Westmoreland slashes benefits for retired workers
Westmoreland County’s salary board on Monday rescinded a policy that allowed nonunion employees to receive health benefits after retirement, a move officials said could save taxpayers up to
$3.5 million annually. The three commissioners and Controller Jeffrey Balzer voted unanimously to eliminate the program, which allowed retirees to buy into...
Inbound Parkway reopens after police investigated reported suicide
The inbound side of I-376 was closed late Monday at the Squirrel Hill exit as Pittsburgh police investigated a reported suicide at the Greenfield Bridge. Officers from Zone 4 were on scene and Pennsylvania State Police assisted with traffic control, according to information from the city’s department of public safety....
The new Hail Mary? Fans credit holy water blessing for Steelers’ division-clinching win
A priest might have helped save the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season after blessing an Acrisure Stadium end zone with holy water before Sunday night’s winner-take-all battle against the Baltimore Ravens. At least that’s what Monday morning quarterbacks are arguing on social media. TV cameras caught the Rev. Maximilian Maxwell of Saint...
North Huntingdon police cruiser rammed head on during pursuit of stolen vehicle
A North Huntingdon police cruiser was damaged in a pursuit Saturday after authorities said a fleeing suspect rammed it head on, according to court papers. Police attempted to stop a stolen Hyundai Elantra they said was driven by Julian Jamar Johnson, 39, of Pittsburgh, on Route 30 in the township...
Duquesne City School student grazed by bullet
A Duquesne City School District student was grazed by a bullet Monday afternoon, according to school officials. Police were called to Duquesne High School during bus dismissal around 2:30 p.m. for a report of gunfire. Authorities responded and shortly thereafter called for a SWAT team, according to TribLive news partner...
This Jan. 6 plaque was made to honor law enforcement. It’s nowhere to be found at the Capitol
WASHINGTON — Approaching the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, the official plaque honoring the police who defended democracy that day is nowhere to be found. It’s not on display at the Capitol, as is required by law. Its whereabouts aren’t publicly known, though it’s...
Former convenience store CEO, expansion leader Steve Sheetz dies
Former Sheetz Corp. president and CEO Steve Sheetz, who oversaw the expansion of the Altoona-based convenience store chain, died Sunday, the company said. Sheetz, 77, was head of the family-owned multi-state convenience store chain from 1984 to 1995, succeeding his brother, Bob, who had founded the business in 1952, according...
Cuba faces uncertain future after U.S. topples Venezuelan leader Maduro
HAVANA — Cuban officials on Monday lowered flags before dawn to mourn 32 security officers they say were killed in the U.S. weekend strike in Venezuela, the island nation’s closest ally, as residents here wonder what the capture of President Nicolás Maduro means for their future. The two governments are...
Experts slam CDC guidance to slash childhood vaccination schedule
Pennsylvania medical experts fear vaccination rates will wane after federal health officials issued a nonbinding, but possibly influential, recommendation Monday that kids get fewer shots. Jim O’Neill, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, slashed the number of shots all children should receive to 11 from 17....
Amy Weise Clements becomes acting Allegheny County controller
Amy Weise Clements on Monday stepped into the role of acting Allegheny County controller, replacing Corey O’Connor, who left the post to become Pittsburgh’s mayor. Weise Clements has served as deputy controller since O’Connor’s predecessor, Chelsa Wagner, appointed her in 2012. Previously, she was Allegheny County’s budget director for eight...
Corey O’Connor sworn in as Pittsburgh’s 62nd mayorVideo
Corey O’Connor, the Squirrel Hill native, former Pittsburgh councilman and champion of paid sick leave and gun reform, on Monday became the city’s 62nd mayor, following in the footsteps of his father and vowing to foster growth and opportunity for his hometown. District Judge James J. Hanley administered the oath...
U.S. cuts number of vaccines recommended for every child, a move slammed by physicians
WASHINGTON — The U.S. took the unprecedented step Monday of cutting the number of vaccines it recommends for every child — a move that leading medical groups said would undermine protections against a half-dozen diseases. The change is effective immediately, meaning that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...
Steelers’ DK Metcalf declines to comment on fan incident that got him suspendedVideo
After a verbal volley featuring variations of “no comment” to four questions, a team employee made DK Metcalf smile early Monday afternoon. “Thank you, Miss Teresa,” Metcalf said when asked how excited he was to be back with his teammates. His two-game suspension served, Metcalf was given a reprieve in...
Here’s how to score a ticket for Steelers’ playoff game against Texans
The Steelers released a limited number of tickets for their first home playoff game in five years, and by Monday afternoon fans could still score a seat. Tickets were going for as little at $157 on the Steelers’ official ticket website at ticketmaster.com. The Steelers face the Houston Texans in...
Steelers vs. Ravens: What they’re saying in Baltimore after loss
There were plenty of key plays when the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens 26-24 in a winner-take-all Week 18 game at Acrisure Stadium. But, holy water aside, sports writers in Baltimore — and angry Ravens fans on Instagram — zeroed in Sunday and early Monday mostly on Ravens kicker...
Danish prime minister says a U.S. takeover of Greenland would mark the end of NATO
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Monday an American takeover of Greenland would amount to the end of the NATO military alliance. Her comments came in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed call for the strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island to come under U.S. control in the...
Another turnpike toll hike takes effect. Here’s why and what it will cost you
John Brady can’t figure out why the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission keeps raising tolls. “It’s just hard to justify the hike every single year. You would think they would do it every other year,” said Brady, of Hampton, who travels with his wife, Deb, from the Butler Valley exit to the...
Feats of Strength: Aaron Rodgers’ response drives and early defensive stands help Steelers clinch AFC North over Baltimore
A missed (or partially blocked) extra point from the always reliable Chris Boswell. A desperation heave on fourth down to Isaiah Likely, the tight end at the center of so much officiating controversy from the last wild affair between these teams. A missed field goal as time expired from a...
Mike Tomlin said what? Some quotes from coach’s press conference after Steelers win
Steelers fans have come to take colorful Mike Tomlin quotes for granted. The greatest hits from the head coach include:“The standard is the standard.”“We do not live in our fears.”“I want volunteers, not hostages.” We got a new one after the Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 26-24 Sunday night at...
Mark Madden: Aaron Rodgers plays the hero, Steelers win the optics in pseudo playoff victory
The No. 1 story from Sunday night’s playoff to make the playoffs was undoubtedly Aaron Rodgers’ impeccable play late in the game. Rodgers drove the Steelers to touchdowns on their last two possessions, including a six-play, 65-yard march in 85 seconds during what could have been the final moments of...
Snow out, rain in, as thaw displaces deep freeze in Pittsburgh area
Goodbye, snow. Temperatures in Pittsburgh this week could reach 60 degrees and lead to snowmelt in a winter warm-up set to end a six-day run of frigid weather, according to the National Weather Service in Moon. The mercury started rising Monday morning in Pittsburgh and is expected to plateau in...
Maduro says ‘I was captured’ as he pleads not guilty to drug trafficking charges
NEW YORK — A defiant Nicolás Maduro declared himself “the president of my country” as he protested his capture and pleaded not guilty Monday to federal drug trafficking charges that the Trump administration used to justify removing him from power in Venezuela. “I was captured,” Maduro said in Spanish as...
Derry plans to spotlight Bigfoot at proposed new borough park
Derry is planning to make a new home for its resident Bigfoot before the tall creature gets too attached to its setting at the town’s Mossback Park. The carved-wood rendering celebrates the legendary hairy biped said to frequent nearby Chestnut Ridge. It made its debut in September 2024 as a...
5 things we learned after Steelers’ division-clinching, regular season-finale victory
Five things we learned in the wake of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 26-24, season-extending win against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night: 1. Houston, hello As a reward for clinching the AFC North, the Steelers get to play a team that hasn’t lost since two days after Halloween. The Houston Texans...
Survive and advance: Steelers edge out Ravens in nail-biter, win AFC North
Coming off one of the most disappointing losses in the Mike Tomlin era, the Pittsburgh Steelers responded with one of the most satisfying victories. Facing a winner-take-all game with the AFC North title on the line, the Steelers trailed by 10 points in the first half and overcame two four-point...
