Pittsburgh All Local

A Butler County man is facing a terrorism-related charge, accused of planning an attack in support of ISIS. The FBI says agents arrested Jonathan Kramer outside a Cranberry hotel over the weekend. Kramer, about 20-years-old and living with his parents in Valencia, allegedly sympathized with the Islamic militant group and was charged in federal court with illegally buying a gun as part of a terrorist plot. Agents say they found a semi-automatic rifle, magazines, a scope and boxes of ammo in Kramer's hotel room. The criminal complaint also contends Kramer has a lengthy online history showing support for ISIS. He was as a juvenile in 2023 for “his role in a plot to commit a mass casualty incident.”

An argument led to gunfire overnight in the Hill District. Police were called to the New Granada Square Apartments in the 2000 block of Centre Avenue around 2:15 a.m. Officers found a man in the lobby who was shot in the chest and arm. EMS took him to a hospital in stable condition. Investigators say the man was shot during an argument in an apartment on an upper floor. Two people were taken to headquarters for questioning but there are no arrests at this time.

The US is commemorating the 25th anniversary of the day terrorists hijacked four airliners. Three were flown into the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon and the fourth crashed in Somerset County. In Shankesville today...The names of the 40 passengers and crew were read aloud, each followed by the ringing of the Bells of Remembrance. One family member paused to read the name of their loved one. The observance began at 8:30 a.m., with a welcome and pre-recorded video by actor Gary Sinise, whose namesake foundation supports an annual gathering for Flight 93 families hosted by the Shanksville Volunteer Fire Department.

There's a public hearing this evening about the Allegheny County Board of Health's proposal for 18 weeks of paid parental leave. All employers in the county would be required to provide the leave at full pay. Supporters say the proposal will close a gap for parents who have to take unpaid leave. Business owners are pushing back, saying the proposal is too costly. Tonight's session for public feedback will happen in the Gold Room of the Allegheny County Courthouse at 5 p.m.

Municipalities preparing for winter are finding road salt prices have nearly doubled and officials are scrambling to secure enough of it for the season. The cost increase and bidding shortages are straining local budgets and forcing towns to cut back on essential maintenance. Patrick Conners is Executive Director of the South Hills Area Council of Governments. On the Big K Morning Show, Conners blamed uncertainty in the market and a lack of supplier competition for higher rock salt prices.

A fellow US Senator is reacting to last week's Wall Street Journal story about John Fetterman. More than a dozen former aides and lawmakers told the Journal Senator Fetterman canceled meetings with and sent dismissive texts about constituents and either skipped or minimized official events. Senator Dave McCormick says he's disgusted and disappointed. In an interview with KDKA's Marty Griffin, McCormick said there's very little tolerance for independent thinkers among Democrats. Fetterman said the story was a “hit piece” filled with “lies, half truths, innuendoes, smears and anonymous.”

Mayor Corey O'Connor says his team is working with Public Safety and coordinating with utilities on storm recovery. Around 70,000 power outages as of 9:45 in the Pittsburgh region. Duquesne Light has 19,000 customers without service. About 13,000 of them are in Pittsburgh. Penn Power has more than 43,000 customers off line in Westmoreland County, another 6,000 in Washington County and almost 3,700 in Allegheny County.

Mayor Corey O'Connor is "sounding the alarm" about the the city's finances. In an interview with KDKA's Marty Griffin, O'Connor said the city's financial position is worse than first thought. He said Pittsburgh's projected budget deficit over the next five years is $250 million. That number is about two times more than the city's rainy day fund. One reason for the red ink is the Gainey administration underestimated city spending and overestimated tax revenue. A budget for the next year is due at the end of the month.

The body of the last of three missing boaters has been recovered from the Mon River in Greene County. The Fish and Boat Commission says someone spotted an object floating in the water near Rice's Landing and recovery crews confirmed a short time later it was the third missing person. The bodies of a man and a woman were recovered on Tuesday. The three have been identified as 58-year-old Erick Rockwell and 56-year-old Raquelle Rockwell of Scenery Hill and 57-year-old Brian Slevoski of Rice's Landing. On Sunday night, two people were rescued after the collision involving a 24-foot cabin cruiser and a tugboat. Both were flown to hospitals and one of them died hours later. The other person was last reported in critical condition. Their identities are unknown.

The Penguins are starting a new era and Mario Lemieux is no longer a minority owner. News Radio KDKA's Timira Rush has details: Mario Lemieux and former partner Ron Burkle sold their minority stake in the Penguins. TribLive reports the sale happened when the Hoffmann Group purchased the team from Fenway Sports Group. At his introductory news conference in June, new owner Geoff Hoffmann made it clear he hopes Lemieux remains connected to the team. There’s no word yet on what role, if any, Lemieux could have with the Penguins moving forward.

UPMC confirms 8 measles cases at Children's Hospital last week. One of the children is from Allegheny County. UPMC says none of the patients are hospitalized and none were vaccinated. Dr. Kevin Wong specializes in family medicine. He told KDKA's Marty Griffin, with schools back in session, concerned parents can find out the percentage of students who've been vaccinated at their children's school: Measles is 12 times more contagious than the flu and twice as contagious as COVID-19.

Jerry Sandusky is expected in court next month for an evidentiary hearing tied to his 2012 conviction. Sandusky is serving a 30-to-60-year prison sentence after a jury found him guilty on 45 counts of child sexual abuse. One of those accusers, known as Victim Ten, now says Sandusky did not abuse him and claims prosecutors coached him to affirm details he didn’t fully remember. Sandusky’s attorneys are using the recanted testimony seeking a new trial, while the Attorney General’s Office disputes the significance of those claims. The judge will hear the case September eighth in Bellefonte, center county.

Widespread destruction in Nepal after the collapse of a glacier and flash flooding. More than 350 are dead and about 65 Americans are among the 1300 missing. Brother's Brother Foundation on Pittsburgh's North Side is already responding. On the Big K Morning Show, President Ozzy Samad says the non-profit is getting an assessment of the victim's needs. Donations for relief funds and supplies can be made at Brother's Brother dot org.

UPMC is donating nearly 230 medical trauma kits to the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Mayor Corey O' Connor made the announcement this morning at a downtown news conference. Each medical trauma kit contains tourniquets, chest seals, emergency dressings, sheers and gauze. This is UPMC’s third donation to the City of Pittsburgh to support reliable emergency medical care.

A warning from Pennsylvania health officials: two people have died from measles, the first deaths associated with the disease in the state in 35 years. Health officials say both victims were unvaccinated Lancaster County residents. And this comes as measles cases continue to climb — with 393 cases reported across 29 Pennsylvania counties this year. The Health Department says measles is highly contagious and can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and brain swelling. Officials say two doses of the M-M-R vaccine provide 97 percent protection.

It's the first day of classes for the largest school district in the region, along with dozens of other districts. Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Wayne Walters was a guest on the Big K Morning Show. This morning, Dr. Walters was greeting students arriving at Perry High School.

A well known commercial real estate leader successfully talked a man out of jumping off the 40th Street Bridge this week. Herky Pollock says he was driving across the bridge Tuesday when he saw a man on the edge. He stopped, spending 3 and a half hours, along with Millvale police, building trust with the 26-year-old man. On the Big K Morning Show, Pollock said he rarely drives across the 40th Street Bridge, but believes fate and divine intervention put him there to help save the man's life. The entire interview will be replayed after our 4 p.m. newscast.

Tuesday's special election for the 12th state House District seat was decided by 88 votes. Democrat Brandon Dukes will serve what remains of Republican Stephenie Scialabba's [sha-LAH-bah's] term. She resigned in March. Dukes slipped by GOP candidate Scott Timko in an election with 32% turnout. About 53% of the district’s residents in southwestern Butler County are registered Republicans. 30% are Democrats. Both candidates will run for a new term in November's general election.

The first cyclospora contamination lawsuit in Western Pennsylvania has been filed in federal court in Pittsburgh. Attorney Robert Pierce told KDKA's Marty Griffn his law firm filed the suit on behalf of Heather Kebert [KEY burt] who was sickened in July after eating a meal from a Taco Bell location in Meadville. The nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell by Taylor Farms. Pierce says his team intends to determine how the lettuce became contaminated and what steps the companies can take to stop it from happening again.

Pittsburgh Public Schools is helping families get ready for the new school year with its 14th annual back-to-school event. The celebration at Acrisure Stadium offered free haircuts, hairstyles and manicures. Families also picked up free school supplies and other essentials through a drive-through. Esther from Natrona Heights was first in line. The event was supported by the Steelers, Penguins Foundation, Pirates, U-P-M-C and other community partners, helping students head into the 2026-2027 school year prepared for success.

A new exhibit at Acrisure Stadium looks back at the city's record-setting NFL Draft, as Pittsburgh’s mayor looks ahead to its lasting impact. The Steelers Hall of Honor is now showcasing the NFL Draft ’26 exhibit, featuring a look back at the three-day event that drew a record 805-thousand people. Mayor Corey O’Connor spoke at the exhibit’s opening Thursday — and says the Draft also opened the eyes of potential investors to what Pittsburgh has to offer. O’Connor says the goal now is to keep that momentum going and get those decision-makers to visit Western Pennsylvania.

AI startup Hellbender announced Thursday it is relocating to Hazelwood Green. The company's global headquarters will be in the Roundhouse and expanded manufacturing will be based inside Mill 19. RIDC President Don Smith telling the Big K Morning Show it's great news for the economy with up to 500 jobs in the next five years. Smith said we can expect announcements in coming weeks from some name-brand companies looking at Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Public Schools Chief of Staff Lamar Blackwell has resigned. A statement from the district says Blackwell submitted his resignation today due to "ongoing media coverage and... public scrutiny" of assault and strangulation charges against him. In his letter of resignation, Blackwell says "stepping aside is in the best interests of the District." In April, he was accused of grabbing his girlfriend by the wrist and choking her and when officers spoke to the woman, they said she had redness on the left side of her neck. Blackwell's preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 10th.

The Chief of Staff for the Pittsburgh Public Schools faces a court hearing in September on assault and strangulation charges. The incident happened back in April....when Lamar Blackwell allegedly grabbed his girlfriend by the wrist and choked her. Police say when they arrived, she was gone and Blackwell denied anything happened adding she was trying to ruin his career. When officers spoke to the woman, they said she had redness on the left side of her neck. In a statement to KDKA TV, the district said Blackwell remains on the job....adding he's complying with the legal process. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for September tenth.

Parkway East drivers could be back on the road Monday evening — a week earlier than expected. The closure between the Edgewood-Swissvale and Squirrel Hill interchanges was expected to last 25 days — but the Parkway East is set to reopen a week early. The new Commercial Street Bridge is now in place after crews worked around the clock to demolish the old bridge, slide the 22-million-pound replacement into position and complete roadway improvements. Because the work is being completed before July 28th, the contractors will receive a two-million-dollar bonus. PennDOT says Commercial Street, underneath the new bridge, could reopen as early as next Monday.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is urging the state House to quickly pass new sentencing laws after Pennsylvania's Supreme Court ruled mandatory life-without-parole sentences for second-degree murder are unconstitutional. Sunday told KDKA's Marty Griffin the high court gave the legislature 120 days to enact a new statute. Sunday also said resentencing violent offenders could take place without proper input from their victims

The state's Secretary of Transportation is reiterating what we heard Monday about reopening the Parkway East. At a news conference, Mike Carroll said that should happen ahead of schedule, by the middle of next week. The Parkway has been closed since July 10th for the replacement of the Commercial Street Bridge.

Demolition of the Commercial Street Bridge on the Parkway East came suddenly this morning. The explosion happened a few minutes after 8 a.m. followed by a large cloud of dust obscuring for a time what was left of the old bridge. PennDOT's Jason Zang updated reporters about the replacement project at a 10:30 news conference. The closure was expected to last 25 days through August 3rd.

A Butler County farmer says local produce is safe as health officials investigate 11 cases of cyclosporiasis. The Allegheny County Health Department has confirmed 11 cases of sye-clo-spor-eye-uh-sis and is investigating whether they're connected. The illness is linked to contaminated food or water and is not spread from person to person. Sorgel's Orchard's Adam Voll, a sixth-generation Butler County farmer, tells the Big K Morning Show consumers shouldn't be afraid to buy fresh, locally grown produce. Health officials say anyone experiencing symptoms should contact their healthcare provider, while Voll reminds shoppers to thoroughly wash fresh produce before eating or preparing it.

Even with temperatures in the mid 90s, PennDOT says work on the Commercial Street Bridge replacement is moving ahead as planned. District 11 Executive Jason Zang says he's concerned about the safety of crews working in the high temperatures, but says there are no plans to slow or stop the project. Zang says it takes committed men and women to do this kind of work, adding he's proud of the crews for pushing forward while making safety the top priority.

This morning, we saw the full extent of the Parkway East shutdown on morning drive traffic. Many expected Oakland would see a lot of detour congestion, but on the Big K Morning Show, Michael Bartley told PennDOT's Jason Zang is wasn't much of a problem. The demolition of the Commercial Street Bridge will take place this week.

Tonight's the night when PennDOT closes the Parkway East between Squirrel Hill and Edgewood-Swissvale. To deal with detours and delays, motorists can use a page at 511PA dot com to see real-time traffic conditions and plan their commutes. The closure is expected to last 25 days while the Commercial Street Bridge is demolished and replaced.

With the Parkway East closing Friday night PennDOT is offering a new tool on 511PA to help drivers deal with detours and delays. District 11 Executive Jason Zang says the tool allows drivers to see the recommended detours before getting behind the wheel. The website at 511PA is available now and a link to the tool is on KDKA Radio dot com.

Mars Borough and Adams Township are a step closer to a merger. On Monday, Mars Council voted 6-1 to approve an agreement with Adams. Russ Ford, Chair of the Adams Township Board of Supervisors says people are asking good questions about the proposed merger. On the Big K Morning Show, Ford said taxes haven't been raised in Adams since 1994. The referendum will be on the November ballot and if a majority of voters in both communities approve the merger the new name will be Mars Township.

American law enforcement is trying to wrap its arms around the nationwide phenomenon of teen takeovers. There was another takeover in East Liberty over the weekend. Pittsburgh Police Chief Jason Lando says he's looking for a solution, but told KDKA's Marty Griffin policing alone can't solve the problem. On a positive note, Chief Lando said this was the best 4th of July in Downtown Pittsburgh in 5 years with no injuries and no large fights.

A massive nationwide event begins in Pittsburgh...to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The movement Light to Unite is a symbolic call for national unity. Cities, businesses, and citizens across all 50 states are encouraged to ignite a spectacular, collective patriotic display. It's being organized by the National Flag Foundation, headquartered in Pittsburgh. The synchronized display begins in Pittsburgh at 9:00 Saturday night, as the city's iconic bridges and skyline will be lit up in red, white and blue.

Breaking this morning... Kroger plans to acquire Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle in a $1.65 billion deal. The agreement would bring Giant Eagle's nearly 200 supermarkets and 11 standalone pharmacies under Kroger's ownership, expanding Kroger's footprint across western Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana. Kroger says it may have to sell a limited number of Giant Eagle stores as part of the regulatory approval process. The acquisition is expected to close in 2027, pending regulatory approval and other customary conditions.

A pedestrian killed overnight in Homewood. It happened at the border with East Hills around 1130 last night. Police say an SUV struck a man at Bennett Street and Oakwood Street...and as the driver checked on the victim....the pedestrian was hit by a Toyota Prius. Police say the SUV driver did stay on the scene but the driver of the Prius did not.

PennDOT gearing up for the closure of the Parkway East next month. The Commercial Street Bridge replacement will begin at 9pm on July 10th. PennDOT's Jason Zang says there are some new changes for the week of July 6th. PRT is urging drivers to use mass transit during the closure..reminding them about the Park and Ride lots and routes along the East Busway. It will be suspending construction along the University Line in Oakland while the Parkway is closed, reducing lane restrictions to try and keep traffic moving.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are getting new ownership after the NHL approves a billion-dollar sale. The NHL Board of Governors unanimously approved the Hoffman Family of Companies’ purchase of the Penguins from Fenway Sports Group. The deal is estimated at about $1.75 billion. Geoff Hoffman will serve as the team’s governor, while his brother Greg, general manager Kyle Dubas and company founder David Hoffman will serve as alternate governors. On the Big K Morning Show, the team's communications spokesperson Paul Steigerwald talked about the new owners. Fenway Sports Group bought the team in 2021 for about $900 million.

Three Pittsburgh firefighters have been suspended, raising new questions within the city's Fire Bureau. News Radio KDKA's Timira Rush has the details. The developments come weeks after Fire Chief Darryl Jones was placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation. In a statement to KDKA Radio, firefighters union president Ralph Sicuro says the union believes every member is entitled to due process and a fair, thorough review before conclusions are reached and that it will protect members' contractual, civil service and legal rights if discipline is imposed.

The search for a shooting suspect - which was centered in the Cranberry Township area for the last 12 hours - is now being headed up by the New Brighton Police Department. Cranberry Township Police Lieutenant Churck Mascellino tells KDKA Radio the suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6 feet tall, 220 pounds, last seen wearing a red shirt and cargo pants, however he may have removed his shirt during the chase last evening.

A construction worker died this morning after falling from scaffolding at Pittsburgh Obama Academy in East Liberty. Authorities say the incident happened around 9 this morning. Police say workers were performing work on the school's pool area, where scaffolding had been erected. The unidentified woman fell about 30 feet from construction scaffolding. First responders found the woman at the bottom of the empty pool after the fall. The woman suffered severe head injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The Pittsburgh Public Schools District issued a statement moments ago extending its sincere condolences to the worker's family friends and colleagues. The district says no students or district employees were involved in the incident.

Traffic cameras and message boards along the Parkway East are being restored after PennDOT says its fiber optic cables were vandalized. Penndot's Lori Musto tells KDKA Radio the fiber optic cable damage was first discovered Monday. She says crews believe the cables were intentionally cut in what may have been an attempt at copper theft. Musto is asking motorists for patience as crews work to get systems back up and running — and reminding the public, if you see something, say something.

Is it time to increase the minimum wage in Pennsylvania? State Senator Jay Costa, ranking member from Forrest Hills. thinks so: The minimum wage hike proposal has already passed the House in Harrisburg, but it stalled in the Senate. But Costa tells Michael Bartley on KDKA that yesterday he instituted a rare procedural move to get Republicans in the Senate to vote on the minimum wage: The legislation provides for a minimum wage increase over the course of the next three years, incrementally, to $15 in 2029.

The General Manager of Kennywood says he does not anticipate the park's new chaperone policy to have any impact on attendance. Beginning June 12th, anyone 15 or younger found to be inside the park without a qualifying chaperone will be subject to removal. GM Ricky Spicuzza telling KDKA Radio that feedback on the policy has been overwhelmingly positive. He says the policy doesn't apply to school picnics or district days, nor to organized and ticketed groups like churches, summer camps and sports teams.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike is back open after an overnight fire inside the Allegheny Tunnel forced a lengthy closure and evacuation. Pennsylvania Turnpike spokeswoman Marissa Orbanek confirmed to KDKA Radio that a pickup truck caught fire inside the tunnel. She says crews are now working to repair damage left behind. Orbanek says about 150 people in nearly 80 vehicles were moved to a maintenance building while crews responded. No injures related to the fire were reported.

The new Heart Institute at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh officially opens today. On the Big K Morning Show, President Diane Huff says this $85 million, 50,000-square-foot facility in Lawrenceville...is a destination center for kids, for families, and even adults who have congenital heart disease. She says the new facility expands cardiac imaging capabilities for patient care and research, and even features a new cardiac gym and physical rehab center.

So what happens now with Allegheny County's proposed 18 week paternal leave policy? If you weren't able to show up at last night's meeting to voice your opinion, it's not too late. County executive Sara Innamorato telling KDKA Radio's Rob Taylor that it's still early in the process. The 30-day comment period goes until mid-June. Once those are considered, then the policy has to be passed by county council.

American Airlines will suspend its daily nonstop service between Pittsburgh and Los Angeles from August 5th through October 4th as airlines grapple with rising fuel costs. The route was launched in April of last year, marking American's first daily nonstop service between Pittsburgh and Los Angeles since 2017. Travelers will still have options during the suspension. Pittsburgh International Airport officials confirmed to KDKA Radio that Breeze Airways currently offers nonstop service on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, while United Airlines also provides nonstop flights to Los Angeles.