Some who cover or root for the Pittsburgh Steelers may call them explanations. Others may call them excuses.

KYIV, Ukraine — Russia launched one of its biggest aerial attacks of the year on Ukraine, firing 574 drones and 40 ballistic and cruise missiles overnight, the Ukrainian Air Force said Thursday, while a recent diplomatic push to stop the three-year war is trying to gain momentum.

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Thursday, Aug. 21:

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan and China pledged to expand economic cooperation and investment under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship program of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, officials said.

Leet officials have enacted a new law designed to improve safety and limit liability and damage to township property.

Foxwall EMS recently obtained a new ambulance and e-bikes designed to better serve patients and reduce EMT and paramedic fatigue.

Ready for some heat relief? A “taste of fall” could be on the way, according to the National Weather Service in Moon.

The Pittsburgh Steelers apparently have interest in a free-agent veteran guard. A former WPIAL standout has been traded by the Kansas City Chiefs. Tommy Pham claims Toronto thought about acquiring him before the trade deadline.

A new meadow is blooming at Bridgeville’s McLaughlin Run Park.

Jamel Bishop is seeing a big change in his classrooms as he begins his senior year at Doss High School in Louisville, Kentucky, where cellphones are now banned during instructional time.

RODANTHE, N.C. — Hurricane Erin battered North Carolina’s Outer Banks with strong winds and waves that flooded part of the main highway and surged under beachfront homes as the monster storm slowly began to move away from the East Coast on Thursday.

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This weekend as “Masterpiece” series “The Marlow Murder Club” (9 p.m. Sunday) and “Unforgotten” (10 p.m. Sunday, WQED-TV) return for new seasons, it seemed prudent to check in with “Masterpiece” executive producer Susanne Simpson on what impact the federal government defunding PBS will have on one of PBS’s most popular, long-running shows.

Last fall, Ringgold broke a 27-game losing streak and earned its first conference win since 2021.

From 2017-2022, the Serra Catholic defense was coached by defensive coordinator Akeeme Robinson, known by most as “Coach Keem.” His passion and devotion to player development shined as the Eagles broke a WPIAL record by forcing nine turnovers in the 2021 WPIAL Class 2A championship game, resulting in a lopsided victory.

Often, injuries are setbacks for teams with high expectations. For Laurel football, though, the 2024 season became a year of growth that could pay dividends in 2025.

Editor’s note: Trib HSSN will publish team-by-team previews for one conference per day until the start of the high school football season Friday.

When Mark Fratangelo first joined the Northgate football staff in 2022, the school struggled to field a team with enough players. Now, with two consecutive seasons of having 30-plus players, Fratangelo, entering his first year as head coach, and his staff have their eyes set on the WPIAL postseason.

It had been over 40 years since Don Phillips was calling plays from the sidelines for the Rochester Rams.

Aug. 27 will mark one year since the tragic passing of DJ Graham, son of Shenango football coach Jimmy Graham. Understandably, the 2024 season brought emotional challenges that impacted the team’s on-field performance.

From 2021-23, it seemed like South Side football was on track to capture its first WPIAL title in 25 years.

Anthony Becoate is no stranger to roster turnover entering his fourth season at Summit Academy.

Ligonier Valley is the latest Westmoreland County school to enter the school spirit-driven T-Mobile 5G Friday Night Lights competition.

Since veteran coach Ed Woods took over the head coaching duties at California years ago, he always tells his teams in training camp that they have one primary goal — win the conference crown.

Charleroi’s Scooter DeUnger has a daunting task ahead of him as he takes over as football coach at his alma mater.