Top Stories category, Page 574
How Steve Zappala was reelected as Allegheny County DA running on the GOP ticket
Ben Wren parked himself Tuesday night in the back of Cupka’s Cafe II on the South Side, the “war station” of Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala’s reelection effort. Politicians, supporters and reporters flowed like koi past Wren’s table. He constantly checked information on two tablets and a laptop....
U.S. launches airstrike on Syrian site in response to attacks by Iranian-backed militias
WASHINGTON — The U.S. launched an airstrike on a facility in eastern Syria used by Iranian-backed militias, in retaliation for what has been a growing number of attacks on bases housing U.S. troops in the region for the past several weeks, the Pentagon said. Wednesday’s strike by two U.S. F-15...
Sept. 11 Victim Compensation Fund officials visit Flight 93 memorial, meet with community
“You are not forgotten.” That was the message Allison Turkel wanted to make clear for anyone who responded to the Flight 93 crash site in Stonycreek on Sept. 11, 2001. Turkel, who was appointed in March as special master of the federal Sept. 11th Victim Compensation Fund, was joined by...
First lady Jill Biden highlights Western Pa. workforce development efforts during Pittsburgh stop
First lady Jill Biden visited Pittsburgh on Wednesday and praised the region’s efforts in expanding workforce development programs and other career training initiatives. Pittsburgh was designated a “workforce hub” in May. That provided federal funding and other assistance to existing workforce training programs in the region. Pittsburgh is one of...
Nearly half of all Westmoreland write-in votes came from Greater Latrobe school board races
When John Petrarca saw the number of write-in votes in the Greater Latrobe school board election for four-year seats, he said it was “hard to believe.” Nearly half of the 22,259 total write-in votes cast in Tuesday’s election in Westmoreland County were done so in the two races for Latrobe...
Bipartisan Norwin School Board victors say they hope to promote respect, avoid polarization
Members of the bipartisan “We aRe Norwin” slate of candidates will form a majority on Norwin School Board, according to unofficial election results. All five members of the slate were leading in unofficial vote tallies from Tuesday’s election. Tim Kotch Sr. led with 11.2%, and Nina Totin came in second...
Ohio just legalized recreational marijuana. What does that mean for Pennsylvania?
On Tuesday, Ohio became the 24th state to legalize recreational use of marijuana after having a medical-only program in place. Now all of Pennsylvania’s neighbors, except West Virginia, allow recreational marijuana use. Pennsylvania passed medical marijuana laws in 2016. Pennsylvania medical marijuana patients must now be diagnosed with at least...
Innamorato’s win caps a wave of women’s political victories in Allegheny County
Sara Innamorato’s victory Tuesday night means that Allegheny County will see a woman as its top elected official for the first time in history. Only men have served as Allegheny County executive since the position was created more than 20 years ago. “I stand on the shoulders of so many...
Suspect in custody in recent fatal stabbing of Detroit synagogue leader
DETROIT — Police said a suspect was in custody Wednesday in the fatal stabbing of a Detroit synagogue leader whose recent death had raised questions about whether it was motivated by antisemitism. “It does not represent the conclusion of our work in this case,” police Chief James White said. “The...
Sweeney wins seat on Allegheny County Common Pleas bench, 6 judges retained for new terms
Democrat Patrick A. Sweeney on Tuesday won this year’s only open seat on the Allegheny County Common Pleas Court bench, collecting nearly 59% of the votes cast to defeat Republican nominee Anthony DeLuca, according to unofficial results. “Allegheny County voted for reform, for a justice system where systemic biases and...
House Republicans subpoena Hunter and James Biden as their impeachment inquiry ramps back up
WASHINGTON — House Republicans issued subpoenas Wednesday to members of President Joe Biden’s family, taking their most aggressive step yet in an impeachment inquiry bitterly opposed by Democrats that is testing the reach of congressional oversight powers. The long-awaited move by Rep. James Comer, the chairman of the House Oversight...
2 Pittsburgh students hospitalized after eating ‘unknown edible candy’
Two students at Brashear High School in Pittsburgh’s Beechview neighborhood were hospitalized Wednesday after they ingested “am unknown edible candy,” a school spokeswoman said. Four students were involved in the incident. Two fell ill after eating the candy, Pittsburgh Public Schools spokeswoman Ebony Pugh said. School officials are investigating to...
Searchers come up empty in search for man believed to have jumped from Hulton Bridge
Sonar was used to search the Allegheny River on Wednesday for a man witnesses say jumped off the Hulton Bridge after crashing his car on the bridge Tuesday evening. The man, believed to be 42 years old and from the Verona area, has not been found, Harmar police Chief Jason...
Pittsburgh City Council incumbents win easily, 2 new members to replace outgoing councilmen
Pittsburgh City Council incumbents running for reelection Tuesday cruised to easy victories, and two newcomers won seats replacing outgoing councilmen, according to unofficial results. Council members Bobby Wilson, D-North Side, and Barb Warwick, D-Greenfield, did not face Republican challengers in their reelection bids, while Deb Gross, D-Highland Park, collected 79.4%...
Wilkinsburg tries to demolish ‘deplorable’ buildings, avoid gentrification
Sunlight pours into the shattered roof of a four-unit Hill Avenue rowhouse — bricks and shingles fall onto neighboring properties. An abandoned Glenn Avenue home sits with its glass windows broken out. Weeds snake up toward its second floor. A 2,900-square-foot shell of a home on North Avenue has its...
Mark Madden: Just another example of Steelers’ flawed culture under Mike Tomlin
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ culture, at least the portion created by coach Mike Tomlin, is uneven and flawed. Chuks Okorafor lost the starting job at right tackle because he “acted out” during the Oct. 29 loss to Jacksonville. Okorafor said or did something Tomlin didn’t like. This switch was past due...
Iron City taps into region’s history with 1870s-style rye whiskey at East Deer distillery
Pittsburgh has long been known as a shot-and-a-beer town. And for more than 160 years, much of the beer consumed here was made by Pittsburgh Brewing Co. Now the iconic company is making the shots to go with its beer. After years of sitting in oak barrels until just the...
It was a night of firsts amid local, national election results
History was made around the U.S. — and in Western Pennsylvania — on Tuesday as several newly elected candidates earned firsts for their respective offices. In Allegheny County, Democrat Sara Innamorato became the first woman to win the county executive seat after she defeated Republican Joe Rockey. On the other...
Morning Roundup: Police say Shadyside restaurant worker injured in assault; 2 winners in record Pa. jackpot
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, Nov. 8: Police say Shadyside restaurant worker injured in assault A Shadyside restaurant employee was treated for a cut on the head after three masked men reportedly robbed and assaulted him Tuesday night, according to Pittsburgh police. The...
Republicans keep majority in Westmoreland County
Republicans will retain control of the Westmoreland County board of commissioners. Incumbents Sean Kertes and Doug Chew were reelected Tuesday to second terms in office and will continue to serve as the board majority along with Democrat Ted Kopas. Democrat Lisa Gephart finished fourth. With all 307 precincts reporting, Kertes...
Here are results from contested races in Westmoreland County
Here are results from several of Tuesday’s contested races in Westmoreland County, according to unofficial vote tallies. Export district judge Longtime assistant district attorney Judi Petrush beat out Murrysville attorney Robert Klingensmith in the election for Export district judge, where longtime Judge Charles Conway will retire at the end of...
Ohio votes to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use, becoming 24th state to do so
COLUMBUS — Ohio voters approved a proposal legalizing recreational marijuana on Tuesday, defying Republican legislative leaders who had failed to pass the proposed law. Passage of Issue 2 makes Ohio the 24th state to allow adult cannabis use for non-medical purposes. The new law will allow adults 21 and over...
Ohio voters enshrine abortion access in constitution in latest statewide win for reproductive rights
COLUMBUS — Ohio voters approved a constitutional amendment on Tuesday that ensures access to abortion and other forms of reproductive health care, the latest victory for abortion rights supporters since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year. Ohio became the seventh state where voters decided to protect...
Democrat Cherelle Parker is elected as Philadelphia’s 100th mayor, 1st woman to hold the office
Cherelle Parker, a Democrat who has held office at the state and local level after first becoming involved in politics as a teenager, was elected Tuesday as Philadelphia’s 100th mayor, becoming the first woman to hold the post. Parker, 51, emerged from a crowded field of Democrats in the May...
2023 Western Pennsylvania election results roundup: Innamorato and Zappala win, local races
Voters in Western Pennsylvania headed out to the polls Tuesday to decide races from Westmoreland County commissioners to the Allegheny County executive and district attorney. Results for Allegheny and Westmoreland county races are posted here. Here’s what we know about the results Tuesday night: Statewide Pennsylvania Supreme Court • Democrat...
