Top Stories category, Page 812
Pa. report shows a drop in sales at state liquor stores
The pandemic period of unprecedented home booze consumption in Pennsylvania appears to be over, but that doesn’t mean overall alcohol consumption is down. After record spirit and wine sales at state stores in the 2020-21 fiscal year, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board reported the 2021-22 fiscal year saw retail dollar...
The Democratic takeover of the Pa. House will be a little messy to start. Here’s why.
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — The Democrats have won control of the Pennsylvania House, but the party will need to rely on Republican support...
Police: Greensburg woman tried to kill 8-year-old girl with fentanyl
A Greensburg woman is being held without bail after police said she gave an 8-year-old girl the powerful opioid fentanyl in an effort to cause her death, according to court papers. Authorities said they found Skye C. Naggy, 29, and the girl Oct. 25 in a wooded area near Loyalhanna...
Merger of Excela, Butler health systems to be finalized by year’s end, officials say
Excela Health and Butler Health System completed another step toward becoming one by entering into a definitive merger agreement, moving forward with a plan expected to generate more than $1 billion in revenue. The two networks signed a letter of intent to merge on June 1. The agreement announced Friday...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 18-20
Holiday shopping, animal encounters and parties celebrating art and history are on tap this weekend in Pittsburgh. German-style market The Peoples Gas Holiday Market opens Friday in Market Square in Downtown Pittsburgh, with hours from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Inspired by the original German Christkindlmarkts (or “Christmas Markets”), the...
Murrysville man sold drugs out of Monroeville pretzel shop, police say
A business owner has been arrested for selling prescription pain pills out of his drive-thru pretzel shop window in Monroeville, officials said. Police and federal agents said they observed Brian Schlagel of Murrysville buy and sell pills out of his business and home over the course of several months, according...
New Kensington residents mark 5th anniversary of police officer Brian Shaw’s death in line of duty
It has been five years since New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw was killed in the line of duty. For many, like police Chief Robert Deringer, it feels like yesterday. “They say time heals all wounds,” Deringer said, standing across the police station after a memorial service Thursday night. “It...
Trump announcement sparks excitement among local Democrats
As local Democrats continue to celebrate their party’s success in last week’s elections, former President Donald Trump’s newest bid for the White House is providing some with even more confidence moving forward. Trump on Tuesday announced his third bid for the presidency, raising concerns among local Republicans about a fractured...
Jeannette man not guilty of attempted homicide of neighbor
A Jeannette man was found not guilty Thursday of attempted murder and aggravated assault charges in connection with allegations he fired a rifle at his neighbor nearly three years ago. Dale A. Shaw, 66, was convicted of lesser misdemeanor offenses of reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and terroristic threats in connection...
Victim in fatal Rostraver shooting identified
A Philadelphia area man has been identified by the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office as the man who was shot to death Nov. 5 at a Rostraver shopping complex. The victim, Boyke Budiarchman, 49, was shot to death outside the Lowe’s store at the Rostraver Square shopping center off the intersection...
Biden administration to ask high court to take up student debt plan
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration plans to ask the Supreme Court to reinstate the president’s student debt cancellation plan, according to a Thursday legal filing warning that Americans will face financial strain if the plan remains stalled in court when loan payments are scheduled to restart in January. The Justice...
Democrats get nominal control of Pa. House with win in Montgomery County
State Rep. Todd Stephens, R-Montgomery County, has conceded in his race for a seventh term representing the 151st District, giving Democrats at least a nominal majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the first time since 2010. Democratic challenger Melissa Cerrato holds a 16,800 to 16,741 lead according to...
Bell Acres CEO of accounting firm pleads guilty to defrauding IRS of over $15M
When Joseph Nocito Sr. reviewed the invoices for the construction of his 34-room mansion in Bell Acres, federal prosecutors said, he’d place hand-written sticky notes on them, directing his bookkeeper to pay the costs from one of his 35 companies. Among the expenses illegally paid, the government said Thursday, were...
Ticketmaster canceling next Taylor Swift concert ticket saleVideo
NASHVILLE — Ticketmaster says it is canceling the planned general public sale on Friday for Taylor Swift’s upcoming stadium tour because it doesn’t have enough tickets. The decision was made two days after a presale event caused the site to crash and left many fans without tickets. The ticketing company...
Pittsburghers skeptical of mayor’s snow removal goals
A goal of clearing all city streets within 24 hours of each snowfall sounds too ambitious for some Pittsburghers who have experienced hellacious waits for snow removal in the past. “I just don’t think it’s realistic,” said Margaret Loria, of Pittsburgh’s Manchester neighborhood. “Pittsburgh is hills.” It would be “awesome”...
Pittsburgh council looks to extend parking zone program for delivery drivers
Pittsburgh City Council members this week advanced a proposal to expand parking zones for delivery drivers which, they said, could be improved by tickets by mail for unregistered motorists. The pilot program, unveiled in the spring, was initially scheduled to last one year. Legislation advanced by council Tuesday would extend...
Pelosi won’t seek leadership role, plans to stay in Congress
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that she will not seek a leadership position in the new Congress, making way for a new generation to steer the party after Democrats lost control of the House to Republicans in the midterm elections. Pelosi announced in a spirited speech on...
Police: Man fatally stabbed father in Mt. Washington because he ‘wanted a cigarette’
A man is accused of fatally stabbing his wheelchair-bound father and injuring his brother in a Mt. Washington home because “he was frustrated, cold, and wanted a cigarette,” Pittsburgh police said. Police have arrested Javon Taylor, 31, and charged him with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, and...
Planning Commission again denies Point Park’s plans for fence at Pittsburgh Playhouse
The Pittsburgh Planning Commission this week declined to approve Point Park University’s proposal to build a fence at the public open space at its Downtown Pittsburgh Playhouse, a move university officials said is necessary to ensure security at the site. The school has twice presented proposals to the Planning Commission...
Why these Pa. teams got left out of the minor league baseball union
This story was produced by Spotlight PA in collaboration with Defector, an independent sports blog and media company. HARRISBURG — Professional baseball will become a fairer sport next year — at least in terms of compensation. After a successful unionization push by minor league players, the workforce — historically paid...
Starbucks workers strike at more than 100 stores
Starbucks workers at more than 100 U.S. stores are on strike Thursday in their largest labor action since a campaign to unionize the company’s stores began late last year. The walkouts coincide with Starbucks’ annual Red Cup Day, when the company gives free reusable cups to customers who order a...
Sheriffs pick up Homestead man charged in fatal West Mifflin stabbing
A Homestead man accused of fatally stabbing a 65-year-old man on Tuesday in West Mifflin was picked up Thursday. Robert Anger, 19, is responsible for the stabbing, according to Allegheny County Police. County police have charged Anger with criminal homicide, tampering with evidence and burglary. West Mifflin Police responded to...
Jeannette man on trial for attempted homicide denies shooting at neighbor
A Jeannette man told a jurors Wednesday he fired a BB gun and set off a firecracker during an altercation with a neighbor. Westmoreland County prosecutors contend Dale Shaw used a rifle and fired at least one round that struck a home next door as his neighbor recorded video of...
1 dead, 3 injured after police chase and fiery crash on Pittsburgh’s South Side
A person died after a police chase led to a fiery crash in Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood on Wednesday. Three people were also reported injured as a result of the crash. According to Tribune-Review news partner WPXI, a chase began in McKeesport and ended in the South Side when the...
Icy roads, crashes reported throughout Pittsburgh region
Snow and precipitation fell throughout the Pittsburgh region overnight and early Thursday morning, leading to possible icy patches and slick conditions on area roads. Tribune-Review news partner WPXI reported multiple crashes throughout the region. Early morning temperatures are below freezing, with wind chills reported around 20 degrees. The Liberty Bridge...
