Top Stories category, Page 765
New Pa. Lt. Gov. Austin Davis fires 2 employees touted as ‘success stories’
As one of his first official acts, Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis fired two employees who had been touted as prime examples of successful second chances. Davis, however, is refusing to take responsibility for the firings. Davis, a McKeesport native, fired George Trudel, 56, and Naomi Blount Wilson, 72, from...
Pitt events on gender issues draw criticism, but university says it’s committed to protecting free speech
A free expression-versus-hate speech quandary looms over planned events at the University of Pittsburgh that critics contend will “advance a platform of hate and transphobia.” Pitt, however, says the events must be allowed — even if some deem them offensive. A petition that has drawn more than 7,000 signatures is...
Mitch McConnell released from hospital, headed to inpatient rehab
WASHINGTON — Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell was released from the hospital Monday after treatment for a concussion and will continue to recover in an inpatient rehabilitation facility, a spokesman said. McConnell’s office said his doctors discovered over the weekend that he had also suffered a “minor rib fracture” after...
Divided jury means no death penalty for New York City bike path killerVideo
NEW YORK — A split among jurors means there will be no death penalty for an Islamic extremist who maniacally raced a truck along a popular New York City bike path, killing eight people and maiming others. The decision means Sayfullo Saipov, 35, an Uzbekistan citizen who lived in New...
Pa. hospital’s revoked property tax exemption is ‘warning shot’ to other nonprofits, expert says
This story first appeared in The Investigator, a weekly newsletter by Spotlight PA featuring the best investigative and accountability journalism from across Pennsylvania. Sign up for free here. HARRISBURG — A Commonwealth Court judge recently revoked a Southeastern Pennsylvania hospital’s property tax exemption and denied appeals regarding three others, decisions...
PNC says it is not in talks to acquire Silicon Valley Bank
PNC Financial Services has surfaced in reports to be among the potential suitors in talks to acquire SVB Financial Group. However, the Pittsburgh-based bank on Monday said that talks are not taking place. “PNC is not in talks to acquire SVB Financial or Silicon Valley Bank,” the bank said in...
Gasoline prices edge higher as change to summer blends underway coast to coast
With the change to more expensive summer gasoline underway across the country, the national average has increased for the second straight week, an industry analyst said. Wholesale gasoline prices are increasing at a rate typical for this time of year, said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy....
Pittsburgh airport getting daily flights to Austin
Two emerging tech cities are improving connections with the announcement of increased flight service between Pittsburgh and Austin, Texas. Southwest Airlines announced last week it will be increasing service between Pittsburgh International Airport and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport starting this fall. The Texas-based carrier will expand flights from weekend-only to daily...
1 man shot and killed in Clairton
A man was shot and killed Monday morning in Clairton. Allegheny County Police responded just before 7:30 a.m. to a reported shooting inside a residence in the 400 block of Miller Avenue. First responders found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim...
What does Pittsburgh’s mild winter mean for spring bugs?
On the calendar, it might technically be winter. In real life, Penn State assistant research professor Michael Skvarla just pulled a black-legged tick off his daughter about a week ago. That’s typically a spring and summer problem. But the Pittsburgh region is on pace for one of its mildest winters...
Westmoreland GOP head seeks to remove 2 commissioner challengers from ballot
Attempts to remove two Republican challengers for Westmoreland Commissioner from the May ballot will be heard this week. Two lawsuits were filed late last week by the chairman of Westmoreland County’s Republican Committee alleging John Ventre and Paul Kosko, both making their second attempt to run for commissioner, did not...
Biden tells U.S. to have confidence in banks after 2 collapse
NEW YORK — President Joe Biden on Monday told Americans the nation’s financial systems were safe, seeking to project calm following the swift and stunning collapse of two banks that prompted fears of a broader upheaval. “Your deposits will be there when you need them,” he said. U.S. regulators closed...
Western Pa. could see 1-2 inches of snow
Looks like snow’s not done with us just yet. Monday’s weather forecast in Western Pennsylvania is calling for considerable cloudiness and a chance of snow, according to the National Weather Service in Moon. Highs Monday are expected in the upper 30s, with a 50% chance of precipitation — and that...
Beaver County man assaulted ex-girlfriend, threatened to kill another person at Rivers Casino, police say
A Beaver County man was arrested late Friday after state police said he assaulted an ex-girlfriend at Rivers Casino and threatened to kill another person. Police said Edward Thomas Smorey, 53, of Hookstown, approached the 57-year-old woman around 10:40 p.m. Friday at the casino’s Drum Bar. Police said he pulled...
Full circle: Bald eagles live, hunt near former Harrison DDT plantVideo
About a decade ago, Audrey Krzeminski drove across the Freeport Bridge and saw construction workers pointing skyward. Out of nowhere, a mature bald eagle flew over her car, then — “thud!” — the bird accidentally dropped a fish on her hood. “We almost ran into each other,” she said of...
TV Talk: ‘Everything Everywhere’ wins all at once at 95th OscarsVideo
After last year’s shocking slap heard ‘round the world, this year’s 95th Oscars was a return to form as “Everything Everywhere All at Once” won best picture and took home six additional awards. Returning host Jimmy Kimmel “parachuted” into the theater and started his monologue with somewhat soft, bland jokes...
Pitt receives 1st NCAA Tournament bid since 2016, will meet Mississippi State in First Four
Jamarius Burton talked about how Pitt’s players are “grateful and blessed” to be a part of the NCAA Tournament. He also noted that his and his teammates’ reaction ranged from “joy to hunger” when they heard the news that Pitt (22-11) will play the SEC’s Mississippi State (21-12) on Tuesday...
Pedestrian killed in McCandless hit-and-run identified
A pedestrian was killed Saturday night as a result of a hit-and-run crash in McCandless. Donald Gene Leach, 78, of Wexford, was identified Monday by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner as the man killed in the incident. Police said a black Honda struck Leach at 10:15 p.m. near the Pine...
Annual Blue White Ball raises more than $30K for pediatric cancer
A charity ball benefiting childhood cancer research combined dancing with doing good Saturday at The Priory in Pittsburgh. The 2023 Blue White Ball was held at Pittsburgh’s Grand Hall at The Priory. Blue White Ball’s Pittsburgh chapter is a nonprofit that raises funds year-round to support Penn State University’s THON...
8 dead after smuggling boats capsize off San Diego coast
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — At least eight people were killed when two migrant smuggling boats capsized in shallow but treacherous surf amid heavy fog, authorities said Sunday, marking one of the deadliest maritime human smuggling operations ever off of U.S. shores. A Spanish-speaking woman on one of the panga-style boats...
U.S. government moves to stop potential banking crisis
NEW YORK — The U.S. government took extraordinary steps Sunday to stop a potential banking crisis after the historic failure of Silicon Valley Bank, assuring depositors at the failed financial institution that they would be able to access all of their money quickly. The announcement came amid fears that the...
Man killed in Penn Hills shooting identified
Allegheny County Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a man early Sunday morning in Penn Hills. Police said the shooting occurred in the parking lot of the Penn Towers apartment building on the 11000 block of Frankstown Road at 3:11 a.m. First responders found a man who had been...
Pence says Trump ‘endangered my family’ on Jan. 6
WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday harshly criticized former President Donald Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, widening the rift between the two men as they prepare to battle over the Republican nomination in next year’s election. “President Trump was...
Spring garden prep: What to do before growing season gets underway
It’s been a pretty poor excuse for a winter in Western Pennsylvania, but Mother Nature still could have a few frosts and snowflakes up her sleeve. That means gardeners eager to get out there and get planting need to exercise a little patience. “The biggest thing I can tell people...
Reliving Mazeroski’s historic World Series homer perched atop the Cathedral of Learning
Woody Turner couldn’t concentrate. He was working on an assignment, perhaps for a Roman history class, but he’s not sure. What mattered on Oct. 13, 1960, was that the University of Pittsburgh senior chose to be in — of all places — the library on the fifth floor of a...
