Top Stories category, Page 371
FBI: Shooter acted alone, motive for shooting at Trump rally remains unknown
Investigators said they were still working Sunday to determine what drove a Bethel Park man to open fire on a political rally the evening before in Butler County, killing a Buffalo Township man and wounding former President Donald Trump. Two others, including a man from Plum and one from Moon,...
Photo gallery: Trump rally in Butler
A gunman shot at former President Donald Trump on Saturday evening, July 13, 2024, at the Butler Farm Show grounds, killing one spectator and critically injuring two others before being killed, according to the Secret Service. When Trump emerged from behind the podium, surrounded by Secret Service agents, blood could...
Who was Thomas Crooks, the alleged gunman in the Trump shooting?Video
The suspected gunman in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump was a registered Republican from Bethel Park who donated money to a politically liberal group before he was old enough to vote. The FBI identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, as the shooter early Sunday. He was killed by...
A look at the history of presidential assassination attempts in America
WASHINGTON — Before Saturday’s apparent attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, there have been multiple instances of political violence targeting U.S. presidents, former presidents and major party presidential candidates. A look at some of the assassinations and attempted assassinations that have occurred since the nation’s founding in 1776: Abraham...
Global leaders condemn apparent assassination attempt targeting former U.S. President Donald Trump
Global leaders expressed concern Sunday over an apparent assassination attempt targeting former U.S. President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania that left one attendee dead and critically injured two others. Trump’s campaign said the presumptive Republican nominee was doing “fine” after being whisked off the stage, though the shooting...
What we know about the 20-year-old suspect in the apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump
WASHINGTON — The man identified as the shooter in the apparent assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump was a 20-year-old from a Pittsburgh suburb not far from the campaign rally where one attendee was killed. Investigators were working Sunday to gather more information about Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel...
The Latest: Trump calls for unity, still plans to speak at Republican National Convention
Donald Trump said Sunday morning that he still plans to attend and speak at the Republican National Convention that kicks off Monday in Milwaukee, despite an apparent assassination attempt. “I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from...
As covid cases surge, here’s what local doctors advise
If you’re feeling the early signs and symptoms of a respiratory infection — fever, cough, a sore throat, congestion, or even abdominal pain or diarrhea — it might be a good time to take a covid test, local doctors say. Though the numbers have waned drastically from the early days...
Jill Biden revs up Italian Sons and Daughters of America in Pittsburgh
First Lady Jill Biden riled up a group of supporters Saturday at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh, speaking about the grit of her Italian ancestors and telling the crowd that her husband, President Joe Biden, is just as much a fighter. “He’s making sure that no matter where you start...
Richard Simmons, a fitness guru who mixed laughs and sweat, dies at 76
NEW YORK — Richard Simmons, television’s hyperactive court jester of physical fitness who built a mini-empire in his trademark tank tops and short shorts by urging the overweight to exercise and eat better, died Saturday. He turned 76 on Friday. Simmons died at his home in Los Angeles, his publicist...
Sen. Bob Casey walks fine line amid Biden turmoil
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey has a fine line to walk. He and other Democrats fighting to hang on to hotly contested Senate seats have seemed jittery about the turmoil surrounding President Joe Biden after his disastrous debate performance. In many cases, they’re trying to minimize any damage to...
Mount Pleasant Township man dead after motorcycle collision with deer
A Mount Pleasant Township man was killed after hitting a deer while riding his motorcycle Friday night, according to Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson. Jayson A. Halterman, 50, was driving his motorcycle near 400 Stone Church Road in Hempfield around 10:30 p.m. when he struck a deer and a utility...
Kittanning man found guilty of murder in fentanyl-laced cocaine overdose death
An Armstrong County man was convicted of third-degree murder for delivery of drugs that resulted in a fatal overdose four years ago, according to the state Attorney General’s Office. Nathan R. Wolfe, 41, of Kittanning was convicted Thursday of providing crack cocaine laced with fentanyl to Eric McMillen, who died...
Fayette man allegedly paid teen cash and marijuana to carry out 2023 murder
A Fayette County man charged with homicide last year was arrested Friday and accused of paying a teenager cash and marijuana to carry out the crime, according to court records. Calvin J. Huffman, 37, of Uniontown City was arrested in June 2023 and accused of assisting a teenage boy in...
New Eagle man killed in water skiing accident on Monongahela River
A New Eagle man died in a water skiing accident Saturday morning in Washington County, according to Coroner Tim Warco. Jarred Feschuk, 39, was water skiing on the Monongahela River near West Brownsville when he collided with a docked boat. Feschuk was transported to Penn Highlands Mon Valley Hospital’s emergency...
Homestead man killed in Clairton shooting
A Homestead man was killed in a shooting in Clairton on Friday evening, according to Allegheny County Police. Police were dispatched to the 900 block of Madison Avenue just before 10:30 p.m. for a shooting. Police said Terell Dachaon Blanks, 27, was found with multiple gunshot wounds. He died at...
Parks Township nuclear waste cleanup faces awareness gap
How well informed community members are about the impending Parks Township nuclear waste dump cleanup depends on who you ask. Preliminary results from a survey sent out by University of Pittsburgh master’s degree candidate Ariana Scott suggest a startling lack of awareness, with a majority of respondents indicating they aren’t...
Upper Burrell man waiting for 3rd kidney transplant
Joe Baker is a simple guy who enjoys tinkering with old tractors in his garage and spending time with family and friends. “He’s an Average Joe, but he’s my Average Joe,” said his wife, Nancy. “He’s a good man.” Joe, 63, and Nancy, 65, of Upper Burrell are on a...
New rule allows mentor to lead up to 3 novice hunters in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Game Commission has updated its regulations to allow a licensed adult hunter to bring more than one novice along. Through the commission’s mentored hunting program, children or adults are guided by a mentor, an experienced, licensed hunter who teaches the basics of hunting and gun safety. The program...
Democrats could force Biden out under the 25th Amendment — but probably won’t
WASHINGTON— President Joe Biden has said that only the “Lord Almighty” could convince him not to seek reelection, but a constitutional amendment that Democrats called for invoking against President Donald Trump three years ago provides a path for Biden to leave office or be removed in an extraordinary, if highly...
The Democratic Party crisis after Biden’s debate spirals with no clear ending
NEW YORK — For more than two weeks now, the Democratic Party has been mired in crisis. And yet there is no sign that the threat to Joe Biden’s reelection is nearing a conclusion, as the president digs in and a growing chorus of Democratic officials, donors and strategists calls...
Budget sends $500M more to Pa.’s poorest schools, falling short of what some say is needed
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. HARRISBURG — After weeks of tense, secretive negotiations on Pennsylvania’s budget, the legislature has approved a $47.6 billion spending deal that falls short of the...
‘Must-see TV’: Rookie Paul Skenes brings Pirates into spotlight as All-Star Game starterVideo
For two months, fans in Pittsburgh have been captivated by the performance of Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes. That’s not to say that outside of town, baseball fans, players and analysts haven’t taken notice of the mustachioed, 6-foot-6 rookie since he made his highly anticipated MLB debut May 11. But Tuesday...
2 weeks that imperiled Biden’s presidency left him on probation in the court of Democratic opinion
WASHINGTON — Joe Biden’s tribulations were previewed in Hollywood days before he got on the debate stage. At a fundraiser organized by George Clooney and packed with luminaries including former President Barack Obama, Biden was a listless figure, perhaps merely jet-lagged after flying straight from Italy but clearly not the...
Texas lab to use advanced DNA testing to help Westmoreland investigators with cold cases
Westmoreland County investigators will tap into advanced DNA testing in an attempt to formulate new leads or identify suspects as part of an effort to solve violent crime cold cases. District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli this week announced the hiring of Othram Inc., a Texas-based company, to evaluate and study DNA...
