April 13, 2025 12:22 pm
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Police evacuated Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family from the governor’s official residence after someone set fire to the building. That is according to authorities. The fire broke out overnight Saturday, on the first night of the Jewish holiday of Passover, which Shapiro and his family had celebrated at the residence. State Police said in a statement Sunday that the investigation was ongoing. Shapiro says he and his family woke up at about 2 a.m. to bangs on the door from police after the fire broke out. Firefighters extinguished the fire and no one was reported injured. Police say the fire caused a “significant amount of damage” and are investigating.
April 13, 2025 7:00 am
The Trump administration has confirmed to a federal judge that a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported last month remained confined in a notorious prison in El Salvador. But the government’s filing on Saturday ignored the judge’s demands that the administration detail to the court what steps it was taking to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States and said he is under the authority of the El Salvador government. The filing comes one day after a U.S. government attorney struggled in a hearing to provide U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis with any information about Abrego Garcia’s whereabouts.
April 13, 2025 6:55 am
Russia and Ukraine’s top diplomats have used a high-level conference in Turkey to once again trade accusations of violating a tentative U.S.-brokered deal to pause strikes on energy infrastructure. The two foreign ministers spoke at separate events at the annual Antalya Diplomacy Forum on Saturday, a day after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss peace prospects. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov insisted Moscow has stuck to the terms of a limited 30-day ceasefire. His Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha says Russia has launched daily attacks at Ukraine since agreeing to the pause.
April 13, 2025 6:52 am
The 145% tariff from the U.S. and the retaliatory 125% tariff from China are putting businesses doing trade between the U.S. and China on edge. They’re fretting not only about their next orders but also the viability of their business if there’s no relief soon. Experts are worried the decades-long trade ties that have underpinned the bilateral relationship between the world’s two largest economies might be unraveling. The high-stakes tariff war has come more than 20 years after China joined the World Trade Organization and began to see its economy soar on luring foreign investments and exporting to U.S. and other Western markets.
April 13, 2025 6:49 am
VATICAN CITY (AP) — A convalescing Pope Francis greeted the crowd in St. Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday, wishing more than 20,000 faithful a “Good Palm Sunday, a good Holy Week,” in a reassuring sign of his recovery after a life-threatening battle with double pneumonia. Many in the crowd reached out to touch Francis’ hand or garments as he was brought in a wheelchair down a ramp to the main altar, where he issued his brief greeting into a microphone. Francis was not wearing nasal tubes for supplemental oxygen, as he had during a similar appearance last Sunday. On his way back to St. Peter’s Basilica from where he had emerged, Francis stopped to bless a rosary, and offered candy to a boy who greeted him.
April 13, 2025 6:07 am
WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. —(WPXI)- Many excited park visitors braved the cold for Kennywood’s opening day Saturday, kicking off its longest season since 1931. Not everyone who showed up, however, got to enjoy the rides and attractions. Dozens of teenagers were turned away hours before the time when park rules say they need an adult chaperone. Many angry and confused parents reached out to Channel 11 saying about 60 teens were stranded at the gate Saturday afternoon after they were dropped off without any warning. Channel 11′s cameras showed one group of teens being turned away at the gate by a Kennywood employee. Channel 11 reached out to Kennywood asking several questions, including if the rules for minors have changed. A spokesperson told Channel 11 the policy has not changed and then pointed us to the fine print at the bottom of that same web page that reads, “Our safety and security procedures, including the chaperone, bag, and outside food & beverage policies, are subject to change without notice.” Channel 11 reached out to Kennywood again for more information on specifically why minors were turned away at the gate before 4pm and how many were not allowed in. We’ve also asked Kennywood if teens could face a similar situation on Sunday if they don’t have a chaperone during the day. We’re still waiting to hear back.
April 13, 2025 4:49 am
ROSTRAVER TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI) – A woman was found shot and killed inside a Rostraver Township home. Westmoreland County dispatchers say police were called to the 400 block of Lenity School Road at 12:15 p.m. on Friday. Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson has identified the woman as Jennah Marie Seibert. Sources tell Channel 11 her death is being investigated as a homicide. Multiple search warrants are being served as police work to learn more, investigators say.
April 13, 2025 4:43 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Court documents say a man who authorities say scaled an iron security fence in the middle of the night, eluded police and broke into the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion where he set a fire had planned to beat Gov. Josh Shapiro with a hammer if he found him. The fire left significant damage and forced Shapiro, his family and guests to evacuate the building early Sunday. The man was captured later in the day and faces charges including attempted homicide, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault. Authorities identified the man in custody as 38-year-old Cody Balmer of Harrisburg.
April 13, 2025 4:17 am
Holy Week is the most significant week in the Church year. It begins Sunday with Palm Sunday and extends through the week until Easter Sunday. The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh will celebrate Holy Week offering Catholics the opportunity to partake in several liturgies and community events throughout the week. The week begins on Palm Sunday with Bishop David Zubik celebrating Mass at 10:00 am at St. Paul Cathedral. Mass will also be celebrated on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Holy Saturday has several blessing services and the week culminates with Easter Sunday Mass at 10:00 am with Bishop Zubik celebrating Mass at the St. Alexis Church in the Saint Aiden Parish in Wexford. For the Holy Week schedule at your church, check your parish websites for details.
April 13, 2025 4:14 am
The Trump administration has paused the enforcement of the Silica Rule. The rule is aimed at combating rising black lung and silicosis cases being suffered by coal miners. In a statement released by the Center for Coalfield Justice, the pause is temporary and is intended for operators to secure necessary equipment and otherwise come into compliance. The rule has been finalized since April of 2024 and was set to go into effect this month. In addition to the pause of the Silica Rule, the Department of Government Efficiency is closing 34 Mine Safety and Health Administration offices in 19 states and has placed all 25 employees at the CDC’s Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program on administrative leave. Nick Hood, Senior Organizer at CCJ said that “Coal has been on a long and steep decline for decades, but miner issues have increased, and pausing the Silica Rule only hurts them more.
