Top Stories category, Page 669
Western Pa. campuses say diversity will remain priority following high court ruling
Just as they had before Thursday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down affirmative action in college admissions, campuses across Western Pennsylvania made one thing clear within hours after the historic ruling. They said they will find ways to keep their classes diverse, even without direct use of race. What that...
Deputy acquitted of all charges for failing to act during deadly Parkland school shootingVideo
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A Florida sheriff’s deputy was acquitted Thursday of felony child neglect and other charges for failing to act during the 2018 Parkland school massacre, concluding the first trial in U.S. history of a law enforcement officer for conduct during an on-campus shooting. Former Broward County Deputy...
Sharpsburg work halted pending more information about human bones found by utility crews
Peoples Natural Gas Co. said it has halted construction of a gas pipeline in Sharpsburg after remains unearthed at the work site were judged to be human. “It’s certainly an unexpected discovery,” said Nick Paradise, a People’s Gas spokesman. Peoples crews were digging on private property along Short Canal Street...
Foundation pays mortgage on home of fallen Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire
A foundation created after the 9/11 terrorist attacks announced Thursday that it paid off the mortgage on the home of Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire, who was killed in the line of duty early this year. The mortgage on the Brackenridge home McIntire shared with his wife, Ashley, and their...
Expect a hot, smoky American summer — and here’s why you’d better get used to it
The only break much of America can hope for anytime soon from eye-watering dangerous smoke from fire-struck Canada is brief bouts of shirt-soaking sweltering heat and humidity from a southern heat wave that has already proven deadly, forecasters say. And then the smoke will likely come back to the Midwest...
Report: Shell’s ethane plant in Beaver County has not spurred growth
Shell’s massive petrochemical plant in Beaver County has yet to spur major economic growth in the region, according to a recent study by nonprofit research group. “Since 2012, when the project was first announced, the most recent economic data available show Beaver County has lagged both the state and the...
‘I think he was blatantly psychotic,’ psychologist says of Pittsburgh synagogue attacker
Robert Bowers recounted to the forensic psychologist interviewing him in explicit, sometimes graphic detail the steps he took — not only in choosing his target for attack, but in how he methodically moved through the Tree of Life synagogue as he carried out the attack. How he wanted to create...
‘Putting our lives on the line’: Pirates players react to playing amid smoke, haze
The Pittsburgh Pirates couldn’t do anything about the smoke and haze over PNC Park for their game against the San Diego Padres on Thursday, but there was a clear-the-air meeting in the clubhouse when some players expressed concern about playing the game in those conditions. Sensing a serious situation, veteran...
Sheetz expanding into Michigan, with planned store in Detroit area
Sheetz is heading West. The Altoona-based convenience store and gas station chain is slated to open its first store in Michigan — Romulus to be exact — in late 2024. “While it is too early in the development process to provide a timeline or location for any additional stores, our...
Pittsburgh Public Schools to change start times for 2023-24 school year
Pittsburgh Public Schools will change start times for students beginning in the 2023-24 academic year. The new plan — which was approved by the school board Wednesday — aims to “support the district’s efforts to provide synchronous professional learning for school-based staff,” district officials said in a statement. “We are...
What is Bidenomics? President embraces moniker as campaign theme
Forty years ago, we had Reaganomics. Today, we’re hearing more and more about Bidenomics, a moniker that brands President Joe Biden’s efforts to grow the economy and jobs and fight inflation. Biden is leaning into the name as an early campaign theme of his reelection bid. But what exactly is...
Independence Health System lays off 53 employees
Independence Health System laid off 53 employees this week, bringing the total number of positions eliminated this year to 226. The changes come in the wake of significant financial losses and a financial credit rating downgrade for part of the health system. Formed by the merger of Butler Health System...
Fireworks, parades, festivals — your guide to Fourth festivities
From 5K runs to firework shows, there’s a variety of ways to celebrate Independence Day with friends and family this year. Here’s a list of firework displays, parades and festivals: ALLEGHENY COUNTY North Boroughs Celebrate Community Day at Avalon Community Park on New Brighton Road Saturday from 6 p.m. to...
Supreme Court outlaws consideration of race as a factor in college admissions
WASHINGTON— A divided Supreme Court on Thursday struck down affirmative action in college admissions, declaring race cannot be a factor and forcing institutions of higher education to look for new ways to achieve diverse student bodies. The court’s conservative majority effectively overturned cases reaching back 45 years in invalidating admissions...
AHN, Cigna ink 1-year contract, working on longer deal
Allegheny Health Network and Cigna Healthcare reached a deal on a one-year contract while the two organizations work over the next two weeks on a longer, multi-year agreement. The deal is meant to ensure that Cigna Healthcare customers will continue to have in-network access to the Pittsburgh-based health care system’s...
Record travel numbers expected by air, roads for July 4 week
If you’re planning to travel during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, you will be far from alone. Whether by air or on the road, a record-number of people are expected to be on the move during the long weekend. The Automobile Association of America is projecting 50.7 million people...
Morning Roundup: East Busway’s renovated Negley Station unveiled
Here are some of the latest news items from Thursday morning, June 29: Transit officials unveil East Busway’s renovated Negley Station A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Wednesday to mark Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s completion of renovations to the Negley Station along the East Busway. The $2.5 million project added a new...
Smoky haze from Canadian wildfires expected to linger over Western Pa. for rest of the week
Young children and those with respiratory ailments are being urged to stay indoors for a second straight day as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to shroud Pittsburgh in a fog-like haze. A Code Red air quality alert for fine particulates was issued Thursday for 13 Western Pennsylvania counties by the...
Credit rating agency says Butler Health System is backsliding further financially
Butler Health System’s credit rating was downgraded this week. The system, which combined with Greensburg-based Excela Health at the beginning of the year to form Independence Health System, had its rating downgraded three notches from A to BBB on June 26. Excela and Butler Health are rated separately. Fitch previously...
New Kensington considering updated regulations, new fees for restaurants, food trucks
New Kensington is revamping fees paid by restaurants and food trucks in an effort to emphasize food safety. City council is considering an ordinance that would bring the city into compliance with the state’s food laws, health officer Patrick McGuire said. “It makes the licensing and enforcement in compliance with...
Thrasher to resign as Westmoreland commissioner
Gina Cerilli Thrasher will resign from her elected position as the lone Democrat on Westmoreland County’s board of commissioners, her chief of staff Don O’Brien said Wednesday. Thrasher, 37, was confirmed Tuesday by the Pennsylvania Senate to fill a vacancy on the state’s Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. She will serve...
Doctors emphasize caution amid poor air quality in Western Pa.
Western Pennsylvania’s current poor air quality, caused by smoke from Canadian wildfires, can do more than make you cough — it can exacerbate existing health conditions and irritate the lungs, according to respiratory experts. The particles carried in the smoke can irritate lung passages and make it more difficult for...
Fitzgerald takes county minimum wage increase to court
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald is asking a court to weigh in on whether the executive’s office or council can determine wages for public employees. The move follows a vote by county council last week that overrode Fitzgerald’s veto of an ordinance that would raise the minimum wage for county...
Madonna postpones upcoming Celebration tour due to ‘serious bacterial infection’
LOS ANGELES — Madonna has postponed her career-spanning Celebration tour due to what her manager called a “serious bacterial infection” and her ongoing recovery. Manager Guy Oseary wrote Wednesday on Instagram that the singer had spent several days in an intensive care unit after becoming ill on Saturday. He said...
Pittsburgh synagogue attacker had ‘very serious mental health history from a very young age,’ expert says
“He moves through the world under a vague feeling of threat and paranoia.” “He is quick to agitation.” “Active psychosis makes it impossible for him to assess stimuli and read the world appropriately.” All of those findings, an expert in neuropsychiatry and epilepsy testified Wednesday, mean that Robert Bowers could...
