Pittsburg, PA
Puerto Rican community leader in Pittsburgh says comedian’s joke from Trump rally was “disgusting”
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A Puerto Rican community leader in Pittsburgh said comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s controversial joke showed an ongoing disregard for the U.S. territory.
During former President Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday afternoon, Hinchcliffe referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.”
“For someone who has no clue about what’s happening on that island and literally doesn’t care, to make such a terrible joke is disgusting to me,” said Monica Ruiz, the vice president of the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Puerto Rican Agenda.
Ruiz is a leader in several organizations dedicated to Latinos, including the National Puerto Rican Agenda’s Pennsylvania chapter. It’s an organization dedicated to the Puerto Rican community and culture.
She said the comments during Trump’s event on Sunday were out of line.
“It was shocking to me to hear that someone who would refer to such a beautiful island in such a negative way,” Ruiz said.
Ruiz believes many people don’t understand the history of the island. She says the economy and infrastructure struggle because of a lack of support from the U.S. government.
“Every year when I fly into that island and I still see those blue tarps on the roofs, that is a reminder to me of the neglect of the United States government to my people. Because they haven’t gotten their homes repaired after Hurricane Maria,” Ruiz said.
While Puerto Ricans living on the island can’t vote for president, they are American. While living in the United States, they can vote. She believes the comments made during the Trump event may draw more people to the polls.
“What I’m hoping for is that it will activate Puerto Ricans that may not have felt like they wanted to participate in this election because of what it is, will motivate them now to come out and vote,” Ruiz said.
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The holiday season began in Pittsburgh on Saturday night with the city’s popular Light Up Night event.
Thousands crowded Downtown streets to ring in the holidays.
The iconic Highmark Christmas tree was lit along with trees at the City-County Building and PPG Place. A new light show on the Sister Bridges was also unveiled.
“It’s just a magical time of the year,” said Nicole Ambrogio.
She brought her kids to see the Highmark tree lit up.
“It almost gives you that Times Square-like feeling,” said Melissa Iaquinta. “It was amazing. The fireworks are always an added touch, and it’s beautiful.”
Vendors also filled Market Square, along with caroling and drumming.
“This is my first Light Up Night. It’s honestly amazing. I love all the music,” said Pietro Pucci. “It’s really magical; it’s like a winter wonderland come to life.”
HOMESTEAD, Pa. (KDKA) — One man has died after a house caught fire in Homestead on Saturday.
Allegheny County 911 was notified of a fire in the 100 block of West 12th Avenue just before 11:30 a.m.
First responders found an elderly man trapped inside the second floor of the residence. Firefighters were able to get the man out of the home, and he was transported to an area hospital, where he later died, according to a news release from the Allegheny County Police Department.
The Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause and origin of the fire.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the County Police Tip Line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
The Pittsburgh Steelers let their guard down in Week 12, dropping a divisional trap game to the now 3-8 Cleveland Browns in the snow.
The Steelers had no business losing to Cleveland, at least on paper, and there’s plenty of finger-pointing to go around. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo chose to shift the blame onto head coach Mike Tomlin during an interview with 93.7 The Fan’s Donny Chedrick on Friday morning, stating that his decisions didn’t age well as the contest went on.
“I think hands down, it was the coaching,” Fittipaldo said. “And I’m sure we’re gonna get into some of the personnel decisions and some of those fourth down calls, but I thought overall Mike Tomlin showed the Browns a lack of disrespect early in the game.”
Cleveland’s final drive of the night alone encapsulated what was a subpar night for Tomlin. On 3rd-and-2 from the Steelers’ 25-yard line, he decided to accept an illegal touching penalty on offensive lineman Ethan Pocic that pushed the Browns back five yards for a redo instead of making it 4th-and-2.
Despite the fact that Pittsburgh was in front 19-17 at the time, all indications pointed to Cleveland keeping its offense on the field instead of sending out the kicking unit given the weather. Had Tomlin declined the penalty, a stop on fourth down would have all but sealed a win.
Instead, Jameis Winston found Jerry Jeudy for a 15-yard completion and a first down. Tomlin also burned his second timeout with the clock stopped before the Browns moved the chains, which put Pittsburgh’s offense in a disadvantageous position on its ill-fated closing possession.
Nick Chubb went on to punch the ball into the end zone, putting Cleveland up for good with 57 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
Tomlin is an irreplacable part of the Steelers’ organization and is the driving force behind their success year in and year out, but Thursday night was a definite low point for him.
Pittsburgh still sits atop the AFC North with an 8-3 record, however, and can wash away any bad feelings emanating from the loss with a bounce back performance against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13.
Make sure to bookmark Steelers On SI to get all your daily Pittsburgh Steelers news, interviews, breakdowns and more!
Double scolding to Iowa DNR is a moment to pivot and stand up for water quality | Opinion
Week 12 Inactives vs. Kansas City
Former Sheriff Shawn ‘Mickey’ Stines indicted for murder of Kentucky judge
Louisiana high school playoff drama: Upsets, Standouts and Showdowns shaping the path to glory
Investigation underway after fatal fire in Amity
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Fred Harris, former Democratic senator from Oklahoma and presidential candidate, dies at 94
‘Optical illusion’: Key takeaways from COP29
With talks teetering, climate negotiators struck a controversial $300 billion deal
Trump administration takes shape: President-elect completes top 15 Cabinet picks
Thousands march across Europe protesting violence against women
-
Business1 week agoColumn: Molly White's message for journalists going freelance — be ready for the pitfalls
-
Science5 days agoTrump nominates Dr. Oz to head Medicare and Medicaid and help take on 'illness industrial complex'
-
Politics6 days agoTrump taps FCC member Brendan Carr to lead agency: 'Warrior for Free Speech'
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25739950/247386_Elon_Musk_Open_AI_CVirginia.jpg "Inside Elon Musk’s messy breakup with OpenAI")
Technology6 days agoInside Elon Musk’s messy breakup with OpenAI
-
Lifestyle7 days agoSome in the U.S. farm industry are alarmed by Trump's embrace of RFK Jr. and tariffs
-
World7 days agoProtesters in Slovakia rally against Robert Fico’s populist government
-
News6 days agoThey disagree about a lot, but these singers figure out how to stay in harmony
-
News7 days agoGaetz-gate: Navigating the President-elect's most baffling Cabinet pick