Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1848
Senate approves deal on disaster aid, leaves out border money Trump demandedVideo
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a $19.1 billion disaster aid package, advancing legislation that would break a months-long impasse over federal funding for stretches of the country afflicted by natural disasters. A top Senate Republican said the White House has signed off on the bipartisan compromise. House...
Rescue teams respond to ‘boat in distress’ along Allegheny River near Sharpsburg; no injuries
Water rescue teams and other emergency personnel responded Thursday to a report of a “boat in distress” along the Allegheny River in Sharpsburg. No one was injured, officials said. Dispatchers received the call about the boat in need and possibly filling up with water near a marina near Main and...
Penguins actively shopping popular winger Phil Kessel
After the Pittsburgh Penguins bowed out of the playoffs in a first-round sweep at the hands of the New York Islanders last month, it quickly became clear changes to the team’s roster were afoot. That wave of change appears likely to sweep up winger Phil Kessel. The Penguins actively are...
Police: Employee brought loaded gun to Westinghouse High School
A Pittsburgh Public Schools employee who brought a loaded handgun to school Thursday after threats from a student “made him feel unsafe” faces criminal charges, police said. James Cole, 32, is charged with possession of a weapon on school property and reckless endangerment — both misdemeanors — and one felony...
U.S. charges WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange with publishing classified infoVideo
WASHINGTON — Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks and a thorn in the side of intelligence agencies, faces 17 additional U.S. criminal charges, according to an indictment released Thursday that adds to his legal challenge as he fights extradition from a British jail. British police removed Assange on April 11...
Residents oppose Steelers’ request for sign on Heinz Field seating
Five Pittsburgh residents lined up Thursday in opposition to the Steelers’ request to create a sign in the end zone seating at Heinz Field, complaining it would detract from the city’s landmark hilltop vistas and architectural ambiance. Representatives of PSSI Stadium LLC, a team affiliate, appeared before the Pittsburgh Zoning...
Artwork marking Shadyside’s history of gay activism completed
Pittsburgh has completed improvements to a Shadyside intersection that includes artwork commemorating the neighborhood’s history of gay activism. Leonardo Moleiro, an internationally renowned artist based in Pasadena, Calif., created a mural that combines shapes and colors of the rainbow pride flag to represent harmony, according to the Mayor’s Office. The...
Couple have their own prom at Pirates game
A girl couldn’t bring her boyfriend to prom, so they had their own dance at PNC Park. Mary is a senior at North Catholic High School and her boyfriend is a college student, reports WPXI. The night was magical as they sat behind home plate and took in the game...
‘American Taliban’ John Walker Lindh freed after 17 years in prison
John Walker Lindh, the Californian who took up arms for the Taliban and was captured by invading U.S. forces in Afghanistan in 2001, got out of prison Thursday after more than 17 years, released under tight restrictions that reflected government fears he still harbors radical views. Lindh, 38, left a...
Cops: Pa. man was ‘fishing’ for cats with baited hooksVideo
A man is accused of using food, hooks and fishing line to catch cats in his yard. Kenny Rowles, 27, is charged with several counts of aggravated animal cruelty in Luzerne County after humane officers say he admitted putting meat on fishing line and dangling it from his back porch...
Ex-Steeler Brett Keisel hosts fishing party for kids at UPMC Children’s HospitalVideo
Kids at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh got a chance Wednesday to get outside and party with former Steelers defense end Brett Keisel. Keisel hosted the patients for a BBQ and fishing event at the Alpine Hunting and Fishing Club in Bridgeville. They grilled dinner, played some backyard games, and...
Sheetz to sell CBD products at 140+ locations
People can now buy cannabidiol, or CBD, at more than 140 Sheetz stores across the region, the Altoona-based company announced Thursday. Cannabidiol products have become popular for a variety of ailments and, although it’s derived from marijuana, it’s legal to sell in Pennsylvania outside of medical marijuana dispensaries. Sheetz is...
Outer Banks’ Ocracoke beach places 2nd on ‘Dr. Beach’ list
Heading to the Outer Banks this summer? The roads might be even more crowded this year as one of the OBX beaches made an annual list of best beaches. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach on North Carolina’s Outer Banks placed second on the annual ”Dr. Beach” best beach list. The list is...
Pittsburgh native Becca Droz enjoys 1st-place finish on ‘Amazing Race’
Rebecca “Becca” Droz is not just surviving on CBS’ “Amazing Race,” she’s thriving. Droz, a Pittsburgh native, and her teammate, Floyd Pierce, were in first place at the end of Episode 5, which aired Wednesday night. She and Pierce earned $5,000 each for the winning leg. After being preempted last...
Greensburg man’s shooting death ruled suicide
The Westmoreland County Coroner’s office reported a man who was shot and killed in his Greensburg home Tuesday took his own life. Deputy Coroner John Ackerman said the death was ruled a suicide following an investigation by the coroner’s office and city police. An autopsy was performed Wednesday by forensic...
Sheriff’s office foils post-prom bash at Airbnb stocked with booze, pot, stripper poles
A post-prom party was busted before students could even get there. The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported reported that several hundred West Boca Community High School students had rented charter buses to take them to a three-story Airbnb stocked with alcohol, marijuana and stripper poles, but a county sheriff’s department...
62,000 pounds of raw meat recalled ahead of Memorial Day
Talk about bad timing. Aurora Packing Company is recalling more than 62,000 pounds of raw beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli, just days before one of the biggest grilling weekends of the year. The USDA reported that North Aurora, Ill.-based company’s recalled products were packaged April 19...
Fugitive says he’ll surrender if people like his wanted poster on Facebook
HARTFORD, Conn. — A Connecticut police department has reached a deal with a fugitive that would have him surrender if enough people respond to a wanted poster on social media, an agreement that at least one expert calls unethical. Jose Simms, 29, who is believed to be somewhere in New...
Unity man sentenced to state prison in large crystal meth bust
A Unity man was sentenced to state prison this week in connection with a large crystal methamphetamine bust at his home in April 2017. George Kenneth Wurthman, 59, was ordered to report to the Westmoreland County Prison on July 22 to begin serving a sentence of four to 10 years....
Be more like Mister Rogers on ‘1-4-3 Day’
What might be your act of kindness today? Gov. Tom Wolf encouraged residents to participate in an act of kindness for “1-4-3 Day,” a day honoring Pennsylvania’s kindest native son, Fred Rogers. May 23 is the 143rd day of the year. “I’m challenging all Pennsylvanians to use (Thursday) to exhibit...
Pittsburgh region at ‘enhanced risk’ for severe storms, possible tornadoes
The afternoon rush hour could be dicey Thursday as several rounds of strong storms are expected to move through the Pittsburgh region, the National Weather Service said. Meteorologists are calling for severe weather that could bring large hail, damaging winds and a 90% chance of precipitation. There also is the...
$5 million Mega Millions ticket sold in McCandless
One lucky person walked out of a McCandless grocery story with a winning lottery ticket worth $5 million. The ticket for the Tuesday Mega Millions drawing was purchased at Giant Eagle in McIntyre Square along McKnight Road. The ticket matched all five white balls drawn, 10-50-55-56-58, but not the yellow...
Newspaper delivery driver killed in New Kensington shooting
A newspaper delivery driver was shot and killed while out on his route early Thursday in New Kensington, police said. Gregory L. Smith, 69, of New Kensington was shot in the head, according to the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office. The coroner’s office ruled the death a homicide. New Kensington police...
16-year-old accused of Sheldon Park arson staying in Shuman Detection Center
A 16-year-old Harrison boy accused of setting fire to a Sheldon Park apartment building that caused about $500,000 damage last month was ordered by juvenile court Tuesday to stay in the Shuman Juvenile Detention Center until his hearing is held, an Allegheny County detective confirmed. Two women and a wheelchair-bound...
Downtown Pittsburgh charter schools close for rest of week for unspecified ‘threat’
Urban Pathways 6-12 Charter School and K-5 College Charter School, both in downtown Pittsburgh, will be closed Thursday and Friday because of an unspecified threat. The schools posted notices to their websites and Facebook pages that they had been “alerted by law enforcement of an alleged threat” that would necessitate...
