Pittsburgh invokes eminent domain to seize Homewood apartment building
Pittsburgh City Councilman Khari Mosley is invoking the city’s eminent domain powers in an effort to preserve a 100-unit apartment complex in Homewood as affordable housing. “We’re really trying to do three things: prevent displacement, preserve affordable housing and prevent the property from going into the hands of another bad...
Gone, but not forgotten: Notable people from Western Pennsylvania who died in 2025
While 2025 saw many bright spots and great moments, there were also many moments of darkness and sad farewells to beloved friends, neighbors and luminaries. It would be impossible to list all of the wonderful people who passed this year, but here are just a few whose lasting impact and...
Death of teen struck by car in West Mifflin ruled accidental
The death of a 13-year-old boy struck by a car in West Mifflin over the weekend has been ruled an accident, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said Monday. Terrel “TJ” Byars Jr. of Homewood was hit in front of a Speedway convenience store at 4315 Kennywood Blvd. Saturday evening...
So long 2025: Here are some events to ring in the New Year
Ready to put 2025 in the rearview mirror? New Year’s Eve is fast approaching, and it’s a great time to put on a fancy outfit, raise a glass and look forward to all of the good things 2026 will bring. If First Night isn’t for you, here are a few...
Water main break temporarily closes Pittsburgh Zoo
A water main break has disrupted several events at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. The zoo shut down for repairs Monday around 12:30 p.m., according to its website. That forced the closure of Wild Illuminations, its annual holiday lantern experience, according to Michael Schroeder, a zoo spokesman. Wild Illuminations, which...
Tree of Life gunman appeals death sentence, seeks new hearing
Nearly 2½ years after Robert Bowers was condemned to die for killing 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue, his attorneys have appealed the death sentence and are seeking a new sentencing hearing. Bowers’ lawyers raised 16 claims throughout a nearly 500-page legal brief filed earlier this month with the 3rd...
High winds, snow showers close out 2025 in Western Pa.
Thousands of residents were left without power Monday after a windstorm tore through the region, snapping tree limbs and forcing the early closure of the Westmoreland County Courthouse. The powerful system, which saw gusts peaking between 45 mph and 55 mph, left about 10,000 customers in the dark across Westmoreland...
Community rallies around Leechburg business after Christmas vandalism
The Leechburg community wasted no time rallying around a local business after it was vandalized late Dec. 25. Honeybee and Co. on Market Street has received monetary and product donations after the shop’s “Lovely Little Locker,” a donation cabinet filled with free hygiene items, was vandalized. Destiney Beatty, who co-owns...
Pittsburgh police arrest woman for hitting puppy, sealing it in suitcase
Pittsburgh police arrested a “heavily intoxicated” woman on the North Side for stuffing a puppy into a suitcase and zipping the bag closed. Jayme White, 56, remained Monday in the Allegheny County Jail on $1,000 bail, court records show. Her home address was not listed in court records. Pittsburgh police...
Buffalo Township approves tax hike to rebuild reserves
Buffalo Township residents will see another bump in their property taxes next year after township supervisors opted to raise the township’s millage rate in their recently passed budget. It raises real estate taxes about 22%, from 13.5 mills to 16.5 mills. That means the owner of a property at the...
East Allegheny elementary student dies after being hit by car in West Mifflin
A 13-year-old East Allegheny School District student died after being hit by a car Saturday in West Mifflin. Terrel “TJ” Byars Jr., of Wilmerding, was hit in front of Speedway at 4315 Kennywood Blvd. shortly after 5 p.m. No information about the incident was immediately available from West Mifflin police....
Unity Township considers higher taxes to support fire departments, infrastructure and services
For the first time in more than half a century, Unity officials are proposing to increase the township real estate tax by doubling it to 4.4 mills. The township supervisors will hold a special meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday to vote on the tax hike and the tentative 2026 budget...
Penguins acquire forward Yegor Chinakhov from Blue JacketsVideo
One day after the NHL’s holiday roster freeze was lifted, the Pittsburgh Penguins broke the ice in a major way Monday. They acquired forward Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for forward Danton Heinen, a second-round draft pick in 2026 and a third-round selection in 2027. Chinakhov,...
Mark Madden: Steelers’ loss at Cleveland littered with ineptitude
If the Pittsburgh Steelers blow the AFC North championship and the playoffs by losing at home to Baltimore on Sunday, Mike Tomlin should be fired before he gets off the field. But it’s more likely Tomlin will sprint to the office of Art Rooney II and immediately sign a lucrative...
Playoffs arrive early for Steelers with must-win game against Ravens in season finale
As disappointing as the 13-6 loss was Sunday to the Cleveland Browns, it could be worse for the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend. They could be the Browns, hanging their hat on a win that gave them all of four on the season. Or they could be the Cincinnati Bengals, who...
Madden Monday: If Steelers lose to Ravens, Mike Tomlin ‘should be fired before he gets off the field’
With the AFC North on the line, the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) lost to the Cleveland Browns (4-12) by a final score of 13-6 on Sunday. It was a game the Steelers trailed 10-0 after one quarter of play and never managed to catch up. That’s despite the fact that Cleveland...
Majority of job hunters turn to AI to help land next gig
Mallory Helbling turned to her own professional advice when she found herself laid off in December 2024. Among them: using artificial intelligence tools to assist in her job search as a career coach. “I was able to get my first contract role in February 2025,” said Helbling, 37, of Sharpsburg,...
Pennsylvania Turnpike reopens in New Stanton
The Pennsylvania Turnpike eastbound has reopened in New Stanton after a crash east of the Allegheny Tunnel. State police said a commercial vehicle rolled on its side shortly before 6 a.m. near mile 129 between the Somerset and Bedford interchanges, blocking all of the lanes. A California man lost control...
The Cadet Restaurant in Manor Township, along with mascot Cowboy Sam, bid farewell
Patrons of The Cadet Restaurant in Manor Township are wondering what will become of its 30-foot-tall cowboy mascot once the eatery closes on Wednesday. Owners shared the announcement on social media that the restaurant along Route 422 near Kittanning will close at 3 p.m. after more than seven decades in...
90-year-old artist paints portraits of caregivers who helped her recover at Plum retirement community
When a broken leg rendered Eva Lu Damianos mostly immobile in June, a whole team of nurses, aides and therapists assembled to get her back on her feet. Months later — now sauntering around with the help of a walker — Damianos, 90, has chosen to express her gratitude by...
Carnegie Mellon’s AI-driven speech reconstruction tool aims to bridge gap for children’s speech disorders
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University hope an AI-driven speech reconstruction tool can bridge the gap between a growing population of children with speech disorders and a significant shortage of speech-language pathologists. The tool combines machine learning with human speech to create audio clips of correct speech that sound like the...
Death of woman in Pittsburgh’s Perry North neighborhood ‘suspicious,’ police say
A woman’s death in Pittsburgh’s Perry North neighborhood is considered suspicious, police said Sunday. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner identified the woman as Michelle Sturdivant, 44, of Pittsburgh. First responders went to the 100 block of Watson Boulevard just after 2 a.m. Sunday for reports of an unresponsive woman. According...
Steelers vs. Browns: What they’re saying in Cleveland after the win
The Pittsburgh Steelers fumbled an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot in their second faceoff against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Huntingdon Bank Field. The 13-6 final score fell in stark contrast to the Steelers’ 23-9 victory over the Browns at Acrisure Stadium in October. Steelers head coach Mike...
Steelers lose in Cleveland to set up winner-take-all showdown with Ravens
CLEVELAND — On a rainy, gloomy afternoon along the shore of Lake Erie, with the chance to win the division at their fingertips, the Pittsburgh Steelers let the opportunity slip through their grasp Sunday with the football equivalent of a faceplant into the frigid waters. Presented a chance to secure...
U.S. offers Ukraine 15-year security guarantee as part of peace plan, Zelenskyy says
KYIV, Ukraine — The United States is offering Ukraine security guarantees for a period of 15 years as part of a proposed peace plan, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday, though he said he would prefer an American commitment of up to 50 years to deter Russia from further attempts...
