Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1592
Naval Academy probes possible ‘white power’ gesture at gameVideo
The U.S. Naval Academy has appointed an officer to conduct an internal investigation into possible “white power” hand gestures flashed by students during a broadcast before the Army-Navy football game, an academy spokeswoman said Sunday. “Based on findings of the investigation, those involved will be held appropriately accountable,” Cmdr. Alana...
A tasty exchange: Cookie swap moves from Harrison home to fire hall
When Lori Miller decided to organize a Christmas cookie exchange last year, she did it out of her Harrison home with about a dozen women. She had to move it to a bigger venue this year — a fire hall — due to popular demand. “The first year was last...
Police: Man shot in leg near UPMC Children’s Hospital
A man was shot in the leg early Sunday morning in Lawrenceville, according to Pittsburgh police. Police believe the shooting occurred near UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Police said they were called to reports of a shooting near the Sunoco gas station on the 4000 block of Penn Avenue shortly...
Unsung heroes: Pittsburgh men, decades-long study impact HIV/AIDS researchVideo
Somber tones from the Reuter Opus organ filled Heinz Memorial Chapel on a dark December night as a small crowd filtered into the towering neo-Gothic church on the University of Pittsburgh campus to mark World AIDS Day. As they have for more than three decades, the Pitt Men’s Study leaders...
Holiday wreath-making is a ‘family affair’ for Upper Burrell manVideo
The lighted wreaths along the driveway leading to the VFW along Wildlife Lodge in Lower Burrell and in front of the Vietnam War memorial are hard to miss. Those are no ordinary holiday decorations. “Those wreaths with the LED lights — people rave every time they drive into the place,”...
Public school funding a hot topic for Democratic candidates at Pittsburgh forum
Pittsburgh served as the backdrop Saturday as seven Democratic presidential candidates met at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center to discuss their education policy platforms. Front-runners Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren were joined by Sen. Michael Bennet, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and...
Hempfield casino to feature FanDuel sports betting partnership
As one of the first approved mini casinos in the state, Live! Casino Pittsburgh at Westmoreland Mall will jump on another growing trend once it opens: sports betting. The Hempfield casino, which is expected to open next year, will be home to the FanDuel Sportsbook. The sports area will be...
26 Catholic parishes in Pittsburgh area merging into 8 parishes
The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announced Saturday that 26 parishes will be merged into eight early next year. The mergers are part of the diocese’s strategic planning initiative to help parishes use their resources to “prioritize mission over maintenance,” officials said. Bishop David Zubik called the mergers “a pivotal time...
Houses of worship attacked with deadly frequency in 2019
On Dec. 1, a band of assailants opened fire on worshippers at a small-town Protestant church in Burkina Faso, an impoverished West African country where the Christian minority is increasingly a target of attacks. The victims included the pastor and several teenage boys; regional authorities attributed the attack to “unidentified...
FBI recovers van it says may be linked to Jersey City attack
ORANGE, N.J. — Federal authorities have recovered a van that may be connected to the Jersey City shootings that killed four people and are now being investigated as domestic terrorism, the FBI said Saturday. The white van recovered Saturday morning in Orange, New Jersey, about 11 miles (17 kilometers) northwest...
Greensburg Salvation Army is short of 2019 Red Kettle campaign goal
With only eight days left, the Greensburg Salvation Army still has more than half of its Red Kettle campaign goal to raise. Lt. Cheyenne Martinez, assistant corps officer, said the Greensburg Salvation Army had raised $41,296 as of Monday — leaving $48,704 still to be raised toward the 2019 goal...
West Deer resident says he can’t escape streetlight’s glare into his home
When Adam Fusan moved into his West Deer home 10 years ago, there wasn’t a streetlight at the corner of Saxonburg Boulevard and McKrell Road. One was installed in July at the request of township supervisors. Fusan, who lives on Saxonburg, said it’s impacting his everyday life. “It’s driving me...
Kevin Gorman: After giving a glimpse, Diontae Johnson ready to do big things for SteelersVideo
Now that Diontae Johnson has shown the Pittsburgh Steelers what he can do, the rookie receiver is ready for an encore. After Johnson went untouched on a punt return for a touchdown, reversed field on a dazzling run in the red zone and made a toe-tap catch in the end...
Democratic presidential candidates in Pittsburgh for education forum
Pittsburgh was the backdrop Saturday as seven Democratic presidential candidates are at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center to discuss their education policy platforms. Front runners Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren will be joined by Sen. Michael Bennet, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar...
Man found dead on 8th floor of Downtown Pittsburgh hotel
Police are investigating the death of a man found on the eighth floor of the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh early Saturday. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Jacob E. Brown, 41, of Burgettstown. No cause of death was given. Police responded to a 911 call about a...
35 cats and dogs rescued from West Deer home
Thirty cats and five dogs living in “deplorable conditions” at a West Deer home were rescued, according to a local animal shelter that is caring for them. Authorities responding to a complaint from a resident Friday said there was a “pungent odor emanating from the house” and obtained a warrant...
Wellness-focused EVEN Hotel opens in former Kaufmann’s in Downtown Pittsburgh
The EVEN Hotel doesn’t believe in odd-numbered rooms, hence the name. Located in the historic former Kaufmann’s department store in Downtown Pittsburgh, the brand from InterContinental Hotels Group opened in late October. The grand opening was Dec. 4. It is one of 12 such hotels, and the chain expects to...
FBI, police seek help identifying man accused of robbing White Oak bank
The FBI’s Pittsburgh division and White Oak police are looking for a man accused of robbing a PNC Bank location. The incident occurred at 2:45 p.m. Saturday at 1612 Lincoln Way, according to a release. During the incident, he did not display a weapon and left on foot, the FBI...
Man videotaped slapping reporter’s rear on live TV chargedVideo
SAVANNAH, Ga. — A Georgia man who was videotaped slapping a female reporter’s rear on live TV was arrested Friday on a misdemeanor charge of sexual battery. Savannah police spokeswoman Bianca Johnson in Savannah confirmed that Thomas Callaway, 43, of Statesboro was charged in connection with the incident that occurred...
Braddock woman pleads guilty to federal drug charge
A 55-year-old Braddock woman has pleaded guilty to a federal count of drug trafficking, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office in Pittsburgh. Prosecutors said Paula Debaker had conspired with a member of the neighborhood street gang SCO to obtain drugs and allowed people to use her home to cook powder...
The 1970s inspire chef Kevin Sousa’s new venue in Allentown neighborhood
Chef Kevin Sousa has always been open to new ideas. After all, he opened a fine dining restaurant in Braddock, a place where a lot people thought it couldn’t be done. But he didn’t have anything particular in mind for his next venture. That is until he and his Superior...
Democratic presidential hopefuls heading to Pittsburgh for education forum
Pittsburgh will play host Saturday to a nationally televised event spotlighting where eight Democratic presidential candidates stand on a variety of hot-button education issues. National Education Association President Lily Eskelsen García, who was an elementary school teacher, said she and fellow educators couldn’t be more excited about the chance to...
Online child pornography accounts for more than 3 out of 4 Pa. cyber crime convictions
Computer hacking and election tampering dominate the conversation about cyber crimes, but a new study by the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts found an even more insidious offense tops the list of criminal convictions for cyber crime: child pornography. Online child pornography accounted for more than three out of...
Happy holidays from Comcast. Your cable bill is going up again.
Comcast is giving the gift of higher cable bills this holiday season. Tens of millions of Xfinity customers will see their bills rise 3.6% nationwide, on average, the company said Thursday, as it boosts prices for broadband plans and hikes TV fees starting next week. Customers in the Philadelphia region...
Pittsburgh reducing carbon footprint through renewable energy sources
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto on Friday signed an agreement maintaining membership in a group that purchases electricity in bulk and positions the city to meet a goal of transitioning away from fossil fuel energy within 10 years. Peduto said the Western Pennsylvania Energy Consortium, consisting of 35 local municipalities, institutions...
