Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1441
KDKA-TV says ‘Wendy Bell doesn’t work for us’ after social media outcry
KDKA-TV is distancing itself from Pittsburgh radio personality Wendy Bell in light of controversial comments she made on recent videos, such as calling on park rangers to shoot people who deface monuments honoring historical figures. “KDKA-TV would like to remind our viewers and readers that Wendy Bell does not work...
Route 30 eastbound reopens following 4-car crash
Eastbound Route 30 has reopened near the Eastgate Shopping Center in Hempfield, following a reported 4-car crash on Wednesday afternoon. According to emergency dispatchers, two of the three eastbound lanes closed for a time. The crash was reported around 4:45 p.m. and they were open again by 5:30. Additional information...
Allegheny County health director, executive receive shots in covid-19 vaccine trials
Allegheny County Director of Health Dr. Debra Bogen and County Executive Rich Fitzgerald are taking part in a clinical trial for a covid-19 vaccine, both said Wednesday. “As a pediatrician, I have great confidence in vaccines,” Bogen said during her weekly press briefing on the virus. She said she has...
Pittsburgh City Council told facial recognition bill should be stronger
Restrictions on using facial recognition software and predictive police techniques proposed by Pittsburgh City Councilman Corey O’Connor don’t go far enough, a handful of computer science researchers told council Wednesday. Instead, council should consider a full-fledged ban on using such software and techniques, said David Widder, a doctoral student in...
‘Urgent’ request sent to states in push for coronavirus vaccine delivery by Nov. 1Video
WASHINGTON — Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sent a letter last week to the nation’s governors with an urgent request. The Trump administration wanted them to do everything in their power to eliminate hurdles for vaccine distribution sites to be fully operational by...
Police: Trooper almost hit by SUV fleeing undercover drug buy in Hempfield
State troopers closing in on a suspected heroin dealer at a busy Hempfield shopping plaza Tuesday evening narrowly escaped injury when the suspect attempted to flee in his SUV, police said. Stephen J. Turner-Perkins, 33, of Pittsburgh, nearly struck Trooper Bruce Walters, who had his gun drawn, in the parking...
Arnold Palmer airport travelers advised to arrive early while President Trump stumps on Thursday
President Trump’s campaign stop Thursday evening at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport isn’t expected to create turbulence for the scheduled commercial flights. Still, with the president’s 7 p.m. appearance expected to attract 2,000 or more people in his bid for reelection, those expecting to board an outbound Spirit Airlines flight are...
Pittsburgh man accused of shooting at ATF agent indicted
A federal grand jury this week indicted a Pittsburgh man accused as part of a drug-trafficking street gang for shooting a federal agent during a June raid by law enforcement. The indictment, returned Tuesday, charges 44-year-old Dion Williams with firing at an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms...
Sheetz named a top company that cares by People magazineVideo
Sheetz ranked among top businesses in the country as a company that cares. The Altoona-based firm ranked 11th out of 50 companies that received the designation based on their demonstration of respect, care and concern for employees, communities and the environment during the coronavirus pandemic. It was the only convenience...
City treasurer: Pittsburgh faces $100 million less revenue because of pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic’s toll on Pittsburgh’s finances could mean the city collects $100 million less in revenues than projected, Treasurer Douglas Anderson told council members Wednesday. This year will be a “weird budget cycle,” Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle said, as council heard from Anderson about how the 2021 city budget...
Trump, Biden expected to visit Flight 93 National Memorial for 9/11 anniversary
President Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden both plan to visit Shanksville to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks, according to the White House and a Biden campaign spokesman. The president — who will be in Westmoreland County on Thursday — and first lady Melania Trump...
Gov. Wolf lifts ban on spectators at interscholastic sportsVideo
Spectators can watch football, soccer and all other high school sports this fall after Gov. Tom Wolf lifted his ban on fans at interscholastic athletics. But Wolf kept strict limits on gathering sizes, meaning many stadium seats and gym bleachers might stay empty. Outdoor events are limited to 250 individuals,...
Port Authority: 94-year-old woman hit by ACCESS van in North Oakland
A 94-year-old woman was hit by an ACCESS van Wednesday morning in Pittsburgh’s North Oakland neighborhood. Pittsburgh police and paramedics said they responded at about 9:30 a.m. the van struck the woman at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and North Dithdridge Street. The woman was taken to UPMC Presbyterian with...
Port Authority officials address Black Lives Matter masks controversy ahead of planned protest
Port Authority Chief Executive Katharine Kelleman on Wednesday addressed controversy surrounding a policy barring bus drivers from wearing Black Lives Matter face masks, a statement that came ahead of a protest that was spurred by employees receiving reprimands for going against the policy. “I want to be absolutely clear: Port...
Airport grants cover upgrades of Arnold Palmer runway, Pittsburgh International air systems
Federal grants will allow Arnold Palmer Regional Airport to wrap up its runway improvements this year and will replace aging units that control the temperature on planes parked at Pittsburgh International Airport. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced this week the approval of more than $1.2 billion in...
Allegheny County adds 68 coronavirus cases, 9 deaths
Allegheny County added 68 new coronavirus cases and nine deaths on Wednesday, according to the Allegheny County Health Department. The nine deaths are the highest single-day total since July 12 and the fifth-highest in the county since the virus was first detected locally in March. The new deaths range from...
Walat’s tavern co-owner in Somerset County found dead inside his bar destroyed by fire
The owner of a popular Somerset County tavern along Route 30 west of Jennerstown was found dead inside the building that was destroyed by fire early Wednesday, state police said. Martin Walat, a co-owner of Walat’s, a bar atop Laurel Hill Summit in Jenners Township, was discovered in the bar...
GetGo in The Waterworks first in area to offer checkout-free shopping
Visitors to GetGo at The Waterworks can grab an ice coffee, packaged sandwich and a candy bar, all while skipping the lines and bypassing extra contact at payment counters. Checkout-free shopping is now available at the convenience store at the corner of Freeport and Fox Chapel roads. It’s the first...
Health officials worry nation not ready for covid-19 vaccine
Millions of Americans are counting on a covid-19 vaccine to curb the global pandemic and return life to normal. While one or more options could be available toward the end of this year or early next, the path to delivering vaccines to 330 million people remains unclear for the local...
Here are some Pittsburgh-area outdoor dining spots to try as summer winds down
Summertime restaurant discussions almost always include a spirited debate over the best outdoor dining spots. In a year when half of Americans have canceled summer vacations, however, it seems appropriate to explore restaurant patios that do more than just provide fresh air. This list gives a nod to Pittsburgh-area restaurants...
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says hair salon should apologize for ‘set-up’ visitVideo
WASHINGTON — A testy Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday she takes responsibility for trusting the word of a San Francisco hair salon that it was OK to come in for a solo visit — even though the city still does not allow indoor beauty services because of the coronavirus pandemic. But...
Mnuchin says Trump still wants coronavirus deal with Democrats
WASHINGTON — Pressed by Democrats to quickly negotiate a new coronavirus relief package, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday the administration remains willing to work on a bipartisan agreement to help small businesses, the unemployed, children and schools. Democratic leaders in Congress are holding it up with hardened positions, he...
CDC directs halt to renter evictions to prevent virus spread
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has issued a directive halting the eviction of certain renters though the end of 2020 to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Federal, state and local governments have approved eviction moratoriums during the course of the pandemic for many renters, but those protections are...
Cyclist struck by vehicle in Shadyside
A cyclist was in serious condition after being struck by a vehicle late Tuesday in Shadyside, police said. Officers responded at about 10:25 p.m. after a female cyclist was hit at the intersection of Morewood and Ellsworth avenues. The woman was not identified. Public Safety Spokeswoman Cara Cruz said the...
Ed Markey defeats Joe Kennedy III in Massachusetts Senate primary
BOSTON — U.S. Sen. Edward Markey defeated U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, harnessing support from progressive leaders to overcome a challenge from a younger rival who is a member of America’s most famous political family. Markey appealed to voters in this deeply Democratic state by positioning...
