August 7, 2023 5:05 am
PITTSBURGH ZOO — The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium announced the death of its six-year-old male African lion, Kit. The zoo says Kit started showing signs of illness Friday, and an X-ray showed he had material blocking his digestive system. The zoo’s animal care team performed an emergency surgery that day — but Kit did not survive the procedure. The zoo says Kit’s death is especially difficult as they are also morning the death of Kovu the red panda, who died five days earlier. Kit came to the zoo in 2019 with female lions Abana and Scarlett. He welcomed a litter of three cubs with Abana in 2020. Both Abana and Scarlett remain together at the zoo.
August 7, 2023 5:02 am
PITTSBURGH — The Mega Millions jackpot continues to grow, but some Pennsylvania Lottery players still brought home prizes after Friday night’s drawing. The Pennsylvania Lottery reports eight players in the state matched four out of the five white balls and the Mega Ball, winning a $10,000 prize each. Another lucky player who matched four out of the five white balls, the Mega Ball and purchased Megaplier won $20,000. Earlier in the week, five players in Pennsylvania won $10,000. Since no one took home the jackpot after the Friday drawing, Mega Millons says the drawing on Tuesday could surpass the game’s record jackpot of $1.537 billion.
August 7, 2023 4:59 am
LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) — Lancaster police say officers shot and killed a suspected burglar who they allege pointed a firearm at them as he was coming out of an unoccupied residence. Police said they responded to a report of a burglary in progress early Sunday. A resident of the home told them that the intruder was still inside. Police said the intruder came out of the home and then “confronted officers, and pointed a firearm at them.” They say the officers fired, striking the intruder, who later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. His name wasn’t immediately released. The Lancaster County district attorney’s office is investigating.
August 7, 2023 2:23 am
MUDDY CREEK TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI) – A 5-year-old boy from Pittsburgh drowned at Moraine State Park on Monday afternoon. Park Manager Dustin Drew said the boy was with his family at the park’s beach on the South Shore. The park manager said emergency crews got the call just before 2 p.m. Monday. Investigators said the boy went swimming when another park visitor found him unresponsive. First responders gave the little boy CPR, but he did not survive. It’s unclear if the boy’s family was in the water with him at the time and how many people were there. The park manager told our news partners at Channel 11 the boy was swimming inside the roped area, but because there are no lifeguards there, everyone swims at their own risk. The man-made lake is 5 feet at its deepest. Park Rangers are leading the investigation and said foul play is not suspected.
August 6, 2023 8:10 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials have approved the first pill to specifically treat depression after childbirth. Postpartum depression affects thousands of new mothers in the U.S. each year. The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug, called Zurzuvae, for adults experiencing severe depression related to childbirth or pregnancy. It’s taken once a day for 14 days. The new pill from Sage Therapeutics works similarly to an older drug that is also approved for postpartum depression. But that drug must be infused in a medical facility. The FDA approved the new drug based on study results showing it improved depression symptoms in as little as three days. Side effects include drowsiness and dizziness.
August 6, 2023 8:09 am
Another Mega Millions drawing, another night without a jackpot winner. The numbers drawn Friday night were: 11, 30, 45, 52, 56 and the gold ball 20. Because no one took the estimated $1.35 billion grand prize, the pot has increased to $1.55 billion for the next drawing Tuesday night. There now have been 31 straight drawings without a jackpot winner. The $1.55 billion jackpot would be for a sole winner who chooses the annuity option with payments stretched over 30 years. Most winners opt for a lump-sum payment, which would be an estimated $757.2 million. The jackpot is so hard to win because of the 1 in 302.6 million odds of matching the numbers on five white balls and a separate mega ball.
August 6, 2023 8:07 am
MAYFIELD, Ky. (AP) — U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell received a rousing welcome from the party faithful Saturday at a high-profile home-state political gathering amid renewed scrutiny of his health. The 81-year-old lawmaker had frozen up midsentence during a recent Capitol Hill news conference. McConnell opened his breakfast speech before the annual picnic in Mayfield that is the traditional jumping off point for the fall campaign season by saying, “This is my 28th Fancy Farm, and I want to assure you it’s not my last.” It was his only reference to his health. McConnell arrived to a prolonged standing ovation and promoted the candidacy of a protege running for governor this year.
August 6, 2023 8:06 am
The Justice Department has asked a federal judge overseeing the criminal case against former President Donald Trump in Washington to step in after he released a post online that appeared to promise revenge on anyone who goes after him. Prosecutors want U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan to issue a protective order concerning evidence in the case. Prosecutors are pointing to a post on Trump’s social media platform in which Trump wrote, “If you go after me, I’m coming after you!” Chutkan gave Trump’s legal team until 5 p.m. Monday to respond to the government’s request. Trump’s legal team filed a request to extend the response deadline to Thursday and to hold a hearing, but Chutkan denied the request.
August 6, 2023 8:04 am
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has toured the country’s key weapons factories producing artillery systems, engines for cruise missiles and drones, and launch vehicles for nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, and pledged to speed up efforts to advance his military’s arms and war readiness. State media reported Sunday that Kim’s three-day inspections came as the U.S. and South Korea prepared for their next round of combined military exercises planned for later this month to cope with the growing North Korean threat. Some experts say Kim’s tour of the weapons factories could be related to possible military cooperation with Moscow as Russian President Vladimir Putin reaches out to other countries for support in the war in Ukraine.
August 6, 2023 8:01 am
UNIONTOWN, Pa. (WPXI) — Police are looking for the driver of a vehicle that hit a person in Uniontown. According to Crime Stoppers, state police were called to a crash on Edenborn Road at around 3:20 p.m. on Friday. A person who was directing traffic was hit by a Jeep Grand Cherokee with black rims. The driver fled the scene after the crash. The car was last seen heading south on Edenborn Road. Police say the driver was a heavy-set white woman who had dark hair. The status of the victim is unknown at this time. Anyone with more information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers by calling 724-437-8477.
