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Top Stories category, Page 72

Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88
Westmoreland-based water authority hikes rates, blames increase on inflation, upgrade needs
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County customers will be charged an additional 9.5% for water and sewer services starting in April. The authority board approved a $129 million budget that included the second rate hike in the past two years. The latest, officials said, is attributed to costs for energy, construction...
Pentagon sending 1,500 active duty troops to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon said Wednesday it has begun deploying 1,500 active duty troops to help secure the southern border, putting in motion plans President Donald Trump laid out in executive orders shortly after he took office to crack down on immigration. Acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses said the troops...
Pittsburgh councilman seeks more candor in wake of Scirotto refereeing fiasco
A Pittsburgh councilman wants people appointed to run city departments and bureaus to answer council’s questions under oath. The move by Councilman Anthony Coghill, D-Beechview, comes after council learned that Larry Scirotto, the city’s former police chief, was less than candid during public questioning about whether he would continue to...
PETA calls for ‘weather reveal’ cake to replace Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day
In lieu of Punxsutawney Phil forecasting the weather on Groundhog Day, the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is offering to send a “weather reveal” vegan cake this year. PETA sends a letter annually to Punxsutawney Groundhog Club President Tom Dunkel suggesting an alternative predicting method...
Terminated employee sues WQED for age discrimination
Paula Zetter, a veteran Emmy-winning design director at WQED-TV who was among at least nine employees terminated by WQED CEO Jason Jedlinski in late 2023 and early 2024, filed an age discrimination lawsuit against the public broadcaster last week. According to court documents, Zetter seeks reinstatement to her job or...
Teen fatally shoots female student and himself at high school in Nashville, police say 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A female student was killed and another student was wounded Wednesday in shooting in a Nashville high school cafeteria, police said. The 17-year-old shooter, who was also a student at Antioch High School, later shot and killed himself with a handgun, Metro Nashville Police spokesperson Don Aaron...
3 injured, 2 critically, in explosion at Lower Burrell steel plant
Two people were critically injured in an explosion Wednesday at Braeburn Alloy’s Steel Division in Lower Burrell, according to emergency officials. A Westmoreland County 911 public safety supervisor confirmed the incident at 11:57 a.m. at the site, 101 Braeburn Road. One of the critically injured people was flown to an...
Man who pleaded guilty to delivering cocaine from his Maserati headed to prison
A Washington County man accused by police of driving a Maserati to deliver cocaine around the region, will serve 12½ years in federal prison. Dirk Barfield Jr., 38, was still on supervised released from a 2009 federal case when he was arrested on the new charges. According to federal prosecutors,...
Trump demands an apology from bishop who asked him to ‘have mercy’ on LGBTQ+ people and migrants 
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded an apology from the Episcopal bishop of Washington after she made a direct appeal to him during a prayer service marking his inauguration to have mercy on the LGBTQ+ community and migrant workers who are in the United States illegally. Referencing Trump’s...
Trump administration shuts down White House Spanish-language page and social media
Within hours of President Donald Trump’s inauguration, the new administration took down the Spanish-language version of the official White House website. The website now gives users an “Error 404” message. It also included a “Go Home” button that directed viewers to a page featuring a video montage of Trump in...
Bird flu outbreak causes egg shortages, price increases in Western Pa.
There’s been a shortage and price increase of eggs available at grocery stores nationwide, and Western Pennsylvania is not immune. Highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as the bird flu, is the culprit. It’s a virus that Dr. Lee Harrison, an infectious disease physician and professor of medicine and epidemiology...
Unsung heroes brave the bitter cold to keep Pittsburgh moving 
Timothy Jones knows cold. But bundled in a heavy coat and snug-fit, black wool cap, the Shaler man appeared unfazed Tuesday morning as he quietly paced in one of the region’s coldest spots: a narrow walkway, exposed to the elements 60 feet above the ice-covered Ohio River, at the lock-and-dam...
Subzero temperatures require caution and planning
The region’s bout with frigid temperatures is not to be taken lightly, area doctors say. While Western Pennsylvania is familiar with the cold, it’s been some time since low temperatures dipped below zero, and that makes the cold more dangerous than usual. The last time it was this cold was...
Trump administration directs all federal DEI staff be put on paid leave
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump ‘s administration is directing that all federal diversity, equity and inclusion staff be put on paid leave, and that agencies develop plans to lay them off, according to a memo Tuesday from the Office of Personnel Management. The memo follows an executive order Trump signed...
Hempfield high school boys basketball coach resigns amid investigation
Less than a week after Hempfield Area announced an investigation into boys high school basketball coach Bill Swan, he has resigned from his coaching duties. Swan was placed on paid administrative leave from his coaching and guidance counselor positions Jan. 14 as the district investigated an allegation that school officials...
Warnings for dangerous wind extended in Southern California as new wildfires break out 
LOS ANGELES — Forecasters warned that dangerous winds will buffet Southern California for at least two more days as new wildfires broke out on Tuesday, a pair of major Los Angeles-area blazes burned for a third week, and officials made preparations to protect scorched neighborhoods from toxic ash runoff ahead...
Trump’s Jan. 6 pardons spark legal scramble for Western Pa. lawyers
For defense attorneys representing people in Western Pennsylvania charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, the last two days have been frenzied. President Donald Trump on Monday pardoned everyone charged in the Capitol riot four years ago, clearing the way for the release of hundreds of...
Pete Hegseth’s former sister-in-law alleges abuse against 2nd wife in affidavit to Senate
WASHINGTON — Senators vetting the nomination of Pete Hegseth for defense secretary received an affidavit Tuesday from a former sister-in-law alleging that the onetime Fox News host was abusive to his second wife, to the point where she feared for her safety. Hegseth denies the allegations. The sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth,...
Trump highlights partnership investing $500 billion in AI 
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Tuesday talked up a joint venture investing up to $500 billion for infrastructure tied to artificial intelligence by a new partnership formed by OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank. The new entity, Stargate, will start building out data centers and the electricity generation needed for the...
Gainey claims progress with Highmark on payments to Pittsburgh, but skeptics abound
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey on Tuesday announced that Highmark, one of the largest nonprofits operating in the city, is willing to make financial contributions to the city — but only if other major nonprofits pay up, too. In a statement, Gainey portrayed Highmark as taking a significant step forward to...
Trudeau says Canada will respond to U.S. tariffs as Ontario’s premier says Trump ‘declared war’
TORONTO — Canada’s outgoing prime minister and the leader of the country’s oil rich province of Alberta are both confident Canada can avoid the 25% tariffs President Donald Trump says he will impose on Feb. 1. Justin Trudeau and Danielle Smith will argue that Canada is the energy super power...
Greensburg mother pleads guilty but mentally ill to young child’s attempted murder
A Greensburg woman could face up to 20 years in prison when she is sentenced this year for the attempted first-degree murder of her 8-year-old child. Skye C. Naggy, 32, pleaded guilty but mentally ill Tuesday to six criminal offenses in connection with an incident in which prosecutors claimed that,...
Lack of road salt deliveries prompts Jeannette mayor to declare emergency
Time is ticking for Jeannette officials to secure road salt, and Mayor Curtis Antoniak declared a public health emergency as the city’s supply dwindles. City manager Ethan Keedy said Tuesday he was checking with other suppliers after five salt orders this month totaling 500 tons have gone unfilled by Compass...
Fetterman says he’s not planning on switching parties
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., shot down rumors he plans to jump to the Republican Party after meeting with President Donald Trump. “It’s not going to happen,” Fetterman told Semafor on Monday night. “And even if I wanted to do that, that is a rocket sled to Palookaville to try to...
Trump pardons upend massive Jan. 6 prosecution by freeing rioters and dismissing cases
WASHINGTON — Rioters locked up for their roles in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack were released while judges began dismissing dozens of pending cases Tuesday after President Donald Trump’s sweeping grant of clemency to all 1,500-plus people charged in the insurrection that shook the foundation of American democracy. With the...


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