Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 804
Alex Jones ordered to pay $965 million for Sandy Hook lies
WATERBURY, Conn. — The conspiracy theorist Alex Jones should pay $965 million to people who suffered from his false claim that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax, a jury in Connecticut decided Wednesday. The verdict is the second big judgment against the Infowars host over his relentless...
Short hikes offer the best views in peak Western Pennsylvania fall foliage season
The brightly colored leaves and earthy scent of autumn might best be taken in with your feet tucked inside a sturdy pair of shoes. Westmoreland County and the Laurel Highlands have plenty of spots for hiking amid tall deciduous trees with sun-dappled gold, orange and red leaves. But it can...
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald proposes 2023 budget with no tax hike
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald on Tuesday presented a proposed 2023 budget to county council that includes no property tax increase for county residents. This marks the 21st time in 22 years that the budget includes no property tax increase, he said. “I’m very proud of the fact that we...
Pittsburgh hosting Walk and Roll to School Day Wednesday to encourage walking, biking to school
Pittsburgh on Wednesday is hosting its biannual Walk and Roll to School Day, an event that encourages students to walk or bike to class. It’s part of the Safe Routes to School program, which aims to increase the number of students who walk or bike to school by offering education,...
Armed carjacking reported in Pittsburgh’s East Allegheny neighborhood
Police said they responded to an armed carjacking overnight in Pittsburgh’s East Allegheny neighborhood. Three juveniles approached a man in a vehicle along East Ohio Street around 12:40 a.m. Wednesday, according to Pittsburgh police. One of the juveniles showed a firearm and demanded the vehicle, police said. The suspects took...
Rick Cessar, longtime state representative from Etna, dies
Rick Cessar loved his hometown, and he loved public service. He combined those two passions throughout his working life, first serving as a police officer for 17 years in Etna, before being elected the community’s state representative, where he served for 24 years. “He was a great leader for Pittsburgh...
4 maps show where Pa. governor candidates Mastriano, Shapiro are getting big cash
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — Tens of millions of dollars from out-of-state donors and political action committees have poured into Pennsylvania to influence the...
Penn State officials criticize student group’s event featuring Proud Boys founder
Penn State University officials criticized a student organization’s plans to host an upcoming event with Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes. Student organization Uncensored America on Oct. 24 is scheduled to host McInnes and BlazeTV contributor Alex Stein’s “Stand Back & Stand By.” University officials on Tuesday released a statement criticizing...
Legislation proposed to regulate book bans in Pennsylvania school districts
A Philadelphia Democrat is working to reign in the number of book bans occurring at Pennsylvania schools as challenges continue at unprecedented rates. State Rep. Chris Rabb proposed legislation Tuesday that would establish uniform procedures for school boards to follow before they could eliminate a student’s access to a book....
Details of theft probe of Victor Steban’s home to remain under wraps
Helen Mongelluzzo knows her longtime friend Victor Steban isn’t likely to ever be released from prison. Still, she appeared Tuesday in a Westmoreland courtroom seeking information about allegations raised last year that motorcycles and other belongings were stolen from his home following his arrest on murder and other charges. Mongelluzzo,...
Wilkinsburg ballot question could lead to home-rule charter in face of annexation push
A group of Wilkinsburg residents on Tuesday announced a ballot measure that could eventually lead to the borough gaining home-rule status. The move would counter a separate push that seeks to annex the borough into the city of Pittsburgh. Five Wilkinsburg residents held a news conference at the Wilkinsburg borough...
Justice Department asks court to deny Trump plea over FBI search
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Tuesday urged the Supreme Court to steer clear of a legal fight over classified documents seized during an FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate. The high court is weighing an emergency appeal from Trump asking it to overturn a lower court...
Trial begins for 2nd man accused of homicide in 2021 shooting at Club Erotica
An Allegheny County prosecutor called the homicide trial of Khalil Walls “a case about a death that never needed to happen.” The defense agreed, telling the jury that if the alleged victim had not acted with “constant, purposeful, relentless” aggression, he would still be alive. Defense attorney Kenneth Haber said...
‘Murder She Wrote’ actress Angela Lansbury dies at 96
NEW YORK — Angela Lansbury, the big-eyed, scene-stealing British actress who kicked up her heels in the Broadway musicals “Mame” and “Gypsy” and solved endless murders as crime novelist Jessica Fletcher in the long-running TV series “Murder, She Wrote,” has died. She was 96. Lansbury died Tuesday at her home...
Group to buy Hambone’s location in Lawrenceville, promises to maintain spirit of former bar
When longtime bar Hambone’s closed down in Lawrenceville, the neighborhood lost a beloved institution known for cheap drinks, greasy food and a venue that fostered small, local acts. Now after two years of sitting empty, a group on the verge of purchasing the space said it plans to give the...
Nearly 60 cats rescued in Jeannette after tenant’s eviction
Nearly 60 cats and kittens connected to a Jeannette home are in the care of six local volunteer rescue organizations as rescuers try to trap about a dozen more that remain around the property. Erica Puskar, president of Furry Felines, said many of the cats have medical problems, including parasites,...
Pittsburgh City Council looks to streamline process of creating new housing in Golden Triangle
Pittsburgh City Council is looking to make it easier to create new housing in the Golden Triangle. Legislation introduced Tuesday would streamline the process to convert existing space Downtown into residential units. The Planning Commission has recommended the proposed zoning changes. The zoning code now requires proposed residential units in...
Mandatory dates on Pa. ballot envelopes get new court ruling
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s top-ranking state elections official said Tuesday a new U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding how rules for the state’s mail-in ballots had been applied in a county judge election doesn’t change her agency’s guidance about counting them. Acting Secretary of State Leigh M. Chapman said county elections officials...
Carbon monoxide leak at Pa. day care center injures dozens of children, staff
ALLENTOWN — A carbon monoxide leak at a Pennsylvania day care center sent more than two dozen children and several adults to hospitals early Tuesday, some of them unconscious, but none of the injuries were considered serious, authorities said. Emergency responders went to the Happy Smiles Learning Center in Allentown,...
Cat shot with arrow near New Stanton; recovery prognosis good
A family cat is on the mend after being shot with an arrow in New Stanton, according to investigators. All But Furgotten humane officer Andrea Palmer said the feline, named Lance, is a friendly indoor/outdoor cat that was found with the arrow protruding from its back Monday on its owner’s...
New Kensington eyes restricting use of noisy engine brakes near Valley High School
New Kensington officials are considering a restriction on the use of jake brakes in part of the city. “Jake brakes” are the common term for the Jacobs Engine Brake, which alters the operation of an engine’s exhaust and allows it to function as a power-absorbing air compressor that can slow...
Hempfield Steak ’n Shake items go up for auction
Burgers and shakes are off the menu at the former Steak ’n Shake in Hempfield, as it is being emptied to make way for a new business. An auction is scheduled Monday, Oct. 17, at the Greengate Centre restaurant known for its black, white and red 1950s decor and kitschy...
McKeesport police dog dies after medical emergency
The McKeesport Police Department’s K9 unit announced the death of a police dog. The dog, Stryker, died unexpectedly after a medical emergency early Saturday, the unit wrote in a social media post. The unit did not provide additional details. The canine had served the police department since 2015. “K9 Stryker,...
Penn Township motorcyclist killed in Hempfield crash
A motorcyclist was killed Monday in a crash in Hempfield, according to Pennsylvania State Police. The victim was identified as Ethan Nicastro, 21, of Penn Township. The crash was reported at 9:18 p.m. on College Avenue. State police said the victim lost control of his 2019 Harley-Davidson Street Glide motorcycle...
‘Changing lives’: Carlow, WCCC agreement aims to widen pathway to a college degree
The presidents of Carlow University and Westmoreland County Community College are both from the Show Me State, and perhaps that Missourian attitude is reflected in the higher education institutions’ palpable efforts to support students. The institutions recently entered into a dual agreement that will allow students to enroll at Carlow...
