All News Stories
Below are all the stories published on TribLIVE.com in the past 24 hours.
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Trump’s blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil raises new questions about legality
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s “blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers off Venezuela’s coast is raising new questions about the legality of his military campaign in Latin America, while fueling concerns that the U.S. could be edging closer to war. The Trump administration says its blockade is narrowly tailored and not
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Jury finds Wisconsin judge guilty of obstruction for helping immigrant evade federal agents
MILWAUKEE — A jury found a Wisconsin judge accused of helping a Mexican immigrant dodge federal authorities guilty of obstruction Thursday, marking a victory for President Donald Trump as he continues his sweeping immigration crackdown across the country. Federal prosecutors charged Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan with obstruction, a
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Penguins shut out by Senators as losing streak reaches 7
Including Thursday, Evgeni Malkin has been sidelined for seven consecutive games by an undisclosed injury. And during that stretch, the Pittsburgh Penguins have been perfect in one sense. That is to say they haven’t won a single game without the dazzling superstar inhabiting his typical station as center of the
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TikTok signs deal to form new U.S. unit with investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake
SAN FRANCISCO — TikTok has signed agreements with three major investors — Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX — to form a new TikTok U.S. joint venture, ensuring the popular social video platform can continue operating in the United States. The deal is expected to close on Jan. 22, according to
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Reports: WR Jakobi Meyers, Jaguars agree to 3-year, $60M extension
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Receiver Jakobi Meyers and the Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to terms on a three-year, $60 million contract extension Thursday that includes $40 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports. The Jaguars (10-4) traded two 2026 draft picks — fourth- and sixth-rounders — to Las Vegas to acquire Meyers at
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Coast Guard drops references to swastikas and nooses being ‘potentially divisive’
References in U.S. Coast Guard policy calling hate symbols “potentially divisive” were removed Thursday, and a U.S. senator said she was lifting a hold she had placed on a nomination for the service’s top job. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whose agency oversees the Coast Guard, said on social media
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Pitt volleyball swept by Texas A&M as Panthers fall in Final 4 for 5th straight year
The national semifinals have been both familiar territory and an insurmountable obstacle for Pitt volleyball every year dating to 2021. Over four consecutive seasons, the Panthers have advanced to and fallen in the Final Four, their seasons ending just short of a shot at a national championship. Thursday night in
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Man suspected in shooting at Brown University found dead in New Hampshire
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A man who is suspected of killing two and wounding several others at Brown University has been found dead in a New Hampshire storage facility, a law enforcement official and a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. The man was found dead Thursday evening.
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Allen and Bills look to clinch playoff spot and prevent Browns’ Garrett from getting sack record
Josh Allen will attempt to reach a couple of milestones Sunday while also not becoming part of what Myles Garrett hopes is a record-setting day. Allen and the Buffalo Bills can clinch a seventh consecutive playoff spot with a win at Cleveland and a loss or tie by either Indianapolis
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2 men killed in Carrick shooting
Two men died in a shooting Thursday evening in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood. At 5:15 p.m., Pittsburgh Police responded to the 1200 block of Linnview Avenue for reports of a shooting, said Eliza Durham, public safety spokeswoman. Officers found two men who had been shot multiple times, Durham said. EMS took
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Paul Kengor: Remembering Bob Hope at Christmas
This Christmas season, let’s remember Bob Hope, a truly special American. As pretty much anyone over 60 would attest, Hope was a household name once synonymous with Christmas in America. His annual holiday special on NBC was a must-see. He did comedy skits, sang songs in the snow with leading
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McCormick among GOP senators who urged Trump not to reclassify marijuana
U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick is at odds with President Donald Trump’s move to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, arguing that it could adversely impact Americans’ health and safety, tax revenue and economic growth. McCormick, a Republican from Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill, was one of 22 GOP senators to co-sign
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WNBA players union authorizes negotiators to call a strike if needed during CBA talks
NEW YORK — WNBA players have authorized their union’s executive council to call a strike if necessary, the union announced Thursday as it continues to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with the league. The WNBPA and league have been negotiating a new agreement for the past few months, extending the
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Future raises for Westmoreland elected officials under review
The Westmoreland County commissioners signaled Thursday they might soon overhaul the decades-old method used to calculate annual pay increases for the county’s elected officials. A policy enacted in 1996 ties raises for elected officers to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Under this formula, these officials are slated for a 3.25%
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Westmoreland commissioners pass budget, look to assign blame for ‘precarious’ finances
The Westmoreland County commissioners on Thursday passed a $466 million budget for 2026 that holds the line on property taxes despite a nearly $15 million deficit. The shortfall will be offset by surplus funds. To reach the final figure, commissioners slashed an anticipated $30 million deficit in half through personnel
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Pittsburgh City Council continues to hammer out 2026 budget as vote deadline nears
Pittsburgh City Council members failed Thursday to hash out all their differences over the 2026 budget they’ll vote on this weekend and temporarily left unanswered the biggest question: Will there be a tax hike? In a daylong meeting, council spent hours debating preliminary votes on dozens of amendments to the
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Police: woman critically injured, man found shot dead in Banksville home
A woman was assaulted Thursday and police found an unidentified man dead in a home in Pittsburgh’s Banksville neighborhood. Pittsburgh police said they were dispatched around 9:45 a.m. to a home in the 2600 block of Winchester Drive. Inside, officers found a woman suffering from “significant” injuries such as “facial
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Historic Park House returns to North Side after closure
North Side’s Park House has opened its doors once again, promising live music from Pittsburgh musicians. On Dec. 5, the Park House opened for the first time in over 4 years, celebrating the anniversary of the repeal of prohibition. “We intend to continue the Park House’s tradition of serving up
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Winfield mobile home park faces water troubles again after monthlong ‘Do Not Use’ notice
Barely a month after water at Bernie’s Mobile Home in Winfield finally tested at safe drinking levels, residents are facing a boil water advisory. In a statement sent to residents, park management said Bernie’s had experienced a water main break on Wednesday, which resulted in a loss of water pressure.
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Ex-North Huntingdon EMS manager files federal sexual harassment lawsuit
A former North Huntingdon EMS/Rescue office manager is alleging in a federal lawsuit that she was subject to a decade of sexual harassment and retaliation by the service’s former executive director. Kelly Pirl, 39, of McKeesport, claims in the six-count suit that Shane Spielvogle, 50, of East McKeesport, subjected her
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Double-amputee Marine sent to prison for sexually assaulting teen
A U.S. Marine and Purple Heart recipient who lost both legs to a bomb in Afghanistan is headed to jail for up to 24 years on charges that he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl multiple times this spring. Brandon Rumbaugh, 36, of Pleasant Hills had sex with the teen four
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Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and family among 7 killed in North Carolina plane crash
STATESVILLE, N.C. — A business jet crashed Thursday while trying to return to a North Carolina airport shortly after takeoff, killing all seven people aboard, including retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family, authorities said. The Cessna C550 erupted into a large fire when it hit the ground. It
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‘You could feel the tension in the room’ — Air-it-all-out meeting helps turn around Steelers defense
A few weeks ago, ranking much closer to the bottom of the league than the top in many relevant categories, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense decided it needed to talk. Collectively, and to each other. According to the player who most often lines up in the center of the unit and
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‘I will never forgive you:’ Brother testifies at sentencing of Greensburg man for drug overdose
After more than two years, Nicholas Ginter couldn’t hold back his anger any longer. It had been simmering since his older brother, Joseph Ginter, died in July 2023 from a drug overdose. On Thursday, the man who pleaded guilty to providing the fatal dose of drugs — Justin Todaro, 38,
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Pitt chancellor gets 32% raise but vows to donate it to student, faculty causes
Pleased with her accomplishments and in an effort to retain her, a group of University of Pittsburgh trustees voted to increase Chancellor Joan Gabel’s base salary to $1.25 million next year, a 32% raise. Pitt’s compensation subcommittee voted Thursday to increase Gabel’s base pay, effective Jan. 1. She was hired
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Former Steelers linebacker Myles Jack arrested on felony firearms charge in Texas
Myles Jack, a former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, is facing firearms charges after being arrested Tuesday in Frisco, Texas. According to a Frisco Police Department news release, officers responded to a welfare check at 5:40 a.m. Tuesday and heard gunshots from inside a residence. Officers set up a perimeter and evacuated
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Squirrel Hill’s Murray Avenue Grill closing after nearly 40 years
After 40 years in Squirrel Hill, the Murray Avenue Grill is turning off the lights and serving its final meals. The restaurant announced the closure in a social media post on Friday that said “it has been our privilege to serve this community and to build lasting relationships with our
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4 more players added to Steelers’ injury report; Nick Herbig, James Pierre remain out
Starters Zach Frazier and Keeanu Benton were among four players added to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ injury report Thursday, and none of the previously injured players was given any upgraded statuses. Center Frazier (triceps) and safety Jabrill Peppers (illness) did not practice at all Thursday after previously not being mentioned as
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Jack Sawyer prepping for 1st start for Steelers in wake of injuries to T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig
For the first time in his young NFL career, Jack Sawyer played more than half of the defensive snaps in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 28-15 victory Monday night against the Miami Dolphins. The rookie fourth-round draft pick from Ohio State could exceed that workload Sunday when the Steelers face the Detroit
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Penn State’s Terry Smith offers updates on coaching staff, opt-outs ahead of Pinstripe Bowl
Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith met with media members on a video conference call on Thursday morning ahead of the Lions’ Pinstripe Bowl matchup with Clemson at Yankee Stadium. Smith said as of Thursday morning, only four Penn State veterans have opted out: defensive tackle Zane Durant, running
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Former Penn State QB Beau Pribula enters transfer portal again, will leave Missouri
A former Penn State quarterback and fan favorite is entering the transfer portal again. Beau Pribula, Penn State’s former backup quarterback, has informed Missouri that he will enter the transfer portal, according to a Thursday report from CBS Sports. Pribula spent one season as the Tigers starter after leaving Penn
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Former high-ranking cop in Allegheny County DA’s office faces trial on assault charge
A former assistant chief in the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office is headed to trial on charges he broke into the home of a colleague he previously dated and assaulted her. Richard McDonald, 56, of Oakdale, waived his preliminary hearing Thursday on charges of simple assault and recklessly endangering another
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Returning to hometown not as important as returning to field for Steelers’ rookie Derrick Harmon
After missing the past three games — and five overall — in his rookie season with the Pittsburgh Steelers because of knee injuries, first-round pick Derrick Harmon is expected to return Sunday when the Steelers face the Detroit Lions. It will be a special moment for Harmon — and not
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Anthony Richardson cleared to practice, but Colts plan to keep Philip Rivers as starting quarterback
INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson returned to practice Thursday, marking the first time in two months he has taken snaps. He’s still not ready to challenge 44-year-old Philip Rivers for the starting job. Coach Shane Steichen said Richardson’s fractured orbital bone has healed sufficiently enough for him to
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Riverhounds, captain Danny Griffin agree on new 2-year contract
The captain of the USL Championship-winning Pittsburgh Riverhounds will continue to wear the black and gold. Danny Griffin and the Hounds agreed on a two-year contract Thursday that will keep the midfielder in Pittsburgh for the near future. The deal also includes a club option for 2028, which would make
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Romanian court sentences Wiz Khalifa to 9 months for drug possession
BUCHAREST, Romania — American rapper Wiz Khalifa was sentenced by a court in Romania on Thursday to nine months in jail for drug possession, more than a year after he took part in a music festival in the Eastern European country. Khalifa was stopped by Romanian police in July 2024
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Reserve woman whose punch led to mom’s death pleads guilty, gets time served
A Reserve Township woman Wednesday pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for delivering the bone-breaking punch that caused her 73-year-old mother’s death — and a judge let her go home with a punishment of probation and time already served in jail. Krystal Slepski, 43, punched Patricia Kachinko in the chest during
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Heidelberg holds line on taxes for 2026
Heidelberg’s property owners will not see an increase in their real estate tax bills in 2026. The borough’s $1.1 million budget holds the line at 9.45 mills, said Mayor Kenneth LaSota. A homeowner at Heidelberg’s median assessed property value of $86,200 will continue to pay about $814 annually for borough
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Sidewalk upgrades coming to RIDC Park in O’Hara
O’Hara is one step closer to its goal of improving pedestrian safety in RIDC Park. The township on Thursday was awarded $200,000 to install sidewalks along Alpha and Gamma drives. The phased project is expected to improve opportunities for people who work in the park and neighbors who live nearby
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Yinzer Dogs opens brick-and-mortar location in Cranberry
The Yinzer Dog has a house n’at. The Original Yinzer Dogs food truck — inspired by the Original Hot Dog Shop that had closed in Oakland in April 2020 — opened a brick-and-mortar location this past weekend in Cranberry. “Cranberry is great because it is close to the UPMC Lemieux
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Pennsylvania is mailing out money. Are you on the list?
If you live in Pennsylvania, you could be getting a check in the mail soon. Treasurer Stacy Garrity said Thursday that nearly 100,000 Pennsylvania Money Match checks — totaling over $22 million — are on their way to people across the commonwealth. Pennsylvania Money Match, which was created in 2024,
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With T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig ailing, Steelers sign Jeremiah Moon to add to OLB room
Amid uncertainty regarding the health of two of their top three outside linebackers, the Pittsburgh Steelers are suddenly deprived of the exceptional depth they thought they had at the position. To address that, the Steelers on Thursday brought back a player who served as their No. 4 outside linebacker last
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John E. Jones III: A year of challenges to the US justice system
Dickinson College President John E. Jones III was appointed as a federal judge by President George W. Bush and spent 20 years on the bench after being confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate in 2002. Jones spoke with The Conversation U.S. Senior Politics Editor Naomi Schalit about America’s legal landscape
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Trump’s handpicked board votes to rename Washington performing arts center the Trump Kennedy Center
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s handpicked board voted Thursday to rename Washington’s leading performing arts center as the Trump Kennedy Center, the White House said, in a move that made Democrats fume, saying the board had overstepped its legal authority. Congress named the center after President John F. Kennedy in
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Hundreds of rapes in State College area weren’t reported in public police data over nearly a decade
This story was produced by the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. Sign up for our north-central Pa. newsletter, Talk of the Town, at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/talkofthetown. Over the span of nearly a decade, the State College Police Department
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Charges filed in connection with shooting that injured Irwin man
A man was injured in a shooting late Wednesday that Irwin police believe was an accident, according to court papers. He was shot in the face but is expected to survive, according to borough police and Melanie Jones, spokesperson for the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office. A Greensburg man was
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Deaths reported after business jet crashed at an airport in North Carolina
STATESVILLE, N.C. — A sheriff said there were deaths Thursday in the crash of a business jet that was trying to land at a regional airport in Statesville, North Carolina. “I can confirm there were fatalities,” Iredell County Sheriff Grant Campbell said, though he declined to say how many. The
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Trump administration moves to cut off transgender care for children
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday unveiled a series of regulatory actions designed to block access to gender-affirming care for minors, building on broader Trump administration restrictions targeting transgender Americans. The sweeping proposals — the most significant moves this administration has taken so far
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VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System to slash nearly 10% of its jobs
The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System plans to cut nearly 10% of its positions as part of the agency’s effort to reduce its workforce nationwide. A memo obtained by TribLive shows the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System was allotted 4,551 positions out of about 18,000 allocated to the regional service network VISN
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Pittsburgh Presbyterian churches collect donations to eliminate $14 million in medical debt
Amy Grella and her family know how stressful medical debt can become. Grella’s daughter underwent five stays in the hospital before her fifth birthday because of ongoing problems with persistent viral respiratory infections. The Mt. Lebanon family had health insurance, but their claims fell into loopholes and exclusions in their
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Cheswick man stabbed 37 times in Allegheny County jail awarded $85,000
Allegheny County is set to pay $85,000 to a man stabbed more than three dozen times last year while incarcerated at the Allegheny County Jail, according to documents obtained Thursday by TribLive. Shawn Daniels, 43, of Cheswick last month sued the county and two corrections officers who he said let
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Dry needling is common around the NFL, and players aren’t worried despite T.J. Watt’s collapsed lung
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride heard about what happened to Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt — and McBride plans to continue his weekly dry-needling sessions. “It’s something I do frequently. I’ve never had an issue like that,” he said. “But with every treatment, everything that
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Judge says he’ll rule in May on Luigi Mangione’s fight to exclude evidence from NY murder trial
NEW YORK — Luigi Mangione’s pretrial hearing wrapped up Thursday with a judge saying he plans to rule in May on what evidence prosecutors will be able to use in his New York trial for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Prosecutors rested their case after calling nearly 20
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Oklahoma, Alabama to meet for 3rd time in 13 months with Rose Bowl berth on the line
NORMAN, Okla. — Oklahoma and Alabama will meet Friday for the third time in 13 months in the most significant game of their budding rivalry. Last year, underdog Oklahoma stunned the Crimson Tide, 24-3, and cost the Crimson Tide a spot in the College Football Playoff. Last month, Oklahoma won
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Pirates manager Don Kelly finalizes staff, adding new infield, assistant pitching coaches
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly rounded out the rest of his coaching staff by hiring Chris Truby as infield coach, Shawn Bowman as field coordinator and Thomas Whitsett as assistant pitching coach, the team announced Thursday. They will be joined on Kelly’s staff by Kristopher Negrón as bench coach, Bill
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Deluzio shares challenges of politics, public service with Shaler Area’s newspaper staff
Editor’s note: The following story was submitted for the Shaler Area Student Section, a collaboration between TribLive and The Oracle, the student newspaper of Shaler Area High School. U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Fox Chapel, met with Shaler Area High School students Nov. 12 for an hourlong conversation that ranged from
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Upper St. Clair High School senior class has 16 sets of twins
One might do a double-take looking at the list of seniors at Upper St. Clair High School. There are 16 sets of twins in the 2026 graduating class — roughly one in every 10 members of the 299 students is a twin. Thursday is doubly special as it is National
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Leechburg opts for no-kill shelter in annual animal control contract
Effectively ending a decades-long practice, Leechburg Council approved an animal control contract with Indiana County’s Whiskey Acres Rescue and Sanctuary, replacing Salem Township-based Hoffman Kennels. While he couldn’t name a specific length of time, Councilman Chuck Pascal said the borough has been signing an annual contract with Hoffman’s for as
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Lori Falce: If you can predict the votes, you’re doing it wrong
There are things you can set your watch by, things that are as predictable as sunrise. Your child will look at you like you are speaking Aramaic when you ask if his room is clean. The government might not pass a budget on time, but your tax bill will appear
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Point State Park upgrades finish early as Pittsburgh preps for 2026 NFL Draft
A $3.4 million upgrade to Downtown Pittsburgh’s Point State Park is done ahead of schedule, months in advance of the 2026 NFL Draft. The 36-acre park, which sits at the confluence of Pittsburgh’s three rivers, will be the site of some of the draft activities in April, as well as
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5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 19-21
The holidays are officially underway — Christmas is just days away, Hanukkah is lighting up the nights and the winter solstice is Sunday. Incorporate these events into your holidays for a little extra fun this weekend. Trans-Siberian Orchestra For almost three decades, progressive rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra has been turning
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Jonah Goldberg: Does either party actually want to win the Senate race in Texas?
One of the worst features of the election primary system in our polarized “Red vs. Blue” time is the tendency of primary voters to flock to the candidate they most want to “destroy” the other party, not the candidate best positioned to do so. Let’s say a zombie is scratching
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Springdale Council passes budget without tax bump; sewer bills see slight increase
Springdale residents can expect much of the same in 2026. Borough Council passed its budget Tuesday with a slight increase to sewer rates but no tax increase. Sewer rates will go up 7%, or $1 per 1,000 gallons of usage, from $13.75 to $14.75. At the borough’s rate of 9.75
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One Tech Tip: Spend quality time with loved ones, not a screen, over the holidays
The Christmas holiday season is a time to step back from the busy pace of modern life and connect with our nearest and dearest instead of screens, apps and chatbots. Here are some suggestions on how to unplug from the online world for the next few weeks as you sit
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Leechburg Council looking for new auditor after 1 was elected to borough council
Leechburg is in the market for an auditor. Usually operating with three auditors, the Nov. 4 election left the borough one short after Dina Blake was elected to council. Borough leadership is accepting letters of interest until Jan. 2. They are hoping to appoint someone to a two-year term at
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Trump Media to merge with nuclear fusion company that wants to power AI
Trump Media & Technology will merge with a fusion power company in an all-stock deal that the companies said Thursday is valued at more than $6 billion. Devin Nunes, the Republican congressman who resigned in 2021 to become the CEO of Trump Media, will be co-CEO of the new company
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DOJ vowed to punish those who disrupt Trump’s immigration crackdown. Dozens of cases have crumbled
WASHINGTON — The federal agent described her wounds as “boo-boos.” Nevertheless, the Justice Department aggressively pursued the alleged perpetrator. They jailed Sidney Lori Reid on a charge of felony assault, accusing her of injuring the agent during a July protest of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in Washington, D.C. When
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Rural schools hit by Trump’s grant cuts have few options for making up for the lost money
SHELBYVILLE, Ky. — When the funding for Shannon Johnson’s job as a school mental health counselor came to an abrupt end, two years into a five-year grant, she thought about the work left to be done. Johnson taught elementary and middle-school students in rural Kentucky how to navigate conflict, build
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Vote scheduled on paid ambulance authority for Harrison, Tarentum and Brackenridge
The proposal to create a paid ambulance authority for Harrison, Tarentum and Brackenridge could be formalized as soon as January. A special public hearing and joint meeting of the three municipalities is scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 14 at Highlands High School. “This represents an important step in enabling a
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Multiple crews battle Fox Chapel house fire
Multiple rescue crews were called early Thursday to battle a fire at a $1.25 million Fox Chapel home that was recently sold to new owners. Emergency crews responded just before 5 a.m. to the 600 block of West Waldheim Road, which sits off Delafield Road above Aspinwall. No injuries were
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Pittsburgh Public Schools to ban cellphone use during school day
Cellphones will soon be banned during the school day at all Pittsburgh Public Schools. The Pittsburgh Board of Public Education voted Wednesday night to update the district’s Electronic Devices Policy — prohibiting the use and possession of electronic devices by students during the school day on district property. This includes
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Delaware holds off Louisiana for 68 Ventures Bowl win in 1st season of FBS play
MOBILE, Ala. — Jo Silver ran for 116 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown, and Delaware wrapped up its first year in the FBS with a 20-13 victory over Louisiana in the 68 Ventures Bowl on Wednesday night. The Fightin’ Blue Hens, who went 6-6 in their first year of FBS
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Spring opening planned for Lower Burrell Tractor Supply
A Tractor Supply store in the Kinloch section of Lower Burrell is set to open in the spring. A company spokeswoman said the store, located at a currently vacant lot next to a Family Dollar store along Greensburg Road, plans a soft opening in late March. The grand opening is
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Letter to the editor: Whatever happened to decorum in politics?
Lori Falce’s column about the language of our politicians was right on (“America needs a bar of soap — and not just for Ralphie,” Dec. 12, TribLive). The word “decorum” comes to mind. Look it up if you don’t know what it means. Very few of our politicians have it. Our president doesn’t have it, nor do the Republicans or Democrats. I’m not perfect, but you expect better from our politicians. Tim Scheeren Hempfield
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10th annual Light Up the Night in Monroeville a success despite cold, tragedy in Australia
Even with frigid temperatures, the Chabad Jewish Center of Monroeville celebrated its 10th annual Light Up the Night on Dec. 15 in Community Park West. The evening marked the second night of Hanukkah, which starts on the 25th day of Kislev, the ninth month of the Jewish calendar. Because of
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U.S. jobless claim applications fell by 13,000 last week as layoffs remain low
WASHINGTON — U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell by 13,000 last week, remaining in the same historically healthy range of the past few years even as concerns grow about the health of the labor market. The number of Americans applying for jobless claims for the week ending Dec. 13 declined
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Westmoreland jury donation program raises over $100K for local nonprofits
Westmoreland County jurors have donated more than $100,000 to local charities over the past decade. It’s a program first implemented in 2016 that allows jurors to forgo their daily pay, which in turn is donated to local charities. Jurors are paid $9 a day for their first three days of
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Powerball jackpot reaches estimated $1.5 billion; Pa. ticket wins $1 million
While there was no big winner in Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing, one ticket sold in Pennsylvania won $1 million. Without a main winner, the jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.5 billion for Saturday’s drawing. The $1 million-winning ticket sold in Pennsylvania was one of five nationwide to match the five
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Top EU court rules Polish Constitutional Tribunal is not independent
WARSAW, Poland — The European Union’s top court ruled on Thursday that Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal was not “independent and impartial” because of politicized appointments made under the previous conservative Polish government. In its ruling, the EU’s Court of Justice said the Polish Constitutional Tribunal had “infringed the principle of effective
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Belgium seeks protection from Russian retaliation as EU leaders weigh a massive loan for Ukraine
BRUSSELS — Belgium insisted on Thursday that its European Union partners must provide ironclad guarantees that it will be protected from Russian retaliation before it would back a massive loan for Ukraine. At a high-stakes EU summit in Brussels, the 27-nation bloc’s leaders are set to decide on whether to
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First Call: J.J. Watt updates his brother’s recovery; Steelers look for OLB depth
Thursday’s “First Call” has J.J. Watt’s latest comments on his brother’s health. The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to bolster the ranks at outside linebacker while T.J. Watt recovers from his lung ailment. The Penguins hit the road in hopes of getting off their six-game losing streak. And there are some
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Lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria could spur refugee returns, says UN official
BEIRUT — The head of the U.N. refugee agency in Lebanon said Thursday that the move by the United States to lift sweeping sanctions on Syria could encourage more refugees to return to their country. The U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to permanently remove the so-called Caesar Act sanctions after the
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Israel launches intense airstrikes in Lebanon as deadline looms to disarm Hezbollah
BEIRUT — Israel carried out a series of airstrikes on southern and northeastern Lebanon on Thursday as a deadline looms to disarm the militant Hezbollah group along the countries’ tense frontier. The strikes came a day before a meeting of the committee monitoring the enforcement of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that
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Letter to the editor: Greensburg parking problems
I was in downtown Greensburg on a recent Friday, and I drove to the library to inquire about book donations. I parked in front and ran up the steps and saw that the door was locked. There was a sign stating the library was closed on Fridays. I decided to run into the post office and buy stamps. I was in and out in less than three minutes. When I came out, a parking enforcement
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Morning Roundup: Nativity theft in Jeannette
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Dec. 18: Trio steal Baby Jesus from Nativity in Jeannette Jeannette police are trying to identify three people who they said took a Baby Jesus figure from a Nativity display at the amphitheater on Clay Avenue. Investigators on
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Derry man dies after crash
Pennsylvania State Police reported Thursday that a Derry man died after a crash earlier this month. James R. Hunt, 75, was driving on Industrial Boulevard in Derry Township at 4:45 a.m. on Dec. 10 when the Lexus car he was driving left the road. Troopers said the car collided with
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Springdale data center gets initial OK, but several more public hearings to come
Though Springdale Council offered its approval for a conditional-use application from developers seeking to build a massive data center in the borough, the vote is only the beginning of the process. The project now enters the land development stage, which likely will last months and involve several more public meetings
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Residents near proposed Springdale data center left frustrated by council’s approval
Rex Cramer has lived on Porter Street in Springdale for more than 30 years. When he arrived in the borough, he moved in directly across the street from a towering coal-fired power plant — the former Cheswick Generating Station. The plant’s frequently fraught demolition concluded earlier this year. But on
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U mad, bro?: Penguins fans fuming, Steelers fans still have complaints despite recent wins
Much like Christmas shopping, Pittsburgh sports fans got the big stuff out of the way early when it came to panic about their local clubs. Look at the reaction after the loss by the Steelers to the Buffalo Bills coming off Thanksgiving. But there are still stocking-stuffer moments to gripe
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Downtown Pittsburgh ice rink ranks No. 1 in North America
Pittsburgh’s iconic ice rink is considered the most beautiful ice rink in North America — beating out the famed Rink at Rockefeller Center, according to a hotel chain. The ranking was released by Premier Inn, a United Kingdom hotel chain, which compiled a list of 56 ice rinks from around
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What you need to know about college volleyball to follow Pitt in the NCAA semifinals
Women’s college volleyball is more popular than ever and about to hit its peak. Pitt’s women’s volleyball volleyball team will play in the national semifinals for the fifth straight season Thursday night. The Panthers are the first program to accomplish the feat since Texas did so from 2012-16. Pitt will
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The Stroller, Dec. 18, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller. LB Christmas parade rescheduled
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Sewickley Light Up Night draws a festive crowd
Justin Bollman found delight in watching his children play in the snow outside the Cochran Hose fire station in Sewickley. Braelyn, 9, and Brent, 5, threw snowballs, chased each other around a tree decorated in Christmas lights, and occasionally pelted Bollman and their mother, Kenzie, during the borough’s Light Up
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Aspinwall lights up for the holiday season
Aspinwall’s annual Light Up the Wall celebration took place Dec. 6. Commercial and Brilliant avenues were packed with people and activities. There were ice sculptures, face painting, cookie decorating, carolers, food trucks, balloon artists, a magic show, flame eaters from Sirkus Days and more. Santa and his helpers were inside
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2 Westmoreland water authority workers awarded Carnegie Medal for lifesaving rescue
Pete Dunegan was repairing an underground water tank in Mt. Pleasant Borough last year when a pipe inside the tank broke loose. It dislodged from a support and pinned him, nearly severing his leg and at the same time releasing water into the enclosed vault. Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County
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Westmoreland County Prison prayer groups dispersed, raising religious freedom concerns
Tim Williamson was praying with a group of nine men at Westmoreland County Prison when a guard ordered them to stop — an encounter he says is part of a pattern of officials blocking religious expression at the Hempfield jail. Since his release this month, the Jeannette resident has been
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Trafford historian seeks federal approval for naming Brush Creek tributary
A Trafford historian is seeking federal approval to name a North Huntingdon stream after the German immigrant family that settled along its banks in the 1870s. Andrew Capets, president of the Trafford Historical Society, is awaiting a decision from the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to formally designate the Brush
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Editorial: Transparency matters on ICE agreement
Did Springdale do the right thing in signing an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement without voting publicly or placing it on an agenda? It is hard to say yes, even if you agree with the partnership. For one thing, it wasn’t just hidden from residents. Springdale Manager Terry
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TV Talk: ‘Pluribus,’ ‘The Pitt,’ ‘Andor’ among 2025 TV’s best scripted shows
As broadcast channels move into reruns for the holidays, it’s an ideal time to catch up on the best scripted series of the year: 1. “Pluribus” (Apple TV): Writer Vince Gilligan (“Breaking Bad”) re-teams with “Better Call Saul” star Rhea Seehorn for this unique, often darkly comic story of an
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Westmoreland happenings: Bingo fundraiser, meeting, pancake breakfast, more
Church news Harrold Zion Lutheran Church will host a Longest Night Blue Christmas service for anyone who finds the holidays a difficult time at 5 p.m. Dec. 21 at the church, 671 Baltzer Meyer Pike, Hempfield. The service will include prayer, reflection and hope for those mourning the death of