Pittsburg, PA

FBI monitoring potential hate crimes as five-year commemoration of Pittsburgh synagogue shooting approaches

Published

8 months ago

October 25, 2023

FBI monitoring potential hate crimes as five-year commemoration of Pittsburgh synagogue shooting approaches

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — This week marks five years since the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, a day that sparked a local realization of the devastating impact of hate.

Since then, the hate in our country has crescendoed on a racial front, a political front, and now with the war in Gaza from an ethnic front.

KDKA’s John Shumway has the perspective of the people who work daily to prevent hate-related violence here in Pittsburgh.

It’s a full-time, 24/7 job, led in our area by the FBI.

While the violence in Gaza is a reflection of centuries-old hate, closer to home it simmers beneath the surface until it boils over as it did five years ago.

“It’s such a serious crime that affects not just a single victim, but affects the population or community,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Mike Norwall.

Special Agent Norwall says that the kind of hate that took place at the Tree of Life synagogue rises out of modern sources.

“There are really no borders anymore,” Special Agent Norwall said. “It’s just not something you hear on the corner. People can go online and get just indoctrinated with with some of this messaging from across across the globe really.”

Fueled by the Middle East, by domestic political vitriol, and with the five-year touchpoint of this Friday, the environment of hate is hot right now.

“We’re actively engaged with the community with our law enforcement partners to identify what threats might be out there,” Special Agent Norwall said.

With that said, Special Agent Norwall says that they are not aware of a credible threat to anyone in the Pittsburgh area right now.

So often, hate is aimed at faith communities. So while the FBI has a constant ear and eye on social media, there are regular meetings with a Pittsburgh multi-faith council.

“At times like this when we’re in a heightened environment, that trust is already there” Special Agent Norwall said. “We know that we can share that information.”

Special Agent Norwall says that the best information comes from the public.

“Something that that doesn’t look right, that looks suspicious, that you think that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up, let us know,” Special Agent Norwall said.

Special Agent Norwall says don’t dismiss it. Leave it up to them to investigate and determine if you’re hearing harmless bluster or a real threat and how to handle it.

John Shumway

John Shumway joined KDKA in October 1988 as a General Assignment Reporter. During his years at KDKA, he has anchored the morning and weekend news and is currently a featured General Assignment Reporter on the station’s 4, 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts.

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Related Topics:fbi Featured tree of life

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Pittsburg, PA

These 2 Pittsburgh flights are among North America’s 10 most turbulent routes

Published

4 hours ago

July 5, 2024

Press Room

These 2 Pittsburgh flights are among North America’s 10 most turbulent routes

CBS News Pittsburgh

Live

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Two Pittsburgh flights are among the most turbulent routes in North America, according to Turbli.

The turbulence forecast website used its database to rank the bumpiest flights around the world last year. For North American routes with the highest average turbulence, Charlotte-Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh-Raleigh/Durham made the top 10.

The 589-km Charlotte route came in at No. 2 with an average turbulence of 14.582, which, according to Turbli, is still considered light. The 527-km Raleigh/Durham route scored 14.478 and ranked eighth. The Nashville-Raleigh/Durham route took the top spot at 14.728.

Turbulence is given in eddy dissipation rate, or edr. Turbulence levels between 0 to 20 are considered light. It takes an edr of 80 to 100 to be considered extreme.

The top 10 bumpiest flights across the world scored between 17 and 16 edr. In the No. 1 spot was the route to Santiago to Santa Cruz, with the 1,905-km flight averaging 17.568 edr.

Turbli also ranked the most turbulent airports of 2023, but Pittsburgh wasn’t on the list. Santiago, Natori and Wellington snagged the top three spots out of all airports worldwide and Portland, Denver and Las Vegas took the top three on the continent.

Turbli says its sources come from the forecast produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service, which pilots use for flight planning.

Madeline Bartos

Madeline Bartos is a digital web producer for CBS Pittsburgh who has worked with KDKA since 2019.

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Pittsburg, PA

Could Steelers Pull Off Blockbuster Trade With Cowboys?

Published

10 hours ago

July 5, 2024

Press Room

Could Steelers Pull Off Blockbuster Trade With Cowboys?

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers remain the most likely landing spot for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, but as one roller coaster ride continues out west, another wide receiver in the NFC may become available.

The 49ers are trying to work out a deal to keep Aiyuk around long-term, and they find themselves in the same situation the Dallas Cowboys do with CeeDee Lamb. After Justin Jefferson signed a massive deal with the Minnesota Vikings, both wideouts are looking for contracts that average over $30 million per season. If they don’t get them with their current teams, they’ll look elsewhere.

“It all comes down to what the future looks like in the minds of Jerry and Stephen Jones, which means there’s no telling how this will end,” Cowboys OnSI writer Randy Gurzi writes about the Lamb situation.

According to Cowboys insider Clarence Hill Jr., Lamb is currently seeking over $32 million per season on his next deal. While that number seems high for a team like the Steelers, they were reportedly ready to make a move for Aiyuk, which likely would’ve cost them roughly $30 million per year on his contract extension. So, even if the number is high for the fanbase, it may not be high for the team.

First of all, it will take more than 32 to sign him. Everything else is bs https://t.co/LBGgzek0Qa
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) July 2, 2024

At 25-years-old, Lamb has three 1,000-yard seasons, 32 touchdowns and is coming off a 1,749 yards and 12 touchdown year with the Cowboys.

Pittsburgh could use a Lamb. They probably don’t need a massive contract on their hands, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t considering it. At this point, waiting for Aiyuk means anything is on the table. If the 49ers want to push things out as long as they can, teams like the Steelers will need to keep their options open, and Lamb could be one of those options.

To this point, every name has been tossed out there for Pittsburgh. There’s been speculation about DK Metcalf, Aiyuk, Treylon Burks and Courtland Sutton. Adding Lamb to that list only makes sense. You can’t rule anything out when Omar Khan is running the show, so until Lamb inks a new deal, you just can’t say it’s impossible for Pittsburgh.

Make sure you bookmark All Steelers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more

Subscribe to the All Steelers YouTube Channel

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Pittsburg, PA

Cause of Clairton fire under investigation

Published

17 hours ago

July 5, 2024

Press Room

Cause of Clairton fire under investigation

Fire breaks out in Clairton

00:17

CLAIRTON, Pa. (KDKA) — The cause of a fire that broke out in Clairton is under investigation.

The fire broke out along Miller Avenue around 8:15 p.m. on Thursday.

Crews spent several hours at the scene, battling the heavy flames and smoke.

No one was injured.

The cause of the fire is now under investigation.

Mike Darnay

Mike Darnay is a digital producer and photojournalist at CBS Pittsburgh. Mike has also written and produced content for Vox Media and the Mon Valley Independent.
He often covers overnight breaking news, the Pittsburgh Steelers and high school sports.

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