Megan Swift stories, Page 17
Fueled by anger and caffeine, 200 Starbucks workers strike in Pittsburgh area
In Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood on Tuesday, the sound of holiday songs filled the air outside the closed Starbucks at Forbes Avenue and Atwood Street. But the carolers weren’t fueled by holiday cheer. They were actually striking baristas from various stores in the Pittsburgh area demanding a union contract alongside their...
North Shore bars expect large Christmas Day crowds for Steelers game
Donavon Epps anticipates a busy Christmas Day on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. As front of house manager at Bar Louie, he said the Steelers’ 1 p.m. home game against the Kansas City Chiefs should bring in a good amount of fans — despite the holiday. Bar Louie will operate from 11...
Pittsburgh-area dry cleaners react to EPA chemicals ban
David Pratt felt relieved upon learning that the Environmental Protection Agency banned two known carcinogens used in consumer products and dry cleaning. Environmental advocates pushed for the banning of some of the chemicals for over 30 years, he said. Both have been used since the early 1900s. “It means that...
Penn State hotel prices soar ahead of home playoff game
The Penn State Nittany Lions take the field Saturday for the team’s first-ever playoff home game, and hotel prices are surging in the State College area. The Nittany Lions will play the Southern Methodist University Mustangs, a team that’s used to playing under sunny skies in Texas. Weather forecasts for...
Russia announces development of free cancer vaccine amid skepticism
Russia said it has developed a cancer vaccine that will be distributed to Russian patients for free starting in early 2025 — but the news has drawn skepticism. Andrey Kaprin, the general director of the Radiology Medical Research Center of the Russian Ministry of Health, announced the development on Dec....
Digital authorization required for Americans to travel to U.K. in 2025
Planning a trip to the United Kingdom in 2025? If so, you’ll need more than just a passport. Starting Jan. 8, American citizens will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization in order to enter the U.K., Time Magazine reported. “U.S. citizens transiting through or traveling to the United...
Millions of Stanley mugs recalled
Could your Stanley travel mug be dangerous? About 2.6 million of Stanley’s switchback and trigger action stainless steel travel mugs sold in the U.S. have been recalled due to a burn hazard, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The mugs’ lid threads can shrink when exposed to heat and...
LGBTQ landmark Brewers Bar gets new ownership in Lawrenceville
After being put up for sale this summer, Brewers Bar in Lawrenceville — Pittsburgh’s oldest gay bar — will remain intact with new ownership in 2025. Justin Beiter will be the face of the bar as a co-owner and operator. He said it will be rebranded, but it will remain...
Pittsburgh 4th in list of top cities for dating
If you’re single and looking to find love, Pittsburgh could be the city for you. The Steel City came in 4th place in a recent study ranking American cities based on “dating friendliness,” the New York Times reported. WalletHub compared 182 cities, including the 150 most populated cities and at...
St. Louis bakery embroiled in smiley cookies trademark dispute with Eat’n Park
Eat’n Park isn’t smiling over a St. Louis bakery producing a similarly named cookie. McArthur’s Bakery and The Pioneer Cafe in St. Louis, which employs adults with disabilities, has received a cease and desist letter from Pittsburgh-based restaurant chain Eat’n Park alleging trademark infringement over its popular Smiley Cookies. McArthur’s...
Annual Geminid meteor shower will hit peak soon
This weekend, the annual Geminid meteor shower will once again appear — with shooting stars streaking across the sky. It will peak Friday and Saturday under a nearly full moon, which will reduce visibility, but bright meteors may still be spotted in the days leading up to the peak, according...
Trump launches fragrance line featuring photo of Jill Biden
President-elect Donald Trump has launched a new fragrance line titled “Fight, Fight, Fight” — for men and women. Selling for $199 each, Trump announced the line on Sunday in a Truth Social post, USA Today reported. “A fragrance your enemies can’t resist!” the post reads, on top of a photo...
7 planets will align for viewing in early 2025
This January, the seven visible planets will align in the sky in a “planet parade.” The rare celestial event will start just before Jan. 21, with Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus lining up for several weeks, Business Today reported. People will be able to view Venus, Mars, Jupiter...
Pittsburgh Popcorn Company hit with health code violations
The Allegheny County Health Department issued 13 health code violations to the Pittsburgh Popcorn Company’s processing facility. According to the Food Safety Assessment Report, an inspection took place on Dec. 4 at the facility in the South Side Slopes. Out of 33 total food safety assessment and general sanitation categories...
Is there a future for TikTok in the U.S.?
The future of the popular social media app TikTok is growing murkier. A court ruling Friday indicates TikTok will be banned next year in the United States unless it’s sold before then — which is unlikely, according to experts. Jessica Ghilani, associate professor of communication and Cyber Institute Affiliate Scholar...
Robotic shorts could revolutionize walking for elderly, people with chronic illnesses
New robotic shorts could transform the way older adults and frail people walk. Designed to improve mobility and independence, the WalkON shorts were created to be worn over everyday clothes and could help those with chronic illnesses as well, the Washington Post reported. “A pouch-like harness goes around the waist...
Coca-Cola pivots climate goals away from reducing single-use plastic
The Coca-Cola Co. will no longer focus on reducing virgin and single-use plastic — and instead pivot its climate goals to focus more heavily on the use of recycled materials. By 2035, the company said it aims to increase the use of recycled plastic in packaging between 30%-35% and “help...
Family holds out hope as search continues for missing Unity woman at sinkhole site
More than 72 hours have passed since authorities believe Elizabeth Pollard vanished into a sinkhole above an abandoned mine in Unity, yet her family remains hopeful that she will be found alive. Her niece, Tabitha Pollard, relayed a message Thursday on behalf of Pollard’s husband and son. “They are still...
Unity residents concerned as recovery search for woman continues in abandoned mine
Chris Kondrich wasn’t shocked to learn a sinkhole had opened a street away from his Upper Marguerite home in Unity. A former firefighter and longtime hazardous materials volunteer, Kondrich said he has seen plenty of mine subsidence incidents. Kondrich lives on Lemmon Road, about a quarter-mile from where Elizabeth Pollard,...
‘Gilmore Girls’ stars reunite in Walmart ad, sparking fan debate
“Gilmore Girls” characters Luke and Lorelai have reunited for the first time since 2016 … in a new Walmart ad. Scott Patterson (Luke) and Lauren Graham (Lorelai) acted in the commercial alongside Sean Gunn as Kirk — set in the show’s iconic town square and Luke’s Diner. In the themed...
Small Business Saturday fosters community, local sales in Irwin
Small Business Saturday is Tracy Alaia’s favorite day of the year. “It’s so nice to see the community out and about supporting all of these great small businesses,” said Alaia, 52, of Level Green, who owns Feathers Gift Shop in Irwin. Created by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday...
Accident that tore off Clarion County man’s arm becomes life-changing journey
Seth Apel was 12 when his right arm was torn from his body in an unthinkable farming accident. Nine years later, he says the terrifying ordeal and the subsequent reattachment of his arm at a Pittsburgh hospital turned out to be one of the best days of his life. “My...
Andrew McCutchen joins Yinzgiving to prepare, deliver Thanksgiving meals
Andrew McCutchen will join 180 volunteers helping to package and deliver more than 2,000 Thanksgiving meals across Pittsburgh as part of an event called Yinzgiving. “It means a lot that we’re able to participate in something like this,” McCutchen told TribLive on Friday. “It’s giving; it’s helping; it’s being a...
Heinz ketchup tops NYT Wirecutter list
Get your fries ready — Heinz ketchup could be in high demand after topping the New York Times Wirecutter’s list of best ketchup. Heinz Tomato Ketchup took first place in the best classic ketchup category, with the denotation of “our favorite ketchup” on the list. It was compared to 13...
Lawrenceville restaurant hits OpenTable’s national top 100 list
Morcilla on Butler Street in Lawrenceville has been selected as part of OpenTable’s top 100 restaurants of 2024. The list is driven by diner reviews to determine the top restaurants across the country, according to OpenTable, and Morcilla was one of two chosen in Pennsylvania. The other was Saloon Restaurant...
