Fall 2013 – Point Park News Service

WPPJ: Today’s top-of-hour news updates

April 24, 2014 Fall 2013, Pittsburgh, Point Park University, WPPJ

Point Park University radio station WPPJ (670 AM) broadcasts daily news updates: Thursday, April 24: Brazil enacts Internet bill of rights to protect citizens; FDA proposes e-cigarette regulations; Point Park freshman will participate in new core curriculum Tuesday, April 22: Ferry captain facing multiple criminal chargers; American man wins Boston Marathon; USG hosts Pioneer Community Day to raise funds... Read More

Volunteers help out around Pittsburgh

March 10, 2014 Children's Hospital, Fall 2013, featured, Health, Northside Common Ministries, philanthropy, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, volunteers

By Jack Pilkinton, The Pioneer: A full 24 hours hadn’t passed, but Luke Ziegler was still fighting for his life. At just one-day-old, he faced his first-ever surgical procedure. Years later as a newly-minted teenager, he memorably experienced the uncertainties and philosophical quandaries that normally come to someone much older. After having open-heart surgery at such a young age, he... Read More

No home for Sonic: PA bans ‘injurious’ pets

February 7, 2014 Environment, Fall 2013, featured, hedgehogs, Pennsylvania Game Commission, sugar gliders

By Marc S. Witkin, Point Park News Service: In Pennsylvania, one can legally have a variety of exotic pets – just as long as they aren’t a hedgehog or a sugar glider. Despite permits to own a bear or a mountain lion, there is absolutely no exception to the Game Commission’s ban on these smaller, outlawed mammals. They fall into... Read More

Penguins organist plays to the fans

February 3, 2014 Entertainment, Fall 2013, featured, Hockey, organist, Pittsburgh Penguins

By Zachary Weiss, Point Park News Service: Tim DeBacco was a boy with an organ and a dream. He wanted to perform the National Anthem at a major sporting event, but it was not until he reached his 20s when he was working as a public address announcer for the Pittsburgh Pirates that they asked him to fill in on... Read More

Timber rattlers are deadly – but threatened

January 28, 2014 endangered species, Environment, Fall 2013, gas drilling, pennsylvania fish and boat commission, snake, timber rattlers, timer rattlesnakes

By Andrew Goldstein, Point Park News Service: The timber rattlesnake poses a danger to humans on the receiving end of its venomous bite. But humans pose a greater threat to the timber rattler. Its population is depleting because of the advancement of civilized society cutting away at the snake’s once widespread habitat. “Compared to what it used to be, it’s... Read More

College Canines visit Point Park campus

January 27, 2014 College Canines, Fall 2013, stress, students, therapy dogs, volunteers, Western Pa. Humane Society

By Alexandra C. Soukovich, Point Park News Service: Western Pennsylvania Humane Society’s College Canines, a group of volunteers and their therapy dogs, visited the Point Park University campus in October 2013 during mid-terms. Read More

Teen entrepreneur simplifies skin care

January 24, 2014 Fall 2013, Lani Lazzari, simple sugars

By Liz Furrer, Point Park News Service: As an 11-year old child, Lani Lazzari grew tired of constantly going to the dermatologist to treat her eczema, which caused severe breakouts on her skin. When her mother was passed over for a promotion at her pharmaceutical sales job and her family decided to make Christmas presents, she came up with a... Read More

Phipps’ exhibits take root after holiday rush

January 22, 2014 Ben Dunigan, bonsai trees, Entertainment, Fall 2013, featured, Jordyn Melino, orchids, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden

By Andrew Goldstein, Point Park News Service: Ben Dunigan selects the exhibits for Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens like the curator at an art museum chooses a new art display. Dunigan, curator of horticulture at Phipps, said by mid-January people tire of the decorum on full display during the early winter months. He then picks shows at Phipps that give... Read More

Injured Duquesne player wants to return

January 22, 2014 Duquesne, Erin Waskowiak, Fall 2013, women's basketball

By Zachary Weiss, Point Park News Service: Erin Waskowiak was standing in front of her home in August, when her brother accidentally stepped on the gas of the family’s car and it hit her. Freshman Waskowiak had been preparing for the basketball season as a member of the Duquesne Dukes women’s basketball team. “When I first got hit, I didn’t... Read More

Hazardous ammonia near 1.5 million Pennsylvanians

January 21, 2014 ammonia, EPA, Fall 2013, hazardous chemicals, storage facitlities, Western Pennsylvania

By Bill Heltzel, PublicSource: Journalism students at Point Park University, who also work for the Point Park News Service, contributed to this story. Ammonia, a toxic gas the Environmental Protection Agency classifies as extremely hazardous, is the most widely used dangerous chemical in Pennsylvania. One in every eight Pennsylvanians — 1.5 million people — lives close enough to facilities that... Read More