Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 886
U.S. inflation pressures further intensified in September
WASHINGTON — Inflation in the United States accelerated in September, with the cost of housing and other necessities intensifying pressure on households, wiping out pay gains that many have received and ensuring that the Federal Reserve will keep raising interest rates aggressively. Consumer prices rose 8.2% in September compared with...
Social Security recipients to receive historic hike next year
WASHINGTON — Millions of Social Security recipients will get an 8.7% boost in their benefits in 2023. That’s a historic increase and welcome news for American retirees and others — but it’s tempered by the fact that it’s fueled by record high inflation that’s raised the cost of everyday living....
Kittanning woman faces charges after police say she dropped newborn baby on head
Police said they arrested a Kittanning woman who dropped a baby on her head. Police were dispatched to Oak Avenue on Tuesday for reports of a baby dropped on her head around noon. Police said Sarah Lugo of Kittanning was responsible for the newborn’s injuries, but she fled the scene...
Pa. Turnpike reopens after crash closes eastbound lanes between New Castle, Cranberry exits
A crash early Thursday involving two tractor-trailers shut down all eastbound lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike between the New Castle and Cranberry exits for several hours. A 911 emergency dispatcher said the crash happened around 4:40 a.m. Turnpike officials said all eastbound lanes had reopened just after 8 p.m. Officials...
Police investigating death of 10-month-old boy in Beaver Falls
Police are investigating the death of a 10-month-old boy in Beaver Falls. Beaver Falls police were called to a home at Fourth Avenue and 15th Street just after 2 p.m. Wednesday, according to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI-TV. WPXI reported that neighbors were shocked to hear of the baby’s death. “It’s...
Traditions celebrated during Fort Ligonier Days festival
“Honoring Historical Traditions” is the theme of this year’s three-day Fort Ligonier Days festival, which will kick off Friday with more than 300 food and crafter booths, live musical entertainment and tours of Ligonier’s reconstructed 18th-century fort. Food, crafts and wine-tasting will be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday...
Animal Friends rescues 61 cats from Carnegie home
Animal Friends rescued 61 cats from a Carnegie home Tuesday night. The animal shelter said in a social media post that its mass rescue team took the cats to Animal Friends after rescuing them. “Since the cats arrived, our team has jumped into action to ensure that each of them...
Before Sid slid: All the ‘freaky things’ that happened in the 9th inning before Sid Bream’s infamous slide in 1992
With the anniversary of Game 7 of the 1992 National League Championship Series fast approaching, I reached out to former Pirates manager Jim Leyland. Not long after I sent a text message requesting a telephone interview, he called back. “Hi, Jim. Thanks for calling. I appreciate it.” “What are you...
Cranberry-based nuclear power company Westinghouse acquired by 2 Canadian companies
Westinghouse Electric Company, one of the largest nuclear power companies in the world, will be acquired by a Canadian consortium. Cameco Corp. and Brookfield Renewable Partners formed a partnership to acquire the Cranberry Township-headquartered company, which is valued at $7.8 billion. Westinghouse President and CEO Patrick Fragman said the acquisition...
Explainer: What’s next in the Parkland school shooter trial?
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The jurors who will decide whether Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz is sentenced to death or life without parole concluded their first day of deliberations Wednesday as the three-month trial nears its conclusion. Cruz, 24, pleaded guilty last year to the murders of 14 students and...
UN demands Russia reverse ‘illegal’ annexations in Ukraine
UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to condemn Russia’s “attempted illegal annexation” of four Ukrainian regions and demand its immediate reversal, a sign of strong global opposition to the seven-month war and Moscow’s attempt to grab its neighbor’s territory. The vote in the 193-member world body...
Boyfriend pleads guilty for intentional crash that left 4 trapped in overturned vehicle
Just before Jamar Freshley was escorted out of a Westmoreland County courtroom he turned to tell his girlfriend, “I love you.” Freshley, 33, of New Kensington, pleaded guilty Wednesday to aggravated assault and other offenses. Police said he slammed his car into the vehicle driven by his girlfriend last Oct....
Arrest made in fatal Penn Hills shooting
A man was shot to death on Oct. 12 in Penn Hills, Allegheny County Police reported. Police responded to a shooting around 3:20 p.m. along the 9000 block of Frankstown Road. First responders found a man who had been shot. He was dead at the scene. The victim was identified...
Jeannette’s Elliott Group touted as economic development model for state
Countries around the world have a piece of Jeannette. With few exceptions, the compressors, turbines and cryogenic pumps designed and manufactured at Elliott Group’s U.S. headquarters are shipped globally, a testament to the 110-year-old company’s ability to expand and adapt while keeping a talented workforce close to home, according to...
Environmentalists, elected officials want more done to keep sewage out of Pittsburgh rivers
Every year, 9 billion gallons of sewage overflow enters Pittsburgh’s three rivers, according to a new report from national group Environment America. Local officials acknowledge that Alcosan is working on a long-range plan that will greatly reduce that number, but they believe more can be done to ensure the region’s...
Explainer: U.S. set to announce huge jump in Social Security payments
NEW YORK — Tens of millions of older Americans are about to get what may be the biggest raise of their lifetimes. On Thursday, the U.S. government is set to announce how big a percentage increase Social Security beneficiaries will see in monthly payments this upcoming year. It’s virtually certain...
State officials: Bigfoot isn’t lurking in Pennsylvania parks and forests; fake flyers reported
Bigfoot or no Bigfoot, the state and a local paranormal researcher are not amused by fake flyers warning state park and forest visitors about the presence of the unconfirmed, yet hugely popular, hairy hominid creature. Because the fake flyers appear to use official state letterhead, the state doesn’t want the...
Alex Jones ordered to pay $965 million for Sandy Hook lies
WATERBURY, Conn. — The conspiracy theorist Alex Jones should pay $965 million to people who suffered from his false claim that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax, a jury in Connecticut decided Wednesday. The verdict is the second big judgment against the Infowars host over his relentless...
Short hikes offer the best views in peak Western Pennsylvania fall foliage season
The brightly colored leaves and earthy scent of autumn might best be taken in with your feet tucked inside a sturdy pair of shoes. Westmoreland County and the Laurel Highlands have plenty of spots for hiking amid tall deciduous trees with sun-dappled gold, orange and red leaves. But it can...
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald proposes 2023 budget with no tax hike
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald on Tuesday presented a proposed 2023 budget to county council that includes no property tax increase for county residents. This marks the 21st time in 22 years that the budget includes no property tax increase, he said. “I’m very proud of the fact that we...
Pittsburgh hosting Walk and Roll to School Day Wednesday to encourage walking, biking to school
Pittsburgh on Wednesday is hosting its biannual Walk and Roll to School Day, an event that encourages students to walk or bike to class. It’s part of the Safe Routes to School program, which aims to increase the number of students who walk or bike to school by offering education,...
Armed carjacking reported in Pittsburgh’s East Allegheny neighborhood
Police said they responded to an armed carjacking overnight in Pittsburgh’s East Allegheny neighborhood. Three juveniles approached a man in a vehicle along East Ohio Street around 12:40 a.m. Wednesday, according to Pittsburgh police. One of the juveniles showed a firearm and demanded the vehicle, police said. The suspects took...
Rick Cessar, longtime state representative from Etna, dies
Rick Cessar loved his hometown, and he loved public service. He combined those two passions throughout his working life, first serving as a police officer for 17 years in Etna, before being elected the community’s state representative, where he served for 24 years. “He was a great leader for Pittsburgh...
4 maps show where Pa. governor candidates Mastriano, Shapiro are getting big cash
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — Tens of millions of dollars from out-of-state donors and political action committees have poured into Pennsylvania to influence the...
Penn State officials criticize student group’s event featuring Proud Boys founder
Penn State University officials criticized a student organization’s plans to host an upcoming event with Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes. Student organization Uncensored America on Oct. 24 is scheduled to host McInnes and BlazeTV contributor Alex Stein’s “Stand Back & Stand By.” University officials on Tuesday released a statement criticizing...
