Megan Swift stories, Page 8
Mattel launches new Barbie with Type 1 diabetes
Barbie’s latest look includes a glucose monitor — Mattel’s newest doll is living with Type 1 diabetes. Mattel, Inc. said this week in the announcement that the new Barbie, which is part of the Barbie Fashionistas line, will enable more kids to see themselves reflected in Barbie, as well as...
Furries at Anthrocon raise over $89K for McDonald-based cat rescue
Sandi Eaton had long admired Anthrocon from a distance — but this year, she got to experience the furry convention up close and benefit from it firsthand. As the director of the McDonald-based Nose 2 Tail Cat Rescue, which was the official charity of this year’s Anthrocon, she witnessed the...
Chuck E. Cheese launches adult arcade locations
The Chuck E. Cheese family entertainment chain is rebranding as a new arcade for adults. Titled “Chuck’s Arcade,” the new iteration features nostalgic games and current favorites, alongside its animatronic characters, with the hope of attracting more teens and adults. Games will include retro favorites like Ms. Pac-Man, Mortal Kombat...
Here are some Amazon Prime Day deals for the week
Break out those credit cards — Amazon Prime Day has returned. The longest Prime Day to date, sales begin Tuesday and last through 11:59 p.m. Friday. This year marks the 11th Prime Day, and historically, Amazon has dropped deals on popular products like Apple AirPods, Dyson cordless vacuums, the Laneige...
Furries return to Pittsburgh for 19th Anthrocon
It’s that time of year — the furries are back in Pittsburgh for Anthrocon. And this July, there’s going to be more attendees than ever before, at over 19,000. Anthrocon is the annual furry convention at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center that attracts thousands of people who don animal...
Livvy Dunne shells out $2,850 for Paul Skenes rookie card
Livvy Dunne recently snagged one of boyfriend Paul Skenes’ rare rookie cards — shelling out $2,850 for the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher’s collectible, Sports Illustrated reported. A video of the price negotiation was posted on Topps’ social media account on X. Livvy Dunne just bought a rare Paul Skenes rookie card...
Mechanical pickle ride to debut at Picklesburgh
Think you’ve conquered the mechanical bull? Try taking a ride on a bucking, brined cucumber. A new attraction is coming to the 10th anniversary of Picklesburgh this month where people can put their riding skills to the test in pickle riding. Similar to a mechanical bull, the ride is a...
Great Allegheny Passage ranked among best sunset spots in U.S.
The Great Allegheny Passage has been named one of the best sunset spots in the United States. Running from Cumberland, Md. to Pittsburgh in the Appalachian Mountains and through the Laurel Highlands, the Great Allegheny Passage consists of 150 miles of biking and hiking trails. The Great Allegheny Passage was...
Kennywood and Penn Brewery launch beer collaboration
Kennywood fans can now crack open a cold beer with a splash of the park’s flavor. Penn Brewery announced a collaboration with the iconic West Mifflin amusement park for eight different beers based on popular rides, some of which still exist and some from times past. The announcement was made...
Child safety group warns of hot car dangers after spate of infant deaths
Five babies have died in hot cars across the United States over the past eight days, the advocacy group Kids and Car Safety noted as it asked people to be extra vigilant as the Fourth of July holiday weekend approaches. There’s an increase in vehicle-related tragedies involving children after holiday...
Is Zyn allowed on airplanes? Passengers aren’t sure
After a Delta passenger was told to spit out his tobacco-free nicotine Zyn pouch on his flight, people are confused about airline policy on the smokeless products. Under Transportation Security Administration regulation, travelers can bring nicotine pouches like Zyn on both carry-on and checked luggage, according to the media website...
‘It’s humongous’: World’s largest rubber duck amazes crowd at Idlewild park
When Katie Luttner and her two grandchildren approached the giant, bright yellow duck through the trees at Idlewild & SoakZone on Friday, they were in awe. “I’ve never seen it before, and I didn’t realize how huge it is,” she said. “(It’s) bigger than what I expected.” The “World’s Largest...
Shark attacks at Hilton Head Island leave 2 injured in a week
Two shark attacks were reported within a week in a popular Pittsburgher vacation spot — Hilton Head Island, S.C. The latest incident happened on Sunday around noon at Coligny Beach Park, People reported. The attack happened near a lifeguard and in front of the beach path. WRDW reported that the...
Tips to avoid dehydration in Western Pa.’s extreme heat
As temperatures hover around the 90s, health experts are stressing the importance of staying hydrated and taking precautions against the summer heat. Dr. Brent Rau, medical director for Allegheny Health Network’s Department of Emergency Medicine, said there’s no set amount of water to drink that will stop someone from becoming...
Friends by chance, they’re steady fixtures at Sandcastle — even amid the heat wave
More than an hour before Sandcastle Water Park opens in West Homestead, a tight-knit group of friends can be found waiting to claim lawn chairs by the pool. Chuck George became friends with Roseanne Fowler and Roseann Hill more than eight years ago after meeting them at the water park....
1.7 million window AC units recalled nationwide
With extreme heat plaguing Western Pennsylvania, window air conditioners are working overtime across the region. But residents should double check their model. Midea recently recalled about 1.7 million U and U+ window air conditioners nationwide for risk of mold exposure, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Included in...
At Home store in Pleasant Hills to close amid company bankruptcy
One of the Pittsburgh region’s four At Home stores is set to close amid the company’s bankruptcy, according to court filings. The Pleasant Hills store on Clairton Boulevard is one of 26 stores initially closing, the company said. No one answered the phone Tuesday, and a message seeking comment went...
Solstice sizzle: Western Pa. braces for a surge in summer heat
Grab your water bottles. Summer’s officially here, and a uncanny stretch of consecutive days with temperatures in the 90s will accompany the solstice. For the first time in June since 1994, the Pittsburgh region is expected to have five or more days of temperatures in the 90s. And they’re coming...
New anti-Trump statue appears on National Mall following giant poop emoji statue
Almost eight months after the giant poop emoji statue arrived on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., a new statue by the same artists is making headlines — called “Dictator Approved.” The sequel is an 8-foot-tall sculpture showing a gold-painted thumbs-up squashing the crown of the Statue of Liberty, The...
Livvy Dunne shuns Detroit Tigers’ mascot as Skenes pitches
Sorry Paws, Livvy Dunne is not interested. Paws, the mascot of the Detroit Tigers, held up a flirtatious sign Thursday as Dunne’s boyfriend, Pirates ace pitcher Paul Skenes, took the mound at Comerica Park in Detroit. Fans and reporters noticed Paws behind home plate holding the sign with hand-drawn hearts...
No parking at Point State Park
Point State Park’s parking lot is officially closed for repairs — until early fall, the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources announced Thursday. Caliber Contracting Services, Inc. began the scheduled repairs to the lot at 624 Commonwealth Place, operated by Boulos Parking Inc. The work is denoted in the park’s...
Morning Roundup: Police retrieve dogs left alone in Verona after owner is jailed
Here are some of the latest news items happening this morning, Friday, June 20: Dogs retrieved from Verona house after being left alone Two dogs were retrieved Thursday from a Verona home on Penn Street after they were left unattended. Verona Police Chief Tom Dessell said the dogs have been...
Hunting licenses for 2025-26 season go on sale next week
It’s that time of year again — hunting licenses will go on sale starting next week, the Pennsylvania Game Commission announced. On Monday, hunting and furtaker licenses for the 2025-26 season will be available for purchase. Antlerless deer licenses can be purchased when general license sales open per usual, but...
Morning Roundup: Police sergeant suspended after shoving man, mounted patrols to return to Montour Trail
Here are some of the latest news items happening this morning, Wednesday, June 18: Ellwood City police sergeant suspended after shoving man at Sheetz The Ellwood City Borough Council voted unanimously to suspend and demote Sgt. Robert Magnifico after he shoved a man at Sheetz in June. The decision comes...
Rev. Melissa L. Stoller elected 1st woman bishop of Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod
Rev. Melissa L. Stoller was elected the next bishop of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America — the first woman to hold the position. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod spans the bottom left corner of the state, with West Virginia and Ohio as the south and...

