Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1895
17-foot, 140-pound python captured in Florida park
Researchers last week captured and killed the largest Burmese python to be removed from Big Cypress National Preserve in the Florida Everglades, according to wildlife officials. The 17-foot, 140-pound female snake — an invasive species devastating to native wildlife — was discovered using a new tracking approach that leans on...
Kevin Gorman: Pitt scores by bringing back colors but must build pride in Panthers
Pitt’s search for an athletic identity started with a switch from its iconic script logo and school colors by turning its uniforms into a Notre Dame knockoff, a poor man’s version of the Panthers. Finally, Pitt is back where it belongs. A change of heart finally led to a change...
Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen resigns
WASHINGTON — Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen resigned on Sunday amid the administration’s growing frustration and bitterness over the number of Central American families crossing the southern border, two people familiar with the decision said. President Trump thanked her for her work in a tweet and announced U.S. Customs and...
4 adults, 2 kids shot and wounded at Chicago baby shower
CHICAGO — Two men who opened fire on a crowd of people gathered for a baby shower, wounding six people, including two children, may have acted in retaliation for an earlier gang conflict, police said Sunday. Authorities have only “shards of information” about what happened at the family gathering in...
2 men hurt in 1-car crash in West Deer, power restored to more than 300 customers
Two men were hurt Sunday in a one-vehicle crash on Little Deer Creek Road in West Deer that knocked out power in the area. Power had been restored to the more than 300 affected customers in West Deer, Frazer and Fawn, according to West Penn Power. According to West Deer...
Faith-based Celebration of Life prepares party-goers for Very Special Prom
Debbie Miller hadn’t even seen herself yet in her new prom dress, but she knew she looked good. The Unity woman added a string of pearls around her neck and a ring on her right hand. As soon as she looked in the mirror, she knew the purple, strapless dress...
Chief of staff says Dems will ‘never’ see Trump tax returns
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats will “never” see President Donald Trump’s tax returns, said White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney on Sunday, as a new front opened in the confrontation between the administration and Congress. Mulvaney accused Democrats of engaging in a “political stunt” and wanting “attention” after the chairman...
Smoking pot vs. tobacco: What science says about lighting up
NEW YORK — As more states make it legal to smoke marijuana, some government officials, researchers and others worry what that might mean for one of the country’s biggest public health successes : curbing cigarette smoking. Though there are notable differences in health research findings on tobacco and marijuana, the...
2 houses damaged in Duquesne fire
Two houses were damaged and one person is displaced after a fire in Duquesne on Sunday. The fire was reported around 11:20 a.m. at an abandoned house at 18 South Seventh St. The fire quickly spread to a neighboring house that was occupied. Duquesne Volunteer Fire Department Chief Frank Cobb...
Somerset police believe fire victim identified
Police believe they have identified the body of person burned at the scene of a fire at a stack of poles in Somerset on Saturday, but the identity will not be released until it is forensically confirmed and next of kin has been notified, Somerset police said Monday. Police Chief...
After 2016 loss, Democrats know they need white male voters
UPPER ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP — When he moved to Pennsylvania about five years ago, it was a coin toss which party Brian Heitman would register with. No longer. Since Donald Trump’s election in 2016, Heitman, who is 42 and white, has become a reliable Democrat. Last week, he voted for...
Senate GOP game plan means more Trump nominees, fewer bills
WASHINGTON — Mitch McConnell says the Senate will be in the “personnel business” this year. But the majority leader’s focus on confirming President Donald Trump’s nominees is coming at the expense of any big legislative priorities. Nearly 100 days into the new Congress, the drive to confirm is adding more...
French priest’s 150-year-old heart being venerated in NYC
NEW YORK — The 150-year-old heart of a French priest is on a U.S. tour — a Roman Catholic relic with New York City as its latest stop. It was on display Saturday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue, where both the faithful and the curious lined up to...
Latrobe man killed in Unity motorcycle crash
A Latrobe man died in motorcycle crash Saturday in Unity, according to state police. Troopers said Mark Gerard Gruss, 60, was driving a 1998 Harley Davidson Ultra at 4:40 p.m. on Saint Vincent Drive near Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve when he apparently lost control. The motorcycle crossed into the opposite...
Cassandra Gross family grapples with one-year mark of her disappearance
There is little joy left at Kathe Gross’ home. She’s gotten rid of most of her Christmas decorations. Mother’s and Father’s Day aren’t the same. “I refuse to do holidays,” she said. “There’s no holidays left in this house.” But there are still anniversaries — of the worst kind. Kathe...
Census director: 2020 count will be test of technology, public trustVideo
There’s more riding on the 2020 census than a national head count. Beyond the population numbers, demographic information and statistics the census will sort out, the process the U.S. Census Bureau will use will test the reliability of smartphone technology. “There are some concerns,” said Fernando E. Armstrong, regional director...
Erie Catholic diocese will open files to priest sex abuse victims
The Catholic Diocese of Erie, which recently settled a $2 million clergy sexual abuse complaint, is making “relevant” internal files available to abuse survivors for the asking, church officials said. The policy has been in effect since the diocese launched its compensation fund for abuse survivors in February, said Pittsburgh...
Pittsburgh Mills mall’s uncertain future worries shoppers, Frazer officials
It’s been nearly a year since a new owner bought the Pittsburgh Mills mall in Frazer, touting plans to redevelop the struggling, 14-year-old facility. Despite the owner’s hopeful nature in May, township officials say they still haven’t met or had any communication with Long Island-based Mason Asset Management and are...
Trump: Democrats would ‘leave Israel out there’
LAS VEGAS — President Trump warned on Saturday that a Democratic victory in 2020 could “leave Israel out there,” as he highlighted his pro-Israel actions in an effort to make the case for Jewish voters to back his re-election. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition, Trump...
West Deer priest removed after he admits to inappropriate contact while a seminarian
A West Deer priest has been placed on administrative leave after he admitted to inappropriate behavior with a minor that didn’t involved sexual contact, according to the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik placed the Rev. Thomas Wilson, 74, on leave, according to a diocesan news release sent...
Pittsburgh police: Missing Carrick teen found safe, returned to family
Pittsburgh police have found the Carrick teen who had been missing since Wednesday. “Thanks to all for your shares and concern,” the department posted on its Facebook page....
Hammer-wielding burglar caught on video breaking into Beaver County homeVideo
Authorities in Beaver County are seeking the public’s help to identify a hammer-wielding burglar who smashed a glass door to enter a house and steal a jewelry box. It happened at 4 a.m. Saturday and was captured on surveillance video. Hopewell police said it happened on Grand Avenue and the...
Volunteers turn out to get Tarentum’s community garden ready for spring
A Boy Scout pointed out a big worm in the freshly placed compost, and Widgie Carson picked it up. “They’re not like a snake,” she said to a few Scouts she was giving tiny red beets to plant. “They won’t hurt you.” The Scouts, members of Troop 180, and Carson,...
3 hurt when Duquesne police car chasing speeder crashes into Port Authority bus
A Duquesne police officer crashed his marked patrol car into a Port Authority bus while chasing a speeder Saturday afternoon, the department said. The crash happened shortly before 12:30 p.m. at Duquesne Boulevard and Grant Avenue. The officer involved, who was not identified, was not hurt but was taken to...
Band of toddlers escapes Louisiana day care, found wandering near highway
Several 1-year-old children apparently escaped a Louisiana day care and were found wandering near a highway, prompting state officials to yank the facility’s license. According to the New York Daily News, four 1-year-old children at the Color Wheel Learning Center in Ascension Parish “found their way out of the facility’s...
