Megan Swift stories, Page 23
$1M anonymous donation funds UPMC Western Psych unit renovation
The Adult Trauma Recovery Unit of UPMC’s Western Psychiatric Hospital has been renovated with murals and supplies after receiving $1 million from an anonymous donor. Now called the Zoe Atrium, the unit on the 13th floor features new welcoming spaces, books, magazines and board games, new flooring and murals in...
Co-chair of Black journalists convention steps down after Trump appearance announced
The co-chair of the National Association of Black Journalists 2024 convention in Chicago has stepped down, following former President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would attend the convention. Karen Attiah’s announcement came via the social media platform X — after Trump’s announcement that he would attend the convention and participate...
Irish singer Hozier brings woodsy rhythms to Pavilion at Star Lake
Hozier brought the rhythm and blues to his sold-out Unreal Unearth Tour stop Monday night at the Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown. The Irish singer opened his concert with “De Selby (Part 1)” and “De Selby (Part 2).” Both featured imagery of tiny blue lights like rain in the...
Mattel releases new ‘Blind Barbie’ doll
Mattel launched the first ever blind Barbie this week in partnership with the American Foundation for the Blind. The new doll comes with a red-and-white cane, sunglasses that provide additional eye protection for individuals who may be sensitive to light and a slightly upward-looking gaze that blind people may have,...
Paris Olympics athletes post fit checks, cardboard beds on social media
Though the 2024 Paris Olympics presents an opportunity for athletes to show what they’re made of on the international summer sports stage — it also gives them a chance to give social media followers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the games. Four-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles shared a photo of...
Social media users call for Netflix boycott after co-founder’s donation to Kamala Harris’ campaign
Netflix is facing online backlash following the $7 million donation its co-founder Reed Hastings made toward Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential election campaign, Variety reported. Hastings co-founded Netflix in 1997 and served as CEO for 25 years before stepping down, according to Variety, and this is the largest single campaign...
Listeria outbreak linked to deli meat includes Pennsylvania
A listeria outbreak linked to deli meat has affected 12 states — including Pennsylvania, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Two people have died, and there have been at least 28 people infected, the CDC said. No recalls have been issued. “Investigators are collecting information to determine...
Plum man discharged from hospital after Trump shooting
A Plum man wounded during a shooting at a Donald Trump rally in Butler County was discharged from a hospital Wednesday, officials said. Allegheny Health Network released an update Wednesday on both patients being treated at Pittsburgh’s Allegheny General Hospital following the shooting at the former president’s July 13 campaign...
Rockaway Pizzeria moving to Regent Square
Rockaway Pizzeria is set to move from White Oak to Regent Square this fall. Corbin Waligura, manager of Rockaway Pizzeria, confirmed that the move will take place in October. The pizzeria will move into the former Square Cafe space on South Braddock Avenue across from Hemlock House, which is under...
Video released by lawmaker shows aftermath of Trump rally shooting
Bodycam footage of local law enforcement officers and U.S. Secret Service personnel responding to the scene of the shooter at the Trump campaign rally in Butler County has been released by Sen. Chuck Grassley. The footage shows officers gathering facts and recapping the timeline leading up to the Crooks’ attempt...
Peppi’s diner building set for demolition in Point Breeze
Peppi’s Old Tyme Sandwich Shop in Point Breeze is set to be demolished next month following its closure in June. Owner Lou Bosser said an offer was made for the property that was “too good to be true.” The Strip District and North Side shops remain open. “(The) offer had...
What is brat? Vice President Kamala Harris embraces ‘brat summer’ trendVideo
It’s a “brat summer,” according to social media. But what exactly IS brat? And why is Vice President Kamala Harris involved? The trend is inspired by British pop star Charli XCX’s album “Brat,” which was released on June 7 and features a neon lime green cover with the word “brat”...
Donald Trump? Kamala Harris? Josh Shapiro? What are the odds?
After President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 election and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take on Trump for president, Harris claimed the top Democratic spot in the betting market, USA Today reported. The betting odds began to move toward Harris after Biden’s covid-19 diagnosis on Wednesday, according...
Bark in the Boro Pet Fair returns to Ligonier for 3rd year
Pet vendors will line Main Street in Ligonier this August for the annual Bark in the Boro Pet Fair. Ligonier Paws On Main Street, a locally owned store for pet lovers, will host the fair for the third year in partnership with the Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce. From noon...
Storm chasers gather for ‘Twisters’ premiere, meet-and-greet at Evergreen Drive-In
Countless cars lined up outside of the Evergreen Drive-In Theater in East Huntingdon Friday night for the “Twisters” movie premiere and “Meet The Storm Chasers Night.” “Twisters” is the movie sequel to the 1996 blockbuster hit, “Twister.” Starring Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Anthony Ramos, the sequel scored a 79%...
‘Tornado Alley’ shifts east. What does it mean for Western Pa.?
“Tornado Alley” has shifted east, but what does it mean for Western Pennsylvania? Not much, according to meteorologists. The Weather Channel said a new study found that the most active tornado corridor in the United States — known as “Tornado Alley” — has changed in recent decades, and tornadoes are...
Ear bandages become fashion trend for Trump supporters
Ear bandages are now in style for the Republican Party — following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during his campaign rally Saturday in Butler County. The shooting left Trump with a white square bandage on his right ear after he was treated at Butler Memorial Hospital, and...
Medical conditions upgraded for men wounded at Trump rally
The two men wounded during the shooting at the Trump rally Saturday in Butler County have been upgraded from critical to serious condition, hospital officials said Wednesday. James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon and David Dutch, 57, of Plum are being treated at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. “The Copenhaver family...
Man wounded at Trump rally shooting recovering from ‘life-altering’ injuries, family says
James Copenhaver is recovering from “life-altering injuries” after being shot at the Trump rally in Butler County, his family said in a statement Tuesday. Copenhaver is one of two Southwestern Pennsylvania residents being treated at Pittsburgh’s Allegheny General Hospital following the shooting. Marine veteran David Dutch, 57, of Plum also...
Vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance breaks ‘beard barrier’ in U.S. politics
If former President Donald Trump and newly minted running mate U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance are elected this fall, Vance would become the first vice president with a full beard in over a century. Trump chose Vance, of Ohio, on Monday. Vance is a 39-year-old Republican in his first term in...
Corey Comperatore’s widow takes call from Trump; report says she turned down call from Biden
Helen Comperatore, the widow of Corey Comperatore — the volunteer firefighter who was killed during the attempted assassination at Donald Trump’s rally in Butler County — announced via social media she spoke with the former president. She said via Facebook that Trump offered his condolences. “He was very kind and...
‘This stands out for us,’ Butler Memorial Hospital president says of treating Trump after shooting
Butler Memorial Hospital’s president was at a bridal shower when President Donald Trump was shot at a loal campaign rally. Karen Allen left the shower and rushed to Butler Memorial. Her colleagues were treating Trump. The hospital was locked down “Nobody was allowed to come in — nobody was allowed...
New footage shows suspect on roof before shooting at Trump rally
CNN has released footage that shows civilians spotting a gunman on the roof of a building before the shooting at a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump in Butler County. As seen in the video, Trump rally attendees noticed the gunman on the roof, and it shows what appears...
‘Twisters’ sequel receives higher Rotten Tomatoes score than original
“Twisters,” the sequel to the 1996 thriller “Twister,” is set to debut in theaters on July 19 — and it looks to be better than the original if Rotten Tomatoes rankings are to be trusted. Starring Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Anthony Ramos, the sequel scored a 79% on Rotten...
Pitt raises in-state tuition on its main campus by 2%
Tuition for in-state undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Pittsburgh will rise 2% for the upcoming academic year. Tuition will be held flat at regional campuses. The rates were announced as part of Pitt’s $3.2 billion operating budget and $265.2 million capital budget for fiscal year 2025, which...
