Top Stories category, Page 225
Inside Western Pennsylvania’s thriving sword-fighting community
A sword is the draw. Each participant carries a 48- to 52-inch saber into the former Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in East Deer for Friday Night Fights where, two by two, they enter a ring wearing gear representative of medieval times. They are prepared to attack their opponent —...
Decreased barge traffic could impact river locks in Harmar, Highland Park
Lock service in Harmar and Highland Park could be on the chopping block pending a review of commercial barge traffic this year. “It could very well happen,” said Mike Ferris, president of the Allegheny River Development Corp. “We don’t know when it would happen, but it will be reviewed this...
‘It’s a wake-up call’: Researchers, companies say NIH funding changes could be lethal to innovations
During her medical training, Dr. Miriam Cremer watched a woman suffering from advanced cervical cancer bleed to death in Arcatao, El Salvador. That preventable tragedy is what sowed the seeds of her Pittsburgh-based nonprofit, she said. Basic Health International’s mission is to develop ways to diagnose and treat cervical cancer....
From brownfield to crown jewel: Piatt’s $740M Esplanade project aims to spur Ohio River revival
When drivers emerge from the Fort Pitt Tunnel, they’re greeted by a majestic view of Pittsburgh’s dazzling rivers, the iconic Point State Park fountain and the city’s soaring skyline. And when Lucas Piatt glances left as he drives along the Fort Pitt Bridge, he can already envision the massive Ferris...
Manor couple aims to create pet-finding app after death of 16-year-old goat
When Penny Layne ventured into the woods behind her Manor home on an icy January night, only one objective was on her mind: to find her missing 16-year-old goat, Patrick. Armed with a flashlight and a cellphone battery life near zero, Layne climbed over downed trees and trudged through the...
Art show in Butler honors Marc Fogel’s return from Russian prison
Throughout Marc Fogel’s 3½ years of imprisonment in Russia, members of Pittsburgh’s arts community rallied together to bring attention to the cause of the Butler native. They hosted the “Make a Marc” event in spring 2023, which included 90 artists and 1,000 visitors. In September, they participated in an event...
Paul Whelan describes life after nearly six years in Russian captivity
Former Marine Paul Whelan said, even though he’s been back in the United States since August — after more than five years of Russian captivity — his reintegration into American society continues. “Everything’s familiar, but you still have to get used to it,” Whelan said in an interview with TribLive...
Trump moves with dizzying speed on his to-do list. But there are warning signs in his 1st month
WASHINGTON — As President Donald Trump approaches the first-month mark in his second term, he has moved with dizzying speed and blunt force to reorder American social and political norms and the economy while redefining the U.S. role in the world. At the same time, he has empowered Elon Musk,...
Anger, chaos and confusion take hold as federal workers face mass layoffs
NEW YORK — Workers across the country responded with anger and confusion Friday as they grappled with the Trump administration ‘s aggressive effort to shrink the size of the federal workforce by ordering agencies to lay off probationary employees who have yet to qualify for civil service protections. While much...
Federal judge rejects NLRB injunction sought by Post-Gazette unions
A federal judge has rejected an injunction request filed by the National Labor Relations Board on behalf of three striking unions against the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. If granted, the injunction would have forced the newspaper to allow workers to return to the job as negotiations and legal actions continue. Newsroom and...
Fogel completes medical evaluation in Texas, sends message of gratitude to supportersVideo
Former Oakmont teacher Marc Fogel, freed from more than three years of Russian captivity on Tuesday, has completed the first phase of his reintegration to freedom in the United States. In a message he sent to his attorney, Sasha Phillips, late Friday, Fogel said he had completed the medical phase...
Saturday morning snow disrupts travel across Western Pa.
Roads throughout Western Pennsylvania were closed or saw traffic restrictions as a result of early morning storm that dumped an inch or two of snow throughout the region. Emergency dispatchers in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties reported numerous crashes. Route 30 near Greengate Center in Hempfield was among the roadways where...
Mark Madden Hot Take: What if the Steelers acquired Patrick Mahomes? It could happen, right?
Breaking news: The Pittsburgh Steelers asked Kansas City about acquiring quarterback Patrick Mahomes. (Except they didn’t.) The Chiefs said Mahomes wasn’t available. (Or would have if they had been asked.) A source close to the Chiefs said, “You must be stupid. Never happened.” A source inside the Steelers organization said,...
Rural property owners concerned that housing developments will alter Hempfield lifestyle
John Keenan bought his Hempfield property more than 30 years ago because of the peace and quiet it offered. His son grew up in the rural area on the eastern edge of the township and now uses the property to run an organic farm that supplies produce to local tables...
Lack of manpower forces Greensburg Fire Department to sell truck that requires 2 drivers
The end of an era is approaching for the Greensburg Fire Department. The days are numbered for the department’s tractor-drawn ladder truck, which has become a casualty of fewer volunteers. “It takes two drivers for this truck, and we just don’t have the manpower anymore,” said fire Chief Tom Bell....
Final 2 owners of Mon View Heights housing complex are arraigned on criminal charges
Two New York men accused of stealing nearly $600,000 earmarked for a West Mifflin housing complex were arraigned Friday. Moshe “Mark” Silber, 36, and Frederick Schulman, 73, appeared virtually for the appearance on charges of theft, receiving stolen property, dealing in the proceeds of illegal activity, criminal conspiracy and related...
Stabbing in Pittsburgh’s Stanton Heights sends man to hospital
Pittsburgh police are investigating a stabbing Friday evening in the city’s Stanton Heights neighborhood that sent a man to the hospital in critical condition. Officers from the department’s Zone 5 found the man on the sidewalk with a wound to his upper left arm when they responded to reports of...
AP reporter, photographer barred from Air Force One over ‘Gulf of Mexico’ terminology dispute
The White House barred a credentialed Associated Press reporter and photographer from boarding the presidential airplane Friday for a weekend trip with Donald Trump, saying the news agency’s stance on how to refer to the Gulf of Mexico was to blame for the exclusion. It represented a significant escalation by...
Kindergarteners could learn gun safety in school under a bill gaining momentum in Utah
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah students in as early as kindergarten would be required to learn about firearm safety in the classroom under a bill that passed the state House with overwhelming support Friday. The Republican-controlled chamber approved the measure in a 59-10 vote and sent it to the Senate,...
Police charge Munhall man who fought with cops before officer shot him in police holding cell
A man was charged Friday with fighting with authorities and choking a Munhall police officer before the officer shot him last week inside a police holding cell in the borough’s municipal building. Munhall police initially took Christopher Allie, 38, of Munhall into custody after a violent domestic dispute on East...
2 more arrests made in March 2024 gunfight in Wilkinsburg that killed teenage bystander
Allegheny County Police arrested two men Friday who they say helped escalate a social media beef into a homicide last March when they fired multiple shots at a group of women fighting in Wilkinsburg, and instead struck and killed a teenage bystander. Eugene Camp, 22, of Whitehall and Omar Campbell,...
Bird-watchers flock to eagle cam at U.S. Steel Irvin works
The eagle cam has landed in West Mifflin, and viewership is soaring. During the last 48 hours, more than 8,000 people tuned in to watch Stella the bald eagle after she laid her first egg in a nest outside U.S. Steel’s Mon Valley Works-Irvin Plant on Thursday night. U.S. Steel...
GM Ben Cherington: Pirates ‘not on the doorstep’ of making a major move at first base
BRADENTON, Fla. – The Pittsburgh Pirates have a glaring hole at first base, but if they are about to make a big move to bolster their roster, it’s news to general manager Ben Cherington. Cherington said the Pirates are still talking to free agents and open to potential trades, but...
Latrobe exhibit on Fred Rogers’ influences to debut with kids’ activities, speakers, artifacts
Several generations of kids were gently guided by Latrobe native Fred Rogers during the three decades his “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” show aired on public television. A new exhibit at Latrobe Art Center, running through March 22, will explore those who, in turn, had a hand in influencing and inspiring the...
Police say Latrobe man provided fatal drug dose
Latrobe police used video surveillance evidence from more than 10 locations to track the movements of a city man shortly before he died from an accidental drug overdose, according to court papers. They compared that information with messages retrieved from Jonathan S. Campbell’s Facebook account to file charges Friday against...
