Here’s a look at the top stories across the region from the past week.
‘Widespread’ flu outbreak
Of the 4,424 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza have been reported in Pennsylvania, more than half are in the Greater Pittsburgh area, according to data the state Department of Health.
Seven counties in Greater Pittsburgh area — Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland — account for 2,330 of the cases, or 53%. Allegheny County is leading the state with 28% of cases at 1,223 for the week ending Dec. 7, up 84% from the 665 cases reported by the week ending Nov. 30.
Pittsburgh councilwoman sues the city
Pittsburgh City Councilwoman Darlene Harris on Wednesday sued the city, Mayor Bill Peduto and the Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board, contending the city illegally fined her for failing to file campaign finance reports with the ethics board during the spring primary.
The board in September fined Harris, 66, of Spring Hill $4,150, alleging she failed to comply with an ordinance requiring candidates for city offices to file financial disclosure reports with the board by the first business day in each of the three months prior to the election.
Harris contends the ordinance is unconstitutional and has refused to pay that fine and a second one the board levied for $1,000 in 2017 after her unsuccessful campaign for mayor.
FNB announces plans for former Civic Arena site
First National Bank announced plans Thursday to anchor the Penguins’ long-awaited development in Pittsburgh’s Lower Hill District with a 24-story, $200 million office tower that will include its corporate headquarters, first-floor shops and a state-of-the-art FNB branch.
FNB Financial Center, planned for the corner of Washington Place and Bedford Avenue, includes more than 387,000 square feet of Class A office space, more than 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space and a two-story parking garage.
Massage parlor chief admits to human trafficking
A Chinese native who state prosecutors said operated a string of local massage parlors that were fronts for prostitution pleaded guilty Thursday to human trafficking offenses. Hui Xu, 45, also known as Sherry Caruso of Mt. Pleasant, operated four Tokyo Massage Parlors in Murrysville, Delmont and Monroeville, where police said workers performed sex acts for clients.
