Top Stories category, Page 546
Israeli military says it has rescued 2 hostages from captivity in Gaza Strip
RAFAH, Gaza Strip — The Israeli military said it rescued two hostages from captivity in the Gaza Strip early Monday, marking a small but symbolically significant success in its quest to bring home over 100 captives believed to be held by the Hamas militant group. The two men were rescued...
Some fans pass on Super Bowl tickets, just have ‘a good time’ in Vegas
LAS VEGAS — Super Bowl ticket prices remained out of reach for many fans who made travel reservations months ago to come to Las Vegas this week, so they watched on TV like millions of others. That’s just fine with more than a few of them. They’re finding other ways...
Woman firing rifle killed by 2 off-duty officers at Joel Osteen’s church, 2 others hurt, police say
HOUSTON — A woman in a trenchcoat opened fire with a long gun inside celebrity pastor Joel Osteen’s megachurch in Texas before being gunned down by two off-duty officers who confronted her, sending worshippers rushing from the building between busy Sunday services, authorities said. The woman entered the Houston church...
Defense Secretary Austin hospitalized with bladder issue, transfers powers to his deputy
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized again Sunday to address a bladder issue as he continues to recover from prostate cancer and has transferred authorities to his deputy, the Pentagon said. Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December and continues to deal with complications from his treatment....
Rescued alligator transported to new home, injured from months in the wild
The latest alligator rescued from along the Kiski River near Apollo has new digs. Neo, a pet alligator reported missing since September in Kiski Township, was safely captured by cyclists Friday evening along the Roaring Run Trail. Nathan Lysaght, founder and director of Nate’s Reptile Rescue, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit that...
Mt. Pleasant, Yough host fundraisers for family of late referee
Referee Mike Roebuck was the kind of person a coach wants their athletes to be around, said Mt. Pleasant Area High School basketball coach Annie Malkowiak. Roebuck, 45, of New Stanton was officiating a junior varsity basketball game between Mt. Pleasant and Yough when he collapsed and later died at...
Senators push forward with Ukraine aid package as their leaders say the world is watching
WASHINGTON — As a growing number of Republicans oppose U.S. aid to Ukraine, the Senate’s leaders are arguing in strong terms that the money is crucial to pushing back against Russian President Vladimir Putin and maintaining America’s global standing. In the Capitol for a rare weekend session, the Senate voted...
Poet Terrance Hayes reads at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in celebration of Black History Month
The light beamed down on Terrance Hayes on Saturday afternoon as he stood center stage in the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s lecture hall. The award-winning poet and South Carolina native read several poems from his selections “So to Speak,” “American Sonnet for My Past and Future Assassin” and others, as...
Looking for a logistical nightmare? Try to get rid of a piano
Getting into the piano business is a heavy decision. While that’s a bit of a bad pun, it’s also the truth. Piano dealers mostly have their own infrastructure in place to deal with one of the world’s heaviest instruments. But for people who have a piano and don’t want it...
Iconic Three Rivers Stadium implosion anniversary falls on Super Bowl SundayVideo
It was a beautiful day for the end of a sporting era on this day 23 years ago in Pittsburgh. Three Rivers Stadium was imploded under cold temps and sunny blue skies on Feb. 11, 2001 to make way for two newer sporting venues — PNC Park and Heinz Field...
Mon Incline back in business after undergoing weeks of repairs
The Monongahela Incline is again open for business. The 154-year-old incline that connects Pittsburgh’s Station Square to the Mount Washington neighborhood reopened at 5:30 a.m. Saturday, according to Pittsburgh Regional Transit. The incline had been closed since Jan. 2 due to failing electrical and mechanical systems. The Monongahela Incline will...
Woman identified in fatal Baldwin shooting
Allegheny County police continue to investigate the death of a woman found shot Friday in her residence in Baldwin Borough. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the woman as Ramiah Griffin, 20, of Pittsburgh. The shooting happened in the 5400 block of Youngridge Drive and was reported after 4:30...
Pittsburgh honors 102-year-old Natalie Green
Everyone calls her Grandma, a title that holds a lot of love and endearment for Natalie L. Green, 102. She was honored on Thursday when the City of Pittsburgh dedicated Feb. 8 to her for her many years of service, education and great inspiration. Green’s mind is sharp and her...
Western Pa. casinos ready for Super Bowl influx, wagers on Chiefs win
Dave Bilsky is a Steelers fan, but come Sunday evening, you can bet he’ll be pulling for the Kansas City Chiefs. He’ll have plenty of company locally. Bilsky, 51, of Belle Vernon is among myriad local gamblers putting money on the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII. “One thing that we’ve...
Once a pariah in NFL circles, legalized betting has become as much a part of Super Bowl as the game itself
After decades of treating gambling like a pariah, the NFL has pushed all of its chips into the center of the table. The league is all in when it comes to Las Vegas — the world’s gambling mecca and host city of Super Bowl LVIII — and partnerships with sports...
Super Bowl prop bets take on life of their own among wagering community
Caesars sportsbook executive Adam Pullen has taken sizeable bets in his two-plus decades establishing the betting lines for the Super Bowl. Just not a six-figure wager on which side a coin will land. That changed when a gambler visiting the famed Las Vegas casino plopped down $100,000 on the outcome...
Tuition hike contemplated after county cuts funding to WCCC
A tuition increase could be in store for Westmoreland County Community College students this fall after a $1 million cut in funding from the county, the school’s board of trustees chairman said Friday. “As of now we don’t want to raise tuition, but everything is on the table,” said board...
Trump says he warned NATO ally: Spend more on defense or Russia can ‘do whatever the hell they want’
NEW YORK — Republican front-runner Donald Trump said Saturday that, as president, he warned NATO allies that he “would encourage” Russia “to do whatever the hell they want” to countries that are “delinquent” as he ramped up his attacks on foreign aid and longstanding international alliances. Speaking at a rally...
Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Cher, Sade, Oasis, Ozzy Osbourne among Rock Hall nominees for ’24
NEW YORK — Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Cher, Lenny Kravitz, the late Sinéad O’Connor and heavy metal’s Prince of Darkness are some the 2024 nominees for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a wide musical net that also includes the pop-soul of Sade and Britpoppers Oasis....
Haley challenges Trump on her home turf in South Carolina as the Republican primary looms
CONWAY, S.C. — With two weeks to go before the South Carolina Republican primary, Nikki Haley is trying to challenge Donald Trump on her home turf while the former president tries to quash his last major rival’s narrow path to the nomination. Trump, turning his campaign focus to the southern...
Taylor Swift fans in region gear up for Swiftie-themed Super Bowl parties
Bianca Bodde plans a Swiftie twist to her Super Bowl party decorations this weekend. Fans of Taylor Swift — Swifties for short — are prepared to show up in full force with themed gatherings to watch the Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers this Super Bowl Sunday....
Pittsburgh police: Pedestrian struck by vehicle in Shadyside in serious condition
A 40-year-old woman was hit by a vehicle in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood Friday morning and was taken to an area hospital in serious condition. Pittsburgh police and EMS were called to the intersection of Morewood Avenue and Fifth Avenue just after 10 a.m. Friday morning. The woman who was hit...
Unity couple found not guilty in retrial concerning sexual assault allegations of teen accuser
A Unity couple said the words uttered in court at the conclusion of their weeklong trial was what they waited nine years to hear. Bruce Palmer collapsed into the arms of his wife and audibly sobbed as the jury foreman read they were not guilty to charges of sexual assault...
Missing gator defies winter odds, found near Roaring Run Trail near Apollo
Two friends on a evening biking excursion Friday had an unexpected encounter in Kiski Township: an alligator. Robert Perri and Dan Murray, both of Burrell Township, were cycling on the Roaring Run Trail near dusk when they both noticed an alligator ahead on the trail. “I thought it was fake....
Dan Marino, Scarlett Johansson have fun with almost being champions in Super Bowl ad
LAS VEGAS — Actor Scarlett Johansson and NFL and University of Pittsburgh legend Dan Marino come from different professions, but they have two things in common: Both have a sweet tooth and an infatuation with M&Ms. Johansson and Marino will star in the Super Bowl commercial that will focus on...
