Girl Struck By Police Motorcycle At Pittsburgh Parade

March 18, 2024 5:08 am

PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – A 3-year-old was hit by a police motorcycle after the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Downtown Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh police said the girl was hit at Stanwix Street and Boulevard of the Allies just before 1:30 p.m. Witnesses said the child jumped out of her stroller and into the bike’s path. Police said the girl had some bruises, but she was alert and oriented when medics arrived. She was taken to UPMC Children’s Hospital in stable condition to be evaluated for any other injuries. Witnesses said the officer was in shock and distraught. In the video, the officer is seen driving down the street past the stage and bleachers where witnesses said the girl was in her stroller moments before jumping out into the bike’s path. Boulevard of the Allies between Market Street and Stanwix Street was closed while the Collision Investigation Unit was on scene, police said. The investigation is ongoing.

Man Accused Of Killing Family Members Charged

March 18, 2024 5:03 am

LEVITTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say a man faces murder charges in Pennsylvania and carjacking and weapons charges in New Jersey after allegedly killing three family members and evading law enforcement for hours as police mobilized in two states. Court documents indicate that 26-year-old Andre Gordon Jr. has been charged in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with three counts of first- and second-degree murder, aggravated assault, robbery and other charges. In New Jersey, the attorney general says Gordon is charged with first-degree carjacking and weapons offenses. The shootings on Saturday forced the cancellation of a St. Patrick’s Day parade and shut down a Sesame Street-themed amusement park.

Mega Millions Jackpot Soars

March 17, 2024 7:24 am

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Want to cash in on some of that St. Patrick’s Day luck? You may want to buy a lottery ticket. The Mega Millions jackpot is already estimated at $875 million for Tuesday night’s drawing after no tickets matched all six numbers drawn on Friday night. And Saturday night’s Powerball jackpot is a whopping $600 million. Just keep in mind that the odds of winning any lottery jackpot are very slim. Mega Millions players have a 1 in 302.6 million chance of taking home the top prize. And it’s not much easier to win a Powerball jackpot with the odds near 1 in 292.2 million. But the excitement remains.

Stalled Talks In Israel-Hamas War Likely To Resume

March 17, 2024 7:22 am

CAIRO (AP) — Stalled talks aimed at securing a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war are expected to resume in earnest in Qatar as soon as Sunday. That’s according to two Egyptian officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Hamas has given mediators a new proposal for a three-stage plan that would end the fighting. Israel is sending negotiators to Qatar for the new talks. Warnings are growing about Israel’s planned military attack on Rafah in southern Gaza where more than half of the territory’s population now shelters. And thousands have rallied in Tel Aviv to protest against the government.

Putin Poised To Extend Rule For Six More Years

March 17, 2024 7:20 am

(AP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin is poised to extend his near-quarter-century rule for six more years in a vote that follows a relentless Kremlin crackdown on dissent. The three-day presidential election that wraps up Sunday has taken place in a tightly controlled environment where no public criticism of Putin and his war in Ukraine is allowed. Putin’s fiercest political foe, Alexei Navalny, died in an Arctic penal colony last month and other critics are either in jail or in exile. The 71-year-old Russian leader faces three token rivals from Kremlin-friendly parties, who have refrained from any criticism of his 24-year rule or his invasion of Ukraine.

Thousands Gather For St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 17, 2024 7:14 am

PITTSBURGH (WPXI) – The color green painted the streets, rooftops and sidewalks of Pittsburgh.  The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade drew thousands who lined nearly a mile and a half from the Strip District to Downtown.  “Something about the bag pipers. They send the chill up and down my spine, there’s about seven in the parade,” said Ron Connor.  Connor’s family found the perfect spot for what’s become a tradition.  “How many people in the family? About 30, 30 people in the family, 30 year tradition,” said Connor.  Pittsburgh police and public works beefed up their presence to keep everyone safe with crowd control.  The parade is an opportunity for the public to meet local leaders and law enforcement officials.  “Our police force, Allegheny County, we have the horses, we have the bicycles. We have everything here today so that people get to interact with their police and know who they are,” said Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato.  Pittsburgh’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is recognized as one of the largest in the country. The party doesn’t end with the parade. It continues all around the city.

One Killed In I-70 Crash In Westmoreland County

March 17, 2024 7:12 am

ROSTRAVER TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WPXI) – A woman died in a crash on I-70 Saturday morning.  Westmoreland County 911 says fire, police and EMS units and the coroner were called to mile marker 44.9 on I-70 in Rostraver Township at around 8:11 a.m.  Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson said Tori L. Demo, 25, was driving a Toyota Camry and was rear-ended by a pick-up truck. She was pronounced dead at the scene.  State police said Demo’s car caught fire after it was hit.  I-70 in the area of mile 45 was closed for a period of time in both directions because of the crash.

TikTok Creators Warn Of Economic Impact Of Ban

March 17, 2024 7:00 am

TikTok creators across the country are expressing frustration over a bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives that would lead to a nationwide ban of the app if its China-based owner doesn’t sell its stake. The proposal is awaiting Senate input. Content creators say a ban would hurt countless people and businesses that rely on the app for a significant portion of their income. TikTok supporters also say the app is unrivaled platform for dialogue and community. The push to remove TikTok from Chinese authority follows concerns about the security of user data, interference in U.S. elections and the suppression of content unfavorable to Beijing, all of which TikTok denies.

Man Charged After Pistol Found By TSA Officers

March 17, 2024 7:00 am

A man is facing charges after TSA officers found a handgun at the Pittsburgh International Airport. Allegheny County Police say the gun was found in a backpack at the airport’s main security checkpoint at 12:15 p.m. on Friday. Police say the backpack belonged to Robert Stalter, 49, from Bethel Park. Officers say Stalter had an expired concealed carry permit. He faces one misdemeanor charge of carrying a firearm without a license. The FBI was notified of the incident. Passengers who bring guns into the airport can face federal fines up to $10,000.

Winter Weather Returns

March 17, 2024 5:11 am

PITTSBURGH — Make sure you have the heavier coat as you get going on Monday. Clouds will increase through the morning hours, isolated snow showers are possible at times, highs will be in the upper 30s near 40 degrees. Scattered snow showers will become more numerous late Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning. A coating is possible in many areas with an inch or two possible in the mountains and north along I-80. Tuesday morning will be another cold start with wind chills in the teens once again. A few isolated snow showers mixing with rain showers are possible Tuesday afternoon, still very chilly highs around 40 degrees. Windy Wednesday and highs will stay in the 40s for the remainder of the work week.