Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1630
Daily Download: Soggy Halloween, Pittsburgh gun appeal and Jaylen Samuels returnsVideo
In today’s Daily Download, staffer Maddy Lee discusses a soggy Halloween that is affecting trick-or-treat times, Pittsburgh’s plan to appeal a judge’s ruling striking down the city’s gun ordinances and Jaylen Samuels returning to the Steelers’ offensive backfield. Each day, TribLIVE reporters and editors will break down the biggest news...
Proposed Pa. hate crimes package would up penalties, extend protections
After months of painstaking work and reaching out to stakeholders across Pennsylvania, State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Squirrel Hill, Wednesday introduced a package of four hate crimes bills. The bills, said Frankel, are designed to increase penalties, provide better reporting and police training and protect the rights of hate crimes victims....
Judge: Pennsylvania can’t tally Marsy’s Law votes while challenge pending
HARRISBURG — A judge ruled Wednesday that votes in a referendum next week about enshrining victims’ rights in Pennsylvania’s constitution will not be tallied or certified while a legal challenge is pending. Commonwealth Court Judge Ellen Ceisler issued a preliminary injunction that was requested by the voter and the state...
Work zone speed cameras to be deployed in Pennsylvania
Cameras to detect speeding in Pennsylvania’s roadway work zones will begin limited operation next week ahead of their use statewide early next year. Two cameras will be deployed, one in the Pennsylvania Turnpike system and one on another Pennsylvania roadway, but for 60 days violators won’t be issued warnings or...
Fed cuts rates a 3rd time this year but signals likely pause
WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate Wednesday for the third time this year to try to sustain the economic expansion in the face of global threats. But it hinted that it won’t likely cut again this year. The Fed’s move reduces the short-term rate it controls...
Wicked weather proves tricky, postpones Halloween treats in Westmoreland
While most local municipalities are not spooked by the possibility of rain and wind on Halloween, others are taking a more cautious route and postponing trick-or-treating this year. The National Weather Service is predicting an almost 100% chance of rain and wind gusts over 30 mph Thursday night. Lee Hendricks,...
North Park bald eagles sighted back at nest as breeding season approaches
The North Park bald eagles are back visiting their nest along Kummer Road for an apparent second try at breeding. Excitement over the birds prompted Allegheny County to rename the shelter near the nest the Eagle’s Nest shelter. Allegheny Council Member Cindy Kirk introduced legislation approved by county council this...
Charges against Steelers’ Anthony Chickillo withdrawnVideo
Charges against Steelers linebacker Anthony Chickillo were withdrawn Wednesday in Fayette County court. Chickillo, 26, was arrested Oct. 20 by state police on accusations that he assaulted his girlfriend at Nemacolin Woodlands in Wharton Township. District Attorney Richard Bower said both parties decided not continue with prosecution after 90 minutes...
Trick-or-treating rescheduled in a handful of A-K Valley communities
Five Alle-Kiski Valley communities have changed trick-or-treat plans this Halloween due to a stormy weather forecast. Lower Burrell, Avonmore, Kiski Township, Saxonburg and North Apollo have all rescheduled trick-or-treating for Saturday, Nov. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. Other Alle-Kiski Valley communities have not rescheduled trick-or-treating yet and many are...
Weather prompts some Allegheny County communities to change trick-or-treat dates
Some Allegheny County municipalities are postponing Halloween trick-or-treating because of bad-weather concerns. Heavy rain is expected throughout Halloween. Meteorologist Scott Harbaugh from Tribune-Review news partner WPXI said the rainfall could exceed 1.2 inches, making it the wettest Halloween on record in the region. The National Weather Service is calling for...
California wine production mostly unaffected by wildfires
The headlines sound ominous: “Devastating Fires in Northern California Wine Country.” One might think the industry has been brought to its knees and that the wine will stop flowing from the likes of Napa and Sonoma. The facts to date tell a different story. When the fires broke out in...
Death row man’s extravagant last meal: Steak, lobster, burger, cake …Video
A man scheduled for a lethal injection in Georgia has ordered his final meal. And it’s a tall order. Ray Jefferson Cromartie, 52, was convicted of malice murder and set for execution for the April 1994 killing of 50-year-old convenience store clerk Richard Slysz in Thomasville. For his last meal,...
Teen girl hurt in fall while jumping between roofs in Butler
A teenager was injured Tuesday night when she fell while jumping between the rooftops of buildings along Main Street in downtown Butler, according to authorities. The girl fell about 20 feet and suffered leg and back injuries, first responders said. She was unable to move in the roughly 2-foot wide...
Stormy weather on tap for Halloween trick-or-treating
Few municipalities are altering their community Halloween plans despite a worsening weather forecast for Thursday evening. Several boroughs and townships have trick-or-treating scheduled for Halloween with no adjustments in place for thunder and lightning. “If it rains, it rains,” said Barb Jones, office clerk for Brackenridge. Jones said police and...
Pittsburgh man charged with injuring police dog
A man who was running from police in Pittsburgh’s Spring Hill neighborhood Tuesday night hit and attempted to choke a police dog before he was taken into custody, according to a criminal complaint. Police were seeking Arthur Patterson, 28, of Perry South, after Patterson’s ex-girlfriend reported that he had threatened...
Abuse survivor calls on Greensburg Diocese to support window of opportunity for clergy abuse claims
A clergy sexual abuse survivor whose testimony sent a Greensburg diocesan priest to prison stepped forward Tuesday to blast the church for opposing a law that would allow adults with old claims to sue the church. Josh Kiley, the 37 year-old man whose tale of sexual abuse as a 10-year-old...
Judge strikes down Pittsburgh’s controversial gun bills
An Allegheny County judge Tuesday struck down Pittsburgh’s controversial gun control ordinances, ruling the city is prohibited by state law from regulating firearms. Common Pleas Judge Joseph James issued a five-page opinion granting three Second Amendment rights groups and three individuals a summary judgment that declared the ordinances illegal. The...
Pittsburgh Council clears way for development, Whole Foods on Penn Plaza site
Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday cleared the way for a $50 million development on the site of the former Penn Plaza Apartments in East Liberty that will include a “flagship” Whole Foods market, according to the developer. Council voted to approve a land swap with Pennley Park South, owner of...
Daily Download: Antwon Rose civil case, sinkhole update and Steelers injuriesVideo
In today’s Daily Download, staffer Matt Rosenberg discusses an apparent settlement in the civil case filed by Antwon Rose’s parents against East Pittsburgh and former police Officer Michael Rosfeld, an update on the sinkhole that swallowed a Port Authority bus in Downtown and injuries suffered by Steelers running backs James...
Democrats unveil impeachment resolution; vote set for Thursday
WASHINGTON — House Democrats have introduced a resolution that authorizes the next phase of the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump. The eight-page resolution released Tuesday calls for open hearings and requires the intelligence committee to submit a report outlining its findings and recommendations. Rules Committee Chairman James McGovern of...
Ohio drug charge against Steelers’ Benny Snell withdrawn
A drug charge filed in an Ohio court against Pittsburgh Steelers running back Benny Snell was withdrawn, but the rookie could still face consequences under the NFL’s code of conduct. Snell, who the Steelers selected in the fourth round of the NFL draft, admitted to smoking marijuana about 20 minutes...
Family of Antwon Rose settles for $2M in civil case
The family of Antwon Rose II will receive nearly $1.2 million from a settlement in the federal civil lawsuit filed against East Pittsburgh and former police Officer Michael Rosfeld, court records show. Rose, 17, was shot and killed by Rosfeld after a June 19, 2018 traffic stop in East Pittsburgh....
Connellsville native, CMU grad to face James Holzhauer in ‘Jeopardy!’ champs tourney
Connellsville native and Carnegie Mellon University graduate Lindsey Shultz will face record-setter James Holzhauer in the “Jeopardy!” game show’s Tournament of Champions next week. Earlier this year, Shultz was a four-time winner on the top-rated trivia-based game show, earning $101,002, placing her in the top 10 for the year. She...
Jeannette man identified as victim of fatal shooting
An aspiring rapper who was a father of two died Monday night in a shooting in Jeannette that left two people wounded. Mariell McGowan, 29, of Jeannette was fatally shot about 5:30 p.m. on Cuyler Avenue, just a few doors down from his mother’s home and a block from the city...
Police: Penn Hills social club owner shot in stomach after dispute
The owner of a social club in Penn Hills was shot once in the stomach after he refused to let a nonmember in his establishment, police said Tuesday. Barry White, owner of the White Hawk Cafe along Universal Road, is expected to recover after being transported to a local hospital,...
