Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1857
UPMC, Attorney General’s legal teams face off before state Supreme CourtVideo
HARRISBURG — UPMC’s looming prepayment rule for out-of-network patients demonstrates the health giant’s efforts to serve the public have “deteriorated” in the past five years, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office argued Thursday before the state Supreme Court. Bart DeLone, chief attorney general, told justices that the controversial prepay rule —...
Wrestling legend Ric Flair reportedly suffers ‘very serious’ medical issue
Wrestling legend Ric Flair was rushed to an Atlanta-area hospital after suffering what TMZ Sports reported was a “very serious” medical emergency. TMZ said the 70-year-old WWE Hall of Famer was in the Atlanta area when “something went wrong,” and he was taken to the emergency room to be treated....
How does start to Josh Bell’s career compare to other Pirates greats?
Here’s a concept to ponder Friday night while watching the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres and wondering what additional damage Josh Bell can inflict on a baseball: Compared to the five greatest Pirates hitters of the past 71 years — Ralph Kiner, Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Dave Parker and...
Centre District new name of Penguins development in Pittsburgh’s Lower Hill
The Centre District is the official name of the Penguins’ planned $750 million development of Pittsburgh’s Lower Hill District, but not everyone was thrilled with the new moniker, a team official said Thursday. Kevin Acklin, the Penguins’ senior vice president and general counsel, said he heard some griping when the...
Unity couple reaches rare milestone with 75th wedding anniversary
A thin, rectangular box collects dust in Harry and Velma Smith’s closet. It’s inscribed with the date May 17, 1944. Inside are the delicate lace remains of the dress and veil Velma Smith scrambled to find for her wedding amid World War II. There also is a message written by...
Gov. Tom Wolf on anti-abortion bills: ‘I would veto it’
Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday he will never allow an anti-abortion bill to make it into law while he’s governor. Wolf, in a video statement posted on social media, referenced other states that have recently passed antiabortion bills including Alabama and Georgia, where they have already been signed into law....
Cops: West Newton woman cut man because she didn’t get birthday present, cake
Georgia M. Zowacki’s 55th birthday was not what she expected, according to court papers. The West Newton woman was unhappy and turned violent Wednesday because she didn’t get a birthday present, card or cake, police said. She drank vodka throughout the day to celebrate, but by 3 p.m. started threatening...
5 arrests made in connection to Monroeville Mall shooting
Five men are in jail and one remains at large in connection with a fight and shooting last month at Monroeville Mall, authorities said Thursday. Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said the shooting grew out of a fight between two gangs from McKeesport. “Consider this matter ongoing,”...
Garth Brooks appeals to the ‘every man, every woman’ among fans
The history of country music really could be chronicled as B.G. (Before Garth) and A.G. (After Garth). That’s about the best way to note the difference in the genre before Garth Brooks arrived on the scene. He’s made millions by bringing a rock ’n’ roll sensibility to the sound and...
Pittsburgh chef Justin Severino plans cafe near North Park
Renowned Pittsburgh chef Justin Severino is taking on another challenge. By summer’s end, he hopes to open a yet-to-be-named casual, California-inspired cafe in McCandless near North Park. Severino closed his popular Cure restaurant in Lawrenceville a few months ago and already had announced plans to open another venture, Larder of...
Federal authorities in Pittsburgh help take down alleged cybercrime ring
A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has indicted 10 members of an alleged transnational cybercrime ring believed to be responsible for $100 million in malware attacks on banks and businesses across the United States, including in Western Pennsylvania. Victims of the malware attacks include a dozen businesses from Texas to...
George Romero’s archives headed to University of Pittsburgh
“Oh, the horror,” many students cramming for finals at the University of Pittsburgh undoubtedly have uttered under their breaths. Now it’s true. Officials at Pitt on Thursday announced the University Library System has acquired the archives of the late iconic horror filmmaker George A. Romero. Many consider Romero, a Pittsburgh...
Rolling Stones North American tour finally starts in Chicago
NEW YORK — The Rolling Stones are ready to get back on the road after postponing their North American tour because Mick Jagger needed medical treatment. The rockers announced Thursday the No Filter tour will kick off in Chicago with two shows on June 21 and 25. We are delighted...
Police: New Brighton woman forced girl to get birth control implant
A New Brighton woman allegedly forced a girl to get a birth control implant last month at a Turtle Creek clinic, according to court papers. Valerie Marie Fullum, 29, is being sought by police on child endangerment and reckless endangerment charges. Investigators said the mothers of two girls who spent...
Operator of Rivers Casino fined $90K by state board
The operator of Rivers Casino was fined $90,000 Wednesday by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board in connection with underage gambling, according to an announcement. The fine against Holdings Acquisitions Co. is connected to seven incidents in which someone under age 21 had access to the gaming floor at the North...
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio seeking Democratic nod for president
NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says he is running for president. The Democrat announced his bid with a video released by his campaign early Thursday morning. In announcing his candidacy, de Blasio is seeking to claim a role on the national stage that has eluded...
Main break fixed, second water shutoff needed in Lawrenceville
Lawrenceville’s Row House Cinema was able to reopen Thursday for its 7:15 p.m. showing of “Singin’ in the Rain” following a water main break that flooded parts of the theater and closed a section of busy Butler Street for a good part of the week. The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer...
Pittsburgh ranks as 16th fittest city in U.S.
Good work … or should we say good workout, Pittsburgh. The Steel City ranked as the 16th fittest major U.S. city, according to the 2019 American Fitness Index released this week by the American College of Sports Medicine and the Anthem Foundation. Pittsburgh rose markedly in the rankings from last...
Sandwiches in tow, 4-year-old gives back to Lower Burrell cops
Arianna Wilson was watching Disney Junior before school Monday when she saw a commercial for National Police Week. An admirer of the police, the 4-year-old told her mom she wanted to bring officers with the Lower Burrell Police Department something to eat. “She said ‘Mommy, it’s police week. Let’s bring...
Suspect arrested in fatal Penn Hills hit-and-run; car owner turns herself in
The man authorities say was driving the car in a fatal Penn Hills hit-and-run crash last month was arrested Wednesday night. Surron Burch, 21, no address released, is charged with homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter and related counts. His arrest at a Penn Hills home by the Allegheny County Sheriff’s...
Officials: Man fatally shot in Duquesne
A man was fatally shot Wednesday evening in Duquesne, according to Allegheny County officials. Duquesne Police responding to 911 reports of shots fired found the unidentified 45-year-old man unconscious with multiple gunshot wounds behind a Karl Avenue home just before 7 p.m. The man was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital...
Pa. Catholic Conference to abuse survivor: ‘Why do you have to troll here?’
HARRISBURG — The lobbying arm of the Catholic Church in Pennsylvania on Wednesday accused a clergy sex abuse survivor of trolling it on social media — then apologized as a result of a swift backlash. The unusual exchange, since deleted, unfolded on the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference’s Facebook page. It began...
Suspect arrested after allegedly striking 4 cars in Penn Hills police chase
A suspect is in custody after a police chase Wednesday evening in Penn Hills and Pittsburgh, according to Penn Hills Police Chief Howard Burton. Penn Hills officers were called to Shenandoah Drive for a report that a stolen car had been parked there. Shortly after they found the car and...
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signs abortion ban into law
MONTGOMERY — Alabama’s Republican governor signed the most stringent abortion legislation in the nation Wednesday, making performing an abortion a felony in nearly all cases. “To the bill’s many supporters, this legislation stands as a powerful testament to Alabamians’ deeply held belief that every life is precious and that every...
Trump administration wants to reimburse Taliban’s travel expenses
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration asked Congress earlier this year for funds to reimburse Afghanistan’s Taliban for expenses the insurgent group incurs attending peace talks, according to a spokesman for the chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. The money would cover the Taliban’s costs for expenses such as...
