Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1624
North Side barbecue owner uncertain about future plans after fireVideo
The owner of Wilson’s Bar-B-Q on Pittsburgh’s North Side said Wednesday he is sorting out what the future holds after a fire destroyed his popular business. George Wilson Jr. said the North Taylor Avenue building, where he also lived, doesn’t appear to be insured. Before his father, George Wilson Sr.,...
Diplomat William Taylor had ‘clear understanding’ of Ukraine quid pro quoVideo
WASHINGTON — A State Department envoy told lawmakers it was his “clear understanding” the U.S. government intended to withhold military aid from Ukraine until the country committed to investigations sought by President Donald Trump, including into a political rival, according to a transcript of the closed-door interview released Wednesday. William...
Pittsburgh ethics board fines Darlene Harris, Leon Ford alleging campaign violations
The Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board is seeking court approval to levy fines against Councilwoman Darlene Harris and former council candidate Leon Ford, alleging they violated a campaign finance reporting ordinance during the spring primary. Board members in September fined Harris, 66, of Spring Hill $4,150 and Ford, 26, of Larimer...
Daily Download: Election results, Aaron Donald and Light Up NightVideo
Each day, TribLIVE reporters and editors will break down the biggest news of the day, with video highlights of the people and places making headlines. Today, reporter Paul Guggenheimer discusses the results of the general election, how the Steelers plan to neutralize Los Angeles Rams star and former Pitt and...
Westmoreland sheriff-elect promises changes when he takes officeVideo
A shake-up is coming to the Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office, but no one will lose their job in the process, the new sheriff-elect said a day after defeating the two-term Republican incumbent. Voters selected James Albert, 69, a Democrat from New Alexandria, over Jonathan Held to take over the office...
Adam Lambert joins Pittsburgh’s Light Up Night this holiday seasonVideo
National recording artist and recent Queen frontman Adam Lambert leads the entertainment at this year’s Comcast Light Up Night in Pittsburgh. Lambert will perform during the event at the Main Stage on Fort Duquesne Boulevard. The Nox Boys and Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers will open the show. “Pittsburgh, I...
Day 3: Witness testifies he twice saw Rahmael Holt with a gun
A man who shared a house with accused New Kensington cop killer Rahmael Holt testified Wednesday that he twice saw Holt with a gun. Michael Luffey, 35, was the lead witness to testify for the prosecution on the third day of Holt’s capital murder trial before Westmoreland County President Judge...
Pennsylvania Turnpike plans full ‘cashless’ transition by late 2021
By late 2021, the 552 miles of the Pennsylvania Turnpike will be fully converted to a “cashless” tolling system, turnpike commission officials said this week. After a pair of pilot conversions — including on Turnpike 66 in Westmoreland County — the remaining sections of the east-west mainline, the Northeastern Extension...
Citing voter approval, Marsy’s Law supporters call on ACLU to drop challenge
Advocates are calling on the ACLU of Pennsylvania to drop its lawsuit against a proposed crime victims’ rights amendment to the state constitution after unofficial election results showed voters approved it 3-1 Tuesday. The amendment, which passed the General Assembly twice in the last two years, was scheduled to become...
Another bomb threat closes Fox Chapel Area High School
Fox Chapel Area High School is closed Wednesday because of a bomb threat, the second closure in three weeks. Police are investigating, according to a district announcement. The district’s other schools will have classes as normal. The threat was received around 3 a.m. Wednesday through the state Safe2Say Something system,...
Pittsburgh polling place briefly locked down as SWAT called to apartment
Pittsburgh police briefly placed a polling place in Homewood South on lockdown Tuesday evening as they prepared for a possible standoff with a man they believed was armed. A 911 caller told police an armed, wanted man was in an apartment on the 600 block of North Braddock Avenue, according...
Saw Mill Run Boulevard reopens amid bridge replacement work
Saw Mill Run Boulevard in Pittsburgh has partially reopened now that the new Shaler Street Bridge has been transported to its new location. One lane in each direction between the West End Circle and the Parkway West opened early Wednesday morning. The road has been closed since Sunday for the...
Chelsa Wagner wins another term as Allegheny County controller
Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner rolled to a lopsided victory in Tuesday’s election despite an outstanding criminal case against her stemming from an alleged March 6 confrontation with police at a Detroit hotel, according to unofficial election results. The results showed that Wagner collected 63.2% of the votes cast compared...
2 incumbents, challenger win contested Allegheny County Council races
Two Allegheny County Council incumbents facing election challenges Tuesday cruised to victories, while a third incumbent was ousted, according to unofficial election results. Republican incumbent Cindy Kirk of McCandless collected 53.9% of the votes counted in District 2 to defeat Democratic challenger Christine Allen of Sewickley, who picked up 46%...
Pittsburgh’s North Side has new city council representative
Residents of Pittsburgh’s North Side will have a new city council representative in January for the first time in 13 years. Democrat Bobby Wilson of Spring Hill, who ousted longtime Councilwoman Darlene Harris in the May primary, won a three-way race for a District 1 seat. With 37 of 39...
GOP seizes back control of Westmoreland commissioner board; Cerilli ekes out final seat
Republicans reclaimed a majority on the Westmoreland County board of commissioners. Voters elected GOP political newcomers Sean Kertes and Doug Chew to the three-member board. Democrat Gina Cerilli finished third for an apparent second term in office. In doing so, county voters on Tuesday turned out incumbent Ted Kopas in...
Pittsburgh voters approve 0.5-mill tax increase to fund city parksVideo
Pittsburgh voters on Tuesday approved a ballot referendum that will result in a 0.5-mill property tax increase next year to generate money for improvements in city parks. With 392 of 402 precincts reporting, the referendum passed with 51.6% of votes counted, according to unofficial Allegheny County election results. Jayne Miller,...
Allegheny County DA Stephen A. Zappala Jr. claims victory over challenger Lisa Middleman
Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. claimed a 14 percentage point win Tuesday against his second serious challenger in two decades, unofficial election results showed. Zappala, 62, a Democrat from Fox Chapel, collected 56.8% of the votes cast, while independent candidate Lisa Middleman garnered 43%, unofficial results showed...
James Albert defeats Jonathan Held in Westmoreland sheriff raceVideo
Jonathan Held, Westmoreland County’s long-embattled sheriff, lost his bid for a third term in office Tuesday. Democrat James Albert, a retired Greensburg district judge, defeated the Republican incumbent to bring an end to a tenure marred by a dozen discrimination lawsuits and pending criminal public corruption charges. With all 305...
Joe Biden congratulates Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald on reelection victoryVideo
When Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald claimed victory Tuesday night in his race for a third term, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden was there to congratulate him. “This is a helluva man, and a helluva family,” the former vice president said of Fitzgerald as he addressed a boisterous crowd around...
Democrats win full control of Virginia statehouse
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Democrats continued their winning streak under President Trump on Tuesday and took full control of the statehouse for the first time in more than two decades. Democrats won majorities in both the state House and Senate in the marquee warmup for next year’s presidential election, the...
Dem leads Kentucky governor’s race that’s too close to callVideo
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The hotly contested race governor’s race in Kentucky was too close to call Tuesday night, with Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear holding a narrow lead over Republican Gov. Matt Bevin. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Beshear had a lead of 4,658 votes out of more than...
2019 election results from across Western Pa.
Allegheny County voters on Tuesday retained Executive Rich Fitzgerald, District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. and Controller Chelsa Wagner, while in Westmoreland County, embattled Sheriff Jonathan Held was ousted by James Albert. The Trib covered numerous races. You can find results from Allegheny and Westmoreland counties here. ALLEGHENY COUNTY Allegheny...
Fire tears through Wilson’s Bar-B-Q in North SideVideo
Two firefighters were injured and a dog was rescued Tuesday evening in a fire at a North Side barbecue restaurant. Allegheny County dispatchers said calls for the blaze at Wilson’s Bar-B-Q in Pittsburgh’s Mexican War Streets came in shortly before 5:45 p.m. Flames were seen coming from the building at...
Daily Download: Election day, Tree of Life time capsule opened and Aaron DonaldVideo
Each day, TribLIVE reporters and editors will break down the biggest news of the day, with video highlights of the people and places making headlines. Today, reporter Maddy Lee discusses election day, a time capsule opened in the cornerstone of the Tree of Life congregation’s former Oakland location and how...
