Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1287
Trump doubles down on allegations of election fraud in Pennsylvania as Biden begins transition
President Trump doubled down on unfounded allegations of widespread voter fraud in Pennsylvania in a phone call from the Oval Office, broadcast to Wednesday’s state Senate Republican postmortem hearing on the Nov. 3 election. “This election was rigged and we can’t let that happen for our country and we’ve got...
Pa. sending covid-19 alerts on cell phones
The first covid-19 alert sent via the national Wireless Emergency Alert system landed on cellphones Wednesday, interrupting a live briefing by Allegheny County officials on the local rise in covid-19 cases. “In PA, covid-19 rates are rising and hospitals could soon be at capacity,” the alert read. “Stay home if...
Pittsburgh forms task force to enforce new covid-19 restrictions
Pittsburgh Public Safety has formed a task force to enforce new covid-19 restrictions. It was formed at the request of Mayor Bill Peduto to help enforce Gov. Tom Wolf’s renewed coronavirus mitigation efforts, Public Safety Spokesman Chris Togneri said Wednesday. “The task force will conduct random, unannounced compliance checks at...
UPMC reports $17B revenue despite pandemic
The covid-19 pandemic does not appear to be threatening the financial strength nor slowing the growth of UPMC, according to the health giant’s executives and newly released documents. Buoyed by federal aid and insurance revenue gains, UPMC’s total revenue from January through October reached nearly $17 billion — 11% higher...
As covid cases rise, overwhelmed case investigators and contact tracers forced to adaptVideo
The rapid influx of new covid-19 cases in Allegheny County has resulted in changes to the health department’s case investigation procedure, as overwhelmed case investigators and contact tracers work to keep up with the pace of the virus. “They haven’t been able to reach every case, and they’re spending less...
Trump pardons Michael Flynn, taking direct aim at Russia probe
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump pardoned former national security adviser Michael Flynn on Wednesday, taking direct aim in the final days of his administration at a Russia investigation that he has long insisted was motivated by political bias. “It is my Great Honor to announce that General Michael T. Flynn...
Joe Biden appeals for unity in Thanksgiving-eve address
WILMINGTON, Del. — In a time of plague and raw division, President-elect Joe Biden appealed for unity Wednesday in a Thanksgiving-eve address to the nation asking Americans to “steel our spines” for a fight against the coronavirus that he predicted would continue for months. But even as he implored Americans...
Commonwealth Court orders pause to further certification of Pa. election results
A Pennsylvania judge on Wednesday ordered a pause to any election certification proceedings still pending in the state as part of a lawsuit brought by a number of Republican candidates and legislators, including Rep. Mike Kelly and candidate Sean Parnell. The judge’s action does not affect the outcome of the...
Wiping down groceries? Experts say keep risk in perspective
NEW YORK — Cleaning wipes are harder to find on store shelves, and businesses are reassuring customers with stepped up sanitation measures. In New York, the subway system is shut down nightly for disinfecting. To avoid any traces of the coronavirus that might be lurking on surfaces, Americans have been...
NFL postpones Steelers-Ravens game over coronavirus concerns, sets new game time
The Pittsburgh Steelers will have to wait to host a Thanksgiving Day game for the first time. Their fans will have to wait until 2021 to see them in person. In the wake of several members of the Baltimore Ravens organization testing positive for coronavirus this week, the NFL announced...
Pennsylvania surpasses 10,000 covid-related deaths
With 144 new covid-related deaths added Wednesday, Pennsylvania became the eighth state to reach 10,000 fatalities related to the coronavirus. The additions bring the death toll to 10,095, according to the Department of Health. Of the deaths reported Wednesday, 142 are from November and two are from October. Officials report...
Westmoreland sets new record for daily covid cases
With a total of 273 new coronavirus cases added Wednesday, Westmoreland County set a new daily record. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported the new cases included 206 that were confirmed with PCR tests and 67 were listed as probable. In the past 14 days, the county has seen more...
TSA agents catch 2 guns in 1 hour at Pittsburgh International
Security screeners at Pittsburgh International Airport caught two guns in one hour Tuesday, leading to charges against one woman for carrying a gun in her purse without a license, authorities said. Transportation Security Administration agents found the first firearm, a loaded .25-caliber handgun, about 5:30 p.m. in a woman’s purse...
Unchanged from early estimate, U.S. economy grew 33.1% in Q3
WASHINGTON — The second of three estimates on U.S. growth for the July-September quarter was unchanged at a record pace of 33.1%. But a resurgence in the coronavirus is expected to slow growth sharply in the current quarter with some economists even raising the specter of a double-dip recession. While...
Allegheny County adds 555 new covid cases, 12 deaths
Allegheny County added 555 new cases of covid-19 Wednesday, according to the Health Department. The new cases include 480 cases confirmed from 2,420 new PCR tests conducted from Nov. 4-24; 10 of the tests are more than a week old. There were 75 cases listed as probable. Health officials define...
Joe Biden to deliver a Thanksgiving address seeking U.S. unity
WILMINGTON, Del. — President-elect Joe Biden is slated to deliver a Thanksgiving address to the nation seeking to unify Americans in the face of the coronavirus pandemic as experts warn of a possible spike in cases resulting from the holiday. Biden’s transition team said the president-elect will “discuss the shared...
Westmoreland doles out almost $800K in federal money to municipalitiesVideo
Forty municipalities in Westmoreland County are splitting about $780,000 in federal grant funds to offset expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic. But, for many, the money won’t cover every cost or alleviate all concerns about the pandemic’s impact on future revenue. In Hempfield, revenues for 2020 are $750,000 below where...
On speakerphone in Gettysburg, Trump still falsely insists he won election
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump uttered one falsehood after another as he baselessly claimed that he won the 2020 election instead of President-elect Joe Biden as he phoned into an event organized by Pennsylvania Republicans in Gettysburg. Trump’s election lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, attended the event to continue his quixotic and...
Sunbeam recalls nearly 1 million Crock-Pot multi-cookers over lid issue
Sunbeam Products has recalled almost 1 million Crock-Pot 6-Quart Express Crock Multi-Cookers because an issue with the lid when used for pressure cooking can result in burns. “The recalled Crock-Pot multi-cooker can pressurize when the lid is not fully locked. This can cause the lid to suddenly detach while the...
Flying this Thanksgiving? Here’s what Western Pa. travelers can expectVideo
Though health officials are urging people to stay home for the holidays, Pittsburgh International Airport is reporting an uptick in travel as Thanksgiving approaches. Thanksgiving week tends to be one of the busiest travel weeks of the year, said Bob Kerlik, a spokesman for Pittsburgh International Airport. In a normal...
1 injured in reported shooting in McKees Rocks
One person was injured in a reported shooting Tuesday night in McKees Rocks, emergency officials said. Police responded to the 900 block of Third Street shortly after 10:30 p.m., according to an Allegheny County 911 supervisor. The victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. Additional information was not...
Penn Hills School District forms committee to address possible mascot, nickname change
A committee has been formed to discuss the future of the Penn Hills School District’s Indian mascot. The school board approved its members Nov. 24. They include Class of 2020 student school board representatives Faith Crawford and Cassidy Byrnes; elementary parent Lauren Javens; high school counselor Amy Alexander; high school...
Editorial: Public health orders that hurt the bar business require a chaser of aid
Gov. Tom Wolf has set last call for alcohol Wednesday at 4:59 p.m., because at 5 p.m. on the biggest drinking night of the year, bars and restaurants have to stop pouring. The new order is aimed at cutting down on the spread of covid-19 over Thanksgiving. The Wolf administration...
Western Pa. bar, restaurant owners rankled over ban on Thanksgiving Eve alcohol salesVideo
Bar and restaurant owners across Western Pennsylvania reacted Tuesday to the news of a statewide 15-hour ban of alcohol sales in such establishments beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday. David Magill, owner of Mogie’s Irish Pub in Lower Burrell, said business the night before Thanksgiving is traditionally his third-highest grossing holiday,...
Pittsburgh police: Cyclist shot following Downtown altercation with driver
Police detained the driver of a car who they say struck a Port Authority bus shelter and then shot a bicyclist Tuesday afternoon. Pittsburgh police responded to a report of a crash on Seventh Street near Fort Duquesne Boulevard around 3:45 p.m., and arrived to find a male cyclist who...
