May 4, 2025 8:08 am
VATICAN CITY (AP) — While Pope Francis accomplished a lot in his 12-year papacy, he left much unfinished business and many challenges for his successor — from the Vatican’s disastrous finances to the wars raging on multiple continents. When the conclave’s cardinals finish casting their ballots in the Sistine Chapel, the 267th pope will have to decide whether to continue with Francis’ policies, radically change them, or abandon them altogether. He also must choose what new projects will take precedence. Among the pressing issues are the role of women in the church, the division between traditionalists and progressives, what to do about clergy sex abuse and whether to LGBTQ+ Catholics. (Photo: AP)
May 4, 2025 7:58 am
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump has posted an artificial intelligence-generated image of himself dressed as pope. The social media post comes as the mourning of Pope Francis continues and the papal conclave is set to begin in a few days. The image is raising eyebrows on social media, at the Vatican, from a group representing Catholic bishops in New York and from Italians. Catholics are in the period of official mourning after Francis’ death. Catholic cardinals are due to open the solemn conclave to elect his successor on Wednesday. The death of a pope and election of another is a matter of utmost solemnity for Catholics. The death of a pope and election of another is a matter of utmost solemnity for Catholics, for whom the pope is Christ’s vicar on Earth. That is all the more true in Italy, where the papacy is held in high esteem even by nonreligious Italians. The image featuring Trump in a white cassock and pointed miter, or bishop’s hat, was the topic of several questions during the Vatican’s daily conclave briefing Saturday. Italian and Spanish news reports lamented its poor taste and said it was offensive, given that the period of official mourning is still underway. (Photo: @realDonaldTrump)
May 4, 2025 8:15 am
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Warren Buffett shocked an arena full of his shareholders by announcing that he wants to retire at the end of the year. Buffett said he will recommend to Berkshire Hathaway’s board that Greg Abel should become CEO at the end of the year. Previously the 94-year-old investor has always said he had no plans to retire. But Abel has been his designated successor for years, and Abel has already been managing all of Berkshire’s non-insurance businesses. He will now take on the responsibility for running Berkshire’s insurance businesses and investing its cash. Able said he was “humbled and honored to be part of Berkshire as we go forward.” (Photo: AP)
May 4, 2025 7:39 am
(WPXI) – Duquesne Light Company has evaluated most of the damage from severe storms and determined when 50,000 customers still without power will get service back. In an update issued Saturday afternoon, DLC said its crews and 600 crews from other utility companies and contractors continue working around the clock to restore power. After evaluating the thousands of reported hazards that led to widespread outages, DLC has determined that the estimated time of restoration for all customers is Tuesday at 11 p.m. But the power company says most customers will get power back before then. While restoration efforts are ongoing, DLC urges customers to stay safe by keeping at least 30 feet away from downed wires, broken poles and other safety hazards. The company also asks the public to give ample space to line-workers and troubleshooters. You can report downed wires or other hazards to DLC’s emergency number at 888-393-7000.
In Washington County, West Penn Power crews have been working round the clock as well and according to their latest information, as of Sunday morning, there were less than ninety customers left to bring on line, with the majority of those being in Robinson Township.
May 4, 2025 7:47 am
(WPXI) – Kavan Markwood, the 20-year-old man who fell from the stands onto the field at PNC Park on Wednesday, is making “encouraging progress,” according to those close to him. Jennifer Phillips, the mother of Markwood’s girlfriend and organizer of a GoFundMe created to support him and his family, said Saturday that “Kavan is awake, alert, and able to speak” and called this progress “nothing short of a miracle.” Phillips says Markwood has a “long road ahead of him” and thanked the community for their support. Alonna Brown, Markwood’s girlfriend, also posted an update on her social media pages. “At this time, he needs rest, peace, prayers, privacy, and all the positive thoughts and energy you can send as he continues on his journey,” she said. Markwood was rushed to the hospital in critical condition after the incident Wednesday night. His condition had not changed in the most recent update from Pittsburgh Public Safety on Thursday morning. The fall is being treated as “accidental in nature.”
May 3, 2025 10:37 am
Following the perimeter breach, attempted homicide and arson at the Pennsylvania Governor’s mansion on April 13, the Pennsylvania State Police announced that they were going to have an independent review of the residence. Officials hired retired state police Commander Jeffrey B. Miller and his consulting firm to go over to review protocols, identity gaps, and make recommendations following the attack. Colonel Christopher Paris says that some of the recommendations have been implemented and they are looking at others moving forward. Governor Shapiro, who was at the residence at the time of the attack, has since returned to the home. Cody Balmer, 38, who police say committed the crimes, is charged with attempted homicide and arson and remains in jail without bond.
May 3, 2025 9:09 am
The 3rd annual “Running of the Wools” in going on in downtown Washington this afternoon. According to the Observer-Reporter, the race is a play on the annual Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain. It is the creation of the Washington County Historical Society and the National Road Heritage Corridor. Today’s events start at 10 a.m. There will be vendors, areas for kids and education demonstrations. The sheep races start at 1 and culminate at the Main Street pavilion at 2:30.
May 3, 2025 9:42 am
Thousands of runners will take to the streets tomorrow for the annual Pittsburgh Marathon. The 26-mile course runs through many city neighborhoods where storms recently disrupted power and scattered debris along the route. According to our news partners at Channel 11, organizers, city and county leaders all got together for a cleanup effort. Organizers are expecting visitors from all 50 states and 24 countries. More than 46,000 runners are expected to participate this year, making it the largest turnout in the event’s history, according to P3R, the organization responsible for the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon. Earlier this week, many expressed concerns after an unprecedented storm knocked out power, downed electric lines, and uprooted trees across the city just days before the race. The race route is expected to be clear for Sunday morning’s event.
May 3, 2025 9:10 am
Anthony Albanese has claimed victory as the first Australian prime minister to win a second consecutive term in 21 years. He suggested his government increased its majority in the next Parliament by not modeling itself on U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Albanese told his supporters in a victory speech in Sydney: “Australians have chosen to face global challenges the Australian way, looking after each other while building for the future.” His center-left Labor Party had branded Albanese’s rival Peter Dutton, the opposition leader, “DOGE-y Dutton” and accused his party of mimicking Trump and his Department of Government Efficiency.
May 3, 2025 5:17 am
Crews are still working to restore electricity to thousands following this past week’s storms. According to First Energy reports, there are less than 2,000 residents in Washington County without power and they are expected to be back online by tomorrow night. That’s 2% of the population. Westmoreland County is also at 2% with about 3,700 people without power. Everyone seems to be online in Fayette County and Allegheny County is down to 1%. Indiana County remains the hardest hit with about 7% of its 30,000 residents left in the dark.
