Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1157
FAA proposes $20K in fines for father, son who became unruly on Pittsburgh-bound flight
A father and son who were escorted off a Pittsburgh-bound flight by authorities in February face more than $20,000 in fines for what the Federal Aviation Administration described as unruly behavior. The FAA reported that the son said, “I hope this plane (expletive) crashes,” as he was escorted off the...
Former Pine-Richland football coach Eric Kasperowicz suing district, officials for defamation in federal court
Former Pine-Richland head football coach Eric Kasperowicz has filed a federal defamation lawsuit against the school district and several top officials claiming they damaged his reputation by publicly accusing him of knowing about hazing and bullying in the football program and failing to report it to authorities. Kasperowicz was informed...
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey pitches infrastructure, services for the elderly and children
The bipartisan infrastructure bill pending in the U.S. House likely will become law by mid-October, predicts U.S. Sen. Bob Casey. The Scranton Democrat, on the road in Pennsylvania during the August congressional break, on Thursday told Tribune-Review editors and reporters the bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that already passed the...
Record delta wave hits kids, raises fear as nation’s schools open
The day before he was supposed to start fourth grade, Francisco Rosales was admitted to a Dallas hospital with covid-19, struggling to breathe, with dangerously low oxygen levels and an uncertain outcome. It wasn’t supposed to be like this, thought his frightened mother, Yessica Gonzalez. Francisco was normally healthy and...
GOP senator’s plan to issue Pennsylvania election subpoenas ‘stopped’
HARRISBURG — A backer of former President Donald Trump’s effort to carry out an Arizona-style “forensic investigation” of Pennsylvania’s 2020 presidential election suggested Thursday that fellow Republicans in the state Senate are blocking his efforts. In a video posted Thursday on Facebook, state Sen. Doug Mastriano did not name names,...
Deposition raises questions in Pittsburgh police shooting
When Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala issued his conclusion that the 2018 fatal police shooting of Mark Daniels was a “justified use of force,” his written analysis repeatedly cited a ShotSpotter report he said had “determined that Daniels fired the initial two shots” at the officers. But a recently...
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, arts organizations requiring vaccination, masks for indoor performances
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, along with Pittsburgh Cultural District arts organizations, announced Thursday that guests attending indoor performances at several venues will be required to provide proof of vaccination. Masks also will be required for indoor performances while levels of community covid-19 transmission in Allegheny County are in the ‘substantial’...
North Allegheny reverses mask policy for 2nd time, back to giving parents the choice
The North Allegheny School District has done an about-face for a second time by voting to give parents the choice on whether kids should wear masks when they return to school from summer break on Monday. Last week, the district revised its health and safety plan for the return to...
Westmoreland DA accused of favoritism toward the ‘rich and famous’
The lawyer for a Derry man awaiting trial on drunken driving charges contends Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck gave preferential treatment to a local celebrity and unfairly rejected a bid for his “blue collar” client to enter a jail diversionary program. Defense attorney Robert Domenick, in court documents filed...
Man surrenders after claiming to have bomb near CapitolVideo
WASHINGTON — A man who claimed to have a bomb in a pickup truck near the Capitol surrendered to law enforcement after an hourslong standoff Thursday that prompted a massive police response and the evacuations of government buildings and businesses in the area. Police did not immediately know whether there...
Unity’s Victory Brinker cruises to ‘America’s Got Talent’ semifinalsVideo
After Victory Brinker brought judges and audience to their feet with her Tuesday performance, she seemed a lock to make the “America’s Got Talent” semifinals. And so she was. On Wednesday’s results show, she was named one of seven quarterfinalists who would be moving on. Contestants were called to the...
U.S. jobless claims hit a pandemic low as hiring strengthens
WASHINGTON — The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell last week for a fourth straight time to a pandemic low, the latest sign that America’s job market is rebounding from the pandemic recession as employers boost hiring to meet a surge in consumer demand. The Labor Department reported Thursday...
Gateway students, staff to start school year with mask requirement
Gateway School District students will have to wear masks to start the school year. The mandate was passed in a 5-4 vote at a marathon school board meeting Aug. 17. Several families implored the board to make mask-wearing a recommendation and not a requirement. Board President Brian Goppman, Robin Mungo,...
Penn Hills School District requiring masks for all students, staff at start of school year
Penn Hills School District students, staff and visitors will have to wear masks for the start of the coming school year. School board members voted 8-0 Wednesday to approve the district’s health and safety plan with the mask mandate. School Director Evelyn Herbert was absent. Parents Brian and Alexis Herr...
Afghan refugee in Pittsburgh worries about relatives, friends trying to flee
The scenes from Kabul’s international airport are disconcerting enough without actually knowing any one of the thousands desperately trying to get out of Afghanistan. But Pittsburgh resident Noorulhaq Fazly has left behind friends and relatives there and he’s been worried about them, especially after the Taliban regained control of the...
Multi-vehicle crash snarls traffic on Route 28 near Etna
A crash involving multiple vehicles on Wednesday evening snarled rush-hour traffic on Route 28 in Etna, officials said. Officials temporarily shut down the highway’s northbound lanes to respond to the incident and clear the wreckage near Exit 5A. By 6 p.m., at least one northbound lane had reopened, though traffic...
Pennsylvania may use taxpayer dollars for major golf events
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania officials have held out the potential for taxpayer-paid subsidies to help entice the U.S. Golf Association to bring more Opens and elite amateur events to two courses in the state, a news organization reported. The USGA last week announced that it will bring nine more Opens for...
Allegheny County leaders not considering blanket mask, vaccination mandates
Allegheny County leaders said Wednesday that they are not considering mask or vaccination requirements for indoor restaurants and other businesses like the mandates in New York City and Philadelphia. Earlier this month, New York City became the first city in the country to require proof of at least one dose...
Vandergrift police arrest 4 men, 1 on heroin, meth charges and the others charged with burglary
Vandergrift police arrested four suspects Monday when a search warrant turned up 1,897 stamp bags of presumed heroin in East Vandergrift. Police say they also recovered three ounces of suspected methamphetamine. Vandergrift Borough Police Officer Nate Rigatti estimated the street value of the drugs at $15,000. The suspects are Ryan...
6 key questions with area expert about chaos in AfghanistanVideo
The Taliban is urging Afghans to stay in Afghanistan. The new rulers of the country are promising an “inclusive government” and opportunities for women (within Islamic sharia law). But can the radical Islamist group be trusted to keep its word? Based on the chaos at Kabul’s international airport, with thousands...
Pennsylvania casino revenues top record $423M in July
Pennsylvania casinos generated more than $423.6 million in July, the highest monthly revenue total to date, according to state regulators. That was nearly $35 million more revenue than what was reported in June, which totaled $388.8 million. It also is significantly higher than revenues reported in July 2020, which reached...
Federal government to require vaccines for nursing home staff
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration will require that nursing home staff be vaccinated against covid-19 as a condition for those facilities to continue receiving federal Medicare and Medicaid funding. President Biden will announce the move Wednesday afternoon in a White House address as the administration continues to look for ways...
10 things to know about covid boosters
U.S. health officials Wednesday announced plans to offer covid-19 booster vaccines to all Americans. Health officials suggested a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine be given to people eight months after the second dose to help increase protection. Boosters could be available by the week of Sept. 20....
Police: Tarentum man punched 1 woman, pistol-whipped another during brawl involving girlfriend
A Tarentum couple is accused of assaulting a borough woman Tuesday night, and police say one of the suspects pistol-whipped another woman during the altercation. Police arrested Alfred Cook, 28, and his girlfriend Kennedy Carson, 24, in connection with the incident that happened around 8:30 p.m. in the 500 block...
Pittsburgh Public Schools board OKs Sept. 3 start date
Students in the Pittsburgh Public Schools have a new date for the first day of school. The school board Wednesday voted to revise the calendar so that the first day of school will be Sept. 3, rather than Sept. 8. The district had initially planned to start classes on Aug....
