Top Local and National News Stories
Despite a significant tax increase, Allegheny County faces continued budget issues
Allegheny County’s Acting Controller Amy Weise Clements warns that the county’s recent property tax increase has provided only temporary financial relief and that rising costs, the end of federal pandemic aid and continued spending growth could make it difficult to balance a budget in the years ahead. In the Controller’s...
Butcher and the Rye to reopen in Downtown Pittsburgh
A Downtown restaurant and whiskey joint no longer needs one poured out in its memory. Butcher and the Rye is slated to re-open on Sixth Street in the Cultural District on July 8, when it will offer hundreds of whiskey varieties from around the world once more. Chef Richard DeShantz...
Pentagon policy illegally banned transgender troops from military service, appeals court panel rules
WASHINGTON — A Trump administration policy illegally banned transgender troops from military service, a divided panel of federal appeal court judges ruled on Monday. The majority opinion by a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia circuit upholds a March 2025 ruling by U.S....
Pittsburgh Fire Chief Darryl Jones placed on administrative leave
Pittsburgh Fire Chief Darryl Jones is on paid administrative leave, a public safety spokeswoman said Monday. The administrative leave is “pending the outcome of an internal review,” public safety spokeswoman Emily Bourne said in a written statement. “Beyond that, we cannot comment on personnel matters,” she said. Jones hung up...
Witness disappearance forces delay in New Kensington murder trial
The trial of a man accused in what prosecutors characterized as a New Kensington revenge killing was postponed Monday because a key witness could not be located. Jury selection for Larry Osborn Nix II, 47, of West Brownsville, Washington County, was scheduled to get underway in Westmoreland County court. Instead,...
Homewood man vows appeal of 1st-degree murder conviction
A Homewood man ordered to serve the rest of his life in prison on Monday said he will appeal. “I didn’t get a fair trial,” Preslin Turner told the judge during his sentencing hearing. “The system failed.” A jury in March found Turner guilty of first-degree murder in the death...
Fines begin Friday for those caught holding cell phones while driving
The grace period is almost over. Starting Friday, police can begin issuing fines for drivers caught holding their cellphones while on the road. Paul Miller’s Law was signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro last year but contained a proviso that police could issue only warnings for the first year the law...
State police investigate scam targeting South Huntingdon woman
State police are investigating a scam that netted about $154,000 from an elderly South Huntingdon woman. Troopers said the theft by deception happened last week. No charges had been filed. Police did not say in a news release how the scam happened. Messages left with the investigating trooper and public...
Nonprofit withdraws controversial plan to house federal inmates in Pittsburgh
A nonprofit that had proposed opening a custodial care home housing about 100 federal inmates in Pittsburgh’s Banksville neighborhood has withdrawn its application. Councilwoman Kim Salinetro, who represents the area, in a social media post said her office was notified last week that Louisville, Ky.-based Dismas Charities was not moving...
Iron City Distilling revives more than 100-year-old barrel for new whiskey releaseVideo
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 showVideo
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 entertainmentVideo
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 HouseVideo
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,...
