“First Call” for Thursday has an update on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive coordinator search. A quarterback draft candidate has an interest in Pittsburgh’s new head coach. The Penguins return home.

JACKSON, Miss. — Conditions were growing more dire in parts of the South still reeling from subfreezing temperatures and widespread power outages as vehicles got stranded for hours on major highways and officials warned Wednesday that people stuck at home were running out of food, medicine and other essentials.

WASHINGTON — Alex Pretti was forcefully taken to the ground by federal immigration agents after kicking out the tail light of their vehicle during a Minneapolis protest 11 days before he was shot and killed by Border Patrol officers, videos that emerged Wednesday show.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. life expectancy rose to 79 years in 2024 — the highest mark in American history.

Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller.

Hempfield wants to spruce up the Westmore­land Mall area by adding signage, lighting and pedestrian improvements at the entrance into the township.

Everybody in Pittsburgh has been in a snit over one big topic all week.

Some towns are trading in their snowplows for front loaders and dump trucks to deal with the remnants of Sunday’s snowstorm.

Public education is at the intersection of individual growth and collective responsibility. Schools exist to help students become their best selves while also preparing them to contribute to the economic and social life of their communities.

Demolishing the former Wholey’s cold storage warehouse in the Strip District was supposed to make way for a state-of-the-art office complex.

Monroeville Public Library’s Elaine Biondi Gallery Space will be filled with local talent Feb. 27-March 24 during Gateway School District’s annual art show. The exhibit will include artwork created by students from kindergarten through 12 grade.

Three Quaker Valley area fire departments have begun formal merger talks in order to boost manpower and service capabilities.

By the slimmest of margins, the Big 33 Football Classic’s Super Bowl streak survives for another year.

An igloo created on a Sewickley street a couple days after a winter storm dropped a foot of snow in the area was demolished by borough public works crews for safety reasons.

Jim Scott of O’Hara doesn’t have a boat.

Some area college students can boost their studies with a Carnegie Mellon University initiative that uses artificial intelligence to improve learning in introductory courses.

Sal Nassif won an overtime decision in the third bout of the match at 133 pounds, giving top-seeded Franklin Regional the lead for good in a 50-16 victory over Thomas Jefferson in the WPIAL Class 3A team quarterfinals Wednesday night.

SAN DIEGO — Patrick Reed is the second major champion to leave Saudi-funded LIV Golf, announcing Wednesday he will spend the rest of the year on the European tour with an eye on returning to the PGA Tour as early as September.

Goaltender Taylor Gauthier made 31 saves on 33 shots in regulation and overtime for the Wheeling Nailers in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Maine Mariners at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland, Maine on Wednesday.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Count New England Patriots team owner Robert Kraft among those shocked that Bill Belichick reportedly will not be selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Norwin wrestling coach Kyle Martin went to his top six wrestlers before Wednesday’s WPIAL Class 3A team quarterfinal against Trinity and simply put the weight on their shoulders.

One second led to a second chance for Penn-Trafford.

Riley Stephans stepped to the top of the arc and accepted a pass from Tamia West.