Top Stories category, Page 394
Life and death in the heat. What it feels like when Earth’s temperatures soar to record highs
BENI MELLAL, Morocco — In the unrelenting heat of Morocco’s Middle Atlas, people were sleeping on rooftops. Hanna Ouhbour needed refuge too, but she was outside a hospital waiting for her diabetic cousin who was in a room without air conditioning. On Wednesday, there were 21 heat-related deaths at Beni...
Benedum estate listed for $2.9M near Ligonier
The Benedum family no longer has any heirs to carry on the family name, or to own and operate the family residence near Ligonier. Butterfly Farm, owned by the late philanthropist Paul G. Benedum, known by most as “Benny,” died from a heart attack while visiting Florida in May 2023....
Some say 7% boost in Pa. Medicaid funding is not enough for nursing homes; Sen. Kim Ward agrees
A 7% increase included in the recently passed Pennsylvania budget for nursing home residents on Medicaid — upping the total to $120 million — will help facilities caring for the elderly but won’t cover the gap between cost of the care and the state’s Medicaid reimbursement, a nursing home official...
Inside Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s support for private school vouchers
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 — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is being eyed as a potential Democratic vice presidential nominee, but with that attention has come intense scrutiny of...
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
WASHINGTON — Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president’s ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former president’s injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally. “What struck...
6,300 University of Pittsburgh staffers gain chance to join Steelworkers union
For University of Pittsburgh staff who watched as 3,400 faculty colleagues gained collective bargaining rights a few years back, what’s coming in the mail soon represents their own moment of choice. The Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board will oversee another union election at Pitt. This time, it’s for 6,300 staff. Ballots...
Sen. Ward says she will work to ensure potential Democratic presidential ticket including Shapiro loses
State Sen. Kim Ward, R-Hempfield, pledged to try to avoid becoming Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor — something that would happen should Gov. Josh Shapiro leave office before his term ends. “I’m going to fight as hard as I can to make sure I don’t become lieutenant governor … that it never...
Trump says he’ll return to Butler for another rally
Former President Trump said he will return to Butler County, the site of an assassination attempt against him, for a rally to honor the life of the firefighter killed in the shooting. Trump posted on Truth Social on Friday afternoon that he will be holding a “big and beautiful rally”...
Trump welcomes Netanyahu to Mar-a-Lago, mending relationship with key political ally
WASHINGTON — A beaming Donald Trump welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to their first face-to-face meeting in nearly four years Friday, patching up a political alliance important to both men that had broken down when the Israeli leader offended Trump by being one of the first to congratulate Joe...
Police arrest man in Versailles stabbing rampage that left 1 dead, 2 hurt
After drinking tequila and smoking marijuana, an out-of-control Washington County man tore through a Mon Valley duplex Thursday night, killing one man, attempting to stab another and forcing a woman into a headlock before apologizing and fleeing the scene with a dog, police said. Allegheny County Police on Friday charged...
Superior Court reverses judge’s bail denial in Sewickley torture case
Three months after an Allegheny County judge denied bail to a suspect accused of torturing a man in Sewickley, an appeals court ruled that he must be granted bail. Pennsylvania law says that every criminal defendant is entitled to bail unless they face a potential life prison term or there...
Stamp bags, needles and toys: Jury finds Munhall man guilty of murder in fentanyl death of son, 2
With thousands of empty stamp bags strewn throughout the parents’ Munhall apartment — mixed in with donuts, cookies and their three children’s toys — it was a matter of if, not when, the fentanyl would harm the kids, a prosecutor said. “Day after day, week after week, room after room,...
Leechburg Area officials plan lawsuit against Westmoreland County over tax assessments
Leechburg Area School Board members say they intend to file a lawsuit against Westmoreland County and possibly one against the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The lawsuits would be aimed at bringing about a solution to demands from West Leechburg residents to fix what they say is an inequity in the...
Plum School District settles discrimination claim with job applicant for $5K
The Plum School District will revise its application process as part of an agreement settling a discrimination allegation. The district agreed to pay Eile Demkee $5,000 to resolve Demkee’s claims. That amount, inclusive of attorney’s fees and costs, will be paid by the district and/or its insurance carrier. The district...
Paris Olympics athletes post fit checks, cardboard beds on social media
Though the 2024 Paris Olympics presents an opportunity for athletes to show what they’re made of on the international summer sports stage — it also gives them a chance to give social media followers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the games. Four-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles shared a photo of...
No more booths: Turnpike set to expand Open Road Tolling in coming years
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission gave more details this week about its timeline for ditching toll booths in favor of Open Road Tolling (ORT). All toll roads east of Reading and on the Northeast Extension will be converted to ORT, a system that electronically charges motorists at highway speeds, in January...
Social media users call for Netflix boycott after co-founder’s donation to Kamala Harris’ campaign
Netflix is facing online backlash following the $7 million donation its co-founder Reed Hastings made toward Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential election campaign, Variety reported. Hastings co-founded Netflix in 1997 and served as CEO for 25 years before stepping down, according to Variety, and this is the largest single campaign...
Chestnut Street home in Sewickley on the market for $1,795,000Video
For Robyn Carson Jones, a house is more than brick and mortar — it’s a place to create family memories. When she and her husband were renovating their current Sewickley residence for their three children, they included an in-law suite for her mother so she could be close by during...
Morning Roundup: 2 arrested in Clairton killing; USDA doing rabies bait drops
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, July 26: 2 arrested in Clairton shooting Two people have been arrested in connection with a fatal July 12 shooting on Madison Avenue in Clairton, county police said. Allegheny County Police arrested Thomas W. Walker V, 27, of...
Barack and Michelle Obama endorse Kamala Harris, giving her expected but crucial support
ATLANTA — Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama have endorsed Kamala Harris in her White House bid, giving the vice president the expected but still crucial backing of the nation’s two most popular Democrats. The endorsement, announced Friday morning in a video showing Harris accepting a...
Trump announces 1st Pennsylvania rally since assassination attempt
Former President Donald Trump has announced his first rally in Pennsylvania since the July 13 assassination attempt at a rally in Butler Township. Trump will return to the state for a July 31 rally at the New Holland Arena in Harrisburg. Trump sustained an injury to his ear after shooter...
Charges against Mercer man accused of killing, dismembering transgender teen held for court
A murder charge filed against a Mercer County man accused of killing a transgender teen and dismembering their body was held for court on Thursday. State police charged Dashawn Watkins, 29, of Mercer with first-degree murder, aggravated assault, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence in the death of...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: July 26-28
Another summer month is almost over! As we say goodbye to July, the calendar is still packed with events. If you’re in the mood for goats, dinosaurs, tunes or treats, give one of these events a spin this weekend. Goat Fest PGH Adorable goats have become an integral part of...
TV Talk: Pittsburgh’s public access cable channel PCTV to shutter
PCTV, public access cable channel Pittsburgh Community Television, will cease operations by the end of August due to a dearth of funding. “The continuing decline in cable subscribers and the changing media landscape has had a devastating impact on our funding and our viability,” PCTV executive director John Patterson wrote...
Casey: State Dept., Biden silence on Marc Fogel’s Russian imprisonment is intolerable
WASHINGTON — The State Department isn’t doing enough to bring Oakmont teacher Marc Fogel home, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, told TribLive. “I believe the administration’s outreach to and communication with the family has been unacceptable. They simply haven’t done enough of it,” Casey said. Fogel, 62, was sentenced to...
