Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1345
Pennsylvania takes step to stop jobless benefits fraud
The state is taking additional steps to prevent criminals from illegally siphoning money from a federal unemployment compensation program by filing fraudulent claims, including delaying payments to allow for more time to verify the identity of those seeking the benefits. Those benefits, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits, are designed for...
Pennsylvania doles out half of federal $300 weekly benefit fund
Pennsylvania has distributed more than one-half of its allocation of $2.8 billion in federal money that is the source of the $300-a-week checks being sent to the eligible covid-19-related jobless, state officials said. The state has sent $1.5 billion to unemployed Pennsylvanians through the federal government’s Lost Wages Assistance Program,...
U.S. government executes killer obsessed with witchcraft
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — The U.S. government on Tuesday executed a former soldier who said an obsession with witchcraft led him to kill a Georgia nurse he believed had put a spell on him. William Emmett LeCroy, 50, was pronounced dead at 9:06 p.m. EDT after receiving a lethal injection...
Trump plays to strengths in crowd-pleasing stop at Pittsburgh International Airport
President Trump stepped off Air Force One on Tuesday evening to the loud cheers of thousands of people packed outside a private hangar at Pittsburgh International Airport. After a quick nod to the Pittsburgh Steelers football team, Trump told the crowd at Atlantic Aviation in Moon Township: “Forty-two days from...
House passes stopgap funding bill shortly after bipartisan deal
WASHINGTON — The House swiftly passed a stopgap funding measure needed to avert a partial government shutdown in eight days after top congressional leaders reached a deal resolving a fight over farm payments. On a lopsided vote of 359-57, the House sent to the Senate a revised continuing resolution that...
Shaler man pleads guilty to starting May riot in Pittsburgh during peaceful protest
A Shaler man pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to initiating the destruction of a Pittsburgh police car during a May protest over the death of George Floyd outside PPG Paints Arena. Brian Bartels, 20, pleaded guilty to a charge of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder before U.S....
Cindy McCain endorses Biden for president in rebuke of Trump
PHOENIX — Democrat Joe Biden said Tuesday that Cindy McCain plans to endorse him for president, a stunning rebuke of President Donald Trump by the widow of the GOP’s 2008 nominee. Trump has had a fraught relationship with members of John McCain’s family since he disparaged the Arizona senator during...
U.S. officials meet at CMU to discuss artificial intelligence
As part of his two-day visit to the Pittsburgh region this week, U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette participated in a discussion at Carnegie Mellon University, along with U.S. Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios. The “fireside chat,” moderated by CMU’s Vice President of Research Michael McQuade and livestreamed via Brouillette’s...
U.S. Energy Secretary promotes energy versatility in Pittsburgh visit
U.S. Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette visited the Pittsburgh region this week, stopping at a multibillion-dollar ethane cracker plant being built in Beaver County, Carnegie Mellon University and the United Association Local 449 Steamfitters headquarters in Pittsburgh. The visit, according to Brouillette’s staff, was to highlight the importance of Appalachian natural...
Highlands Middle School soccer player tests positive for covid-19, principal states
A Highlands Middle School student has tested positive for covid-19, according to an email from Principal Kimberly Price. The school was notified of the case on Tuesday, Price wrote. The student is on the middle school soccer team. District Superintendent Monique Mawhinney, district spokeswoman Jennifer Goldberg and school board President...
Community to rally for Hempfield man diagnosed with amyloidosis
Growing up, Emma and Carly Coletta knew their dad would always be there for them. Eddie Coletta, a 43-year-old Hempfield resident, always makes it a point to put his family first. That’s why he waited for hours at Red Lobster on Mother’s Day knowing that’s the one meal his wife,...
Square Café completes relocation to East Liberty
The Square Café plans to open Oct. 1 at its new East Liberty location. “It feels so good to have a date,” owner Sherree Goldstein said. “I am super excited. We’ve been doing some staff training, and we will be ready to go. East Liberty has been so welcoming and...
More coronavirus cases found at Westmoreland Manor
Westmoreland officials said Tuesday another 12 residents and an additional staffer at the county-owned nursing home in Hempfield tested positive for coronavirus. The latest test results means that 9.5% of the Westmoreland Manor’s 336 residents are infected. Federally mandated baseline testing for the virus started last week at the facility....
Judge denies Gov. Wolf’s attempt to stop covid restriction ruling
A federal judge has denied a request from Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf to stay his Sept. 14 ruling that found the state’s pandemic restrictions unconstitutional, possibly paving the way for large gatherings without crowd-size limits pending the outcome of an appeal. In Tuesday’s order rejecting Wolf’s request to temporarily halt...
Joe Biden slams Trump on jobs, economy ahead of president’s visit to Western Pa.
Former Vice President Joe Biden went on the offensive Tuesday, attacking President Donald Trump on jobs and the economy as the president prepared to travel to the Pittsburgh region for his fourth visit to Pennsylvania in the past four weeks. “Four years ago, candidate Donald Trump promised the hardworking people...
South Side’s Rex Theater closing permanently
Pittsburgh’s Rex Theater, a South Side concert venue, will close permanently, theater management announced Tuesday on social media. “Due to the ongoing hardship and uncertain future caused by the covid-19 pandemic, The Rex Theater will be closing our doors after over a decade of live music and events,” they wrote on...
Democrats call Trump rally a ‘super spreader’ ahead of Western Pa. visit
With President Donald Trump about to descend on Western Pennsylvania, riding the momentum of a likely Supreme Court nomination later this week, three prominent Democrats did what they could to highlight what they described as Trump’s “failed economic policies.” Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Pennsylvania Democratic Party chair Nancy Patton...
Sen. Toomey says he will consider Trump’s high court nominee
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey will not try to block President Donald Trump’s attempt to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court less than 40 days before the election, he said Tuesday. The Lehigh Valley Republican joined the successful effort to block President Barack Obama from filling a vacancy on...
Spectators will be at Hempfield home football, volleyball games
Hempfield Area school leaders are allowing two sporting teams to exceed suggested gathering limits by allowing spectators at events. Girls volleyball and varsity football will be allowed two spectators per participating athlete, equating to between 175 and 200 people at volleyball events and between 1,000 and 1,100 at football events,...
Mayor Peduto to sign legislation restricting facial recognition in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto plans to sign legislation passed Tuesday by city council that restricts the use of facial recognition software and predictive policing technology by police, mayoral spokesman Tim McNulty said. The legislation passed with no opposition. Councilman Anthony Coghill abstained. Councilman Ricky Burgess voted in favor of the...
Bill freezing pay for Pa.’s legislators, judges, top executive branch officials heading to Gov. Wolf’s desk
Pennsylvania lawmakers this year likely will be spared the grief that often accompanies the annual automatic pay raise that state law authorizes them to receive. Legislation is on its way to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk that would not only freeze lawmakers’ salaries at their current level through 2021 but judges...
Indiana Township mansion for sale for $8 million
Perched high atop a hill in Indiana Township, the Italian villa at 340 Fox Hunt Road isn’t visible to its neighbors in the Manor at Hartwood plan below. But on the 35-acre estate, there’s plenty to see — starting with the six-bedroom mansion boasting six full and two half bathrooms....
Pennsylvania sees 7th straight day with double digit new covid-19 deaths
Pennsylvania has 834 new covid-19 cases Tuesday, per the state Department of Health. The state also reported 19 additional coronavirus-related deaths. Total cases are now 151,646, and the death total is 8,023. Pennsylvania surpassed 150,000 covid-19 cases Sunday. The state surpassed 100,000 cases on July 18 and 50,000 cases on...
New Allegheny County covid-19 cases tie 14-day low
Allegheny County reported 42 new covid-19 cases Tuesday, according to the county Health Department. The new case count ties a 14-day low, with 42 new coronavirus cases being reported Monday and Tuesday. No new coronavirus-related deaths and 25 new hospitalizations were reported. Total cases are now 11,821, and the hospitalization...
Romney OKs voting on Supreme Court nominee, all but assures approvalVideo
WASHINGTON — Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney said Tuesday he supports voting to fill the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat on the Supreme Court, all but ensuring President Donald Trump has the backing needed to push the nomination over Democratic objections that it’s too close to the November election....
