Tree of Life

07 Jun

From the Newsroom Podcast: Expert insight on Trump’s hush money trial

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Friday, June 7th, 2024 – 12:52 pm

Former President Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts in his New York hush money trial on May 28, becoming the first former president to become a convicted felon.

For many observers, the focus was on Trump’s reaction, while Trump and his supporters claimed the trial was rigged.

Some legal experts focused on the American judicial system and whether it worked in this case.

Paula Reed Ward, TribLive’s federal and Allegheny courts reporter, joined host Zac Gibson to discuss the case and various experts’ view of the legal system.

This is From the Newsroom.

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

03 Jun

S11, Ep 31, Pt 2: Robert Morris University Men’s Golf Head Coach Steve Shingledecker Plus Former Oakmont and Nemacolin Director of Instruction Eric Johnson

published in category: Next on the Tee on Monday, June 3rd, 2024 – 4:45 pm

In Part 2 of Episode 31 I’m joined by two of the best Oil Creek Region athletes of all-time in their opinions Steve Shingledecker and Eric Johnson.

Steve Shingledecker serves as the Head Coach of the Men’s Golf Team at Robert Morris, hailing from Franklin, Pennsylvania. Returning to coach RMU after successful tenures as Director of Golf Operations at the Turn Club in Cranberry Township and Director of Golf at Nemacolin Woodlands, Shingledecker did a great job leading the team this year. Their impressive performance includes a 3rd place finish at the Carpetbagger Classic in Frederick, Maryland, a feat coincidentally following Steve’s last appearance on the show.

In our conversation, Steve sheds light on the Colonials’ season progression and the departure of key graduating players. Additionally, we delve into strategies for rebounding from a challenging hole and the benefits of encouraging children to explore multiple sports rather than specializing early.

Eric Johnson is a Golf Digest Top 100 Instructor. You can find him teaching each summer at Yellowstone Golf Club in Big Sky, Montana, one of the premier private courses in the country. Eric was the Director of Instruction at Oakmont for 17 years and then for a couple at Nemacolin. Eric was fresh off playing a round at Oakmont, with Pittsburgh Brewing Company Owner Cliff Forrest. We hear about the changes they’ve made at Oakmont in preparation for hosting the US Open in 2025. Eric also shares his thoughts on the PGA Championship, Tiger Woods’ play, and the exceptional features of Yellowstone Country Club.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

30 May

S11, Ep 31, Pt 1: Rising from the Depth of Depression & Suicide, The Allen Miller Story As Told by His Wife Cindy & Former NFL WR Brian Finneran Talk Falcons, Angel Hernandez, & Playing Augusta National

published in category: Next on the Tee on Thursday, May 30th, 2024 – 4:08 pm

In Part 1 of this week’s show, I’m joined by LPGA Elite Instructor Cindy Miller and former NFL WR Brian Finneran.

Cindy Miller was recognized as an Elite LPGA Professional & Instructor at the PGA Merchandise Show earlier this year. We hear about that honor. On the heels of the tragic news of Grayson Murray, Cindy shares the story of her husband Allen Miller who found himself in a similar dark place. Allen was a top Amateur player in the early 70s. He played on the PGA Tour from the mid-70s to early 80s. He competed in 5 Masters Tournaments. The expectations of his father always haunted him. No matter what Allen achieved it was never good enough. It led Allen into some dark places. He attempted suicide which led him and Cindy to the brink of divorce. Hear his story as told from Cindy’s perspective.

Brian Finneran was an All-American WR at Villanova. He won the Walter Payton Award for being the best player in FCS College Football in 1997. He was an undrafted free agent signed by the Seattle Seahawks. He played in the NFL from 1999 to 2010 with the Eagles and Falcons. Brian is now a Sports Talk Radio Host at 680 The Fan in Atlanta. He shares his insights on the Falcons draft and our dismay at why they picked Michael Penix with the 8th overall selection. We also discuss Angel Hernandez doing baseball a favor by retiring, plus we hear about Brian’s round of golf at Augusta National.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

30 May

From the newsroom: TribLive unpacks the exclusive interview with Marc Fogel

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Thursday, May 30th, 2024 – 10:26 am

Marc Fogel is an international teacher from Oakmont. Until the fall of 2021, the 63-year-old traveled to various countries teaching history. In August 2021, Marc was detained and arrested in Russia for the possession of 17 grams of medical marijuana, the drug prescribed legally in Pennsylvania for his back and knee pain.

Fogel is currently serving a 14-year sentence in a Russian penal colony. His family has taken up the call to urge President Joe Biden to bring him home.

To the family’s disappointment, Biden has yet to address Fogel by name.

Last week, TribLive was able to sit in on a call between Fogel and his 95-year-old mother, Malphine.

Host Zac Gibson is joined in this episode by Community Engagement editor and Opinion columnist Lori Falce to discuss this experience, listen to Fogel’s interview, and tell us more of his story.

This is From the Newsroom.

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

25 May

published in category: Next on the Tee on Saturday, May 25th, 2024 – 11:48 am

In Part 2 of Episode 30 I’m joined by a pair to Tim’s…Simpson and Gaestel.

Tim Simpson is known for being one of the all-time great ball strikers. He won 5 times on the PGA Tour, had 82 Top 10s, and the GOAT Jack Nicklaus even marveled at how frequently Tim would shoot low scores. Tim has overcome several physical ailments throughout his playing career. He won Comeback Player of the Year on the PGA and Champions tours. He beat Lyme disease and now he’s battling a rare form of blood cancer. You’ll hear how his positive attitude is going to lead him to beating it plus his thoughts on the PGA Championship, his relationship with his father, how Raymond Floyd intimidated players with his eyes, remembering Payne Stewart’s 1999 US Open victory, and working with the great Sam Snead.

Tim Gaestel is a former Sergeant with the 82nd Airborne Division of the US Army. As fate would have it, Tim was being sworn into the military on September 11th, 2001. Hear him talk about how that day unfolded and becoming even more driven to charge into the fight. We hear about his deployment to Afghanistan and the IED that exploded and sent shrapnel into his back as he and his peers were headed to Baghdad. Tim also talks about how golf saved his life when he returned home, how the game brought him and his father back together, his experience playing alongside show favorite Scott McCarron, and his fight to save a local municipal course, Lions Municipal Course, in Austin, Texas. Follow him on X @TGolfer83.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

24 May

Pittsburgh’s ties to Oppenheimer and the Atomic Age

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Friday, May 24th, 2024 – 12:01 pm

 

The promise — and peril — of the power of the atom cast long shadows over Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania.

News Editor Jon Silver talks about Pittsburgh’s ties to the Atomic Age and J. Robert Oppenheimer, the creator of the atomic bomb. Oppenheimer’s wife, Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer, was born in Aspinwall.

Silver wrote a story about the region’s connections to the atomic age in the summer of 2023, when the blockbuster movie “Oppenheimer” was in theaters and renewing interest in the topic. His research lead him to several Pittsburgh connections to the atomic age.

Listen to Silver and producer Zac Gibson discuss the topic. And then Silver does an author reading of his story.

 

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 

23 May

S11, Ep 30, Pt 1: Top Instructor Tom Patri and Legends Tour Pro Clark Dennis

published in category: Next on the Tee on Thursday, May 23rd, 2024 – 10:44 am

Tom Patri delves into Xander’s major triumph at the PGA Championship, the mixed sentiments towards Bryson, speculations surrounding Tiger’s future following another missed cut, and the potential repercussions of Jimmy Dunne’s departure from the PGA Tour Policy Board.

Clark Dennis, won the 2017 & ’18 Senior Italian Open and the 2017 Dutch Masters on the Legends Tour. We reflect on his illustrious career, he reminisces about winning the 1983 Texas State Junior Championship and shares his elation at the Texas Rangers winning their first World Series. Additionally, Clark offers his insights on the PGA Championship and the low scores at Valhalla. He takes us back to his standout performances at the Colonial National Invitational in the 90s and recounts a memorable encounter with the legendary Ben Hogan. Furthermore, Clark sheds light on the caliber of players and awe-inspiring venues featured on the European Legends Tour, which needs more love and support.

Posted in Next on the Tee

 

22 May

From the newsroom: Controversy surrounds Pittsburgh’s questionable payments to contractor

published in category: From The TribLIVE Newsroom on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024 – 12:34 pm

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey’s administration is embroiled in a controversy involving questionable payments to a contractor.

The city’s Department of Parks and Recreation department has paid Mario Ashkar almost $23,000 for his work as a contractor. The payments have been via municipal credit cards, known as p-cards, which has lead to concerns and scrutiny.

Ashkar, 36, of the city’s North Side, was recently charged in connection with several ethnic intimidation incidents.

Questions have arisen about why Ashkar was permitted to work as a contractor for the city after previously being fired from a different department.

TribLive’s Pittsburgh city hall reporter Julia Felton breaks down the story.

Posted in From The TribLIVE Newsroom

 



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