Megan Swift stories, Page 29
Super Bowl creates social media meme frenzy with Taylor, Kelce, Reid, Usher
Though the Super Bowl is over, the memes and commentary on social media haven’t stopped. By opening X, formerly known as Twitter, users will come across a flood of various posts. The Super Bowl game went into overtime between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. The Chiefs emerged...
Taylor Swift fans in region gear up for Swiftie-themed Super Bowl parties
Bianca Bodde plans a Swiftie twist to her Super Bowl party decorations this weekend. Fans of Taylor Swift — Swifties for short — are prepared to show up in full force with themed gatherings to watch the Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers this Super Bowl Sunday....
Valentine’s Day gift ideas for any budget
Are you struggling to decide what to give your partner this Valentine’s Day? Here’s a list of ideas for any budget to help get you started: 1. Sweet treats or food You can’t go wrong if you buy your significant other their favorite candy — or snacks for those who...
‘Cocaine Bear’ or serious threat? Florida legislator warns of bears ‘on crack’
If House Bill 87 called “Taking of Bears” passes in Florida, the state’s bear population could be in danger. Republican state Rep. Jason Shoaf wants Florida to loosen regulations on the killing of wildlife, as he claims black bears that are high on crack are breaking into people’s homes and...
Social media platform Bluesky takes aim at Elon Musk’s X
The social media platform Bluesky has opened to the public and could compete with X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, and Meta’s Threads. Bluesky offers users a place to post texts and images that show up on a feed — similar to the interface of X and Threads. The...
Madonna electrifies with theatrics in Pittsburgh ‘Celebration’ stop
Madonna certainly brought electricity to Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena on Monday night in her “Celebration Tour.” The “Queen of Pop” performed a repertoire spanning her over-40-year career — all while sporting a knee brace. She kicked things off with “Nothing Really Matters” after a slideshow of pictures of her life...
Deepfake images continue to cloud social media. Can they be stopped?
Ari Lightman admits he probably would fall for a deepfake. “I cannot spot a deepfake,” he said. That might be considered alarming, as Lightman is a Carnegie Mellon University professor of digital media and marketing who teaches classes measuring the impact of emerging technologies. Yet even he says he is...
No shadow! Punxsutawney Phil predicts early springVideo
Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow Friday morning and delivered the news the crowd was hoping for: no shadow and an early spring. Upon the announcement, a loud cheer burst from the thousands gathered around Gobbler’s Knob for the annual Groundhog Day prediction. The groundhog club said this year might...
5 things to know about Groundhog Day
Early spring or dark, cold winter? Either way, it’s a party in Punxsutawney. The countdown is on for Groundhog Day at Gobbler’s Knob. The age-old question of whether Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow will be revealed early Friday in front of a crowd of thousands from near and far....
Popular TikTok music pulled in contract dispute
If you were scrolling on TikTok Wednesday night and noticed that certain songs from popular artists like Taylor Swift have disappeared from videos, you weren’t alone. Universal Music group said it would stop licensing its songs to TikTok if the two companies could not reach a new deal, as reported...
5 things to know ahead of Madonna’s Pittsburgh concert
The “Queen of Pop” is coming to Pittsburgh Monday night for the “Celebration Tour.” Madonna, the 65-year-old singer, songwriter and actress, was initially set to perform at PPG Paints Arena on Aug. 7, 2023, but then her concert was postponed. Here are five things you need to know ahead of...
Viral ‘sleepy girl mocktail’ promises improved night’s rest. Does it work?
If you’re having trouble falling asleep, some TikTok users argue there’s an elixir called the “sleepy girl mocktail” that could provide a solution. The drink is a combination of tart cherry juice, magnesium powder and a fizzy drink like sparkling water or prebiotic soda that allegedly promises a better night’s...
Despite rising salaries, there’s a shortage of qualified superintendents. Politicized school boards and covid fallout have contributed
Superintendents of two of the largest school districts in Westmoreland County — Hempfield Area’s Tammy Wolicki and Norwin’s Jeff Taylor — announced last week they would be leaving their posts. Their departures come on the heels of Leechburg Area Superintendent Tiffany Nix’s resignation. She announced in December that she would...
Mysterious notes reported in food items, state parks, trails across Pennsylvania
Cryptic notes have been popping up all around Pennsylvania in various cereal boxes and state parks — and it looks like they’re moving west. Originally dubbed the “Schuylkill Notes” by Reddit users investigating, as reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer, some of the messages are said to have a sinister quality...
Pittsburgh Public Schools to examine use of buildings amid ‘budget crisis,’ staffing issues
Pittsburgh Public Schools is facing a “budget crisis” and staffing issues, which prompted board President Gene Walker to advocate for developing and presenting recommendations on a facilities utilization plan — a resolution that passed despite criticism. A preliminary plan will give an in-depth understanding of how the district’s buildings are...
Who is Nikki Haley? 5 things to know about the Republican presidential candidate
She used to work for Donald Trump. Now, Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, is running against Trump for president. A day before the New Hampshire primary election, Haley remains in the race while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has dropped out. How long she remains a presidential rival...
Viral ‘orange peel theory’ can reveal whether relationship is sweet or sour
If you haven’t yet heard of the “orange peel theory,” it’s probably time to get up to speed — especially with Valentine’s Day on the horizon. It’s a viral trend that originally got its start on TikTok in the fall, as reported by the New York Times. Now, it’s taken...
What a new federal rule banning funny roadway signs means for Pennsylvania
Have you ever noticed the electronic sign “Don’t Drive Star Spangled Hammered” on the Parkway West and chuckled? Well, that and other similar quirky messages are going away in a couple years. They will be banned in 2026. The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has given states two years to implement...
Rare Spider-Man comic book on sale for $35K in Western Pa.
A local comic book owner made an amazing find: Amazing Fantasy 15, the first appearance of Spider-Man and a rare gem in the comic world. Now, he’s selling it for $35,000. That price might be a bargain given the fair condition of the comic book. A pristine copy once sold...
LOSS Team provides support for those affected by rising suicide rates in Westmoreland County
Suicide rates are multiplying in Westmoreland County, and to provide support, the county has become the second in the state to start a Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) Team. The county had 60 recorded suicides in 2023, just two less than the 62 that were recorded in 2022, according...
McDonald’s employee celebrates retirement after 45 years
Dorothy “Dot” Sharp took her last order Friday — an Egg McMuffin meal — after 45 years of working at McDonald’s. The final customer? Her granddaughter. “It’s very sad for me to do this, but I figured it was time,” said Sharp, 84, of Hampton. Sharp’s tenure at the chain...
Mason Rudolph jerseys elusive for Steelers fans
Looking for a Mason Rudolph jersey? Good luck, Steelers fans. With just a few days until the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card playoff game, Rudolph No. 2 jerseys are scarce in and around the city. As of Thursday, the only known Rudolph jerseys available for purchase...
Oakmont Bakery serves up Mason Rudolph cupcakes for Steelers playoffs
As soon as the Pittsburgh Steelers secured a playoff spot, Samantha Serrao knew Oakmont Bakery needed a new football-related treat. The Rudolph Cupcake was born — a shoutout to quarterback Mason Rudolph ahead of Sunday’s wild-card game against the Buffalo Bills. “It was kind of like a group effort,” said...
Girl Scout cookies cost more dough this year
Girl Scout cookies are back, but they’ll take a bigger bite out of your pocketbook this year. Boxes cost $6, up from $5 last year. The cookies will be available until March 24. Emily Ruffing, public relations and marketing coordinator for Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania, said the price increase will...
Buffalo sauce boycott sweeps through Pittsburgh as Steelers gear up for Bills
Some Pittsburgh restaurants are taking the extreme measure of boycotting Buffalo sauce and other Buffalo-related products until the Steelers take on the Bills in Sunday’s wild-card playoff game. Buffalo dipping sauce will not be sold at select McDonald’s locations across the Pittsburgh region until after the game. Meghan Sweeney, owner/operator...
