Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 1663
Police search North Side gas station after assault as protesters vow to continueVideo
Protesters who camped for a second day outside of the Exxon gas station on Pittsburgh’s North Side where two sisters were beaten over a $17 dispute, expressed concern Sunday that the owners and an employee who allegedly assaulted their customers will only be charged with a misdemeanor. The Friday assault...
Despite forcing 5 turnovers, Steelers lose to 49ers
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Despite all of the yardage allowed, the time spent on the field, the two leads surrendered, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense produced a fifth turnover Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, giving the offense a chance to hold on for that elusive first win of the season....
Editorial: Keep politicians off pedestals
It is hard to believe that someone who makes the laws could break them flagrantly. But it happens. It happens more than we would like to admit. Elected officials are arrested. They plead guilty. They are convicted. They can serve prison sentences and sometimes they come back from political death...
Rare, deadly virus detected in 3 Pennsylvania counties
A rare, potentially deadly virus transmitted by mosquitoes has been confirmed in three Pennsylvania counties. The Pennsylvania departments of health and agriculture issued a warning Saturday after confirming eastern equine encephalitis in Erie, Carbon, and Monroe counties. The virus was found in pheasants, horses and a wild turkey. The virus...
Western Pennsylvania experiencing same bird declines being seen nationwide
Recently released researched confirmed what local bird experts already suspected: Bird populations have dropped a staggering 29% — nearly 3 billion birds — since the 1970s, according to the journal Science. Jim Bonner, executive director of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania headquartered in Fox Chapel, said he is, sadly,...
Trump, Modi show unity between world’s largest democracies
HOUSTON — Deafening drums marked the entrance of President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi as they clasped hands and walked across the stage in a packed Texas stadium Sunday, sending a message of unity between the world’s two largest democracies despite trade tensions. Instead of dwelling on...
Democrats blast latest Trump crisis. But what will they do?
WASHINGTON — A whistleblower’s complaint over President Donald Trump’s interactions with a foreign leader is testing the political and practical power Democrats can use against a Republican in the White House who so brazenly ignores protocol and presidential norms. Democrats were unanimous in their condemnation of Trump for going to...
Trump says he discussed corruption with Ukraine’s presidentVideo
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump suggested Sunday that he raised former Vice President Joe Biden and Biden’s son in a summer phone call with Ukraine’s new leader, as Democrats pressed for investigations into whether Trump improperly used his office to try to dig up damaging information about a political rival....
UAW strike puts Trump, GOP in political bind in key states
LANSING, Mich. — Democrats were quick to back working-class United Auto Workers in their strike against General Motors, delivering doughnuts and holding picket signs outside factories to show solidarity. It’s a union they long have aligned with politically. There were no doughnuts from Republicans. Led by President Donald Trump, GOP...
How the past informs Trump’s vision of America’s future
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s vision of America’s tomorrows looks much like its yesterdays. He loves “beautiful” coal. “Beautiful” warships. And “those four beautiful words: MADE IN THE USA!” He speaks of the country’s might as measured by its steel mills, farms and cars rolling off Detroit assembly lines. He’s...
Thousands of hogs killed in Pennsylvania barn fire
NEW TRIPOLI, Pa. — Thousands of hogs have died in a fire that destroyed two barns on a Pennsylvania farm. Firefighters were called to the farm in Lynn Township, outside Allentown, before 6 a.m. Saturday. Lynnport Community Fire Company Chief Clark Matz says the barns were engulfed when firefighters got...
Overdose victims identified in Pittsburgh’s South Side Flats
The medical examiner’s office has identified three men killed in a suspected drug overdose that sent four others to the hospital Sunday in the South Side Flats. The three men were pronounced dead at the scene and identified as: Rubiel Clemente-Martinez, 32, of Columbus, Ohio; Joel Pecina, 32, of Coraopolis,...
Louisiana man drowns while proposing to girlfriend underwater in Tanzania
A Louisiana man drowned during a dream vacation to Tanzania as he proposed to his attorney girlfriend, who never even got the chance to give him her answer. Kenesha Antoine revealed in a heartbreaking Facebook post on Friday that her boyfriend, Steven Weber Jr., died while he popped the big...
Iran’s Guard says ready for ‘any scenario’ amid US standoff
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard is ready for combat and “any scenario,” its chief commander said Saturday, as the country’s nuclear deal with world powers collapses and the U.S. alleged Iran was behind a recent attack on major oil sites in Saudi Arabia that shook global energy markets....
Steelers QB Mason Rudolph follows path from ‘Football City, USA’ to NFL starter
They call it Football City, USA. Football City doesn’t have an NFL stadium, but it has enough native sons who played in the league it seemingly could field a team. And, at long last, Football City has its starting quarterback. Rock Hill, S.C., native Brett Mason Rudolph makes his first...
2 people flown to hospitals after head-on collision in Sewickley Township
A head-on collision in Sewickley Township on Saturday afternoon sent two people to the hospital, a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher said. The crash happened shortly after 5 p.m. in front of 540 Dick Station Road. One vehicle remained on the road while the other careened into the woods. Both drivers...
Holy anniversary! Displays of bat signal fete Batman at 80
NEW YORK — It’s no joker. The night is lighting up Saturday around the world with the famous bat signal to mark a special anniversary for Batman. DC Comics is carrying off a celebration of Batman Day to mark the 80th anniversary of the appearance of crimefighter Bruce Wayne and...
2 dead, at least 8 wounded in South Carolina bar shooting
Two men died and eight people were injured in a shooting at a crowded sports bar near Lancaster, S.C., early Saturday, authorities said. The shooter or shooters have not been found. “I believe it was one person targeting another,” Sheriff Barry Faile said at a news conference Saturday afternoon. “Unfortunately,...
Chugging beer while riding a tricycle in South Greensburg, all for a great causeVideo
Typically, it might not be the best idea to mix competitive pedaling and beer chugging. But that’s just how participants of the Rotary of Westmoreland’s second annual Trike and Chug spent Saturday afternoon to raise money for the purchase of special adaptive bicycles for disabled children. The Rotary sponsored the...
Water main break in Hempfield cuts service to Westmoreland Manor, Hempfield Towers
A water main break Saturday morning disrupted service to Westmoreland County’s nursing home in Hempfield and a neighboring housing authority property. Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County officials said a 30-inch transmission line near the railroad tracks across Route 119 in Hempfield ruptured and left some customers with little to no...
Rep. Joe Kennedy formally announces US Senate campaign
BOSTON — U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III formally declared his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Saturday, becoming the first member of the Kennedy political dynasty to bid for the upper chamber of Congress since Edward M. Kennedy in 1962. The Massachusetts Democrat spoke to supporters gathered in a community...
Westmoreland County flooded with 124M pain pills during critical period of opioid crisis
Inside Roadway Pharmacy, customers mill through aisles stocked with cough and cold medicines, colorful greeting cards and other drugstore fare. Playing over the sound system is “Come on Eileen,” the 1982 hit. Some people fill prescriptions after picking up groceries at Ideal Market. The businesses sit next to each other...
Protest forms at North Side gas station after police charge workers with assaulting customersVideo
A $17 dispute Friday night at an Exxon gas station on Pittsburgh’s North Side that led to the assault of two sisters was captured on video and shared on social media. The community reaction was swift. By 6 a.m. angered residents had gathered outside the gas station, vowing to stay...
Boil water advisory for South Hills lifted; Becks Run Road to reopen
Officials at Pennsylvania American Water Company say residents in the South Hills no longer need to boil their water before use or take any additional precautions. The advisory was lifted Sunday morning. Meanwhile, work crews continue to work to reopen Becks Run Road following last week’s water line break on...
A flowing river of painkillers, all perfectly legal, cuts through Allegheny County
Along with produce and the deli bar, Fuel Perks and meat sales, Giant Eagle pharmacies across the region distributed millions of opioid painkillers as the epidemic ballooned and morphed, according to a Drug Enforcement Administration database. At the Brentwood Towne Square store, 3.4 million opioid pain pills were distributed over...
