Pittsburg, PA
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.
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.
“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.
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.
The Allegheny County Police Department announced charges against four people after a drug bust earlier this week in Braddock.
On Thursday, the county police’s violent crime and firearms unit, along with the SWAT team, served a search warrant at a home on Corey Avenue.
When they entered, they found two adult men, an adult woman, and one boy inside. They were all taken into custody.
Following a search of the home, detectives found a loaded handgun, five bricks of suspected fentanyl, multiple handgun magazines, and firearm accessories.
All four of the people in the home are now facing charges in connection with the investigation.
Among them is 24-year-old Jawan Coachman, who is being charged with carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, and tampering with evidence. Both 18-year-old Nathaniel Scott and 19-year-old Nakhiya Enoch are facing multiple drug charges and an additional charge related to firearms violations.
Meanwhile, the juvenile had charges filed in juvenile court, and his identity has not been released.
No team in the league has more picks in the 2026 NFL Draft than the Pittsburgh Steelers. The defending AFC North Champions are scheduled to make 12 picks in this year’s draft.
Pittsburgh has a selection in all seven rounds of the draft, which kicks off on Thursday, April 23rd, and concludes on Saturday, April 25th.
- Round 1: Pick 21
- Round 2: Pick 53
- Round 3: Pick 76
- Round 3: Pick 85
- Round 3: Pick 99
- Round 4: Pick 121
- Round 4: Pick 135
- Round 5: Pick 161
- Round 6: Pick 216
- Round 7: Pick 224
- Round 7: Pick 230
- Round 7: Pick 237
New Head Coach Mike McCarthy inherited a roster with more than a fair share of holes to fill. Perhaps none more so than wide receiver.
Trading for highly productive former Indianapolis Colts draft pick Michael Pittman Jr. to play alongside D.K. Metcalf certainly helped, but third-year receiver Roman Wilson is currently slotted as the team’s wide receiver No. 3 with only 164 career yards. The Steelers can go anywhere with their first-round selection, and if one of the big three receivers falls (Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, or Makai Lemon), don’t count the Steelers out.
The second most pressing need is safety, and the Steelers are in luck. There are at least three safeties with a consensus first-round grade in this year’s class. At 21, Pittsburgh is in a prime position to pick up a day-one starter if they go this route.
With 12 picks, McCarthy will hope to secure at least six starters/role players, and with three picks in the third round, they’ve got the draft capital to do just that.
More NFL: Colin Cowherd Explains Why Steelers Are ‘Slow, Outdated, Predictable’
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the early months of the Mike McCarthy Era, and life has been good. A few roster questions remain, but there is a sense of trust building from the fanbase.
One of the most important unanswered questions is who will be the Steelers’ starting quarterback in 2026? The presumed answer remains Aaron Rodgers, but no contract has been signed, and the 2026 NFL Draft is just weeks away.
Recently, former Steelers quarterback and co-host of The Snap Count, Charlie Batch, shared his thoughts on the holdup. He believes it’s a financial dispute keeping things from moving forward, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter refuted that claim. Now, Batch continues to hold firm to his stance, reaffirming it in the most recent episode of his show.
“I will stand ten toes down on this,” he stated. “He deserves a pay raise. He’s not gona play on the number he had last year. For people to say, ‘He made a bunch of money,’ it’s not about money… This is about his services for this season.”
Could Money Be an Issue?
The reality is that there is no clarity regarding the situation. The Steelers have continued to present a positive front regarding the situation. McCarthy spouts off about how often he and Rodgers communicate. General manager Omar Khan and owner Art Rooney II have both shared the sentiment.
That’s why many concluded that this waiting is just a formality, as the eccentric Rodgers takes his good ole time signing the deal. But that’s never been confirmed. Batch might be right on the money regarding the situation. And as he explained, the $13 million salary he played on last year is not commensurate with the rate quarterbacks are paid in the NFL right now.
“That number is not going to be $13 million,” Batch declared. “If you look at the rest of the league, he falls right into that $30 million range.”
Where does that leave things between the Steelers and Rodgers, then?
What Number Makes Sense for Rodgers?
If Rodgers wants to be paid like a top-25 quarterback in the NFL, that would require the Steelers to cough up some more dough than they anticipate. The recent free-agent market set a baseline of $22 million. That’s the average salary on the deal Malik Willis signed with the Miami Dolphins.
It seems that if Batch’s analysis is correct, the Steelers have to pony up at least $20 million to get Rodgers back. Despite the pushback from national media and conflicting information about the subject, Batch is standing firm in the assertion that money is a huge factor preventing the Steelers from knowing their starting QB in 2026.
Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter for the latest news and updates on the Pittsburgh Steelers
Indonesia receives bodies of peacekeepers killed in southern Lebanon
Judge halts Trump effort requiring colleges to show they don’t consider race in admissions
Justin Verlander placed on injured list for Tigers with hip issue
San Francisco’s Art on Market poster series features local artists; 2027 submissions open
Preview: It’s Time to D-D-D-Duel in D-D-D-Dallas
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Indonesia receives bodies of peacekeepers killed in southern Lebanon
Judge halts Trump effort requiring colleges to show they don’t consider race in admissions
Trump says ‘America needs God’ in Good Friday message touting ‘resurgence of religion’
Fact check: How can a country actually withdraw from NATO?
65, single, seeking a roommate: More seniors are being priced out of living alone
-
South-Carolina6 days agoSouth Carolina vs TCU predictions for Elite Eight game in March Madness
-
Miami, FL1 week agoJannik Sinner’s Girlfriend Laila Hasanovic Stuns in Ab-Revealing Post Amid Miami Open
-
Education1 week agoVideo: Transgender Athletes Barred From Women’s Olympic Events
-
Minneapolis, MN1 week agoBoy who shielded classmate during school shooting receives Medal of Honor
-
Vermont6 days agoSkier dies after fall at Sugarbush Resort
-
Politics6 days agoTrump’s Ballroom Design Has Barely Been Scrutinized
-
Atlanta, GA6 days agoFetishist ‘No Kings’ protester in mask drags ‘Trump’ and ‘JD Vance’ behind her wheelchair
-
Entertainment2 days agoInside Ye’s first comeback show at SoFi Stadium