MESSMORE, Pa. – Meteorologists with the National Weather Service say they never know what they’ll encounter during a storm survey and while it’s not unusual to come across something unexpected, discovering a mysterious creature lurking in the background of one of their photos certainly makes for a memorable experience.

During a recent investigation into damage caused by severe weather, something unusual was spotted beyond a fallen tree – the appearance of what many refer to as “Bigfoot.”

The sighting occurred in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, an area nestled within the hills and the higher terrain of the Allegheny Mountains, north of West Virginia. 

The figure appeared to be human-sized, if not larger, as it walked through the wooded landscape, but, according to an NWS meteorologist, there is no need to worry, as what was spotted was likely something purposely staged to add a bit of fun to people’s lives.

Locals said it’s rather common for residents to create figures out of iron or other similar materials, either for decoration or to spark curiosity from passersby.

National Weather Service damage survey in Fayette County, Pennsylvania.

(NOAA)

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While the recent sighting may not have been an actual living creature, there have been historical reports of similar-sized entities in the region. 

According to the Pennsylvania Bigfoot Society, in 1977, a family driving along a dark stretch of a nearby roadway spotted a six-foot-tall figure covered in shaggy, reddish-brown hair. When they shined their headlights at it, the creature reportedly disappeared over a 40-foot embankment, never to be seen again.

In 2004, in nearby Greene County, two friends reported seeing a 7-foot-tall creature making cat-like noises during their bike ride, and in 2013, a man reported seeing an 8-foot-tall creature with caveman-like features in the far distance.

According to the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, Pennsylvania is often a hotspot for sightings and ranks in the top ten of states with the most reports.

The earliest reports of Sasquatch sightings date back to at least the 1800s, according to the State of Washington. 

Many of these early cases lacked photos or video evidence, so they were often dismissed as misunderstandings or gags. 

Advancements in technology have led to numerous modern sightings captured on video or in photos, fueling ongoing debate about the existence of these creatures.

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Despite actually seeing apparitions of a figure, many believe there’s more to these encounters than meets the eye.

Studies over the years have pointed to some sightings actually being large bears, while others could be pranks or attempts by people to simply gain attention. 

For now, there’s no conclusive evidence to prove the existence of Sasquatch, Bigfoot or whatever name you prefer to call it.

So, if you ever find yourself driving along Messmore Road in Fayette County, don’t be alarmed if you spot something out of the ordinary – it simply appears to be a lawn decoration meant to capture a passerby’s imagination.

The White House said it was freezing $175 million of federal funding to President Trump’s alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, citing the school’s policies on transgender athletes.

The White House announced its decision by posting a Fox Business clip on X Wednesday that was sourced to an unnamed White House official.

“President Trump has promised to protect female athletes,” the clip says. “He has threatened to rip federal funding away from any university that defies his executive order banning biological males from infiltrating women’s sports. And he is doing it.”

The decision comes after Trump last month signed an executive order called “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” which would cut federal funding from educational institutions that allow transgender women and girls to compete in female sports.

Penn received more than $1 billion in federal funds in fiscal year 2024, according to The Daily Pennsylvanian. A $175 million freeze would account for about 17.5% of that money.

The Department of Education responded to an NPR inquiry about the funding freeze by referring inquiries to the departments of Defense and Health and Human Services. Neither of the two departments, nor the White House, responded to requests for comment.

The move this week follows a campaign promise and years of rallying against transgender people who compete in sports and serve in the military.

The University of Pennsylvania became a major focal point in the debate in 2022 when a transgender student, Lia Thomas, won three individual swimming events in the women’s Ivy League championships.

Thomas had competed in the men’s league for her first few seasons, during which time she had begun to medically transition.

After the White House’s social media announcement, Penn’s office of communications said in a statement that the university had not been notified of the funding freeze.

“We are aware of media reports suggesting a suspension of $175 million in federal funding to Penn, but have not yet received any official notification or any details,” the statement said.

“It is important to note, however, that Penn has always followed NCAA and Ivy League policies regarding student participation on athletic teams,” it said. “We have been in the past, and remain today, in full compliance with the regulations that apply not only to Penn, but all of our NCAA and Ivy League peer institutions.”