Mike Palm stories, Page 28
Allegheny County reports 96 new coronavirus cases, 8 deaths
Allegheny County dropped below 100 new covid-19 cases for the first time in nine days but saw a rise in both deaths and hospitalizations. The county reported 96 new cases, eight deaths and 16 hospitalizations on Wednesday, with the eight deaths the highest recorded since mid-May. The new cases bring...
2 Pittsburgh-born actors tabbed for Amazon’s ‘Invincible’ animated series
A pair of actors from Western Pennsylvania have joined the voice cast for the “Invincible” animated series coming later this year from Amazon. Gillian Jacobs and Zachary Quinto join a star-studded cast that already includes Steven Yeun, J.K. Simmons, Mark Hamill, Seth Rogen and Sandra Oh, among others. “Invincible” tells...
Westmoreland County adds 35 new coronavirus cases, 1 new death
Westmoreland County recorded double-digit coronavirus cases for the 16th straight day. The county added 35 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, bringing the total to 1,089. Of those, 1,057 are confirmed and 32 are listed as probable. One new death was attributed to covid-19,...
Pennsylvania draws closer to 100,000 total coronavirus cases
Pennsylvania inched closer to 100,000 coronavirus cases on Thursday, with 781 additional positive test results reported. That brings the state’s total number of cases to 98,446. The state’s department of health also reported 16 additional deaths, bringing the total attributed to covid-19 to 6,973. In the past seven days, between...
Allegheny County reports 140 new coronavirus cases; health officials reviewing restrictions
Reported coronavirus cases in Allegheny County dropped Thursday for the second day in a row after hitting a record earlier this week. The county on Thursday reported 140 new coronavirus cases, 12 new hospitalizations and one death. The county had its highest reported number Tuesday with 331, followed by 246...
Idlewild to close on Tuesdays, Wednesdays for rest of summer
Idlewild Park and Soak Zone are scaling back their operating hours for the summer. The Ligonier Township amusement park announced Wednesday that the park would close on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the rest of the summer, effective next week. As we continue learning about how COVID-19 impacts us, we have...
New poll shows Biden leading Trump by 13 points in Pennsylvania
A new poll shows Joe Biden leading Donald Trump by 13 points in Pennsylvania for November’s election. The Monmouth University poll of registered Pennsylvania voters shows Biden, the Democratic candidate, is supported by 53% while the incumbent Trump is favored by 40%. “Even taking into account any polling error from...
Cult classic ‘Evil Dead’ returns to Western Pa. drive-ins this weekendVideo
The Deadites are coming to Western Pennsylvania drive-ins starting this weekend. The Brownsville Drive-In and the Dependable Drive-In in Moon Township will feature 1981’s “The Evil Dead” starting on Friday. The cult classic, presented now by Grindhouse Releasing, features Bruce Campbell as Ashley Williams (better known as Ash) in a...
Pennsylvania fast food fans are still loving McDonald’s
McDonald’s fans are lovin’ it … at least in Pennsylvania. A Top Data analysis determined that McDonald’s was the top fast food destination in the state. (It make sense, as the Big Mac was first introduced in 1967 by Jim Delligatti, who owned a franchise in Uniontown.) In Pennsylvania, McDonald’s...
‘The Far Side’ cartoonist Gary Larson debuts new comics for 1st time in 25 years
Cartoonist Gary Larson has returned to the world of mad scientists, the absurd, cows (of course) and more. But this time, it’s going to be on his schedule. After 15 years of daily and Sunday “The Far Side” strips, Larson’s final syndicated cartoon published on Jan. 1, 1995. But on...
Nirvana tops Pearl Jam, Chili Peppers for top spot on 105.9 The X’s countdownVideo
Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” topped the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Under the Bridge” and Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy” for the top spot on 105.9 The X’s July 420 countdown. Nirvana also had the most songs with 17, followed by Pearl Jam and the Stone Temple Pilots, each with 16. Spread...
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre honors retiring artistic directorVideo
The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre paid tribute to artistic director Terrence S. Orr on his last day with a moving — literally — tribute. Filmed from a moving vehicle, dancers leapt and twirled in front yards, porches, a parking lot, streets, sidewalks and a park to say goodbye to Orr, who...
Country stars steamed over Chase Rice’s concert with no social distancingVideo
Country music performer Chase Rice is facing criticism after a video surfaced from his weekend concert, featuring hundreds of fans packed together without masks. Rice and his band performed Saturday night at the Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in Petros, Tenn. Other country music performers like Kelsea Ballerini, Mickey Guyton and...
Southwestern Pa. high school seniors granted Comcast scholarships
More than 20 Southwestern Pennsylvania high school seniors received $2,500 scholarships from Comcast NBC Universal. The Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship program awarded $187,500 to 75 Pennsylvania high school seniors. The program honors students for their community service, academic performance and leadership skills. “We are honored to recognize the amazing...
Reports: Michael Keaton to return as BatmanVideo
It’s been nearly 30 years since Michael Keaton played Batman, but he may be answering the Bat-Signal once again. The Hollywood Reporter says the Pittsburgh native is in talks to reprise the role in Warner Bros.’ upcoming DC movie “The Flash.” And it might not just be the Flash movie,...
Sarris Candies, Schneider’s Dairy team for chocolate milkshake
Sarris Candies and Schneider’s Dairy are teaming up for what they’re calling the ultimate summer treat. Schneider’s will begin selling pint bottles of Sarris chocolate milkshake — made with real Sarris chocolate. The limited edition will go on sale July 2. Based in Canonsburg, Sarris Candies was founded in 1960...
105.9 The X planning 4th of July alternative rock countdownVideo
Pearl Jam. Nirvana. Green Day. Red Hot Chili Peppers. Which one of these 1990s alternative rock giants will sit atop 105.9 The X’s Fourth of July countdown? For the 4th of July weekend, We will count down, or up. We’re not sure.... The TOP 420 Rock and Alternative songs of...
Former Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg trying to switch to baseball
Could former Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg be the next Tim Tebow? Like Tebow, Hackenberg is looking to make the switch from the football field to the baseball diamond after fizzling out in the NFL. “I feel like I’ve got a lot left in the tank,” Hackenberg told NBC Philadelphia....
New roller coaster highlights Hersheypark’s reopening on July 3Video
After months of coronavirus precautions, Hersheypark is getting ready to reopen. And when guests finally start visiting on July 3, they’ll be able to experience a new ride that’s billed as the park’s fastest, tallest and longest roller coaster. Candymonium reaches 210 feet high with a max speed of 76...
Pitt, Penn State defenders named to preseason Walter Camp All-American team
College football is still months away, but the honors are rolling in for Pitt and Penn State players. Pitt defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman and Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons were named to the Walter Camp Preseason All-American team. (Twyman and Parsons earned second-team regular-season honors in 2019.) Twyman finished the...
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens reopening this weekend
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens will be reopening to the public this weekend. The Oakland landmark opened to members Wednesday, just in time for their summer flower show, “Back in Bloom.” The public will be able to visit starting Saturday. As Phipps put it in a social media post, “A...
Washington County native wins big on ‘Press Your Luck’Video
When Emily Dowler was in kindergarten, she thought she wanted to be a game show host when she grew up. Well, the Washington County native and Pittsburgh resident became a big winner on a game show instead. Dowler brought home more than $400,000 in cash and prizes on the season...
Penn State’s Lamont Wade speaks out at Pleasant Hills protest
Penn State safety Lamont Wade was on the front lines of a peaceful protest against racial injustice on Wednesday in Pleasant Hills. “If you are out here today then that means you want change,” Wade said. “And we need to see actions towards change, starting today.” Wade, a Clairton graduate,...
AMC Theatres warns of ‘substantial doubt’ about its future
The AMC Theatres chain says it has “substantial doubt” it will be able to remain in business after closing all of its locations during the coronavirus pandemic. In the first quarter ending March 31, AMC reported revenue of $941.5 million, down from $1.2 billion in the same quarter last year....

