Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1530
Coughing pope cancels participating in Lenten retreat
VATICAN CITY — A coughing Pope Francis told pilgrims gathered for the traditional Sunday blessing that he is canceling his participation at a week-long spiritual retreat in the Roman countryside because of a cold. It is the first time in his seven-year papacy that he has missed the spiritual exercises...
President’s power to fire independent agency heads faces test
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court is about to tell President Donald Trump whether he has more power to use a favorite phrase: “You’re fired.” A case being argued at the high court on Tuesday could threaten the structure of agencies that form an enormous swath of the federal government. It...
Arnold Palmer stamp to debut in Florida, disappointing some in his native Latrobe
Wednesday will be a banner day for fans of professional golf and for those who have a connection to Latrobe. One of the town’s favorite sons — the late Arnold Palmer, known as “The King” of the Game of Kings — will be recognized with a “Forever” First Class U.S....
Biden wins South Carolina, hopes for Super Tuesday momentum; Steyer drops out
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Joe Biden scored a thundering victory in South Carolina’s Democratic primary on Saturday, riding a wave of African American support and ending progressive rival Bernie Sanders’ winning streak. Biden’s win came at a do-or-die moment in his 2020 bid as the moderate Democrat bounced back from underwhelming...
Matter of when, not if, coronavirus reaches Western Pennsylvania but big questions remain
Pennsylvania’s hospitals, clinics, first responders and public health officials are preparing for a potential spread of coronavirus to the region as concerns mount globally. While there have been no announced cases of the COVID-19 virus in the state, infectious disease experts say it’s only a matter of time. “What’s to...
Western Pa. group misses out on $1M in chronic wasting disease research money
A Western Pennsylvania group representing a Louisiana researcher says its timeline for “curing” chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been slowed by lack of funding and political considerations. The North American CWD Project, led by Delmont resident John Eveland, was founded last year as a way to support the research of...
Virus’ effect on world economy grows more alarming
TOKYO — Concerns about the coronavirus outbreak’s threat to the world economy grew Saturday as authorities in the U.S. reported its first domestic death from the virus and President Donald Trump denounced criticism of his response to the threat as a “hoax” cooked up by his enemies. China’s manufacturing plunged...
Handful of babies born in region on Leap Day, share rare birthdayVideo
You could say she’s 1 in 1,461 — the odds of being born on Leap Day. Nyla Allen, at 7 lbs. 5 oz., was one of seven babies to be born at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital on Feb. 29, also known as Leap Day, as of early afternoon Saturday. “She’s perfectly...
Western Pa. school districts collaborate with PPG, FedEx Ground, Siemens
About 100 educators and business leaders gathered Thursday to celebrate successful partnerships and share what they’ve learned. The program connecting them all, the Educators and Corporations Program (ECP) will soon be introduced statewide. “Every partnership is different, but they all have one common thread,” said Sam Shaneyfelt, a consultant for...
U.S. ups travel restrictions as Trump says more coronavirus cases ‘likely’
WASHINGTON — Seeking to reassure the American public, President Donald Trump said Saturday there was “no reason to panic” as the new coronavirus claimed its first victim inside the U.S. The White House also announced new restrictions on international travel to prevent its spread. Trump, speaking only moments after the...
Eggtastic news for Harmar bald eagles? Bird behavior hints that incubation has begun
After a few days of constant presence at the nest, the Harmar bald eagles are believed to be incubating at least one egg, according to a local photographer. Without the benefit of a webcam, watchers have to rely on the birds’ behavior to determine if there are eggs. Typically, the...
`Let’s go home’: Afghan war vets torn on US-Taliban deal
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Veterans of America’s longest war are finding themselves torn as the U.S. signs a potentially historic peace accord with the Taliban in Afghanistan. For many, the U.S. is long overdue in withdrawing its forces after more than 18 years of fighting. Others question the trustworthiness of...
Washington governor declares state of emergency over virus after 1st. U.S. death
The governor of Washington state declared a state of emergency Saturday after a man died there of COVID-19, the first such reported death in the United States. More than 50 people in a nursing facility are sick and being tested for the virus. Gov. Jay Inslee directed state agencies to...
University of Pittsburgh tells students in 3 countries to return home, stay away from others
The University of Pittsburgh has notified 41 of its students studying in Italy, South Korea, and Japan that “they should return to their home communities in the United States and practice social distancing for 14 days after they arrive.” Pitt already had canceled or changed the venue for all spring...
1 injured, 2 arrested in shootout near WVU campus
Morgantown police have arrested two men in connection to a shootout stemming from a robbery early Saturday morning near the campus of West Virginia University. Police said the shooting occurred around 1:15 a.m. at an apartment on College Avenue, according to Morgantown’s CBS-affiliate WDTV. Edward Kolleh, 29, and Ethan Horseman,...
2 Steel Valley workers monitored for possible coronavirus
Two Steel Valley School District employees have been told to stay away from school property as a precaution related to the threat of the spreading coronavirus. The employees are required to distance themselves until the incubation period of the virus has passed and they are cleared by a medical professional,...
Pittsburghers lap up beers at BrewDog’s grand opening in East Liberty
It’s 11 a.m. at BrewDog’s grand opening on Friday, Feb. 28, and the place is packed. The new 4,000-square-foot space is the Scottish company’s latest American outpost. It is located on Centre Avenue across from Target in East Liberty. Co-founders James Watt and Martin Dickie started releasing experimental beers in...
Watch Day 3 of WPIAL basketball championships on Trib HSSN
Five more WPIAL championship trophies will be awarded Saturday at Pitt’s Petersen Events Center as the district basketball finals conclude. Here’s where you can see all the action on the TribLive High School Sports Network: Class 3A girls basketball Section rivals Beaver and Mohawk will open the day’s action in...
Duquesne woman accused of stealing $500K worth of opioid-addiction remedy
A Duquesne woman is accused of stealing from her former employer more than $500,000 worth of a drug used to treat opioid addiction. Rena Lynne Schleehauf, 33, is charged with delivery and possession of a controlled substance, theft and theft by deception. Attorney General Josh Shapiro said Schleehauf has admitted...
Drug ringleaders admit to moving 300 pounds of cocaine from L.A. to Penn Hills
A Georgia man admitted Friday to running a cross-country drug ring that moved as much as 300 pounds of cocaine from Los Angeles to Penn Hills in either an RV or a Mercedes-Benz van emblazoned with a promotional photo of “Sno Cold,” his rapper wife, officials said. Don Juan Mendoza,...
Duquesne University to bring Rome campus students back to U.S.
Duquesne University is making plans for students at its Rome campus to return to the United States after the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention on Friday evening raised the caution level against travel to Italy because of the growing coronavirus threat there. None of the 59 American students at...
Police look for suspects in $1K purchase using stolen Home Depot gift card
State police are asking for help in identifying a man and a woman who are suspected of using a stolen gift card to buy $1,000 worth of items at the West Mifflin Home Depot . Police say the pair was caught on surveillance cameras making the purchase on Sunday. According...
CommonWealth Press workers form union in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh screen printing company CommonWealth Press has unionized. The company announced its workers are now AFL/CIO members of The Printing, Publishing, and Media Workers Sector of the Communication Workers of America and the Graphic Communications Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters local 412. View this post on Instagram CommonWealth...
Ken Hi’s Dick Tamburo excelled as major-college football player, coach, athletic director
It can be difficult for athletes to successfully make the transition from player to coach to athletic administrator, but New Kensington native Dick Tamburo stood out in all three endeavors. Tamburo was an all-state lineman for the former New Kensington High School’s WPIAL championship football teams who went on to...
Harrison steelworkers rally ahead of contract’s end with Allegheny TechnologiesVideo
About 75 United Steelworkers union members held a rally Friday afternoon outside of Gate 6 at Allegheny Technologies Inc. in Harrison, calling for a better labor pact than the one that expires at midnight Saturday. The contract affects about 1,300 workers at nine locations. Negotiations started in January. The agreement...
