Top Stories category, Page 721
Blink-182 brings wild ‘Rock Show’ to PPG Paints Arena
Blink-182 might have grown older over the years, but they sure haven’t grown up. Despite enduring over the past eight years, among other things, a cancer scare, a departure and subsequent reunion with a founding member, and the scrutiny from marrying into a celebrity family, the pop-punk stalwarts are still...
EPA rule would force clean-up of toxic coal ash dumped in landfills, ponds near power plants
WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency is strengthening a rule aimed at controlling and cleaning up toxic waste from coal-fired power plants. A proposal announced Wednesday would for the first time require safe management of so-called coal ash dumped in hundreds of older landfills, “legacy” ponds and other inactive sites...
Montana becomes 1st state to ban TikTok
HELENA — Montana became the first state in the United States to enact a complete ban on TikTok on Wednesday when Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a measure that’s more sweeping than any other state’s attempts to curtail the social media app, which is owned by a Chinese tech company....
Effort to expel George Santos falters as Republicans vote to send measure to Ethics CommitteeVideo
WASHINGTON — A resolution to expel Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., from Congress was referred to the House Ethics Committee on Wednesday as Republicans successfully sidestepped an effort to force them into a vote that could have narrowed their already slim four-seat majority. The House voted along party lines, 221-204, to...
Shapiro talks mental health, budget plans with Hempfield Area High School students
Hempfield Area High School students talked about school start times, stress, mental health, class workload and free breakfast during a Wednesday visit from Gov. Josh Shapiro. The governor listened to the students’ suggestions on ways to improve their education experience during a roundtable discussion in the high school library. Shapiro...
Man who killed 8 in NYC terrorist attack gets 10 life sentences plus 260 years
NEW YORK — An Islamic extremist was given 10 life sentences and another 260 years in prison on Wednesday for killing eight people with a truck on a bike path in Manhattan and severely injuring 18 others. “The conduct in this case is among the worst if not the worst...
Allegheny County pilot program for low-income transit riders has high demand in 1st 6 months
An Allegheny County pilot program geared toward lower-income transit riders has experienced high demand in its first six months and advocates say the statistics make a strong case for expanding the program. Nearly 16,000 people applied to take part in a program that provides free and discounted rides to people...
Kiski Township supervisor candidate with leaked Only Fans account cruises to victory; 3 incumbents appear to be out
The Kiski Township supervisor candidate at the center of a social media controversy appears to have cruised to victory and ousted three incumbents along the way. The operative phrase, though, is “appears” to have done so. Brittany Hilliard, 29, earned the most votes of four Republican candidates seeking two available...
Man dies in head-on crash in North Versailles
A 65-year-old man was killed in a head-on crash Tuesday afternoon in North Versailles, according to authorities. North Versailles police said the two-vehicle crash happened around 3:15 p.m. on East Pittsburgh-McKeesport Boulevard near Braddock Avenue. A 19-year-old man driving an SUV with a 16-year-old female passenger crossed the median and...
Grand jury indicts man in 4 University of Idaho stabbing deaths, eliminating need for hearing
BOISE, Idaho — A grand jury has indicted a man who was already charged in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, allowing prosecutors to skip a planned week-long preliminary hearing that was set for late June. Bryan Kohberger was arrested late last year and charged with burglary...
Jury pool for Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial is set
The panel of prospective jurors who will hear the case against a man accused of killing 11 people at a Squirrel Hill synagogue is set. After 17 days of questioning over four weeks, 69 people have moved into the pool from which 12 jurors and six alternates will be selected...
U.S. drug overdose deaths slightly increased in 2022, CDC says
NEW ORLEANS — Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. went up slightly last year after two big leaps during the pandemic. Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the numbers plateaued for most of last year. Experts aren’t sure whether that means the deadliest drug overdose epidemic...
Firefighters respond to Pittsburgh Airbnb where 2 were killed in shooting last year
Firefighters on Wednesday morning responded to a North Side house where two teens were killed and eight people were injured in an Easter morning shooting last year. Around 10 a.m., smoke was coming from the roof of the home at Suismon Street and Madison Avenue in East Allegheny. By 11:30...
2nd escaped inmate captured after breaking out of Philadelphia prison
PHILADELPHIA — A task force led by federal marshals recaptured the second of two inmates who escaped from a Pennsylvania prison earlier this month, a man who had been held on charges in four slayings, authorities said. Ameen Hurst, 18, was rearrested Wednesday morning in Philadelphia, according to Robert Clark,...
Morning Roundup: Pittsburgh drivers to get warnings about passing stopped school buses
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Wednesday, May 17, 2023: Pittsburgh drivers to get warnings about passing stopped school buses Drivers illegally passing stopped Pittsburgh Public School buses will get warning letters with no monetary penalty starting Wednesday under the district’s new stop-arm camera program....
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...
