Megan Swift stories, Page 14
Ukrainian supporters rally in Pittsburgh after Trump’s contentious meeting with Zelenskyy
Monday’s lunch hour in Downtown Pittsburgh featured a sea of blue and yellow as rallygoers gathered on Grant Street to support Ukraine in the wake of President Donald Trump’s contentious meeting Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. Chants of “Ukrainians and Zelenskyy proud and true, the...
CDC estimates flu vaccine effectiveness as cases slam the region
This year’s flu vaccine has been effective overall against the current strains of the virus, despite cases and hospitalizations surging in the region, according to the latest federal data. About 54.9% of the influenza A H3N2 strains — which is causing about half of all cases this season — is...
FDA cancels key meeting to discuss flu vaccine, leaving some experts baffled
The flu vaccine’s future is murky after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration abruptly canceled its committee meeting to recommend the makeup of seasonal flu shots for the 2025-26 influenza season. Dr. Amesh Adalja, a Pittsburgh-based infectious disease physician and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security,...
Banana Republic on Walnut Street in Shadyside to close
The Banana Republic store on Walnut Street in Shadyside is set to close after being open for more than 30 years. Two signs posted in the store’s windows say “We’re Closing: March 2025.” A specific date has not been announced. The two-story store is located at 5542 Walnut St., at...
Trump Gaza AI video draws online pushback
Using an artificial intelligence video, President Donald Trump shared his proposals for the potential development of the war-torn Gaza Strip. The video was posted Tuesday evening on Truth Social and then on Instagram. The AI 33-second video depicts Trump as a golden statue, along with mini golden statues for sale,...
Pittsburgh Public Schools leaders recommend closing 14 schools
After years of discussion and potential closures, Pittsburgh Public Schools leaders this week released recommendations for the district’s restructuring — including the shuttering of 14 schools. Because of declining enrollment, underutilization and aging infrastructure, the feasibility report advised the district to close the following schools:Allegheny 6-8Arsenal PreK-5Fulton PreK-5King PreK-8Linden PreK-5Manchester...
Damage reported at U.S. Steel facility in Braddock, followed by increase in air pollution
An incident over the weekend at the Edgar Thomson Steel Works facility in Braddock resulted in damage to the building, described as a hole. U.S. Steel submitted a breakdown report to the Allegheny County Health Department, saying the incident occurred at 7 a.m. Sunday. It did not offer specific details...
Archers killed 199 deer as part of Pittsburgh culling program in parks
Nearly 200 deer were harvested as part of Pittsburgh’s deer management program over the 2024-25 archery season. A city harvest report said 92 of those deer were donated to local food banks, which provided 3,980 pounds of venison and 14,720 meals to residents. Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Safety said the...
Couple forced to sit next to dead body on airline flight to Italy
After a passenger died midway through a Qatar Airways flight, an Australian couple was forced to sit next to the corpse for the remainder of the trip. Mitchell Ring and Jennifer Colin were on their way to Venice, Italy, from Melbourne when a woman onboard their flight walked out of...
Penn State breaks THON fundraising record with over $17 million
For the first time ever, Penn State’s THON fundraising total surpassed $17 million raised in the fight against pediatric cancer. The IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon’s exact total was $17,737,040.93 — beating THON 2024’s record-breaking total of $16,955,683.63 by more than $780,000, the university announced Sunday. View this post on Instagram A...
Recent spate of plane crashes has made some travelers wary to fly
Nancy Philpot lost two of her former Westinghouse co-workers in the 1994 USAir Flight 427 crash near Hopewell, Beaver County, which killed all 132 passengers on board. Though she was initially hesitant to board an airplane once again, she eventually got over her fear. But after the past few weeks,...
Penn State will report incidents of hazing in alignment with Clery Act amendments
Penn State University is now notifying students in its messaging system about hazing incidents. The change was made in accordance with federal requirements — the newly enacted amendments to the Clery Act, the university said. The Clery Act requires colleges and universities to report campus crime data. Penn State said...
Western Pa. picked baby names Oliver, Olivia most in 2024
When it comes to baby names, the O’s have it. Across Allegheny Health Network in Western Pennsylvania, O names rose to the top of people’s lists in 2024 — specifically Oliver for boys and Olivia for girls. Across AHN’s maternity care units, those were the two most popular names given...
Probability of asteroid striking Earth highest ever recorded
The probability of an asteroid striking Earth on Dec. 22, 2032, has risen to the highest level ever recorded — 3.1%, the New York Times reported. Known as 2024 YR4, the space rock was first detected in December, and it’s between 130 to 300 feet long, according to the Times....
Trader Joe’s popular mini cooler bags are back
Forget the Trader Joe’s mini tote bags — the viral mini cooler bags are back in stock. Available in a two-toned pink and a lilac and black combo for $3.99, the 1.5-gallon mini cooler bags previously have come in red, green, orange, yellow and blue, according to Taste of Home....
Elderberry remedy: Is there any true homeopathic flu antidote?
Sick with the cold or flu and symptoms seem everlasting? With flu cases running rampant, it’s no surprise that Americans turn to alternative remedies to try and feel better in a pinch. However, not all methods work, according to experts. Lately, people have been drinking herbal supplements like elderberry as...
Penn State football ticket, parking prices set to increase
The cost of Penn State football season tickets and parking passes are rising next season — the result of a new fee. Fees will be added to sports tickets, parking and concessions as part of the new Legacy Fund campaign to raise money for scholarships and facilities, the team announced,...
Elon Musk’s son X causes stir in Oval Office with Trump
After Elon Musk’s 4-year-old son — X Æ A-Xii, known as X — made an appearance in the Oval Office Tuesday with his dad and President Donald Trump, videos of the child’s antics have gone viral online. X stole the show from Trump and Musk’s first public comments in front...
Duolingo reveals owl mascot killed by cybertruck
After killing off its star mascot — Duo the owl — Duolingo provided answers Wednesday behind the sudden death. On Wednesday morning, Duolingo posted on social media that officials have identified Duo’s cause of death after singer Dua Lipa posted about the devastating news. UPDATE: Officials have identified cause of...
‘Unbelievable’: Marc Fogel’s mother celebrates son’s release from Russian prisonVideo
When Malphine Fogel heard the words, she felt dizzy. She took a seat and tried to collect herself. Her son, Marc Fogel, was on the other end of a phone line in Moscow. He was coming home from a Russian prison after more than three years. “He said, ‘I’m waiting...
Duolingo’s owl mascot dead, company says
Duolingo has announced that its mascot — the iconic owl Duo — is dead. The Pittsburgh-based language learning app told the public the news via an “important message” on its social media pages. an important message from Duolingo pic.twitter.com/jTTT680yVs— Duolingo (@duolingo) February 11, 2025 “Authorities are currently investigating his cause...
Some canned tuna recalled in Pennsylvania due to risk of foodborne illness
Do you eat canned tuna? It might be a good idea to check your stash of products at home. Tri-Union Seafoods issued a recall of select Genova, Van Camp’s, H-E-B and Trader Joe’s tuna cans due to potential foodborne illness — and products in Pennsylvania at Trader Joe’s, Walmart and...
Ye’s website sold swastika T-shirts before being taken down
After rapper and designer Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, bought a local TV ad during the Super Bowl, people realized it promoted his website that was selling just one product — T-shirts with swastikas. The symbol of Nazi Germany, which is still used by modern-day far-right extremists, appeared in...
Last Downtown homeless encampment closed; city and county officials cite success at resettlement
The last Downtown Pittsburgh homeless encampment — on the Eliza Furnace Trail — has been closed as of Monday, city and county officials said. People experiencing homelessness who used to reside there have been transitioned into more stable housing as recently as this past weekend. They were part of the...
Altius, Monterey Bay among top 100 most romantic restaurants in country
If you’re looking for a romantic spot to take your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day, look no further than Pittsburgh’s Mount Washington. Both Altius and Monterey Bay Fish Grotto made the latest OpenTable ranking of the top 100 most romantic restaurants in the United States. Altius, which is rated 4.9 stars...
