit Pittsburgh, where she toured a hospital and touted the president’s efforts to expand health care access and lower prescription drug costs. Hosted by U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, Yellen toured West Penn Hospital, held a...
2024 Pirates spring training guide: Position breakdowns, analysis, A-Z
The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to open their spring training schedule in Bradenton, Fla. TribLive sports writer Kevin Gorman will be covering the team throughout the spring and season. Analysis • Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates enter spring training with raised expectations, storylines After starting the season with the best...
Pittsburgh City Council extends discount deadline for property tax payments
Pittsburgh residents who haven’t paid their property taxes now have a little extra time to get a discount. City Council on Tuesday approved legislation that pushes back the deadline for a 2% discount on real estate taxes. People now must pay by Feb. 20, or have their payments postmarked by...
Valley High School lockdown lifted, no threats found
A lockdown of Valley High School in New Kensington was lifted shortly before noon Tuesday after a live firearm round found in a bathroom prompted a police search of the building. Superintendent Chris Sefcheck said the search by police and administrators found no other ammunition nor weapons in the building....
Quick-moving winter storm brings snow to Northeast, disrupting travel and schoolsVideo
HARTFORD, Conn. — A quick-moving winter storm battered cities in the Northeast with snowfall, sending huge waves crashing into the New England coastline and forcing New York City schools into glitch-filled remote learning reminiscent of the early days of the pandemic. Airlines canceled or delayed flights while accidents were reported...
Trump’s threat to NATO allies draws little condemnation from GOP
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump’s claim that he once told a NATO ally that he would encourage Russia “to do whatever the hell they want” to “delinquent” members of the group sent shockwaves through Europe over the weekend. But in Washington, most Republicans downplayed or defended remarks that seemed to invite...
Harsh weather system shifts east, misses Pittsburgh
A weather system that was expected to bring rain changing to snow in the Pittsburgh area early Tuesday morning took a hard right toward the east coast. The forecast changed Monday afternoon, said Ashley Dougherty, a meteorologist with TribLive news partner WTAE. “We are still getting rain and snow east...
Democrats retain majority in Pa. House with a 102-100 partisan divide
HARRISBURG — Democrats retained their slim majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Tuesday after voters elected a former school board member to represent them in a Philadelphia suburb that has been trending more to the left. Jim Prokopiak’s election to the Bucks County seat will give Democrats a...
Biden warns opposing Ukraine funding plays ‘into Putin’s hands,’ but faces resistance in HouseVideo
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday called for House Republicans to urgently bring a $95.3 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan to a vote, warning that refusal to take up the bill, passed by the Senate in the morning, would be “playing into Putin’s hands.” “Supporting this...
Morning Roundup: Water main break closes northbound McKnight Road; man shot in Moon
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, Feb. 13: Northbound McKnight Road closed One lane on northbound McKnight Road in Ross reopened around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday after the northbound lanes were completely closed following a water main break, according to PennDOT. The road was closed...
North Braddock family’s dog shot by Allegheny County sheriff deputyVideo
The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department is conducting an investigation after a deputy shot a dog in North Braddock Monday night. A family’s 5-year-old pit bull was shot once in its right hip, TribLive news partner WTAE reported. The sheriff’s department told the station that the deputy was serving legal process...
Upper Burrell again floats police regionalization idea
Upper Burrell officials are once again gauging the interest of surrounding municipalities in forming a regional police department. Township supervisors mailed letters to Lower Burrell, New Kensington and Allegheny and Washington townships to gauge their interest in forming a “fact-finding body” to examine the feasibility of a regionalized police force...
Rock star: Lab-grown diamonds are skyrocketing in popularity, say local jewelers, industry experts
When Sandee Vargo lost one of her diamond earrings two years ago, she turned that sinking feeling into an opportunity to try something new. Her remaining one-third carat stud earring was a natural diamond, mined from the ground. But Vargo of North Huntingdon became interested in another option for her...
House speaker casts doubts on Ukraine and Israel aid package as senators grind toward final vote
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Mike Johnson late Monday sharply criticized a $95.3 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other countries, casting serious doubts about the future of the package just as Senate leaders were slowly muscling it toward a final vote. Senate leaders, trying to send a message that...
As architect for Hempfield Area High School project resigns, district looks for new firm
Hempfield Area School District is looking for a new architect to work on its high school improvement project after the Bellevue-based firm that worked with the district since 2022 resigned. The school board Monday approved the resignation of Core Architects and approved seeking other architecture firms to work on the...
Carnegie Mellon boosts tuition to $64K per year
Undergraduate tuition will soon cost more than $64,500 at Carnegie Mellon University under new rates for the 2024-25 academic year. That will boost overall undergraduate charges by 3.72%. The new $64,596 yearly tuition was adopted by school trustees and outlined in a message to the campus this month from Provost...
Vehicle restrictions slated for Pennsylvania routes as Tuesday snowstorm approaches
A section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike east of New Stanton is among major state roadways that will be subject to traffic restrictions as transportation officials prepare for a winter snowstorm set to pass through the region beginning early on Tuesday. PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission announced restrictions that will go...
