Top Stories category, Page 609
A government shutdown is nearing this weekend. What does it mean, who’s hit and what’s next?
WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government is just days away from a shutdown that will disrupt many services, squeeze workers and roil politics as Republicans in the House, fueled by hard-right demands, force a confrontation over federal spending. While some government entities will be exempt — Social Security checks, for...
Morning Roundup: Teen shot inside Brighton Heights home; Pittsburgh man sentenced in Dormont bank robbery
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Sept. 28: Teen shot inside Brighton Heights residence A 17-year-old boy was shot in the stomach early Thursday in Pittsburgh’s Brighton Heights neighborhood, according to the city’s department of public safety. Officers were called to the 3400 block...
2 killed in tractor-trailer crash on I-79
Two people are dead following an early morning crash Thursday on Interstate 79 in Ohio Township. At 12:27 a.m., a tractor-trailer was driving south on I-79, near mile marker 67, when it drove through the center median and continued traveling south in the northbound lanes, according to the Pennsylvania State...
Donald Trump skipped the GOP debate again. This time, his rivals took him on directlyVideo
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — Several of Donald Trump’s rivals stepped up their attacks against him in Wednesday’s second Republican presidential debate, urgently trying to dent the former president’s commanding primary lead during an event that often seemed like an undercard without him. Trump went to Michigan, aiming to capitalize on...
For millions, the return of federal student loan payments brings angst
Marin Exler, who grew up in Crafton, held no illusions that her college education would be free, nor did she procrastinate paying down the debt of almost $120,000 that she incurred at Case Western Reserve University. She worked multiple campus jobs, made bigger-than-required loan payments after graduating, refinanced double-digit interest...
Highland Park Bridge ramps open to traffic
Ramps at the Highland Park Bridge interchange in Aspinwall and Sharpsburg have opened to traffic, according to PennDOT. The southbound Route 28 ramp to Highland Park Bridge; the Highland Park Bridge ramp to Freeport Road (Aspinwall Exit); and the Freeport Road ramps to northbound and southbound Route 28 have all...
Nursing home operator says without sale of some W.Pa. facilities, they may close
The embattled operators of 15 nursing homes in Pennsylvania said if they are not permitted to go through with the proposed sale of seven facilities in Western Pennsylvania, they may be forced to shut down, potentially displacing hundreds of residents. Attorneys for Comprehensive Healthcare said in a court filing this...
Judge Chutkan denies Trump’s request to recuse herself in federal election subversion case
WASHINGTON — U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan said Wednesday she won’t recuse herself from Donald Trump’s 2020 election interference case in Washington, rejecting the former president’s claims that her past comments raise doubts about whether she can be fair. Chutkan, who was nominated to the bench by President Barack Obama...
Shetler’s lawyer claims Westmoreland criminal trial system unconstitutional
Lawyers for a New Florence man accused of assaulting a police officer nearly two years ago argued during a hearing Wednesday that Westmoreland County’s criminal trial system is unconstitutional. Assistant public defender Mike Garofalo said the assault and resisting arrest charges against Ray A. Shetler Jr. should be dismissed. The...
Latrobe officer’s quick reaction saves life of man trapped under runaway food truck
Latrobe police Officer Zachary Lukon was on duty at the city’s Great American Banana Split Celebration when he noticed a food truck starting to roll down Ligonier Street. He was able to stop the runaway vehicle, which saved the life of a man who had been trapped underneath. “The only...
Pittsburgh may offer child care service for city employees
Pittsburgh city employees may have access to on-site child care when Pittsburgh Public Schools close unexpectedly or they have to participate in some city meetings. “The legislation is necessary to enable city employees with children who attend Pittsburgh Public Schools the opportunity to not miss work while ensuring the safety...
Pittsburgh officials look to tweak controversial purple curb loading zone program
Pittsburgh officials are considering tweaks to the city’s smart loading zone pilot program after some local business owners voiced concerns the new initiative was a hindrance. City officials have touted the smart loading zones — which are marked with purple-painted curbs and matching signage — as a way to make...
Judge blocks zoning variance for affordable housing project in Pittsburgh
A zoning variance for an affordable housing project in Pittsburgh’s Fineview neighborhood has been overturned by a judge, forcing the project back to square one. Earlier this month, Common Pleas Judge Mary McGinley ruled that a variance should not have been granted to the community group the Fineview Citizens Council...
Pittsburgh to require inspections, permits for rental units, Airbnbs
Owners of rental units and Airbnbs in Pittsburgh will need to go through a permitting and inspection process after City Council on Tuesday approved legislation that aims to regulate such properties. People who own long- or short-term rental units will need to apply for a permit annually. They will need...
Updated covid vaccines can be covered for uninsured by federal Bridge program
Uninsured individuals can get an updated covid vaccine at no cost through a new federal program. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Bridge Access Program, a new public-private partnership, works to maintain access by providing free covid vaccines to adults who are underinsured or uninsured. Covid vaccines were free...
At White House meeting, Trib CEO urges support of bill to save local news
Trib Total Media President and CEO Jennifer Bertetto met Wednesday with White House officials to advocate for legislation that would allow local news outlets to negotiate for fair compensation from large digital platforms that use their content. The Journalism Competition and Preservation Act would allow news publishers to collectively negotiate...
Raising Cane’s to open 3 restaurants in Pittsburgh area
“Caniacs” will soon be able to get their chicken fix locally. The Raising Cane’s location at 3610 Fifth Ave. in Oakland is set to open on Oct. 10. A second restaurant, at 384 Lincoln Hwy. in North Versailles, should open in early November. The Oakland restaurant will be located in...
Black Americans express concerns about racist depictions in news media, lack of coverage efforts
NEW YORK — In a new study, Black Americans expressed broad concerns about how they are depicted in the news media, with majorities saying they see racist or negative depictions and a lack of effort to cover broad segments of their community. Four in five Black adults say they see...
House Speaker McCarthy is back to square one as the Senate pushes ahead to avert a federal shutdown
WASHINGTON — As the Senate marches ahead with a bipartisan approach to prevent a government shutdown, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is back to square one — asking his hard-right Republicans to do what they have said they would never do: approve their own temporary House measure to keep the government...
U.S. secures the release of soldier who crossed into North Korea 2 months ago
WASHINGTON — The United States has secured the release of a U.S. soldier who sprinted across a heavily fortified border into North Korea more than two months ago, and he is on his way back to America, officials announced Wednesday. U.S. ally Sweden and rival China helped with the transfer....
Morning Roundup: Shaler officer and driver injured in head-on crash; gas leak in Collier
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, Sept. 27: Police officer and driver injured in head-on crash in Shaler Two people, including a police officer, were taken to the hospital following a head-on crash early Wednesday in Shaler. The crash occurred around 3:30 a.m., near...
Police say Carrick woman set boyfriend on fire
A Carrick woman is accused of setting her boyfriend on fire and then trying to make it look like he had done it to himself. Dispatchers received calls Sunday night for reports of a 43-year-old man on fire. When officers got to the scene, they spoke to Cecilia Perez, 47,...
Duquesne Light employees authorize strike
A workers union representing Duquesne Light employees voted Tuesday night to authorize a strike. The 711-14 vote triggers the process for a potential walkout Saturday. The union members’ current contract expires at the end of September, and the union is working to negotiate. In a statement, Duquesne Light said it...
Hempfield to seek bids for outside professional to navigate delayed high school project
Hempfield Area School District is a step closer to hiring an outside professional to oversee its stymied $150 million high school renovation, one of the first public steps forward since the project ground to a halt this summer. The school board this week approved advertising for possible candidates for an...
5th-generation brewer gets ‘memory for a lifetime’ making Iron City in East Deer
Sitting in the brewery control room at Pittsburgh Brewing Co. in East Deer, Justin Puharic clicked on his computer mouse, initiating the process of making Tuesday’s fourth batch of Iron City Beer. The click marked a historic moment for the Puharics. Justin, 27, became the fifth generation of brewers in...
