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Pittsburgh wildlife center sees uptick in birds showing signs of West Nile virus

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Pittsburgh wildlife center sees uptick in birds showing signs of West Nile virus


As West Nile virus continues to be a concern in the Pittsburgh area, wildlife rehabbers are seeing an uptick in sick birds.

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Within the last few weeks, Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center has been seeing a lot of birds showing signs of West Nile virus, including birds of prey and even a crow.

“The common ones of red-tailed hawks, we got in quite a few of them. A few great horned owls that were symptomatic. We did even get an American kestrel, all very young, seemingly young birds that were coming in,” said Katie Kefalos, director of wildlife rehabilitation for HARP. 

Kefalos said young birds don’t have a strong immune system, so it’s hard for them to fight the virus.

“We do see a lot of neurological symptoms, lethargy, they come in really thin. And most of the time, they do have parasites,” she said.

Mosquitos become infected with West Nile when they bite infected birds. West Nile is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Kefalos said there’s no treatment for the virus, so they provide full-on supportive care.

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“Heat support if they’re really emaciated, fluids, most of the time they’re pretty dehydrated,” she said.

They’re trying their best to help the birds recover so they can fly free again in the wild. She says some kick the virus, but many don’t.

“We have seen quite a few pass from what we are assuming is West Nile virus,” said Kefalos.

So, what can we do to help protect wildlife and humans from the West Nile virus? Use safe mosquito repellents and, most importantly, get rid of standing water.

“It’s really simple, you know, making sure you don’t have any stagnant water just lying around,” she said.

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That includes bird baths.

“They are a potential for a breeding site for mosquitoes, and there are a few songbird species that are affected, and they can be transmitters,” she said.

HARP sends the dead birds to the Wildlife Futures Program at the University of Pennsylvania, which conducts testing and research. If you find a sick or dead bird, reach out to HARP’s wildlife center at 412-345-7300 or your local wildlife center for advice.

You can also report dead birds to the Pennsylvania Game Commission at 833-742-4868.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there’s no evidence that a person can get infected from handling infected birds.

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Pittsburg, PA

2 killed in Carrick shooting on Linnview Avenue, Pittsburgh authorities say

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2 killed in Carrick shooting on Linnview Avenue, Pittsburgh authorities say



Two men were killed in a shooting along Linnview Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood on Thursday, authorities said. 

The shooting happened around 5:15 p.m. on the 1200 block of Linnview Avenue, according to a Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesperson.

Two men are dead after a shooting on Linnview Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood on Dec. 18, 2025. 

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(Photo: KDKA)


When first responders arrived at the scene, they found two men with multiple gunshot wounds on the sidewalk about 10 feet apart. Both men were taken to local hospitals in grave condition, but they were pronounced dead when they arrived, Pittsburgh Public Safety’s spokesperson said. The victims were 23 and 27 years old. However, the victims have not been identified as of Thursday night.

Officials said the suspect fled on foot down Nobles Lane. No other information was released about the suspect. No arrests have been made as of Thursday night.

Neighbors told KDKA they heard at least six gunshots. Investigators at the scene recovered two firearms, the spokesperson for Pittsburgh Public Safety said. Police are investigating. 

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“At one point, I heard what sounded like fireworks,” one neighbor said. 



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Pittsburgh natives Joe Manganiello and Caitlin O’Connor move to Mt. Lebanon

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Pittsburgh natives Joe Manganiello and Caitlin O’Connor move to Mt. Lebanon



Pittsburgh-area natives Joe Manganiello and Caitlin O’Connor are returning to their roots. 

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Manganiello, from Mt. Lebanon, and O’Connor, from Uniontown, have bought a home in the South Hills after getting engaged this summer

On Pittsburgh Today Live on Thursday, O’Connor talked about the couple’s move from Hollywood to Mt. Lebanon. 

“It’s so nice to be home,” she said. 

While Manganiello and O’Connor are happy to be back in southwestern Pennsylvania, O’Connor said it’ll be a bigger adjustment for the beloved chihuahua Bubbles. From the Pittsburgh Steelers fashion show to the gala celebrating the new airport terminal, the tiny dog is seemingly always in Manganiello’s arms.

“Bubbles is a California girl. She really doesn’t like the cold. We wrap her in a blanket and she has many, many puffy coats. I bought her a Steelers puffy to put in her stocking, so we’re going to see how she does over the next few months. But it’s not that long. It’s not forever. Winter will come and go,” O’Connor said. 

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And they all got quite the Pittsburgh welcome. O’Connor said it snowed when they were moving in, and Manganiello was outside shoveling for over two hours. She said she’s getting him a snowblower for Christmas.

The couple won’t be braving the Pittsburgh winter for too long. O’Connor said they’ll soon be off to South Africa, where Manganiello will film “One Piece” for Netflix. He’ll star as the villain Crocodile in the popular Japanese manga series. 

“Bubbles will be in a better state,” O’Connor joked, saying it’s currently summer in South Africa. “I just bring Bubbles to set and hang out. It’s really the best job.” 



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Police investigating late-night shooting at Irwin apartment complex

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Police investigating late-night shooting at Irwin apartment complex



Police in Westmoreland County are investigating a late-night shooting that happened at an apartment complex in Irwin Borough.

Irwin Police Chief Daniel Wensel confirmed to KDKA-TV that the department, along with Westmoreland County detectives are investigating a shooting that happened at the Bevington Building along Sweetbriar Drive within the Villages of Easton Apartment Complex.

Dispatchers said the first call related to the incident came in around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

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Details are limited but Chief Wensel said there is no danger to the public.

Police are investigating a late-night shooting that happened at an apartment complex in Irwin Borough, Westmoreland County.

KDKA Photojournalist Brian Smithmyer


It’s unclear if any injuries have been reported or if any arrests have been made.

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Chief Wensel said that more information is expected to be released once detectives and the department get further along in the investigation. 



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