TribLive stories, Page 1827
Trump administration offers plan to cover coronavirus care for uninsured
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced a plan Wednesday to start paying hospitals and doctors who care for uninsured patients with coronavirus, but Democratic lawmakers and health industry groups are likely to press for more. Under the approach detailed by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, hospitals and doctors...
Epic Games will put Fortnite on Google’s Play Store after months of holding out
Epic Games has backed down from its protest of tech giant Google. After 18 months of protesting Google’s terms — and its 30% store fee — the video game maker is putting Fortnite on the Google Play Store, the official channel for adding apps to Android phones and devices. In...
Virus shutdowns will likely make NFL draft most bet on ever
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — For those who haven’t mastered the odds of Belarussian soccer or Russian table tennis, this week’s NFL draft gives U.S. gamblers their first opportunity in weeks to bet on an event about which they actually know something. With major sports shut down for more than a...
Harry Hochheiser: Earth Day in the time of coronavirus
This is not how anyone expected to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. With the world on a coronavirus lockdown, planned celebrations join events from all walks of life in the canceled column, with Earth Day, like everything else, going virtual. For those of us who are alarmed about...
Charleroi names athletic director Brady Barbero as new football coach
Charleroi didn’t have to search far and wide to find its new football coach after Lance Getsy tendered his resignation near the end of February. Current Charleroi athletic director and former California head coach Brady Barbero was hired Tuesday with a unanimous vote of the school board. “This is something...
Letter to the editor: Contempt for Trump irresponsible
I could only laugh at how some “environmental warriors” can’t let a good crisis go to waste, especially letter-writer Hana Koob (“We need candidates who respect science,” April 16, TribLIVE). Funny how some have to proclaim their view of science (without providing any firm basis or reference) is the only...
Letter to the editor: Celebrate Earth Day by reducing meat, dairy consumption
With the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, we are already reducing our carbon footprint during the pandemic by curtailing travel. But we can do so much more by cutting our consumption of animal meat and milk products. Yes, that. A recent article in the respected journal Nature...
Letter to the editor: Rep. Reschenthaler, why block WHO funding?
A message to Rep. Guy Reschenthaler: Your initiative to block funding to the World Health Organization via U.S. House Resolution 917 has alerted many of us in Westmoreland County. Last week, President Trump “officially” defunded the USA’s long-standing contribution to WHO, once its largest contributor. You’ve now actively participated in...
Letter to the editor: Incompetence meets a pandemic
Some countries are responding to covid-19 with competent leadership. Germany and New Zealand took action with early, aggressive testing and quarantining. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern communicate with consistency and honesty, explaining to the public the magnitude of the threat, and, like Winston Churchill...
Letter to the editor: Focus on humanity’s needs
I am weary of reading posts on social media about opening up businesses now because Pennsylvania is losing tax revenue and those who are unemployed due to the covid-19 virus are anxious to return to work. Also, stimulus checks are burning holes in many pockets. Hateful things are being said...
The Stroller, April 22, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Did your neighbor call and check on you, or bring a mask or groceries? The Stroller wants to recognize those around us who are performing small acts of kindness for others during this stressful time. Send a short, one-paragraph note highlighting someone and how they helped you, your family or...
Rex Huppke: Protests against coronavirus stay-at-home orders put us all at risk, may delay America’s reopening
While they are few in number, those who’ve decided it’s their duty as Americans to protest coronavirus lockdowns are putting their self-interest over the health of others. Period. You can disagree with me and call me a liberal schmuck and stand by President Donald Trump and the protesters he’s egging...
Medical supplier: FEMA seized 400K masks, has them ‘sitting on a loading dock’
NEW YORK — A medical supply company in Delaware is questioning the legality of federal seizures of N95 respirator masks destined for medical workers amid the coronavirus pandemic. George Gianforcaro, owner of Indutex USA, told the New York Daily News the Federal Emergency Management Agency confiscated 400,000 masks in two...
Editorial: Falling oil price shows high Pennsylvania gas tax
Call it irony. Call it supply and demand. Whatever you call it, the result is the same. Gas is cheaper than it has been in years. Shop around in the Pittsburgh area, and you could find it as low as $1.59 a gallon. The average in Pennsylvania is just $2.17...
Senate approves $500B aid for small businesses dealing with coronavirus shutdownsVideo
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a deal to increase funding for a popular small business loan program that ran out of money last week as businesses scrambled for a lifeline during the coronavirus pandemic. The House is expected to pass the measure Thursday, giving members time to...
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick praises economic restart, says ‘there are more important things than living’Video
AUSTIN, Texas — A month after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick faced backlash for suggesting the economy reopen while older people fend for themselves amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Republican feels vindicated. “I’m sorry to say that I was right on this, and I’m thankful that we are now, Tucker, finally...
Canadian police: Death toll rises to 23 victims in Nova Scotia rampage
TORONTO — Canadian police said Tuesday they believe there to be 23 victims after a gunman went on a rampage in rural communities across Nova Scotia over the weekend. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said they have recovered remains from some of the locations of the fires. Earlier, authorities said...
Brentwood cancels July 4 celebrations due to coronavirus
Brentwood Borough announced the cancelation of its three-day Fourth of July Celebration, including the parade and 37th Annual Firecracker 5K, via a Facebook post Monday night. Brentwood Police Chief Adam Zeppuhar, who wrote the post, said that it was a decision made by borough council. “Depending on what kind of...
AG William Barr says Justice Department may act against governors with strict virus limits
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department will consider taking legal action against governors who continue to impose stringent rules for dealing with the coronavirus that infringe on constitutional rights once the crisis subsides in their states, Attorney General William Barr said. Blunt means to deal with the pandemic, such as stay-at-home...
Senate report says Kremlin support for Trump in 2016 is accurateVideo
WASHINGTON — U.S. intelligence agencies’ conclusion that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to back Donald Trump’s campaign over that of rival Hillary Clinton was based on sound intelligence-gathering processes and analysis, the Senate Intelligence Committee said in a report released Tuesday. While reviewing intelligence agencies’ assessment of the Kremlin’s...
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson says he’s the next ‘Madden’ cover athleteVideo
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said Tuesday he will be the cover athlete of the next “Madden” video game. And no, the reigning NFL MVP is not worried about any curses. “Patrick Mahomes was on the front” of “Madden NFL 20,” he told reporters during a conference call Tuesday. “He...
HBO Max releases trailers for original content premieresVideo
Elmo, Bugs Bunny and Anna Kendrick lead the way as HBO Max officially enters the streaming content wars May 27. The new streamer dropped trailers Tuesday for its original content. Highlights include a talk show hosted by Elmo from “Sesame Street,” a new “Looney Tunes” animated show and a comedy-drama...
Here are the areas in Westmoreland County with the most coronavirus cases
The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus is now being released by ZIP code in Pennsylvania. The state Department of Health map includes information for all 67 counties. The ZIP codes in Westmoreland County with the highest numbers of confirmed cases are Latrobe (15650) with 68, Greensburg (15601) with...
John F. Rohe: Remembering the first Earth Day, 50 years ago
John F. Rohe is vice president of the Colcom Foundation. In 1970, the first Earth Day set a high bar for long-range plans. Its aspirations stretched well beyond the 50th anniversary that we observe on April 22. Now, perhaps more than ever, the original vision of Earth Day brings intergenerational...
Stacy Gallin: Learning from Holocaust in time of covid-19
As we commemorate Yom Hashoah — Holocaust Remembrance Day — this week, I keep thinking about the Hebrew phrase, L’dor V’dor. In English, this phrase means “from generation to generation.” It refers to the essential task in Judaism of passing down traditions and education from one generation to another. It...
