Top Stories category, Page 2
Winter storm threatens to bring blizzards and ice to parts of the U.S., hampering holiday travel
A powerful winter storm was sweeping east from the Plains on Sunday, driven by what meteorologists describe as an intense cyclone, setting off a chain reaction of snow, ice, rain and severe weather expected to affect much of the country. Snow and strengthening winds spread across the Upper Midwest on...
Pipe bomb suspect told FBI he targeted political parties because they were ‘in charge,’ memo says
WASHINGTON — The man accused of placing two pipe bombs in Washington on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol told investigators after his arrest that he believed someone needed to “speak up” for people who believed the 2020 election was stolen and that he...
Midair helicopter crash in New Jersey leaves 1 dead and another critically injured
HAMMONTON, N.J. — Two helicopters crashed midair in New Jersey on Sunday, killing one person and critically injuring another, authorities say. Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said rescuers responded to a report of an aviation crash at about 11:25 a.m. Video from the scene shows a helicopter spinning rapidly to...
Trump says Ukraine and Russia are ‘closer than ever’ to peace after talks with Zelenskyy
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump on Sunday insisted Ukraine and Russia are “closer than ever before” to a peace deal as he hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Florida resort, but he acknowledged that negotiations are complex and could still break down, leaving the war dragging...
Duquesne Light restores power to nearly all impacted by outages
Power outages that had impacted thousands of Duquesne Light customers in Allegheny County on Sunday were mostly resolved by shortly before 6 p.m., according to the utility. Earlier in the day, outages were affecting about 1,500 customers in the areas of Mt. Oliver, Allentown and the South Side slopes. About...
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. “It has been our privilege to serve this community and to build lasting relationships with our customers, employees and neighbors.”...
Looking back on pop culture that had Western Pennsylvania buzzing in 2025
The past year has been a lively time in Western Pennsylvania for music, movies, TV, art and social media. From new art spaces to blockbuster series to sold-out TikTok-driven events, 2025 was a great time for water cooler conversations and fun stories around town. Here are just a few. ‘The...
Judge blocks access to UPMC transgender care records
A federal judge in Pittsburgh cited the government’s own “inflammatory” rhetoric on gender-affirming care in blocking the Department of Justice’s effort to get patients’ personal information from UPMC. In her six-page order, Chief Judge Cathy Bissoon of the Western District of Pennsylvania cited decisions by five fellow judges in similar...
AI prompts increased human interaction at this cyber security company
In an age of artificial intelligence, Dennis Underwood is working it “old school.” He is prioritizing face time. Underwood is CEO of Cyber Crucible, a cybersecurity software company in Fox Chapel that focuses on preventing data theft, identity theft and ransomware. He said the introduction of mainstream AI in the...
Allentown shooting leaves man in critical condition
Police are investigating after a man was shot multiple times early Sunday in the city’s Allentown neighborhood. Emergency crews were called at 4:15 a.m. to the 900 block of Manton Way where they found a man in the street suffering gunshot wounds to his head and abdomen, according to Pittsburgh...
At least $18.7M poured into this year’s critical Pa. Supreme Court retention races
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — Special interests, organizations connected to Pennsylvania’s richest man, and groups with mysterious donors broke spending records to...
Former Rockette teaches aspiring dancers at Greensburg workshop
Bright lights and big kicks were the order of business Saturday for aspiring dancers in Greensburg. The Spectacular Holiday Dance Workshop, held at Seton Hill University and The Palace Theatre, welcomed students of all ages to step into the magic of Broadway with a 2½-hour class taught by former Radio...
Steelers vs. Browns: Get ready for 2025 Week 17 matchup
The Pittsburgh Steelers will make their final road trip of the regular season Sunday when they visit the Cleveland Browns for an AFC North clash. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on CBS, with Jim Nantz on play-by-play alongside analyst Tony Romo and sideline reporter...
Suspect at large after attempted stabbing, vehicle theft at Tarentum gas station
A Lower Burrell man is accused of trying to stab a man at the Marathon gas station in Tarentum before stealing his minivan early Friday morning, according to police. In court records, Tarentum police say they were able to identify Robert Matthew Harmon, 35, as the accused assailant because a...
Suspect in Shadyside shooting told victim he wanted to kill himself, police say
A man accused of assaulting a woman outside a Shadyside apartment building and shooting her dog on Friday had told the woman earlier in the day that he wanted to kill himself, Allegheny County Police say in court records. County police say Lamar Reddick, 38, of Pittsburgh also brandished and...
Shapiro poised to become nation’s highest-paid governor
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is poised to get a raise of more than $8,000 in the coming year to boost his annual salary to $253,870, based on cost-of-living increases provided under state law to top officials. The raise appears to position Shapiro to become the nation’s highest-paid governor. The Democrat...
Iconic Terrible Towel has been waving for 50 yearsVideo
The Terrible Towel has lasted so long — half a century — that you might think it was made of steel. There are few places, if any, where a simple piece of cloth has carried such weight. The gold towel first unfurled at Three Rivers Stadium on Dec. 27, 1975,...
Ravens’ win at Green Bay puts heat on Steelers to clinch division title with victory in Cleveland
If the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to win the AFC North, they will have to earn it. Help didn’t come Saturday night as the Baltimore Ravens kept their division title hopes alive with a 41-24 victory against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. A Ravens loss would have clinched...
Communities reap millions from Pennsylvania casino revenue
State-mandated distribution of revenue from the state’s casinos has paid off for Western Pennsylvania municipalities. More than $60 million in grants was distributed in 2025 to municipalities through a state program that allocates tax revenue collected from casinos to pay for economic development projects, infrastructure upgrades, public safety and equipment...
Pa. reports record high monthly gambling revenue, citing rise in sports wagering income
Anthony Procida enjoys betting on his favorite sports teams — namely the Minnesota Vikings and Penn State Nittany Lions. But Procida, 35, of Irwin said he knows himself too well to try out online sportsbooks, which accounted for 95% of sports bets in 2024, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control...
Pitt fumbles away chances, suffers upset loss to East Carolina in Military BowlVideo
For the second straight year, the Pitt football team ended its season with a bowl-game loss that puts a sour mark on an otherwise positive year. The Panthers put together a strong defensive performance that limited East Carolina to 1.7 yards per rush and less than 250 yards of total...
18-year-old accused of shooting his parents in Greene County apprehended in West Virginia
An 18-year-old Greene County man accused fatally shooting his mother and wounding his father on Friday was apprehended in West Virginia, according to Pennsylvania State Police. West Virginia State Police arrested Jarrod Noll without incident Saturday, Pennsylvania State Police said. Pennsylvania State Police said Noll had fled on foot after...
Hempfield woman charged in Christmas stabbing
A Hempfield woman is charged with aggravated assault and child endangerment after state police say she stabbed a man during an argument on Christmas. Mia Lou Riser, 26, was involved in a dispute with a man at a Hempfield apartment around 6 p.m. Thursday, according to a criminal affidavit. The...
From pro baseball to the Marines: Murrysville’s Krauza follows father’s lead
The Krauza family of Murrysville has much to be thankful for this holiday season. Their son, Michael Krauza, 28, is home until Jan. 4 during a break from his training with the U.S. Marine Corps. While 28 is older than the average recruit, Krauza’s road to military service included a...
1 injured in Market Square shooting
A man is recovering after being shot in the leg early Saturday at Market Square in Pittsburgh, authorities said. Police were called at about 12:15 a.m. after reports of a fight that led to a shooting. Officers found the victim on the sidewalk, conscious and alert, with a gunshot wound,...
