Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1445
Former Pitt coach Johnny Majors, who led Panthers to 1976 national title, dies
Johnny Majors, a devoted son of the South whose single act of reviving Pitt football endeared him to a very northern city, died Tuesday night in Knoxville, Tenn. He had turned 85 on May 21. Jackie Sherrill, who followed him from Iowa State to Pittsburgh and became his eventual successor...
Curfews give sweeping powers to cops, but are often flouted
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Hundreds of cities have imposed curfews to keep the peace during a week of violent unrest across the U.S., employing a tactic that gives law enforcement sweeping arrest powers but is frequently flouted and criticized as being unconstitutional. From New York City to Fargo, North Dakota, cities...
Police officer involved in 2-vehicle crash in Jefferson Hills
A Jefferson Hills police officer was involved in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday morning that caused drivers of both vehicles to be transported by medical helicopters for treatment at a Pittsburgh hospital, officials said. Police responded to the 200 block of Old Clairton Road in Jefferson Hills around 8:15 a.m. for...
Severe storms, high winds possible in Southwestern Pa. on Wednesday
A cold front moving through the Pittsburgh region Wednesday afternoon could bring with it a slight threat of severe thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service. Severe storms will be possible mid-afternoon into the evening. Damaging winds will be the primary threat with an organized line. Damaging winds, large hail,...
Election Day roundup — latest results in state, region, county
Below are preliminary election results from contested races in the state, region and county during the June 2, 2020 primary: STATE Auditor General Democrats (with 91.04% of precincts reporting): Michael Lamb, Pittsburgh’s Mt. Washington: 33.7% Nina Ahmad, Philadelphia: 28.5% Christina Hartman, Lancaster County: 12.6% H. Scott Conklin, Centre County: 9.7%...
Emily Kinkead leads incumbent state Rep. Adam Ravenstahl in primary challenge
Pittsburgh attorney Emily Kinkead led incumbent state Rep. Adam Ravenstahl early Wednesday in a Democratic primary race for state House, according to unofficial election returns. As of 6 a.m., Kinkead had collected 53% of the votes counted, while Ravenstahl had 47%, the unofficial tallies showed. Allegheny County officials were continuing...
Pittsburgh controller leading Democratic race for Pennsylvania auditor general
Pittsburgh Controller Michael Lamb was leading by more than 34,000 votes in a six-way Democratic primary race for Pennsylvania auditor general Wednesday morning, a race that remained too close to call around midnight Tuesday. With about 91% of Pennsylvania’s voting districts reporting, Lamb had collected about 33% of the votes...
Rob Mercuri in line for GOP nod to seek House Speaker Mike Turzai’s seat
A Republican from Pine held a wide lead late Tuesday in a three-way race for the GOP nomination to seek the seat of retiring House Speaker Mike Turzai, according to unofficial election returns. As of around 6 a.m. Wednesday, Rob Mercuri had collected 60% of the votes counted in the...
Business is boomin’ for bike sales — but will interest last?Video
June 3 marked World Bicycle Day and, to borrow a phrase from a former, lamented Pittsburgh Steeler, the bike business is boomin’. Bike sales soared when covid-19 restrictions shut down many other forms of exercise and entertainment, and people took to the outdoors for a little fun. “This is unprecedented,”...
Benham leading in race to replace state Rep. Harry Readshaw
A community activist who co-founded an autistic advocacy group was leading a four-way Democratic primary race in a state House district that has been represented by Rep. Harry Readshaw for the past quarter-century, according to unofficial election returns. As of 6 a.m., Jessica Benham, 29, of Pittsburgh’s South Side Slopes...
Doyle declares victory with large primary lead; Dickinson concedes WednesdayVideo
U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle beat back a challenge Tuesday from a University of Pittsburgh law professor for a Democratic nomination to seek a 14th term in Washington, according to unofficial election returns. Doyle, 66, of Forest Hills, declared victory at 10 p.m. His opponent, Jerry S. Dickinson, 33, of Swissvale,...
Bridgeville businessman Devlin Robinson leads Sewickley councilman in state Senate race
Bridgeville businessman and military veteran Devlin Robinson held a commanding lead late Tuesday in a Republican primary race for state Senate, according to unofficial tallies. As of 6 a.m., Robinson had collected 58.1% of the votes counted in the 37th State Senate District race, compared to 41.9% for his opponent,...
Protesters return to the streets as Trump decries ‘lowlifes’Video
WASHINGTON — Undeterred by curfews, protesters streamed back into the nation’s streets Tuesday, hours after President Donald Trump pressed governors to put down the violence set off by George Floyd’s death and demanded that New York call up the National Guard to stop the “lowlifes and losers.” As more demonstrations...
Final election results in Westmoreland delayed as mail-in ballot count continuesVideo
Election night victory parties now might have to be multiday affairs. Final results of votes cast during Tuesday’s primary in Westmoreland County won’t be available for several days as the elections bureau adjusts to a new time-consuming process of counting tens of thousands of mail-in votes. “We don’t expect final...
Pittsburgh police seek public’s help in identifying 2nd riot suspect
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police said they are looking to identify another man shown in social media destroying a police car during protests outside of PPG Paints Arena on Saturday. Police did not characterize the unidentified man’s involvement in destroying the police SUV. “Police want to speak to him regarding...
Trump, Biden win Pennsylvania primary contests amid unrest, pandemic
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania held a primary election Tuesday amid civil unrest, a pandemic, the introduction of new voting machines in some counties and the debut of mail-in balloting that pushed county election bureaus to their limits. The result of the highest-profile contest on the ballot was a foregone conclusion: President...
Editorial: President Trump takes aim at America’s core principles
The president’s primary job is to preserve, protect and defend the U.S. Constitution. Even when it is inconvenient. Even when people are using it to say the government is wrong. Especially when they are doing that. We know that, because the framers realized immediately they left important things out of...
Protesters take to Pittsburgh streets for 4th day in a row to demand racial justiceVideo
Protesters took to Pittsburgh streets again on Tuesday for the fourth straight day, marching, chanting and demanding racial justice as part of protests that have continued across the country more than a week after the death of George Floyd. The crowd of several hundred began forming in Market Square about...
DA: Carnegie man avoids death penalty trial, gets life in prison for 2019 double stabbing
A 59-year-old Carnegie man pleaded guilty Tuesday to murder, rape and assault charges stemming from a 2019 double stabbing, according to the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors withdrew a notice to seek the death penalty in the case against Richard Allen “Stretch” Mickens. Allegheny...
Pittsburgh police say tear gas, in fact, was used to disperse East Liberty protest crowd
Pittsburgh police on Tuesday said they did, in fact, use tear gas to disperse agitators who splintered off from a peaceful protest in East Liberty the night before, contrary to what city and police officials said at a news conference on Monday night. Asked specifically about crowd control, police escalation...
President Trump ordered show of force on Monday nightVideo
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday night ordered military aircraft to fly above the nation’s capital as a “show of force” against demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd, according to two Defense Department officials. Show-of-force missions are designed to intimidate and, in combat zones, warn opposing forces of...
Westmoreland green phase: No temp checks at courthouse, offices opening
Westmoreland County is moving to green status on Friday, meaning courthouse visitors won’t need a temperature check to enter, and some restrictions on access to row offices will be lifted. Gov. Wolf announced last week that Westmoreland would be joining other counties in southwestern Pennsylvania in moving from the yellow...
Minnesota files civil rights charge against police in George Floyd’s death
MINNEAPOLIS — The state of Minnesota filed a human rights complaint Tuesday against the Minneapolis Police Department in the death of George Floyd who died after an officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for minutes, even after he stopped moving. Gov. Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Human...
Pennsylvania health officials ask protesters to adhere to coronavirus safety guidelines
State health officials have no plans to alter the timeline of when counties will move to the next phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s phased reopening plan despite large-scale protests over the death of George Floyd not adhering to social distancing guidelines. Secretary of Health Rachel Levine said health officials respect...
Pennsylvania Turnpike to lay off 500 employees, make cashless tolling permanent
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission this month will lay off about 500 employees — mostly toll collectors — as it switches permanently to a cashless system statewide. That’s roughly a quarter of the commission’s total workforce. The commission originally planned to make the switch to cashless late next year, promising no...
