Top Local and National News Stories
Iron City Distilling revives more than 100-year-old barrel for new whiskey release
Folks can take a sip of Iron City history when they drink a new rye whiskey set for release in mid-June. Old Faithful, a single barrel rye available June 14 from Iron City Distilling, is a limited-edition finished rye whiskey that merges Western Pennsylvania’s history in brewing and its future...
Data center developers plan to return to Springdale for open house in early June
About six months after Springdale Council approved a conditional-use application for a massive data center in the borough, developers are planning on returning for an open house aimed at engaging residents. The meeting is set to take place from 5 to 8 p.m. June 10 in the Springdale Borough Building...
Jeeps assemble at Lower Burrell Veterans of Foreign Wars post for annual show
The weather was just ducky for an annual Jeep show in Lower Burrell on Sunday. But as common a sight as little rubber ducks are on Jeeps, they’re not likely to be found on the 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sahara that was the pride of Marine Corps Sgt. Vinson A. Pelisari...
Mammoth Fest lives up to name with food, rides and entertainment
Markus McGowan brought his family to the carnival-like Mammoth Fest in Mt. Pleasant for the first time Sunday. It won’t be the last, the Jeannette resident said. “I love it,” he said. “The rides, games, food — everything is great.” Sponsored by Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation, the event in...
Joe Negri, jazz guitar virtuoso and Mr. Rogers’ ‘Handyman,’ dies at nearly 100Video
Joe Negri, one of America’s best jazz guitarists and a key part of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” died Saturday, just days short of turning 100. Lisa Negri, his oldest daughter, said that her father died of natural causes. He and his family, along with many in Pittsburgh’s music world, were preparing...
Ex-VP Mike Pence calls Trump’s $1.8 billion fund ‘deeply offensive’Video
Former Vice President Mike Pence said it’s “deeply offensive” that a new $1.8 billion settlement fund created by the Trump administration to resolve the president’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service could be used to pay participants of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The Justice Department said the fund...
Police investigating after man found dead in Squirrel Hill parking lot
A man is dead after Pittsburgh Police said he appeared to be run over by a vehicle in a Squirrel Hill parking lot early Sunday. Officers responded at about 4:30 a.m. to the 5700 block of Forward Avenue, where they located an unresponsive man on the ground. He was pronounced...
Man killed after dirt bike collides with PRT bus in Homewood
A man was killed Saturday after his dirt bike collided with a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus in the city’s Homewood section, authorities said. The victim was identified by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office as Deshawn Davis, 33, of Pittsburgh. Emergency crews were called just before 6 p.m. to the...
Editorial: Preserving humanity amid AI revolution
Artificial intelligence seems to have found its way into almost everything. Schools are trying to balance using it in some areas while weeding it out in others. Some universities are returning to handwritten blue book exams to ensure original thought. Others are using artificial intelligence to screen assignments for signs...
Trail organizers prep for summer seasonVideo
As spring turns over into summer, walking trails all across Southwestern Pennsylvania will see more activity, and not just from folks looking to get some exercise. Nonprofit groups and volunteers regularly seek grants and funding to maintain, improve and host community events along those trails. In Murrysville, Westmoreland Heritage Trail...
SummerSounds outdoor concert series returns to Greensburg for 25th season
SummerSounds, a cherished outdoor concert series, will return Friday to St. Clair Park in Greensburg. “There’s no question we’re the best outdoor venue in Western Pennsylvania,” said Gene James, co-founder and board chairman of the nonprofit that manages the festival. The first headliner of the season is psychedelic indie funk...
Meteor over Massachusetts causes explosion reports, sightings from Delaware to MontrealVideo
Reports of an explosion from people across New England Saturday afternoon sent police agencies and others scrambling to understand what caused a double boom that shook buildings in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The American Meteor Society said that the booms heard about 2:30 p.m. were actually caused by a meteor...
Opponents of Springdale data center pin hopes on Allegheny County oversightVideo
The fight against a data center to be built at the site of a former power plant in Springdale isn’t over, says an organizer of a protest that drew participants from within and outside the borough Saturday. Although borough council in December approved Allegheny DC Property’s application to build a...
Busy offseason helps prep pools for summer
Pool season is finally underway after a being stalled by Mother Nature, and, for some, the extra time was necessary to prepare facilities for summertime fun. Major renovations and routine maintenance made for a busy offseason for pool crews from Vandergrift to Penn Hills to Murrysville. Sia Fouse, pool manager...
Rumors of gathering at Kennywood spur chaperone policy to be in effect all day Saturday
Kennywood is trying to stay one step ahead of any disruptions at the park. A chaperone policy — which mandates guests 17 and younger be accompanied by an adult after 4 p.m. — is in effect all day Saturday. Kennywood officials posted to Facebook that the action was necessary because...
Mother-daughter team pours on the hospitality at Pittsburgh’s Original Oyster House
A spunky mother/daughter duo remains dedicated to operating one of Pittsburgh’s most historic establishments. Original Oyster House co-owners Renee Grippo, whose nickname is “Mrs. G,” and daughter Jen Grippo are the female leadership team behind the pearl of a pub famous for its mostly fried seafood — oysters, fish sandwiches,...
From the Alle-Kiski Valley to Harrisburg, residents advocate for solutions to the ‘affordability crisis’
Jocelyn Burns retired to New Kensington in 2017 because it was cheaper than living in Montgomery County, Md., where she built a career as a nurse. The move, however, didn’t protect her from what many are calling an “affordability crisis” in the country. It started with unexpected repairs to her...
West Deer nurse says diabetic alert dog, Linus, works faster than electronic sensor to manage disease
UPMC St. Margaret hospital nurse Randy Crim often is mistaken for a volunteer because of his 70-pound companion, a silver Labrador retriever named Linus. “When I walk into a patient’s room, they think he’s a therapy dog,” Crim said. Linus plops at Crim’s feet and enjoys the attention, at the...
Wilkinsburg refuses to divulge information about officer who killed resident
Asia Peterson frantically bolted from her Wilkinsburg apartment Tuesday afternoon when she heard her neighbor screaming several houses away on Ross Avenue. Once she saw Johnathan Simmons walking around a police SUV with a gun in his hand, she panicked. “I just kept screaming at him,” Peterson, 30, told TribLive,...
Fox Chapel woman’s battle with melanoma included immunotherapy
Christy Redican grew up in Connecticut, spending summers sailing and playing tennis. “I was a sun worshipper,” she said. “I did all the things you’re not supposed to do. I have fair skin, blonde hair and light eyes. I burned a lot.” Redican, 58, now of Fox Chapel, thought she...
In a Heartbeat: Dr. Kelsie Vander Voort talks the importance of physical therapy
The issue Despite physical therapy being a foundational piece of healthcare in terms of rehabilitating the body following numerous types of injury and surgery, a study published in the National Library of Medicine in 2022 revealed that only 43% of patients with lower back pain fully adhered to their prescribed...
Here’s where Pittsburgh Public Schools goes after closure, realignment decision
Public school closures in Pittsburgh are a microcosm of the financial, enrollment and infrastructure challenges facing urban districts nationwide. “Pittsburgh is consistent with districts around the country in terms of changes with enrollment and investigating the district budget as revenues have changed,” said Ray Hart, executive director of Council of...
Offbeat Pittsburgh: Dancing security guard at Bakery Square is viral sensation
At a busy East End parking lot, traffic flows to the rhythm of dance moves, smiles and trending TikTok songs. Bakery Square security guard Edwin “Gator” Peoples dances his way through his workday — and has become a viral sensation. He towers at 6 feet 5 inches and loves to...
Rethinking reading: All schools are required to adopt ‘structured literacy.’ Here’s what teachers already using it say
No one was a greater skeptic than Martin Elementary kindergarten teacher Alissa Szewczak when New Kensington-Arnold administrators announced the district would switch reading curriculums. Two years into using the program, Szewczak’s doubts have evaporated, as she has watched students demonstrate marked improvements in reading and writing. Now, the state Department...
Pittsburgh’s skyline has become home to the once endangered peregrine falcon
A mother peregrine falcon named Carla circled above the Cathedral of Learning on the University of Pittsburgh campus, briefly landing near its towering windows before launching back into the air. With a wingspan of more than 3 feet, she darted around the building’s familiar perch, watching closely. Behind the 40th-floor...
