Top Stories category, Page 810
Behind the scenes at ‘The Nutcracker’ rehearsal at Palace Theatre is a winter whirlwind
In the two days leading up to the first performance of “The Nutcracker” at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg, every square inch of the space is a flurry of activity and excitement. Onstage, dancers of all ages — some 4 years old — practice pirouettes, leaps and twirls in fluttering...
Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority approves $15.9M operating budget
Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority has adopted a $15.9 million budget for next year. Nearly half of the revenue in the operating budget, unanimously approved Thursday, will come from government grants, the authority said. Federal grants will account for about 38% of the revenue, while local grants will provide 9% and...
Rioter who assaulted cops at Capitol gets 5 years in prison
WASHINGTON — A Tennessee man who authorities say came to Washington ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot prepared for violence in a car full of weapons and assaulted officers who were trying to defend the Capitol was sentenced Friday to more than five years behind bars. Ronald Sandlin, 35,...
Fort Necessity battle discussion planned for Braddock battlefield site
A discussion of George Washington and his ill-fated battle July 1754 defeat at the hands of the French at Fort Necessity in present-day Fayette County, will be held Sunday. Braddock’s Battlefield History Center at 609 Sixth St., Braddock, will be host to an 18th century roundtable discussion of the Battle...
Penguins to replace scoreboard, make other improvements at PPG Paints Arena
Pittsburgh Penguins fans will see a new and improved scoreboard at PPG Paints Arena next hockey season. Pittsburgh’s Sports & Exhibition Authority this week reached an agreement with the Penguins for a larger scoreboard in the Uptown arena. “The new, larger scoreboard allows for an improved fan experience, projection of...
Pitt basketball player Dior Johnson pleads guilty in domestic violence case
A University of Pittsburgh basketball player pleaded guilty Friday to two misdemeanor counts of domestic violence and was ordered to serve one year of probation. Dior Johnson, 18, a freshman, has been prohibited from being on campus or participating in basketball activities since he was charged, according to defense attorney...
Real-world events, from Mars rover to covid-19 to Artemis rocket, are shaping future scientists
For Alison Bresnahan, there isn’t a better time to be a science teacher. From NASA’s Artemis 1 moon mission to the James Webb Space Telescope to the Mars Perseverance rover to even the covid-19 pandemic, significant real-world events are inspiring the next generation of scientists — even if they don’t...
Gainey looks to revamp Art Commission after removing all prior commissioners
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey on Friday said he is looking to change how the city’s Art Commission functions, weeks after removing all prior commissioners from their posts. Gainey’s office and the Department of City Planning proposed to split the Art Commission into two separate committees — one that will review...
Democratic Sen. Sinema has registered as an independent
WASHINGTON — Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona announced Friday that she has registered as an independent, but she does not plan to caucus with Republicans, ensuring Democrats will retain their narrow majority in the Senate. Sinema, who has modeled her political approach on the renegade style of the late...
Amazon will tip your delivery driver if you ‘thank’ them through Alexa
Amazon customers with Alexa-enabled devices can send a dose of goodwill to their delivery driver through a program the company announced this week. And the gratitude won’t cost the customer anything. Customers can use the device to say “Alexa, thank my driver” to have an appreciative message — and $5...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 9-11Video
Pop culture, vinyl records, artisan gift wares and holiday music take the stage this weekend in the Pittsburgh area. Comics and more Doors open at 10 a.m. Friday for Steel City Con, Pittsburgh’s premier comic book and pop culture convention, at the Monroeville Convention Center, 209 Mall Blvd. The convention...
Short stack, short staff: Restaurant industry still hurting for workers
For Tracy Allison, a bartender who serves the dining room at Ligonier Tavern and Table while completing a host of other tasks, finding good employees has been an ongoing challenge. “I have no earthly idea why” it has been so hard to attract and retain workers, said Allison, a Ligonier...
Police say man stole ambulance from Mt. Washington medical call
An Ohio man was arrested early Friday after Pittsburgh police said he stole an ambulance while paramedics were handling a medical call in Mt. Washington. Paramedics were treating a patient around 4:30 a.m. on West Sycamore Street when the ambulance was stolen. Authorities said it was driven onto the Parkway...
Indiana University of Pennsylvania to cut tuition for full-time, out-of-state undergrads by 20%
Indiana University of Pennsylvania says it is cutting the tuition price it will charge out-of-state undergraduate students next fall by as much as nearly 20%. It is switching to a flat rate instead of per-credit pricing for such students who are enrolled full time. The school’s Council of Trustees on...
Police say Saxonburg man used Christmas tree in assault on woman
An argument near Saxonburg led to a blow delivered with a Christmas tree, according to state police. Michael Bandi, 35, of Saxonburg, is charged with harassment and simple assault in the altercation reported at 10:15 p.m. Tuesday on Oak Leaf Drive in Jefferson Township. Police say Bandi had an argument...
Democrats, GOP to nominate candidates for 3 special election races for state House
Democratic and Republican committees in Allegheny County will pick their nominees to run in three pivotal special election races for state House within the next week and a half. The three races will determine which party holds power in the state House. Allegheny County Democrats said Thursday they will hold...
New York Times journalists, other workers on 24-hour strike
NEW YORK — More than 1,000 New York Times journalists and other staff walked off the job for 24 hours Thursday, frustrated by contract negotiations that have dragged on for months in the newspaper’s biggest labor dispute in more than 40 years. Hundreds of reporters, editors, photographers and other employees...
Family of Oakmont teacher imprisoned in Russia looks for hope in Brittney Griner release
As WNBA star Brittney Griner traveled home to the United States after being released from a Russian prison Thursday as part of a prisoner swap between the countries, Oakmont native Marc Fogel remained in a penal colony north of Moscow unsure of when — or if — he would receive...
Pa. receives $6.6 million from ‘Internet for All’ initiativeVideo
Governor Tom Wolf today announced that Pennsylvania is receiving $6.6 million from President Joe Biden’s “Internet for All” initiative, these are the first funds to be awarded of the more than $100 million to be managed by the Pennsylvania Broadband Authority. “Pennsylvania’s lack of affordable, accessible broadband is one of...
Philly’s slain ‘Boy in Box’: 66 years later we know his name
His name was Joseph Augustus Zarelli. Nearly 66 years after the battered body of a young boy was found stuffed inside a cardboard box, Philadelphia police say they have finally unlocked a central mystery in the city’s most notorious cold case: The victim’s identity. Revealing the name to the public...
Man killed, another injured after car crashes into Clairton house
A Duquesne man died and another was injured when a car crashed into a house in Clairton early Thursday. Allegheny County emergency dispatchers were notified of a one-car crash in the 500 block of North 8th Street at 3:11 a.m. First responders found a man unresponsive in the passenger seat,...
IUP officials consider school of osteopathic medicine — 1st at a Pa. public university
Indiana University of Pennsylvania could open the state’s first school of osteopathic medicine at a public university, a venture to train and graduate professionals to improve rural health and advance Pennsylvania’s economy. A resolution to endorse the state-owned university to explore the school’s possible development was approved unanimously by IUP’s...
Pittsburgh City Council approves $7M contract with security firm
Pittsburgh City Council has awarded a city-based company a nearly $7 million contract to provide security at the City-County Building and other sites for the next five years. In addition to the City-County Building on Grant Street, St. Moritz Security Services will provide guards at other city-owned locations such as...
Bill protecting same-sex, interracial unions clears Congress
WASHINGTON — The House gave final approval Thursday to legislation protecting same-sex marriages, a monumental step in a decadeslong battle for nationwide recognition that reflects a stark turnaround in societal attitudes. President Joe Biden has said he will promptly sign the measure, which requires all states to recognize same-sex marriages....
Pittsburgh streamlines process to convert unused Downtown office space into housing
A zoning change approved this week by Pittsburgh City Council will streamline the process to convert existing Downtown office space into residential units, officials said. The legislation, unanimously approved Tuesday, will allow proposed residential projects in the Golden Triangle area to move ahead without being reviewed and approved by the...
