Top Local and National News Stories category, Page 980
North Allegheny parents file federal lawsuit to block district’s new mask-optional policy
The parents of four North Allegheny students with physical challenges have filed a federal lawsuit accusing the district of endangering their children by making it optional for staff and students to wear face masks in school. The class-action lawsuit does not identify the four students, but notes that there are...
Belle Vernon woman charged after police say she removed Rostraver fatal shooting weapon from home
The girlfriend of a Belle Vernon man accused in a fatal New Year’s Day road rage shooting turned herself in Monday after police said they spotted her removing a pistol from their home, according to court papers. Shaquala L. Poole, 29, is charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution, tampering with...
Pittsburgh RV Show sees high attendance, continued interest in recreational vehiclesVideo
Ken and Katie Wakal recalled their early days of camping. “We put up a tent, which was fine 30 years ago. But now we have a recreational vehicle — which we love,” said Katie Wakal. “We don’t have to sleep on the ground anymore or worry about bears in the...
Woman struck by bus in Downtown Pittsburgh
A woman was struck by a Port Authority bus early Tuesday morning in Downtown Pittsburgh, according to the transportation agency. She was struck at about 6:15 a.m. along Liberty Avenue near the intersection of Sixth Street. Police cordoned off the scene, blocking a section of Liberty Avenue between Sixth and...
Biden on voting rights passage: ‘I’m tired of being quiet!’Video
WASHINGTON — Pounding his fist for emphasis, President Joe Biden challenged senators on Tuesday to “stand against voter suppression,” urging them to change Senate rules in order to pass voting rights legislation that Republicans are blocking from debate and votes. Biden told a crowd in Atlanta that he’d been having...
Red Cross: Blood donations needed to reverse worst shortage in a decade
The American Red Cross has issued an appeal for blood donations to help reverse what officials say is the worst shortage in more than a decade as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. As an incentive, people who arrange blood donations through the Red Cross website (redcrossblood.org) during January will...
Allegheny County denies permit for Tarentum’s Gatto Cycle Diner to reopen
The Allegheny County Health Department has denied a permit to reopen the Cycle Diner next to the Gatto Cycle Shop in Tarentum. The classic 1949 stainless steel, O’Mahony diner is attached to the Gatto Harley-Davidson showroom at the corner of Wood Street and East Sixth Avenue. During the pandemic, two...
Pittsburgh nonprofit to expand free internet in New Kensington, Wilkinsburg via foundation grants
A Pittsburgh nonprofit has received more than $1.4 million from foundations as it plans to expand its free internet access to communities in need across Southwestern Pennsylvania. Meta Mesh Wireless Communities announced it received $1.13 million from the Henry L. Hillman Foundation for its wireless internet service, Every1online. Meta Mesh...
Police: Greenfield father charged in newborn’s 2020 death
A 31-year-old man was arrested Monday in connection to the 2020 death of his 7-week-old son in Pittsburgh’s Greenfield neighborhood, officials said. Cory Neidert of Pittsburgh is charged with criminal homicide, endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person. On Feb. 1, 2020, police responded to a report...
Woman found dead in Monroeville hotel room identified
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner identified the 49-year-old woman who was found dead Saturday in Monroeville hotel room. Rochella Anderson was found under a hotel bed at the Rodeway Inn on Mosside Boulevard, officials said. A cause and manner of death was not released. Officials responded to the hotel Saturday...
Man charged in Swissvale shooting that left 6 people hurt on Christmas Eve
Allegheny County Police arrested a man they say is responsible for a Christmas Eve shooting in Swissvale that left six people injured, including the man who was arrested. Jacques Washington, 53, of Swissvale was taken into custody Monday afternoon. He is charged with two counts of attempted homicide and five...
Pittsburgh Public Schools resume in-person classes at 5 schools, 21 schools to be remote Tuesday
Pittsburgh Public Schools is reopening five schools to in-person learning while closing 21 other locations, officials announced Monday. Students can report back to class Tuesday at Pittsburgh Carrick High School, Pittsburgh Liberty PreK-5, Pittsburgh Lincoln PreK-5, Pittsburgh South Hills 6-8, and Pittsburgh Whittier PreK-5. Staff and students at the 21...
Some health officials letting covid-infected staff stay on the job
Health authorities around the United States are increasingly taking the extraordinary step of allowing nurses and other workers infected with coronavirus to stay on the job if they have mild symptoms or none at all. The move is a reaction to the severe hospital staffing shortages and crushing caseloads that...
Police: Pittsburgh man killed woman, hid remains in Knoxville shed
A man charged with homicide in the killing of a woman in Pittsburgh’s Knoxville neighborhood had been arrested for alleged assaults against the woman four times prior, according to charges filed in the case. Montel Reed, 26, is accused of killing Crystal Leschner, 28, in late December and hiding her...
Home covid tests to be covered by insurers starting SaturdayVideo
WASHINGTON — Starting Saturday, private health insurers will be required to cover up to eight home covid-19 tests per month for people on their plans. The Biden administration announced the change Monday as it looks to lower costs and make testing for the virus more convenient amid rising frustrations. Under...
Greensburg man to serve life in prison for murder, burning of Vandergrift woman
Beverly Richason didn’t hold back her anger in court Monday as she spoke about the horror her daughter endured when killed by friends who then burned her remains beyond recognition and left them in a heap of ashes in the woods more than four years ago. “She had her faults,...
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey supports effort to host national political convention, regardless of party
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said he supports efforts to bring either the Republican National Convention or Democratic National Convention to the city. Pittsburgh is on a shortlist of cities being considered to host the Republican National Convention in 2024, according to a Politico.com report. Other finalists include Milwaukee, Nashville and...
Steelers fans survive emotional upheaval of Sunday playoff dramaVideo
Not since Jerome Bettis fumbled the ball at the Indianapolis one-yard line near the end of a playoff game against the Colts, have Steelers fans had to endure such mental torture. Though it seemed like an eternity, the Steelers only had to survive just over a minute on the clock...
Port Authority to require covid-19 vaccination for all employees by mid-March
Port Authority of Allegheny County leaders will require all employees to be vaccinated against covid-19 by mid-March or face firing, officials said Monday. There will be no option for increased testing requirements for those who aren’t vaccinated. The policy goes into effect Feb. 1, and employees must be fully vaccinated...
In 1st, U.S. surgeons transplant pig heart into human patientVideo
A Maryland man is doing well after surgeons and clinicians from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the University of Maryland Medical Center performed the first successful transplant of a genetically modified pig’s heart Friday to save his life, officials from the health system said Monday. After being...
Pa. House expected to vote on proposed congressional map as redistricting lawsuit looms
This article is part of a yearlong reporting project focused on redistricting and gerrymandering in Pennsylvania. It is made possible by the support of Spotlight PA members and Votebeat, a project focused on election integrity and voting access. HARRISBURG — The state House is expected to vote on a proposed...
Woman from Pittsburgh’s Hill District sentenced for role in man’s beating death
A woman from Pittsburgh’s Hill District will serve at least 12-1/2 years in state prison for her role in the beating death of a man in Homewood last year. Madera Johnson, 49, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder before Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Kevin G. Sasinoski on Sept. 27. A...
Hempfield woman accused of punching trooper in the face
A 38-year-old Hempfield woman posted bail and was released from the county prison Monday after being held there over the weekend for allegedly punching a state trooper who responded to break up an altercation among family members at her home. Regina S. Glott is charged with aggravated assault, harassment, resisting...
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey calls for Oakland Crossings project to be put on hold
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey on Monday called for a 30-day pause on the controversial Oakland Crossings proposed zoning ordinance. Walnut Capital, the Shadyside developer known for revitalizing Bakery Square, has proposed a major transformation of a portion of Oakland. Dubbed Oakland Crossings, the 17-acre project would require a zoning amendment,...
Bridgeville man expected to plead guilty next month in Capitol riot case
A Bridgeville man who authorities said livestreamed himself from inside the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot in Washington, D.C., is expected to plead guilty next month. During a brief status conference on Monday, an attorney for Kenneth Grayson said he expected his client would be offered a plea...
