Top Stories category, Page 700
Proposed Pa. budget nearly quadruples funding for local government cooperation
This story was produced by the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. Sign up for our regional newsletter, Talk of the Town. A state program that incentivizes local governments in Pennsylvania to work together to provide public...
Democrats keep Pennsylvania House majority, positioning party to prevent limits on abortion rights
HARRISBURG — Democrats maintained their narrow Pennsylvania House majority Tuesday by winning a special election and along with it continued control over how the chamber will handle abortion, gun rights and election law legislation. Heather Boyd won a seat in the Philadelphia suburbs, beating Republican Katie Ford for a vacancy...
North Carolina GOP overrides veto of 12-week abortion limit, allowing it to become lawVideo
RALEIGH, N.C. — Legislation banning most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy will become law in North Carolina after the state’s Republican-controlled General Assembly successfully overrode the Democratic governor’s veto late Tuesday. The House completed the second and final part of the override vote after a similar three-fifths majority —...
Democratic Arnold mayor nominee plans to oust city police chief
Shannon Santucci, winner of Tuesday’s Democratic primary for mayor of Arnold, says she will change the leadership of the city’s police department should she continue through to claim the office following the general election in November. Santucci led a slate with council candidates Phil McKinley, an incumbent, and newcomer Aaron...
Kertes, Chew top GOP ballot for Westmoreland commissioner
Incumbent Westmoreland County Commissioners Sean Kertes and Doug Chew finished in the top two spots on the Republican ballot Tuesday to secure nominations to seek second terms in office this fall. With all 307 precincts reporting, Kertes and Chew defeated three challengers seeking to end their tenures as the Republican...
Incumbents cruise to Democratic nominations in Pittsburgh City Council races
Three Pittsburgh City Council incumbents won their Democratic primary races Tuesday night, while two challengers looking to replace retiring councilmen were on their way to locking up party nominations. No Republicans appeared on the ballot in any of the city council races. With 100% of precincts in District 1 reporting...
Hallam wins Democratic nomination in race for Allegheny County Council at-large seat
Allegheny County Councilwoman Bethany Hallam won her Democratic primary race Tuesday night against challenger Joanna Doven for an at-large seat on Allegheny County Council, unofficial tallies showed. With about 156,000 votes tallied and 98% of precincts reporting results, Hallam had collected 56.4% of the votes counted compared to 43% for...
Dugan knocks off longtime incumbent Zappala in Democratic race for Allegheny County DA
Allegheny County Chief Public Defender Matt Dugan knocked off longtime District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. in Tuesday night’s Democratic primary race for DA, unofficial tallies showed. But it might not be the last time the candidates face each other. With nearly 168,000 votes tallied and 98% of precincts reporting...
Large garage in Richland woods burns down
A portion of Route 8 remained closed as of 8 p.m as firefighters from multiple communities tend to a fire at a large garage in Richland. Allegheny County dispatchers said calls for the fire along the 6000 block of Cunningham Road came in at 4:13 pm. Route 8 between Glasgow...
Innamorato claims Democratic nomination in 6-way race for Allegheny County executive
State Rep. Sara Innamorato declared victory Tuesday night in the crowded Democratic primary race for county executive, unofficial tallies showed. With more than 169,000 votes tallied and 98% of precincts reporting results, Innamorato had collected 37.6% of the votes counted compared with 29.5% for John Weinstein, 19.8% for Pittsburgh Controller...
2023 Western Pa. primary election results
Here’s what we know about the results Tuesday night: Allegheny County executive: State Rep. Sara Innamorato declared victory Tuesday night in the crowded Democratic primary race for county executive, unofficial tallies showed. With more than 169,000 votes tallied and 98% of precincts reporting results, Innamorato had collected 37.6% of the...
Brooklyn steel company hopes to move forward with $218M project in Aliquippa
A Brooklyn-based company said it hopes to build a steel plant for the 21st century at the former site of a J&L Steel facility in Aliquippa. On Tuesday morning, with a stage covered in red fabric backed by a structure displaying photos and videos of the history of 72 Steel,...
Pittsburgh Planning Commission approves master plan for riverfront development in Strip District
A master plan laying out the general vision for riverfront development in Pittsburgh’s Strip District earned Planning Commission approval Tuesday. New York City-based North River Company bought more than seven acres along the Allegheny River near the 31st Street Bridge in 2017. The developer is planning a redevelopment of the...
Police: Texas man drove almost 800 miles to confront Pittsburgh-area social media influencer
A Texas man was arrested Monday after a local social media influencer told Shaler police that he confronted her outside a gym after sending her harassing messages for months, according to court papers. Alvin Chummar, 32, of suburban Dallas-Ft. Worth told authorities that he drove from Memphis, Tenn., to find...
TV Talk: W.Pa. native writers in Hollywood explain why they’re on strike; NBC, Fox unveil fall lineups
Striking writers of scripted TV/streaming dramas and comedies have to make their case in an entertainment environment that’s changed radically since the last strike 15 years ago. During that previous 100-day Writers Guild of America strike that began in November 2007 — in the heart of the 2007-08 TV season...
Morning Roundup: Police investigate assault in Frick Park
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, May 16, 2023: Police investigate assault in Frick Park A daylight assault at Frick Park on Monday is under investigation by Pittsburgh police. Authorities said a 28-year-old woman was assaulted at 10:45 a.m. by a man wearing a...
Editorial: Even in a primary election, you have to show up and make your voice count
It’s that time again. Twice a year, we remind you to get up and do your job as a citizen — of America, of Pennsylvania and of the counties and communities that make up the red, white and blue crazy quilt of our region. Some people might yawn and shrug...
‘I never wanted to be a career politician’: Gina Cerilli Thrasher reflects on 2 terms as Westmoreland commissioner
Gina Cerilli Thrasher is looking forward to a break from politics. That means trading the public spotlight and sometimes odd hours as Westmoreland County commissioner for dinners at home with her family and more downtime. Her February announcement that she would not be hitting the campaign trail for a third...
Larry Scirotto takes reins of Pittsburgh police with list of priorities
The man in line to become Pittsburgh’s next police chief will be tasked with improving more than just public safety. Observers say Larry Scirotto also will need to improve discipline, morale, diversity and training within the Pittsburgh police department, while boosting recruitment and community relations outside of it. “You have...
Police: Woman used heroin before killing pedestrian in New Florence
An Indiana County woman is accused of being impaired when she hit and killed a pedestrian in New Florence late Monday and fled the scene, according to court papers. State police said Melissa Ann Anderson, 52, of East Wheatfield told them she used heroin just before the collision. Barry Lynn...
Lawmakers push for earlier presidential primary
The date of next year’s primary conflicts with a major religious holiday, and some state lawmakers have taken notice. The 2024 Pennsylvania primary is set for April 23. It conflicts with the Jewish holiday of Passover and takes place after many states already would have voted for a presidential nominee...
Madison tax collector fined for late payments says life events got in the way
Madison Borough’s tax collector is accused of ignoring requests from county auditors to access his records and as a result owes more than $2,800 for making late tax payments. Westmoreland County Controller Jeffrey Balzer said an audit released Monday of collections made by Madison tax collector John Fassett last year...
Man with baseball bat attacks Virginia congressman’s staffers; suspect in custodyVideo
FAIRFAX, Va. — A man with a metal baseball bat walked into the northern Virginia office of U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly on Monday, asked for him, then struck two of his workers with the bat, including an intern in her first day on the job, police and the congressman said....
Lifeguard shortage puts opening of all Pittsburgh pools in jeopardy
Pittsburgh needs to recruit about 40 to 50 more lifeguards to open all of the city’s pools this summer, officials said. Maria Montaño, a spokesperson for Mayor Ed Gainey, said the city is “recruiting hard” to get enough lifeguards to open all the city pools, but they’d need a total...
John Durham ends probe of FBI’s Trump-Russia investigation with harsh criticism, but no new charges
WASHINGTON — A special prosecutor found that the FBI rushed into its investigation of ties between Russia and Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and relied too much on raw and unconfirmed intelligence as he concluded a four-year probe that fell far short of the former president’s prediction that the “crime of...
