News

Local News August 20, 2026

Shortly after Attorney General Dave Sunday announced last week that Pennsylvania is pursuing legal action against TikTok, a key state senator proposed a resolution to designate Aug. 17-23, 2026, as Social Media and Parental Awareness Week in Pennsylvania. It’s just the latest move in what has become a multifaceted response by lawmakers and other state officials scrambling to school leaders and parents to adjust to the danger posed by the rapidly changing technology and its ubiquitous use by young people. Sunday alleged that TikTok violated Pennsylvania’s Consumer Protection Law by ...

Gambling addict sues FanDuel for app

Local News August 20, 2026

Attorneys filing addiction lawsuits against online sportsbooks have made a stop in Pittsburgh, where they found a plaintiff who has lost about $75,000 betting. The lawsuit against FanDuel and related companies was filed last week in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas over the “dangerously addictive design” of the app. The firm Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz has already gone to Massachusetts to file similar cases, teaming with the Public Health Advocacy Institute to do so (which has also filed suit in Philadelphia). Cases in Massachusetts are possibly headed to a ...

Dems narrow 2028 convention sites

Local News August 20, 2026

Democrats on Thursday narrowed the list of potential host cities for their 2028 presidential convention to Boston, Denver and Philadelphia as their party looks ahead to a wide-open primary to succeed President Donald Trump. Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin said in a statement ...

Daily briefing

International News August 20, 2026

Nation District of Columbia Trump picks aide to lead FDA WASHINGTON — Dr. Heidi Overton, a top White House aide, has been picked to lead the Food and Drug Administration, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday. Overton is a medical doctor and deputy director of the White House Domestic Policy Council who has worked on several of Trump’s second-term health initiatives. Massachusetts Psychologist testifies in Clancy trial PLYMOUTH — Lindsay Clancy didn’t appreciate the “wrongfulness” of killing her three children because of her mental health issues, a ...

Ticker: Former Meta engineer testifies in safety trial

Local Business August 19, 2026

A former engineering director at Meta who has testified before Congress about child safety on Instagram told jurors at a landmark trial that the company took a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach on kids under 13 on its platforms. During his second day of testimony Wednesday, Arturo Bejar said Meta consistently prioritized profits over safety in designing its products. The trial that began Tuesday in federal court in Oakland, California, pits Meta against the states of California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey and is expected to last about six weeks. The company has rejected ...

Earthquake takes toll on western Colombia

International News August 19, 2026

BOGOTA, Colombia — Ismael Arias was headed to the market when the devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit western Colombia last week, sowing death and destruction. His home region of Choco was the epicenter. Leaving home early that day likely saved his life, he says — the two-story home ...