Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1432
Here’s what you should know about different covid-19 tests
Allegheny County and state officials have each begun including antigen test results in daily updates of covid-19 case counts. The new protocol, beginning in late August at both agencies, is approved by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. But it can still cause confusion when analyzing covid-19 data trends....
Huge budget cuts could hurt people with mental illness, disabilities most, Pa. providers fear
Spotlight PA is an independent, non-partisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free weekly newsletter. HARRISBURG — Eight years ago, as the state was still recovering from the fallout of a severe economic recession, lawmakers...
Sally set to become hurricane and threaten Gulf CoastVideo
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tropical Storm Sally slowed down Sunday as it churned northward toward the U.S. Gulf Coast, increasing the risk of heavy rain and dangerous storm surge before an expected strike as a Category 2 hurricane in southern Louisiana. “I know for a lot of people this storm...
Massive nighttime migration of birds to cross Pittsburgh
A “high intensity” migration of birds is expected to move across Pennsylvania on Monday night. According to BirdCast, more than 50,000 birds per square mile could be flying south above Pittsburgh by 7 p.m. Monday. Over Philadelphia it could be more than 41,000 birds. And, over Harrisburg it could be...
Teacher departures leave schools scrambling for substitutes
INDIANAPOLIS — With many teachers opting out of returning to the classroom because of the coronavirus, schools around the U.S. are scrambling to find replacements and in some places lowering certification requirements to help get substitutes in the door. Several states have seen surges in educators filing for retirement or...
Bloomberg to spend at least $100M to help Biden in Florida
WASHINGTON — Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is committing at least $100 million to help Joe Biden’s presidential campaign in the crucial battleground state of Florida. Bloomberg’s late-stage infusion of cash reflects Democrats’ concerns about the tight race in a state that is a priority for President Donald...
Virus America, 6 months in: Disarray, dismay, disconnect
For years, Erin Whitehead has been a committed fan of the crisis-fueled medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy.” She has watched its doctors handle all manner of upheaval inside their put-upon hospital — terrifying diseases, destructive weather, bombs, mass shootings, mental illness, uncertainty, grief. Today, she turns to the emotionally draining show...
Death toll from wildfires reaches 33 on the West Coast
SALEM, Ore. — Nearly all of the dozens of people reported missing after a devastating blaze in southern Oregon have been accounted for, authorities said, as crews continued to battle wildfires that have killed at least 33 victims from California to Washington state. The flames have destroyed neighborhoods, leaving a...
Man shot in South Side Slopes, police investigating
A man was critically injured in a shooting early Sunday in Pittsburgh’s South Side Slopes neighborhood, according to police. Police officers and paramedics were called to the 1700 block of Arlington Avenue around 1:20 a.m. for reports of a man shot. Police said a citizen flagged down a police officer...
Police: Aliquippa man shot near IUP campus, suspect soughtVideo
An Aliquippa man shot early Sunday morning multiple times during a late-night party at an apartment complex about a mile from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania campus was reported in critical condition at a Pittsburgh hospital, state police at Indiana said. The 19-year-old victim, who was not identified, is expected...
Highlands mother disturbed over religious content in elementary school lessons
Exposure to covid-19 wasn’t Aasta Deth’s concern for her two young children on the first day of school. Exposure to religion in their public school curriculum was. Deth, who lives in Harrison, said she found religious and faith-based content in both her 5-year-old daughter’s online kindergarten program and 8-year-old son’s...
They know how to have fun: Cadre of senior citizens tailgating at Lower Burrell McDonald’s
They didn’t quite solve all the world’s problems by 10 a.m. Friday, but they did ponder them. Wisely, they steered clear of religion. For about 28 years, a dozen to 30 seniors from the Arnold-New Kensington area have been convening this way six mornings a week, several hours at a...
Honoring ‘The 40’: Plans underway for 20th anniversary of 9/11 at Flight 93 memorial
Stephen Clark began laying the groundwork for the 20th anniversary service for 9/11 at the Flight 93 National Memorial five months ago. Clark is the National Park Service superintendent at the Somerset County memorial that pays tribute to 40 men and women who died when United Flight 93 crashed near...
2 California deputies shot in apparent ambush in patrol carVideo
LOS ANGELES — Authorities searched Sunday for a gunman who shot and critically wounded two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies who were sitting in their squad car — an apparent ambush that drew an angry response from the president. The 31-year-old female deputy and 24-year-old male deputy underwent surgery Saturday...
Smoke chokes West Coast as wildfire deaths keep climbing
SALEM, Ore. — Wildfire smoke that posed a health hazard to millions choked the West Coast on Saturday as firefighters battled deadly blazes that obliterated some towns and displaced tens of thousands of people, the latest in a series of calamities this year. For people already enduring the coronavirus pandemic,...
Paulette strengthens to a hurricane on approach to Bermuda
MIAMI — A strengthening Paulette gained hurricane status late Saturday as it approached Bermuda, threatening to bring storm surge, coastal flooding and high winds to the territory over the coming days. Paulette had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph as of 11 p.m. Saturday just 385 miles southeast of Bermuda,...
Third year a charm for North Park Bald Eagle chicks?Video
The bald eagle pair known as Ms. Rachel and Mr. Carson have returned to North Park, presumably for a third attempt at nesting with courtship expected to ramp up later in the fall. The pair have created buzz in the only Allegheny County park with an eagle’s nest. Although the...
Paralympic sled hockey hopeful inspired by friend facing similar challengesVideo
Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” plays in the background. Two young men – one in a wheelchair and the other with forearm crutches – are working hard. It’s a sweltering 90-degree day at Piff’s Power and Fitness in Youngwood. Personal trainer Lou Rocco bellows out instructions to one his clients....
Private, online civil jury program seeks to move cases forward in Western Pa. during pandemicVideo
The proceedings took just over eight hours, including opening statements, five witnesses, closing arguments and deliberations. At the end of the day, the six-person jury delivered a verdict in favor of the plaintiff for $230,000 — finding that the woman who was injured in a slip-and-fall at a local grocery...
Activists call for action beyond protesting at final Civil Saturdays march in PittsburghVideo
Hundreds of people marched across several Pittsburgh neighborhoods in the name of social justice and police accountability during an hours-long, peaceful event Saturday afternoon. The demonstration marked the 16th and final Civil Saturdays, a weekly protest organized by the Black, Young, & Educated youth-led organization in support of the broader...
Heritage question on census could help delve into Southwestern Pennsylvania history
Tucked into the bustle of day-to-day life are hints of cultures that once dominated Southwestern Pennsylvania, brought by immigrants looking for work and new opportunities. Details come in the form of ethnic social halls, proud churches parishioners loyally attend on Sundays, and neighbors who have known each other for generations...
Editorial: Take steps to stop flu-covid season
Keep your distance. Wash your hands. Cover your mouth. Stay home if you are sick. These are the rules of the new world. The coronavirus world. They are the rules intended to keep covid-19 at bay and slow its march, minimizing a tidal-wave crash on hospitals and potential loss of...
Couple left homeless as fire destroys home in Marguerite, Unity TownshipVideo
Debra Stewart was sitting with family members in the side yard of her home in the Unity village of Marguerite on Saturday afternoon when they heard a hissing sound, then saw thick black smoke pouring out of the bottom of her mobile home. By the time they could get to...
Seton Hill’s ‘Labor of Love’ gives back to communityVideo
Seton Hill University basketball player Taylin Tyler got up early Saturday morning and joined about 300 of her classmates, faculty, staff and alumni in doing a variety of community service tasks at about 35 sites on campus and at nonprofit organizations in the Greensburg, Latrobe and North Huntingdon areas. “We...
Trump looks west, eyeing new paths to White House
WASHINGTON — Pushing for new roads to reelection, President Donald Trump is going on the offense this weekend in Nevada, which hasn’t supported a Republican presidential candidate since 2004. Trump is defying local authorities by holding public events Saturday and Sunday after officials blocked his initial plans for rallies in...
