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Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88
Here’s what used to occupy some large Pittsburgh construction sites
It’s tradition for Pittsburghers to give directions to landmarks that no longer exist. “Turn right where Schenley High School used to be.” It is a quirk that showcases the region’s love for nostalgia and respect for its history. Dozens of construction projects are happening in the city. Buildings that housed...
Pittsburgh development is (mostly) booming. What to know now and what to expect next
Pittsburgh is experiencing a building boom worth billions. About 80 large construction projects are in the works or have been proposed in the city, according to Tribune-Review research and data from construction analyst firm Tall Timber Group. About half are under construction. The projects range from office space and multi-use...
When is a recession not a recession? Right now, say economists
You don’t have to tell Kevin McCallister there’s something wrong with the economy. “I’m just trying to stay under the radar as far as raising prices,” said McCallister, owner of Kevin’s Deli in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood. While businesses often raise prices every year, many small businesses have been raising prices...
Thousands affected in Allegheny Health Network data breach
The names and medical histories of 8,000 Allegheny Health Network patients might have been leaked in a data breach last month after an employee opened a phishing email that compromised their account, the health care system said Friday. Patients affected were notified by mail this week, officials said. The incident...
Coulter Building’s early 20th century aesthetic brought back to life in Greensburg
An office building on Greensburg’s Main Street that originally was Westmoreland County’s courthouse has regained some of its early 20th century appeal. Owner Ryan Will renovated interior common areas of the four-story Coulter Building at 231 S. Main St. “What we were looking to do was bring it back to...
Saxonburg-based II-VI acquires California company, changes name
A Butler County company with Roman numerals for a name is putting to rest its link to the periodic table of elements in conjunction with its acquisition of a California firm that II-VI Inc. says holds the promise to boost its hold in the materials, networking and laser markets. II-VI...
Harrison man accused of sharing child porn online charged with 28 felony counts
A Harrison man faces more than two dozen felony counts after state agents accused him of having child pornography videos on his cellphone, including some involving kids as young as 2. Gregory Paul Rosato, 58, of the 1400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue was charged by the state Attorney General’s Office...
Employers, counselors see ‘huge need’ for summertime workers
Employers expecting to fill job vacancies with the traditional summertime influx of high school students have been left wondering where the workers have gone. Many employers are “literally begging for new employees” with little result, said Don Acker, program manager for Equus Workforce Solutions in New Kensington. “Right now, we...
Pandemic has caused a changing face of the workweek
The workweek as it once existed likely has changed forever. Four-day workweeks. Zoom calls. Hybrid schedules. Full-time remote. All have become standard operating procedure for many businesses and their employees. Companies were forced to adjust — or be faced with the prospect of folding — after the covid-19 pandemic struck....
Growth trend continues at Westmoreland Mall as sneaker, clothing store set to open
The Westmoreland Mall continues to see an uptick in business after the 2020 opening of a casino at the Hempfield complex. Two new stores: Kadiskicks, a locally owned sneaker store, and Daily Thread, a women’s clothing store, soon will be opening at the shopping center, according to the mall’s website....
DEP to get input on proposed mine expansion in Westmoreland, Fayette
State environmental regulators will receive input Wednesday from Donegal area residents who may be affected by the expansion of a coal mine along the Westmoreland-Fayette border. The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a virtual informal conference at 6 p.m. May 25 on a request from LCT Energy LP to...
Economics 101: What rising interest rates, inflation mean for you
The price of just about everything has gone up. Inflation, the rate at which prices rise in the economy, is the worst it’s been in 40 years. The Federal Reserve, the central bank for the U.S. — more commonly known as the Fed — announced earlier this month that it...
Hepler’s Hardware celebrates 80 years of family business in New Stanton
After 80 years in business, a New Stanton hardware store has processed more than 3 million customer transactions. Multiple generations of the Hepler family have worked at Hepler’s Hardware on State Route 119 North since it opened in 1942. Megan Orient, co-owner and president, is part of the fourth generation...
Pittsburgh region jobs up, jobless rate down in March
The seven-county Pittsburgh region created more jobs in March and more people returned to the workforce, pushing the unemployment rate down to below to pre-pandemic levels of 2020, according to data released Tuesday. The area’s economy added 13,200 nonfarm jobs in March, raising the level to 1.23 million, which was...
Pittsburgh region’s economy remains slow to recover from pandemic downturn
The Pittsburgh region’s economy continues to lag behind its pre-covid levels from 2020, when there were 64,000 more nonfarm jobs in the seven counties and 54,600 more people in the labor force, according to the February employment report released Tuesday. “It may take us years to get back to pre-pandemic...
Taco Bell in Allegheny Township on schedule to open this month
Construction continues on a Taco Bell in Allegheny Township, expected to open this month at intersection of Hyde Park Road at Route 56. Kevin Kupniewsk, senior director of operations for Charter Foods/Taco Bell, KFC, Long John Silvers and Pizza Hut, confirmed this week that the project is on schedule. An...
Bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies growing in popularity as ATMs sprout up across Pittsburgh region
A different kind of ATM is popping up in stores, supermarkets and malls across Southwestern Pennsylvania. These, however, are not intended to spit out dollars. They offer cryptocurrency — a decentralized, digital currency that has no government backing or regulation. Its value is volatile, fluctuating like a stock. It relies...
At Carnegie Mellon, a bipartisan effort to address Pa.’s autonomous vehicle industry
Pennsylvania lawmakers and officials gathered at Carnegie Mellon University on Wednesday to unveil legislation to authorize the testing and commercial deployment of automated vehicles. State Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr., R-Johnstown, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, discussed how the Pittsburgh region’s continued leadership in autonomous vehicle technology — with cutting...
Nutting family completes sale of Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, Laurel Mountain to Vail Resorts
The Nutting family and Vail Resorts have completed the sale of Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Hidden Valley Resort and the Laurel Mountain Ski Area for $118 million. “Looking back over the past 15 years, I am proud to be leaving all three properties much better than we had found them,”...
A guide to making holiday gift returns
Someone gives you a gift. It’s the wrong size. It’s a duplicate. Maybe you don’t like it. You want to return it. After months of shopping leading up to Christmas, some people will be heading back to the stores Dec. 26. That’s a day known for holiday gift exchanges. In...
Pittsburgh region’s jobless rate falls to 5.9%; labor force shrinks
The Pittsburgh region’s unemployment rate in October fell below 6% for the first time since the pandemic took hold of the economy in April 2020, a combination of more jobs being filled and, once again, fewer people in the labor force. “It’s just as if the economy is stuck in...
Pittsburgh area adds jobs in September, loss of workers reflects slow recovery
The Pittsburgh region had 10,000 fewer workers in September than a year ago, despite the availability of the covid vaccine, employers offering higher wages and the federal government eliminating extra jobless benefits. The seven-county region saw the labor force decrease to 1.16 million workers in September, a drop of 13,600...
Kennametal revenues rise, net income up
Kennametal Corp.’s sales jumped by 26% in the July-through-September quarter compared with a year ago and earnings per share rose 69 cents from the same quarter a year ago, the company said Monday. The Pittsburgh-based maker of metalworking tools said it earned 43 cents a share on sales of $483.5...
Western Pa. business owners lament: Where have all the workers gone? 
Rod Darby has a great location for The Trailside Pub & Restaurant, overlooking the Youghiogheny River in West Newton. Diners can sit on the deck watching hikers, bikers and runners travel the Great Allegheny Passage, the popular trail connecting Pittsburgh with Washington, D.C. Attracting customers to his business has not...
Allegheny County, RIDC ink deal to develop Carrie Furnace site in Rankin
Part of the former Carrie Furnace steelmaking site along the Monongahela River near Braddock is to be redeveloped for contemporary commercial use. It’s intended to include flexible technology space, research and development, workforce education, light manufacturing and assembly, and even a place for film production. The redevelopment plan that targets...


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