Megan Swift stories, Page 27
Pittsburgh Pride weekend sets attendance record
Pride weekend in Pittsburgh set a new attendance record — over 260,000 people, officials said. The parade itself saw over 103,000 of those attendees, said Jim Sheppard, co-chair of the Pittsburgh Pride Parade and co-creator of QBurgh, Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ news source. “We worked with a crowd control and security consulting...
Trump joins TikTok: Which other politicians are on the platform?
After attempting to ban TikTok from the White House, former President Donald Trump created an account — just days after he was found guilty on all 34 felony counts in a hush money trial. His page, @realdonaldtrump, has 5.1 million followers as of Tuesday, and his first and only video...
Activist Richard Parsakian named Pittsburgh Pride Parade grand marshal
For Richard Parsakian, a queer activist and artist in Pittsburgh, Pride is a celebration. “I feel like it’s an expression for us to acknowledge that we are still here — we are part of everybody’s life,” he said. He’s been marching in the Pride parade for more than 25 years....
U.S. Steel-Nippon merger receives foreign regulatory approval
All regulatory approvals outside of the U.S. related to the proposed merger of U.S. Steel and Japan’s Nippon Steel have been approved, the companies announced Thursday. The $14.9 billion merger deal was approved by 99% of U.S. Steel’s voting shareholders on April 12. The companies said the regulatory approvals were...
The Peach Truck brings fresh fruit to Pittsburgh this summer
The Peach Truck is coming to Pittsburgh this summer — and with it, a plethora of fresh, handpicked peaches. Based out of Nashville, Tenn., The Peach Truck usually stops at various locations around the country, said Joanna Mariani, vice president of marketing. It will be parked in the Pittsburgh area...
Here’s where you can celebrate Pride in Western Pennsylvania this June
LGBTQ Pride Month is almost here, and with it, numerous events and festivals are coming to Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. The yearly, monthlong celebration in June honors the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, which was a tipping point in the Gay Liberation Movement, according to the Library of Congress....
9 new recruits join Westmoreland County Young Marines
Nine new recruits recently joined the Westmoreland County Young Marines — bringing the local group’s total to an even dozen. Though some may assume the group is a pipeline to the United States Marine Corps, Eric Friez, unit commander for the Westmoreland County Young Marines, said it’s unaffiliated. The program...
Casey steers $1M in federal funds to antisemitism fight at Tree of Life synagogue
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey announced Friday that the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill will receive $1 million in federal funding to help combat antisemitism through education. “I’m just so grateful that Tree of Life has embarked on this ambitious and noble project,” Casey said during a press conference...
Ex-Faison teacher tells jury he did not sexually assault student
A former Pittsburgh Public Schools elementary school teacher charged with sexually assaulting a student in a classroom denied the allegations Thursday while testifying in his own defense at trial. Asked by his attorney, Blaine Jones, if he committed the crimes of which he is accused, James Ziegler replied, “Absolutely not.”...
Pittsburgh region nears record high temperatures
Temperatures are running higher than normal in the Pittsburgh region. “High temperatures since the weekend have been in the 80s,” said WTAE meteorologist Jill Szwed. “Normal high temperatures for the end of May are in the low/mid 70s.” Szwed said currently, the Pittsburgh area is running 10 to 15 degrees...
Shake Shack opens Pittsburgh location, 2 more in the works
Emily Spooner turned 24 Monday. To celebrate her birthday, she headed to Shake Shack’s official opening day in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. The New York-based popular chain is known for its burgers, crinkle-cut fries and desserts including custards and milkshakes. Pittsburgh’s new location will also serve beer and wine. Originally from...
Steelers fans anticipate Christmas game against Chiefs, speculate on Taylor Swift
Vern Hess welcomed news that the Steelers will play on Christmas Day this year. After the NFL schedule was released the Steelers fanbase had mixed reactions — and many weren’t positive. The team does not play a divisional game until Nov. 17 and opens the season with three out of...
Stuntpig parks food truck for permanent shop in Squirrel Hill
Stuntpig has announced it is trading in its food truck wheels for a more permanent location — a sandwich shop in Squirrel Hill. The announcement came this week on the food truck’s social media pages, eliciting many reactions from excited Pittsburghers. The shop will be located at the former Bull...
Furries snatch up hotel rooms within minutes for Pittsburgh convention
This summer’s furry convention in Pittsburgh — Anthrocon 2024 — is expected to be as big as ever, attracting potentially over 14,000 attendees to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. VisitPittsburgh said the hotel room block earmarked for Anthrocon guests sold out within 12 minutes after registration opened. Every summer,...
Social media reacts to upcoming Biden-Trump presidential debate
It’s official — President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have agreed to take the debate stage together, and their first matchup is coming soon. The Associated Press reported Wednesday that the two presidential candidates agreed to hold two campaign debates in June and September, and the first will...
Canadian wildfires pose threat of smoke to Western Pa. once again
Pennsylvania skies could be clouded by wildfire smoke again this summer, according to meteorologists. Canada’s wildfire season has begun, and air quality alerts have spread across the United States. Air quality alerts are in effect across northern Iowa, and as the smoke spread southward and eastward Monday, parts of Minnesota...
If it seems like more tornadoes are striking Western Pa. — they are
A spate of tornadoes have spun up in Western Pennsylvania with unprecedented frequency this spring. The National Weather Service in Moon’s coverage area, which includes Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and Northern West Virginia, has already seen 14 tornadoes in 2024, which is more than double the annual average of six...
Show’s over for northern lights in Western Pennsylvania
The northern lights put on a show over the weekend in Western Pennsylvania — but that could be the end of it. Shannon Hefferan, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Moon, said as of now, there’s nothing projected around here in the future. Late Friday and early Saturday, residents...
New sushi to-go restaurant to open in Bakery Square
Golden Gai, a to-go sushi restaurant, has announced its grand opening day — May 28 — in Bakery Square. Its intention is to bring the taste of Japan to Pittsburgh’s East End and redefine the authentic sushi experience. Golden Gai To-Go will just be a sneak peek of what’s to...
Galley Group takes over Mindful Brewing Company in Castle Shannon
Mindful Brewing Company in Castle Shannon will soon have a new name: Chimera Brewing. Galley Group announced on Mindful Brewing’s Facebook page Friday that it is the new owner of the brewing company located on Library Road. The Facebook post garnered more than 370 likes and hearts within the first...
American river otter returns to Pa. watershed after 100-year absence
An American river otter has been spotted in the Ridley Creek watershed after more than a century of absence. Ridley Creek is a tributary of the Delaware River in Chester and Delaware counties near Philadelphia. The otters have returned to the headwaters of the creek in southeastern Chester County. “This...
‘Oh, Baby!’: Millie’s ice cream flavor celebrates Mother’s Day, women’s health
Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream has unveiled a new flavor just in time for Mother’s Day. Partnering with Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation, a portion of sales from the “Oh, Baby!” flavor will fund women’s health research. This collaboration celebrates motherhood and highlights the need for advancements in women’s healthcare. It...
Met Gala draws reactions from fashion enthusiasts online
Fashion’s biggest show — the Met Gala — was Monday night, and per usual, social media users have a lot to say about this year’s red carpet looks. The gala, for which invite-only tickets cost $75,000, took place at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, and this year’s theme...
‘Questioning my whole existence’: Runners reflect after Pittsburgh Marathon weekend
The last time Nate Platt ran anything was in elementary school in the late 1980s. Over the weekend, he completed his first 5K race. Platt and over 42,000 other participants have been reflecting on their experiences and recovering after the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend. The 5K race was...
‘You just gotta go through it’: Pittsburgh marathoners prepare for mental, physical test
For Ron Brown, waiting for marathon day is like waiting for Christmas morning: Sunday will be his 60th time racing all 26.2 miles. “You get apprehensive,” said Brown, 55, of West Deer, days before the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon. “But once you get across that starting line, that goes...
