Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1440
Jobless benefits to come via debit card to help prevent identity theft
Pennsylvania will distribute jobless benefits through a debit card sent in the mail over the next few weeks rather than a direct deposit into recipients’ bank accounts in an effort to counter identity theft attempts, state officials said Monday. The state Department of Labor & Industry has been issuing paper...
Sneak peek: Pittsburgh’s Rivers Casino set to reopen after ‘eerie’ 3-month closureVideo
After nearly 90 days of darkness, the Rivers Casino on Pittsburgh’s North Shore will open again Tuesday, though the floor will look a little different and be a lot less crowded. Shuttered since March because of the state’s coronavirus pandemic response, casinos in areas that have reached the green phase...
State giving small businesses $225M to offset covid-19 losses
The state plans to provide $225 million in grants to small businesses that lost money during the government-ordered shutdowns from March through May and had to spend money to adapt their operations to prevent the spread of covid-19. “The shutdown has had a terrible negative effect. We hope we can...
Legislators commandeer House to demand action on policingVideo
HARRISBURG — Black Democrats in the state House preempted the day’s business in an effort to force action on changes to police, displaying a Black Lives Matter banner and commandeering the podium for about 90 minutes at the start of voting session Monday. The dramatic takeover went on pause when...
Allegheny County officials propose banning tear gas, rubber bullets
Allegheny County and Pittsburgh officials plan to introduce separate police reform ordinances Tuesday that include measures limiting the use of force by police in nonviolent protest situations. A bill sponsored by Allegheny County Councilwomen Bethany Hallam and Olivia Bennett would ban the use of so-called less-lethal force, including tear gas...
Union demands Pittsburgh Post-Gazette rescind ban on some journalists covering protests
The union representing Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporters demanded Monday management rescind their ban on two black journalists covering protests over the death of George Floyd. The situation began to unfold a week ago, according to Michael Fuoco, president of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, which represents most newsroom employees at the...
Downtown ‘Black Lives Matter’ mural welcomed by Pittsburgh officialsVideo
The Black Lives Matter message that’s spurred daily gatherings in Western Pennsylvania since May 30 is now painted on a highly visible retaining wall along the Allegheny River in Downtown Pittsburgh. “BLACK LIVES MATTER” is written in giant white block letters that are outlined in red on the retaining wall...
Pa. Health Department to require universal coronavirus testing at nursing homes
Universal testing for the novel coronavirus is now required at all Pennsylvania nursing homes, according to an order issued Monday by Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Rachel Levine. The order requires nursing homes to test all residents and staff for the coronavirus by July 24. “Our goal with implementing this testing...
DA’s office drops charges filed against 39 Pittsburgh protesters
Criminal charges filed by Pittsburgh police against 39 people in connection with protests over the death of George Floyd will be withdrawn by prosecutors, officials said Monday. “We do not have the evidence in these cases to suitably conduct a preliminary hearing,” the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office said in...
Seattle council members protest after tear gas used on crowdVideo
SEATTLE — Just days after Seattle’s mayor and police chief promised a month-long moratorium on using a type of tear gas to disperse protesters, the department used it again during an overnight protest — bringing severe criticism Monday from City Council members, vows to overhaul the department and an additional...
Washington County native wins big on ‘Press Your Luck’Video
When Emily Dowler was in kindergarten, she thought she wanted to be a game show host when she grew up. Well, the Washington County native and Pittsburgh resident became a big winner on a game show instead. Dowler brought home more than $400,000 in cash and prizes on the season...
West Newton police, street department closed after officer tests positive for covid-19Video
The West Newton police and street departments are shut down and employees are in quarantine after a part-time officer tested positive last week for covid-19. Mayor Mary Popovich said Monday officials don’t believe there is a widespread outbreak of the virus in West Newton but borough officials decided to close...
Pittsburgh Zoo welcomes 3 African lions
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is asking for the public’s help to renovate its lion exhibit for a trio of new lions, with the hope there could be more in the future. Three African lions, a 2-year-old male and a pair of 2-year-old females, are now out of sight...
Pittsburgh Irish Festival canceled over crowd size concernsVideo
The Pittsburgh Irish Festival has been canceled, due to “the difficulties of navigating the covid-19 global pandemic,” organizers say. Instead, the 30th anniversary of the festival will take place from Sept. 10-12, 2021. This year’s festival originally was scheduled for Sept. 11-13 at the Lots at Sandcastle in West Homestead....
Roof collapses at church on Pittsburgh’s North SideVideo
Authorities responded Monday afternoon to the collapse of the roof at a church on Pittsburgh’s North Side. An Allegheny County 911 shift commander couldn’t provide details but said the city’s police, firefighters and emergency medical services were dispatched at 12:42 p.m. to Christian Fellowship Center Church on McClure Avenue in...
Police: Unity man arrested after threatening woman with hatchet
A Unity man was arrested on multiple assault charges after allegedly threatening his girlfriend with a hatchet Saturday, state police said. Joshua L. Poole, 39, was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, terroristic threats and harassment after the 5:15 p.m. incident on the 300 block of Allegheny Avenue....
2 women rescued from Yough River after 1 swept away by current in Ohiopyle
A 20-year-old woman who was swept away by the Youghiogheny River current Sunday in Ohiopyle State Park was rescued by a 21-year-old woman in her group, according to park manager Ken Bisbee. The two women were able to get to safety on a rock just before the 20-foot-high falls near...
Democrats unveil police overhaul, kneel at CapitolVideo
WASHINGTON — Democrats proposed a sweeping overhaul of police oversight and procedures Monday, a potentially far-reaching legislative response to the mass protests denouncing the deaths of black Americans at the hands of law enforcement. Before unveiling the package, House and Senate Democrats held a moment of silence at the Capitol’s...
Pennsylvania reports 351 more coronavirus cases, 10 more deaths
Pennsylvania on Monday reported 10 more covid-19 deaths and 351 additional cases, bringing the state’s total number of cases to 75,943, according to state health officials. A total of 5,953 people have died from the virus. More than 451,000 people have tested negative. Of the total cases, 71% have recovered....
New indictment filed against Unity man linked to disappearance of Cassandra Gross
A Unity man linked to the disappearance of Cassandra Gross has been indicted on charges of having a sawed-off rifle in Potter County nearly two years ago. The serial number on the .22-caliber rifle had been removed and the firearm was not registered to Thomas George Stanko, 49, according to...
Pitt asks for federal lawsuit by former officer Michael Rosfeld to be dismissed
The University of Pittsburgh has asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit by former Pitt police officer Michael Rosfeld, alleging his claims have no standing and reassuring students the school has no designs on bringing Rosfeld back to the force. “Please be assured that the University of Pittsburgh Police...
Allegheny County reports no new coronavirus deaths, 5 new cases
Allegheny County health officials on Monday reported no new coronavirus-related deaths, five new cases and one new hospitalization. Both the county and the state are reporting 168 deaths in the Allegheny County. The county is reporting an additional five cases, bringing the total to 2,008. The state updated its coronavirus...
Virtual PizzaFest to showcase 4 Pittsburgh pizza artisans
Four of Pittsburgh’s best pizza artisans will show their stuff during this year’s virtual PizzaFest – A Slice Of Delish! The event, which welcomed a sold-out crowd last year, will take place at 6 p.m. Sunday on Zoom. In addition to watching as chefs give demonstrations, tips and recipes from...
Why I protest: Pittsburgh-area residents who march for racial justice explain why
George Floyd was killed Memorial Day after a confrontation with a Minneapolis police officer. Floyd was black. The police officer, Derek Chauvin, is white. His death prompted large protests in cities of all sizes across the country, including in Pittsburgh and Greensburg. Thousands of residents from Western Pennsylvania have joined...
Fire destroys playgrounds at Imani Christian Academy in Pittsburgh
School leadership at Imani Christian Academy in Pittsburgh’s East Hills neighborhood vowed to rebuild “bigger and bolder and better” after a fire broke out at the school’s two playgrounds Saturday night. There was no damage to the school building and no other signs of possible vandalism were found, Imani Christian...
