Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 579
Allegheny County Council to sue over reopening of juvenile detention center
Allegheny County Council voted Tuesday to sue to determine if council has a say in the future reopening of the county’s juvenile detention center. Last week, Allegheny County’s court system announced that Latrobe nonprofit Adelphoi will take over providing juvenile detention services at the Shuman Juvenile Detention Center as soon...
Pittsburgh had record low unemployment rate in August, state says
The number of people applying for unemployment benefits in the seven-county Pittsburgh region hit a new low in August. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the area fell one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to a record low of 3.6%, the lowest level since record-keeping began in 1976,...
Judge rules Donald Trump defrauded banks, insurers as he built real estate empire
NEW YORK — A judge ruled Tuesday that Donald Trump committed fraud for years while building the real estate empire that catapulted him to fame and the White House. Judge Arthur Engoron, ruling in a civil lawsuit brought by New York’s attorney general, found that the former president and his...
Pittsburgh woman accused of stealing more than $800K from Castle Shannon learning center
The head of a Castle Shannon learning center is accused of stealing more than $800,000 from the organization’s coffers. Sammi Jo Whittaker, 36, of Beechview, was arraigned Tuesday on charges of forgery, theft by unlawful taking, access device fraud, receiving stolen property, dealing in the proceeds of illegal activity, unlawful...
Friends recall Eureka Fire-Rescue EMS Manager Shannon McKruit as caring, dedicated
Members of Eureka Fire-Rescue in Tarentum are mourning the loss of a woman many referred to as the station “mom.” Shannon McKruit, EMS manager at the Third Avenue department, died Monday at 52. “I wonder if she ever realized the impact she had on thousands of people,” fire President David...
TSA confiscates 2nd gun in 3 days at Pittsburgh International Airport
Security officials at Pittsburgh International Airport on Tuesday morning seized their second gun in three days. Transportation Security Administration officials stopped a Troy, Bradford County, woman from bringing a loaded, .380-caliber handgun that was in her backpack onto her flight Tuesday, TSA spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said. TSA officials previously had...
Jailbreaks in Pa. are not as common as recent events imply
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds the powerful to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania correctional institutions have been the subject of public scrutiny after two high-profile escapes this summer. But how frequent are these kinds...
‘Our Downtown is doing well,’ but there’s still work to do, Pittsburgh mayor tells forum
Local leaders expressed optimism Tuesday about the state of Downtown Pittsburgh, pushing back against criticism that the Golden Triangle has become unsafe, dirty and plagued by office vacancies and business closures. “Our Downtown is doing well,” Mayor Ed Gainey said during a forum at Point Park University’s University Center. Gainey...
Arnold residents will get a chance to comment on manager’s firing after the fact
Arnold residents will get an opportunity to comment on last week’s firing of the city’s manager, but they’ll have to wait until next month. The firing of Mario Bellavia will be on the agenda for council’s regular meeting Oct. 10, Solicitor Jaclyn Shaw said. But Melissa Melewsky, media law counsel...
Sen. Bob Casey joins chorus calling for indicted Sen. Menendez to resign
Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, joined a growing group of senators Tuesday in calling for embattled New Jersey U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez to resign. Menendez, a Democrat, and his wife were indicted Friday on charges that they took bribes including a luxury car, $480,000 in cash and $100,000 worth...
1 in custody, 1 at large following shooting in Oakland
Officers investigating a report of shots being fired early Tuesday in Oakland arrested one person on weapons charges, while a second person remains at large, police said. Police said they received a ShotSpotter alert that eight shots had been fired on Chauncey Drive around 2:45 a.m. They did not say...
Allegheny County DA’s detective back on job after drug case is dismissed, but charges could be refiled
A Westmoreland County district judge dismissed charges last week against a former detective with the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office who police said provided testosterone and Adderall to his son when he played high school football. The DA’s office rehired Raymond Bonacci, 57, of Elizabeth after the charges were dismissed,...
Dale Earnhardt Jr. to appear at Lernerville Speedway tonight
Fans will again swarm a racetrack to see Dale Earnhardt Jr. Though he won’t be returning to racing, the 26-time NASCAR Cup Series winner will likely draw quite a crowd Tuesday night at Lernerville Speedway. He will attend the $50,000-to-win Commonwealth Clash as part of the High Limit Sprint Car...
NFL rules analyst: Minkah Fitzpatrick penalty should start a broader discussion on ‘roughing the passer’ calls
For CBS NFL rules analyst Gene Steratore, the debate surrounding Minkah Fitzpatrick’s roughing the passer penalty Sunday goes beyond “good call/bad call.” Instead, the former NFL referee and Uniontown/Washington, Pa., native says that play should bring up a broader conversation about defining what “roughing the passer” really means. For those...
With a government shutdown just days away, Congress is moving into crisis mode
WASHINGTON — With a government shutdown five days away, Congress is moving into crisis mode as Speaker Kevin McCarthy faces an insurgency from hard-right Republicans eager to slash spending even if it means curtailing federal services for millions of Americans. There’s no clear path ahead as lawmakers return with tensions...
Biden urges striking auto workers to ‘stick with it’ in picket line visit unparalleled in history
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich. — President Joe Biden joined United Auto Workers strikers on a picket line Tuesday as their work stoppage against major carmakers hit day 12, a demonstration of support for organized labor apparently unparalleled in presidential history. “Stick with it,” he told them, exchanging fist bumps with...
Morning Roundup: 2 accused in Hill District carjacking; police say Pittsburgh man ran over neighbor after fight
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Tuesday, Sept. 26: Police arrest 2 juveniles accused in Hill District carjacking Two juveniles were arrested after an armed carjacking in the Hill District, according to Pittsburgh police. Officers responded to the 2100 block of Webster Avenue just before...
With membership ‘busting at the seams,’ Harvest Baptist Church launches $7 million expansion
A Harrison church that started with seven members in a meeting room at a local Holiday Inn is marking its 40th anniversary and launching a $7 million expansion. “It’s to the point now that we’re busting at the seams,” said Marc Likins, pastor of Harvest Baptist Church off Route 908....
Apple harvest time: Wild swings in weather, slow spring start impact production
The fruits of the Simon family’s labors are on display for all to see at the Simon’s Apple Orchard store in Mt. Pleasant Township. The sweet smell of freshly harvested apples permeates the air as bags of apples are made ready for sale. “It was decent. Not a full crop...
USW President Thomas Conway dies
The president of the United Steelworkers was remembered Monday as a fighter for workers and a contract negotiator in the steel, aluminum, oil and other major industries where the union represented workers. Thomas Conway, 71, who died in the Pittsburgh area, had been president of the 850,000-member Pittsburgh-based union since...
Alcoa names new CEO in abrupt transition
Alcoa Corp. has replaced CEO Roy C. Harvey with the company’s chief operating officer, William F. Oplinger. Oplinger will serve as president, CEO and a member of Alcoa’s board of directors, the North Shore-based company announced Monday. The abrupt move went into effect Sunday. Harvey had been CEO since the...
Fetterman, Lee call for indicted New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez to resign
Two Western Pennsylvania Democrats are joining a small chorus of lawmakers in calling for indicted U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., to resign. Menendez and his wife were indicted Friday on charges that they took bribes of $100,000 worth of gold bars, a luxury car and $480,000 in cash in exchange...
Motorists voice concerns about reconfigured traffic patterns near Pittsburgh’s Fern Hollow Bridge
Changes made to traffic patterns around Pittsburgh’s newly constructed Fern Hollow Bridge have resulted in confusion and frustration for some motorists, who argue that the changes are making the area less safe and have boosted driving times. The new span in Frick Park reopened last December, replacing a bridge that...
Extended stay InTown Suites in Ross evacuated after pesticide exposure
Guests of the InTown Suites on McKnight Road in Ross were evacuated just before 9 a.m. Monday after being exposed to rat poison. According to Greg Porter, executive director of Ross West View EMS, seven people were transported to area hospitals and six were treated at the scene. Porter said...
Deal will bring added passenger rail service between Pittsburgh, NYC
PennDOT and Norfolk Southern Railway finalized an official agreement Friday to bring an additional round trip for passenger train service between Pittsburgh and New York City. PennDOT officials said the state will invest more than $200 million for infrastructure and safety improvements that will help to accommodate the additional trains....
