Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 961
State police campaign targeting aggressive drivers makes stop in Westmoreland County
If you’re driving aggressively, Pennsylvania State Police want to find you. They’re keeping an eye out for those quick lane changes, distractions and high speeds that plague some of the state’s roads, making them potentially dangerous, as part of a crackdown on aggressive drivers. “Although as state law enforcement we...
Pressley Ridge receives $10 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott
McCandless-based Pressley Ridge — a leader in providing mental health care, treatment foster care and specialized education services for youth and families — announced Tuesday it received a $10 million gift, the largest in the organization’s 190-year history. The unrestricted gift comes from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. “It’s an incredible gift,”...
Jitney driver from Castle Shannon guilty of first-degree murder in 2018 shooting death
A jitney driver accused of killing a man and dumping his body on the side of a road in North Versailles was found guilty Wednesday of first-degree murder. Darrel Hardy Jr., 33, of Castle Shannon, is scheduled to be sentenced by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Randal B. Todd on...
The public could gain easy access to info about how Pa. lawmakers spend taxpayer money on perks
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 — A long-awaited transparency bill that would make legislative expenses accessible online for easy public viewing unanimously cleared a key...
Police: 6 killed in Pennsylvania pileup of 80 vehicles
POTTSVILLE — A deadly pileup involving 80 vehicles on a Pennsylvania interstate during a snow squall killed six people, state police said Wednesday. “There were 6 fatalities involved in this crash. Identities of the victims will be released once death notifications have been made to their families,” state police in...
Pittsburgh Promise removes attendance requirement for Class of 2022, citing pandemic
The attendance requirement for Pittsburgh students to receive scholarship funds from the Pittsburgh Promise will be lifted specifically for the class of 2022, with program officials citing the “significant challenges” the class has experienced throughout the covid-19 pandemic. “We have concluded that class of 2022 students will have attendance issues...
Number of Ukraine refugees passes worst-case U.N. estimate
MEDYKA, Poland — The number of people who have fled Ukraine since Russian troops invaded has surpassed 4 million, the United Nations reported Wednesday as shelling continued in places where Moscow had vowed to ease its military operations. “I do not know if we can still believe the Russians,” refugee...
California governor rejects parole for Manson family member
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday blocked parole for Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten, reversing a panel’s recommendation that she be freed after spending a half-century in prison. Van Houten, 72, “currently poses an unreasonable danger to society if released from prison at this time,” Newsom...
Into the wild: Animals the latest frontier in covid fight
GRAND PORTAGE, Minn. — To administer this covid test, Todd Kautz had to lay on his belly in the snow and worm his upper body into the narrow den of a hibernating black bear. Training a light on its snout, Kautz carefully slipped a long cotton swab into the bear’s...
What the law says about presidential records
WASHINGTON — Revelations of a roughly eight-hour gap in official records of then-President Donald Trump’s phone calls on the day of last year’s insurrection at the U.S. Capitol are raising fresh questions about the diligence — or lack thereof — of his record keeping. The committee investigating the Jan. 6,...
Carrick man accused of making bomb threat against St. Clair Hospital
A man from Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood was being held without bail after authorities said he threatened to bring a bomb to St. Clair Hospital on Tuesday, according to court papers. Christopher Moran, 43, is charged with making terroristic threats and bomb threats, both misdemeanors. He arrived at the Mt. Lebanon...
1 hurt in Turtle Creek shooting
A man was shot in the leg in Turtle Creek early Wednesday, according to Allegheny County Police. Authorities were called to Maple Avenue at 1 a.m. and found evidence that a shooting had taken place there. A short time later, the injured man arrived at a hospital, police said. He...
Man hospitalized after McKeesport shooting
A man was critically injured in a shooting late Tuesday in McKeesport. Authorities responded to a ShotSpotter alert on Sumac Street at 11:40 p.m. and reported finding evidence that a shooting happened there, according to Allegheny County Police. While they were investigating, the injured man showed up at a hospital...
Man dies in Brookline shooting
A Wilkinsburg man was fatally shot Tuesday night in Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood. Multiple gunshots were reported at a home on Chelton Avenue around 10 p.m., according to Pittsburgh Public Information Officer Cara Cruz. Police found Devonte White, 29, with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according...
Pennsylvania bill targets transgender girls in school sports
HARRISBURG — A Republican proposal to prevent transgender girls from competing in girls’ school sports passed the Pennsylvania House Education Committee on Tuesday, over Democratic opposition. The 15-9 party-line vote advanced the “Save Women’s Sports Act” bill so it can be considered by the GOP-majority chamber. It would restrict players...
Westmoreland coroner hires first full-time female deputy
A Southmoreland High School graduate who worked in a Minnesota medical examiner’s office has been hired as the first full-time female deputy coroner in Westmoreland County — which first elected a coroner in 1774, according to historical records. Cara Shaffer, 30, was hired to fill the vacancy left by the...
Police: Man chased woman from New Kensington day care with 3-year-old son in her car
A West Mifflin man is accused of stalking the mother of his son and pointing a gun at her during a car chase with the 3-year-old in her car. New Kensington police on Tuesday filed charges against Roosevelt Javon Wright, 23. Police said the incident began about 9:30 a.m. March...
Petition protests Burrell School District making graduation caps and gowns all blue
More than 1,700 people have signed a petition on change.org protesting Burrell School District’s decision to use just one color for graduation caps and gowns. Traditionally, Burrell’s ceremony has featured both of the school’s colors: senior boys wearing blue caps and gowns with girls donning white. But the administration recently...
Pa. Republicans eye greater control over redistricting in response to new political maps
This article is part of a yearlong reporting project focused on redistricting and gerrymandering in Pennsylvania. It is made possible by the support of Spotlight PA members and Votebeat, a project focused on election integrity and voting access. HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Republicans are moving to change how the state’s political...
Latrobe ordinance update sparks debate over guidelines for motorized wheelchairs
Latrobe officials could lump motorized wheelchairs and scooters into a new ordinance that was designed to govern the use of bicycles and skateboards in the city. The move would be part of a proposed ordinance update that would make provisions for wheeled devices that aren’t mentioned while eliminating an outdated...
University Prep on modified lockdown after guns found in nearby Hill District home
A school in Pittsburgh Hill District was on modified lockdown Tuesday after police found guns in an abandoned home nearby, officials said. Ebony Pugh, a spokeswoman for Pittsburgh Public Schools, said the guns were found at a home on Vancroft Street, not far from University Prep, a grade 6-12 school...
Region under winter weather advisory for morning commute
Not so fast. Old Man Winter isn’t through with you yet. Despite Wednesday afternoon temperatures expected to each the 60s, weather early in the day could be another blast of winter. A mix of snow, rain and freezing rain could make for a slippery morning commute Wednesday. The National Weather...
Poll: Americans ease up on masks, virus safeguards
Many Americans have taken significant steps back from once-routine coronavirus precautions, with fewer than half now saying they regularly wear face masks, avoid crowds and skip nonessential travel. Americans are letting down their guard even as experts warn a new wave of covid-19 cases is coming. A new poll from...
Former New Kensington-Arnold superintendent now Harrison manager
Harrison Township commissioners hired John E. Pallone as township manager by a unanimous vote. Pallone, a former five-term state legislator and superintendent of the New Kensington-Arnold School District, will be paid $80,000 per year. Pallone replaces part-time township manager Richard G. Hill, who resigned March 11 “to pursue other opportunities.”...
Union says Urban Pathways charter school teachers being cut over organization efforts
Nearly three dozen teachers at Urban Pathways K-5 charter school in Downtown Pittsburgh have filed to unionize with the American Federation of Teachers labor union. According to AFT Pennsylvania, administrators at Urban Pathways K-5 doled out non-renewal contracts to some staff and fired one employee in response to March 22...
