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Hockey nights in Pittsburgh will always belong to legendary broadcaster Mike Lange

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Hockey nights in Pittsburgh will always belong to legendary broadcaster Mike Lange


PITTSBURGH — All around PPG Paints Arena on Saturday afternoon there were signs of the respect Mike Lange commanded.

Commemorative stickers on the black clothing worn by Penguins personnel. His most famous goal calls on posters held by fans. Pictures and videos on the video boards between breaks. A couple of makeshift memorials. Tears during a pregame ceremony featuring Lange’s two sons and their families, some of his former broadcast partners, and the Penguins’ famous Big Three of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.

And fittingly, as if equal parts a nod to one of Lange’s most-quoted goal calls and his first 15 seasons calling games for a woeful franchise, Penguins goalies spent the day being beaten “like a rented mule.”

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The only thing missing was Mario Lemieux, and that was by request.

Lemieux was in the building — that itself a rare occasion these days — but asked to remain in the shadows. He didn’t want to take away any of the moments that honored his late friend.

Lange, who died Wednesday, hadn’t called a Penguins game since the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs. But if the past few days, especially Saturday, proved anything, it was that Lange cast an everlasting shadow over a city and its hockey team.

The voice of Penguins hockey for nearly 50 years, Lange was more than an influential and beloved play-by-play announcer with a flair for the dramatic. He was the first person to make the Penguins cool in Pittsburgh—and you didn’t need to be there from the start to believe it.

However, when Lange arrived in Pittsburgh in 1974, nobody, least of all himself, would have believed he’d become as synonymous with the Penguins as their greatest players.

It’s a step too far to say Lange kept the Penguins going long enough for Lemieux to arrive 10 years later and save the franchise, only for Crosby to resuscitate it two decades after that. Lange kept the franchise relevant until “Super Mario” and “Sid the Kid” took turns transforming it from beleaguered and bankrupt into a five-time Cup champion.

Calling games for KDKA-AM, a historic radio station with a powerhouse signal, Lange landed in Pittsburgh after Roberto Clemente’s death and Franco Harris’ “Immaculate Reception,” arriving with little-to-no fanfare for a franchise that felt like an outcast. The Penguins had nothing comparable to offer and didn’t even wear Pittsburgh’s black and gold colors the first time “heeeeeee shoots and scores” echoed out of radios in and beyond Western Pennsylvania.

Lange was the heartbeat of hockey until Lemieux became the heart and Crosby the soul of the Penguins. He was the reason to listen until those icons became the reason to watch.

The broadcasting gods blessed Lange with gifts similar to the ones the hockey gods bestowed upon Lemieux and Crosby. All three men had eagle eyes, preternatural instincts, and — to borrow from a Lange goal call — “more moves than Mae West.”

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Picture a prime Lemieux weaving through opposition skaters before embarrassing a goalie. Think of Crosby churning out of a corner and dragging defenders before dishing a puck to an open teammate.

Hearing Lange was the equivalent.

His goal calls are as iconic as the unforgettable moments of Lemieux and Crosby, not to mention Malkin and Jaromir Jagr. But Lange was more than a collection of highlights, rather he was a soundtrack to the best and worst of a star-crossed franchise that captured his heart as completely as he held the attention of its fans.

He was distinct, definitive and defiant.

Who dares Lord Stanley to “give me the brandy” within seconds of the Penguins’ winning the Cup? Who describes a goalie as having his pocket picked “like he was walking down Fifth Avenue”? Who gets away with turning Turtle Creek into “Turtle Crick” to rhyme it with “Arnold Slick”? Who nicks “Elvis has just left the building” to sign off on regular-season victories only to swap “Elvis” with “the New York Rangers” at the end of arguably the Penguins’ most emotional postseason series?

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Only a fearless, unapologetic original.


A tribute to Mike Lange at PPG Paints Arena featured his iconic headset. (Rob Rossi / The Athletic)

At the end of his legendary run, Lange, a chain smoker, had switched from cigarettes to vapes. Between periods, he’d leave the radio booth and find a place in every arena where he could take a hit — the nicotine somehow adding a sweetness to his voice.

His hideout at the old Civic Arena, affectionately known as The Igloo, was a small room with a small crack in the steel-domed roof. When the Penguins moved to their current arena, Lange needed a new spot where anybody who might see him would look the other way.

He found it on the catwalk. Perched from PPG Paints Arena’s highest spot, he’d create clouds while looking down upon the latest Penguins generation of fans and players — none of whom may have existed without him.

That catwalk is from where the Penguins’ five championship banners and three retired numbers hang, and that’s the company Lange deserves to keep.

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(Top photo of a view from the ice during the ceremony honoring Mike Lange: Joe Sargent / NHLI via Getty Images)





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Review: Bryan Adams was at his best PPG Paints Adams

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Review: Bryan Adams was at his best PPG Paints Adams






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How to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indianapolis Colts game today in Week 9 of the NFL schedule

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How to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indianapolis Colts game today in Week 9 of the NFL schedule


It’s Week 9 of the NFL schedule and the Pittsburgh Steelers are hosting the Indianapolis Colts at Acrisure Stadium today. Here’s how you can watch the game. 

Pittsburgh (4-3) hosts Indianapolis (7-1) today as the Steelers look to bounce back from primetime losses on the road in Cincinnati two weeks ago and at home last week against the Packers.

Meanwhile, the Colts have the best record in all of the National Football League with seven wins and just one loss. 

Earlier this week, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin challenged his team’s defense, which is ranked last in the NFL against the pass, to rise to the occasion. 

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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 26: Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin walks the field prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images


The Steelers defense hasn’t forced a turnover in their last three games.

Daniel Jones, who signed with the Colts this offseason after being released by the New York Giants, has gotten off to a remarkable start this season.

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NFL: OCT 12 Cardinals at Colts

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 12: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) runs off the field after an NFL game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Arizona Cardinals on October 12, 2025 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN

Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images


Jones has completed 71% of his passes for 2,062 yards with 13 touchdowns and only three interceptions through eight games.

Through eight games, Colts running back Jonathan Taylor leads the NFL with 850 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, three more than any other player in the league.

Kickoff between the Steelers and Colts today is set for 1:00 p.m. at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.

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Where can you stream the Steelers vs. Colts game?

Steelers fans can stream the game in certain markets on the Paramount+ app.   

Out-of-market fans can stream the game through the NFL’s subscription service, NFL+.

If the game isn’t available in your region, fans can also stream it via NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube and YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV.

How can you watch the Steelers vs. Colts game on cable? 

Fans looking to tune into today’s contest between the Steelers and the Colts can watch the game on KDKA-TV in the Pittsburgh market.   

KDKA-TV’s coverage this morning will get underway at 11:30 a.m. with Steelers Kickoff, followed by The NFL Today starting at 12:00 noon. When the game is over, The Extra Point will air on KDKA+, followed by a special edition of the Nightly Sports Call.

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For fans located outside of Pittsburgh looking to find out what channel the game is on, CBS will be broadcasting the game in a large portion of the United States, according to 506 Sports.

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Sunday’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts will be broadcasted on CBS in a large portion of the United States.

506 Sports


Ian Eagle will handle the play-by-play for the broadcast with J.J. Watt providing analysis and Evan Washburn handling sideline reporting duties.

Injury report for the Steelers vs. Colts game

When the Steelers take the field for today’s game against the Colts, the team will be without safety DeShon Elliott and defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale. Both players suffered serious knee injuries in last week’s game vs the Packers.

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Offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo is questionable for the game with a pectoral injury.

Cornerback Cory Trice, Jr. returned to practice Wednesday since being placed on the reserve/injured list with a hamstring injury. The team has 21 days from the time he returned to practice to either activate him or rule him out for the rest of the season.

A number of Colts players didn’t practice Wednesday including Josh Downs, Anthony Gould, Nick Cross, Samson Ebukam, Tyquan Lewis, Kenny Moore, and Grover Stewart.

Who is favored and predicted to win the Steelers vs. Colts game?

The Steelers enter the Week 6 matchup against Indianapolis as 3-point betting favorites, according to CBS Sports. 

What is the Steelers schedule for the rest of the season?

Week 10: Steelers at Los Angeles Chargers, Nov. 9, 8:20 p.m. (Sunday Night Football)

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Week 11: Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Nov. 16, 1:00 p.m. 

Week 12: Steelers at Chicago Bears, Nov. 23, 1:00 p.m.

Week 13: Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills, Nov. 30, 4:25 p.m. 

Week 14: Steelers at Baltimore Ravens, Dec. 7, 1:00 p.m.

Week 15: Steelers vs. Miami Dolphins, Dec. 15, 8:15 p.m. (Monday Night Football)

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Week 16: Steelers at Detroit Lions, Dec. 21, 4:25 p.m. 

Week 17: Steelers at Cleveland Browns, Dec. 28, 1:00 p.m.

Week 18: Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens, date and time to be determined

What is the Colts schedule for the rest of the season?

Week 10: Colts vs. Atlanta Falcons, Nov. 9, 9:30 a.m. (Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany)

Week 11: Bye

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Week 12: Colts at Kansas City Chiefs, Nov. 23, 1:00 p.m.

Week 13: Colts vs. Houston Texans, Nov. 30, 1:00 p.m.

Week 14: Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars, Dec. 7, 1:00 p.m.

Week 15: Colts at Seattle Seahawks, Dec. 14, 4:25 p.m. 

Week 16: Colts vs. San Francisco 49ers, Dec. 22, 8:15 p.m. (Monday Night Football)

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Week 17: Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Dec. 28, 1:00 p.m. 

Week 18: Colts at Houston Texans, date and time to be determined



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Nearly 1,200 free Halloween costumes given away in memory of 19-year-old who loved bringing others joy

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Nearly 1,200 free Halloween costumes given away in memory of 19-year-old who loved bringing others joy


When your kids are done filling their bags with candy on Halloween, don’t just throw their costumes in the back of the closet. You can donate them to a local organization, the Emma Munson Foundation, that brings Halloween joy to kids. 

For kids, it wouldn’t be Halloween without dressing up, but the price of a new costume can cause quite the scare, averaging nearly $40.

The Emma Munson Foundation helps kids dress up as whatever they want to be during spooky season.

“It helps out so many families that need it because some kids might have went without costumes this year,” said Vanessa Ernst, a McKeesport resident. 

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“It’s mostly all donated from throughout the community, so it’s the community helping the community,” said Denise Munson, co-founder of the Emma Munson Foundation.

Denise and Michael Munson started the nonprofit organization in honor of their daughter Emma, who died in October 2013.

“Our daughter Emma was 19 and she was just starting school at VCU Arts, actually, I’m wearing this in honor of her today. She suffered just a tragic fall. It was a sudden loss, and she was an incredible person. She was full of life, she loved the earth, she loved other people, she was just a free spirit. I always say that she was a little hippie, she was born in the wrong era,” Munson said.

To help with their healing, they collect new and used Halloween costumes throughout the year to give to kids so they can transform into their favorite superhero, video game character, princess, and more.

They started by doing a costume giveaway at just one location. Now in their ninth year, the Emma Munson Foundation distributes free costumes at 10 events leading up to Halloween. This year, they gave away nearly 1,200 costumes.

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“It seems like it gets bigger and better every year,” Munson said.

KDKA-TV went to their largest event outside the Hollander in Braddock, where families lined up.

“This is a very special event for the community, for families in need that can’t afford a costume,” said Marlana Eboh, a Rankin resident.

“I think it’s very nice, every kid deserves to be able to go trick or treating,” said Amanda Tiani, a resident in Braddock.

It’s always special when kids find just the right costume.

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“We have a mirror, and they stand in front of the mirror and they just smile. It just makes you smile too. And something as simple as a Halloween costume, just brings this joy, it’s incredible,” Munson said.

“I have so many parents that say you just saved me $40 and to a family that has more than one child, that’s a lot of money and this program is just, it seems simple, but it makes a big impact,” she added

The Munson family plans to keep sharing love through Halloween costumes and thinking of how much her daughter would love what they’re doing for others.

“I hope she thinks it’s great, I really do. She loved to bring smiles to people. She was an actress and a performer, so she was always dressed up and always a character herself, so I hope she would love this,” Munson said.

The Emma Munson Foundation collects costumes all year long. They said Spiderman is the No. 1 costume and princesses are very popular. They also really need bigger sizes and crowns and wands.

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If you’re interested in helping the organization spread smiles next Halloween, you can donate new or gently used costumes. To make arrangements for drop off or pick up, get in touch with the foundation by sending them a message on Facebook or text 412-945-7363.



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