Top Stories category, Page 855
Trial begins in death penalty case against man accused of starting Homewood fire that killed 3
Cecil Douglas Sr. was asleep in his third-floor bedroom on Dec. 20, 2017, when he heard his step-son’s girlfriend call out, “‘Mom, mom, the house in on fire.’” At first, Douglas told an Allegheny County jury on Monday, he thought maybe Shamira Staten had burned something in the kitchen as...
Pa. election 2022: Your complete guide to the candidates for governor
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 2022 election for Pennsylvania governor is coming soon, and Spotlight PA wants to make sure you are prepared...
Biden hopes ending cancer can be a ‘national purpose’ for U.S.
BOSTON — President Joe Biden on Monday urged Americans to come together for a new “national purpose” — his administration’s effort to end cancer “as we know it.” At the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Biden channeled JFK’s famed moonshot speech 60 years ago, likening the space race...
Hempfield man in clown wig carrying loaded gun arrested at Delmont Dairy Queen
Three loaded handguns and 62 rounds of ammunition were seized from a Hempfield man Saturday after Delmont police said he took one of the weapons into the Route 66 Dairy Queen. Officers were responding to the area about 1:30 p.m. after a motorist reported an erratic driver wearing a bright...
Pa. high court tells Wolf it won’t fast track amendments lawsuit
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s highest court on Monday rejected a request from Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf that it immediately take up his challenge to Republican legislation that has bundled a constitutional amendment regarding abortion with four unrelated proposed changes. In turning down Wolf’s request, the justices said he was free to...
Pitt, UPMC officials tap Dr. Freddie Fu recruit to fill ‘irreplaceable’ doctor’s orthopedic roles
The University of Pittsburgh and UPMC ended a yearlong search Monday for a successor for Dr. Freddie Fu, who helped catapult orthopedics at the university and health system to international renown during his tenure, which ran from 1998 until his death in 2021. Officials have tapped Dr. MaCalus V. Hogan...
Tarentum police seek help finding woman missing for 2 weeks
Tarentum police are seeking help to find a woman missing for two weeks. Tonya Lynn Sadecky, 43, was last seen when a friend dropped her off in the area of Ninth Avenue and Morgan Street in Brackenridge, Chief Bill Vakulick said. She was last seen before noon on Aug. 28....
5 things learned about Steelers: Matt Canada’s offense takes shape against Bengals
Five things we learned from Steelers 23, Bengals 20: 1. Motion sensors The mobility that Mitch Trubisky was supposed to bring to the Steelers offense — a trait that Ben Roethlisberger lacked in his final seasons — was on display in the opener. So was the constant motion and moving...
Justice Department OK with 1 Trump pick for Mar-a-Lago arbiter
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department said Monday that it was willing to accept one of Donald Trump’s picks for an independent arbiter to review documents seized during an FBI search of the former president’s Florida home last month. The accommodation could help accelerate the selection process and shorten any delays...
Herminie man accused of witness intimidation
A Herminie man is accused of intimidating a witness during a July revocation hearing in a 2021 case against him, according to court papers. Michael Wichelmann, 59, was denied bond during his arraignment Friday. Westmoreland County detectives said several witnesses were subpoenaed for a July 7 revocation hearing for Wichelmann...
Queen hailed in service as a ‘constant in all our lives’
EDINBURGH, Scotland — As Queen Elizabeth II’s four children walked silently behind, a hearse carried her flag-draped coffin along a crowd-lined street in the Scottish capital Monday to a cathedral, where a service of thanksgiving hailed the late monarch as a “constant in all of our lives for over 70...
‘I cannot mourn’: Former colonies conflicted over the queen
NAIROBI, Kenya — Upon taking the throne in 1952, Queen Elizabeth II inherited millions of subjects around the world, many of them unwilling. Today, in the British Empire’s former colonies, her death brings complicated feelings, including anger. Beyond official condolences praising the queen’s longevity and service, there is some bitterness...
Americans give health care system failing mark: AP-NORC poll
WASHINGTON — When Emmanuel Obeng-Dankwa is worried about making rent on his New York City apartment, he sometimes holds off on filling his blood pressure medication. “If there’s no money, I prefer to skip the medication to being homeless,” said Obeng-Dankwa, a 58-year-old security guard. He is among a majority...
Steelers vs. Bengals: What they’re saying in Cincinnati after loss
Bungled. “Boink.” Bungled again. The Cincinnati Bengals had several chances to survive a horrible start, in which quarterback Joe Burrow played catch with Steelers defenders in tossing four interceptions. Still, apparently long snappers are important. The Bengals lost theirs, and a stellar kicking game turned putrid. A blocked extra point...
Fire heavily damages Donegal restaurant, tavern
A Donegal Borough landmark may be gone after it was heavily damaged by fire over the weekend. Firefighters from three counties responded to the blaze at the Tall Cedars Restaurant and Tavern shortly before 4 a.m. Sunday. The dozen departments on hand included units from Chestnut Ridge, Ligonier and Darlington...
Lamp Theatre wall to depict Irwin’s landmarks, history
The outside of The Lamp Theatre in Irwin will be adorned with scenes and landmarks of the town’s past and present this fall, encapsulated in eight shadow boxes that will be installed along a new exterior wall. “We’ve been pretty jazzed about this,” said John Gdula, president of The Lamp...
‘Women are the reason we can win,’ John Fetterman says at abortion rights rally
John Fetterman looked out at a gymnasium packed with people wearing bright pink “Fetterwoman” T-shirts and predicted that women would be the difference-maker in his closely watched Senate race. “Women are the reason we can win,” Fetterman said in Blue Bell. “Lemme say that again: Women are the reason we...
Just like his predecessor, Mitch Trubisky orchestrates Steelers’ game-winning drive
CINCINNATI — The Ben Roethlisberger era may be over, but the wild finishes endure for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In their first game since Roethlisberger’s retirement following an 18-year career, the Steelers overcame a tying touchdown pass in the final seconds of regulation to beat the Cincinnati Bengals, 23-20, in overtime...
Doug Mastriano’s security bubble insulates him from prying eyes and dissenting views
On a weekday afternoon in late August, Doug Mastriano’s campaign bus pulled up outside Gatsby’s Bar & Grill in suburban Philadelphia just after 1 p.m. The words “Restore Freedom” were emblazoned on the side over a red outline of Pennsylvania. It had been billed as a meet-and-greet. Enthusiastic Republicans were...
Flight 93 memorial attendees aim to foster knowledge in future generations
Connie Hasenei stood strong under the dark, gray clouds covering Somerset County Sunday morning, her message ringing clear: Keep the memory of Sept. 11, 2001, alive. Hasenei, speaking to a crowd gathered on a rain-soaked field at the Flight 93 National Memorial to honor the 21st anniversary of the terrorist...
Fighting bogus claims a growing priority in election offices
Election officials preparing for the rapidly approaching midterm elections have one more headache: trying to combat misinformation that sows distrust about voting and results while fueling vitriol aimed at rank-and-file election workers. Some states and counties are devoting more money or staff to a problem that has only grown more...
What’s next for the UK as Queen Elizabeth II laid to rest
LONDON — The death of Queen Elizabeth II set in motion a tightly choreographed series of ceremonial and constitutional steps, as Britain undergoes a period of national mourning and enters the reign of King Charles III. A long-established 10-day plan, code-named Operation London Bridge, covers arrangements for the queen’s final...
Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin takes long road through Scotland
EDINBURGH, Scotland — In a somber, regal procession, Queen Elizabeth II’s flag-draped coffin was driven slowly through the Scottish countryside Sunday from her beloved Balmoral Castle to the Scottish capital of Edinburgh. Mourners packed city streets and highway bridges or lined rural roads with cars and tractors to take part...
Biden honors 9/11 victims, vows commitment to thwart terror
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden marked the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, taking part in a somber wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon held under a steady rain and paying tribute to “extraordinary Americans” who gave their lives on one of the nation’s darkest days. Sunday’s ceremony occurred a...
As small businesses raise prices, some customers push back
NEW YORK — Inflation isn’t only costing small businesses money. It’s costing them customers as well. At the Bushwick Grind Cafe in Brooklyn, New York, Kymme Williams-Davis has raised prices and switched to different types of goods to keep up with the rising costs of milk, coffee, paper goods and...
