Meet In CommonNews

Local news in and around Penn, PA

Brainerd Dispatch · Penn, PA

Flight issues pushes back Gophers travel to Penn State

PITTSBURGH — The Federal Aviation Adminstration order to stop all flights in the U.S. on Friday delayed the Gophers football team’s travel plans to State College, Pa., from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning. The Minnesota football team was scheduled to leave Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Friday afternoon for State College, Pa., but was delayed due to communications issues that stopped air travel nationwide. As of 9 p.m. CT Friday, the Gophers were planning to fly out on Saturday morning, the Pioneer Press learned Friday night. The Gophers (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten) and Penn State (5-4, 2-4) have been scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m. CT Saturday at Beaver Stadium in Happy Valley. After 5 p.m. CT Friday, the team boarded its flight but were forced to de-board and headed back to U campus. The delay and the challenge of a 15-hour bus trip from Minneapolis to eastern Pennsylvania opened up contingency plans for the Big Ten game.

Observer · Jeannette, PA

Nearby: Jeannette, PA

Longtime Steelers assistant coach Dick Hoak dies at 86

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Dick Hoak, who spent more than 45 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a player and then an assistant coach, winning five Super Bowl rings along the way, has died. He was 86. The team announced Hoak’s death on Wednesday. No cause of death was given. “Dick represented everything the Steelers stand for with his toughness, loyalty, dedication and an unwavering commitment to the team,” team president Art Rooney II said in a statement. Selected by the Steelers in the seventh round of the 1961 NFL draft after a standout career at Penn State, Hoak ran for 3,965 yards and 25 touchdowns in 10 seasons in Pittsburgh’s backfield, leading the then-struggling club in rushing three times. Hoak, a Pro Bowler in 1968 after running for a career-best 858 yards, retired after the 1970 season and joined coach Chuck Noll’s staff as running backs coach in 1972.

The Lantern · Pittsburgh, PA

Nearby: Pittsburgh, PA

Ohio State combat sport clubs provide affordable training, competition and community on campus

Two people fighting at MMA Club, a mixed martial arts club at The Ohio State University. Credit: Natalie Boggs | Arts and Life Photo Editor Two people fighting at MMA Club, a mixed martial arts club at The Ohio State University. Credit: Natalie Boggs | Arts and Life Photo Editor Two people fighting at MMA Club, a mixed martial arts club at The Ohio State University. Credit: Natalie Boggs | Arts and Life Photo Editor Two people talking at MMA Club, a mixed martial arts club at The Ohio State University. Credit: Natalie Boggs | Arts and Life Photo Editor Two people fighting at MMA Club, a mixed martial arts club at The Ohio State University. Credit: Natalie Boggs | Arts and Life Photo Editor Two people fighting at MMA Club, a mixed martial arts club at The Ohio State University. Credit: Natalie Boggs | Arts and Life Photo Editor When Benjamin Reitz transferred to Ohio State in 2025, he thought it would be easy to find a mixed martial arts club to join.

Herald-Star · Weirton, WV

Nearby: Weirton, WV

WMC Foundation presents first Healthier Community grants

WEIRTON – In an effort to continue investing in the region, WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center established a philanthropic organization earlier this year to support the communities served by the hospital. Friday afternoon, the WMC Foundation recognized the first recipients of its Building a Healthier Community grant program with a luncheon held at A.V. Lauttamus Communications. “This is an unprecedented investment for us,” said David Artman, president and CEO of WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center, noting while it is important to see WVU Medicine investing in Weirton’s facilities, it is just as important to see contributions for the surrounding area. “This is about you and the difference you make in our community.” The Building a Healthier Community grant program was announced in August, as a way to provide funding opportunities for non-profit organizations working to improve the health and well-being of area residents.

thedaonline.com · Morgantown, WV

Nearby: Morgantown, WV

Morgantown event planner fills late-night food gap for downtown partiers

For Brittany Fink, leftover event food does not have to end up in the trash. It can become a surprise for college students walking down High Street, a viral TikTok video and an unexpected way to connect with the Morgantown community.Fink, owner of Brittany Ann Events, began bringing leftover pepperoni rolls and other event food downtown in May. What started as a simple idea has gained millions of views online, with students now recognizing her when she arrives with free food.“The intent was never to go viral,” Fink said. “It was just kind of, let’s have fun with this.” The idea came from Fink’s drive home from weddings. Passing through downtown, she often saw students out at night while thinking about the food left over from the events she worked. When a bride had extra pepperoni rolls, Fink asked if she could take them downtown rather than let them go to waste.