Sports, crime and nostalgia resonated with TribLive’s readers in 2024. From Mason Rudolph’s departure to the last Ponderosa restaurant in Pennsylvania, here are the Top 10 most-read stories on our website from this year.


Remains found in Fayette County identified as missing 17-year-old girl

April 23, 2024. Skeletal remains found in Fayette County have been identified as a 17-year-old girl who was reported missing in November, according to Coroner Bob Baker.


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Allegheny County Jail
Cortez M. Haselrig.

Son of former Steelers star to serve up to 16 years for drug offenses

Nov. 18, 2024. The son of a former Pittsburgh Steelers star was ordered to serve up to 16 years in prison for the attempted sale of raw fentanyl to undercover officers in the Ligonier area.


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Chaz Palla | TribLive
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph plays against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 6, 2024. at M&T Bank Stadium.

Mark Madden: Mike Tomlin continues to disrespect Steelers savior Mason Rudolph

Jan. 11, 2024. Mason Rudolph will start at Buffalo. But Kenny Pickett is still QB1 on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ official depth chart. Mike Tomlin got salty when he was asked about it.


Former Pittsburgh company provided steel for Baltimore’s Key Bridge, other landmark structures

March 30, 2024. It took seconds for Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge to collapse into Baltimore’s Patapsco River after it was struck by a cargo ship. But it took five years to construct the 1.6-mile-long bridge in the 1970s, and a major part of that process began in the Pittsburgh area.


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WPXI
Katherine Amenta.

TV Talk: Katherine Amenta out at WPXI-TV

April 12, 2024. After anchoring this morning’s newscasts, Katherine Amenta is no longer with WPXI-TV. Her contract is up in July and was not renewed, possibly due to budget cuts.


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AP
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph leaves the field after beating the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Seattle.

Mark Madden: Mason Rudolph has earned Steelers’ starting job, but Mike Tomlin doesn’t like to be wrong

Jan. 1, 2024. As we celebrate Mike Tomlin not having a losing season for the 17th straight time, keep in mind the Pittsburgh Steelers should be 11-5.


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Joyce Hanz | TribLive
Ponderosa Steakhouse located in Center Township, Butler County, is the only remaining Ponderosa open in Pennsylvania.

Where is the last Ponderosa Steakhouse in Pennsylvania?

April 26, 2024. Employees of Pennsylvania’s last Ponderosa Steakhouse along Route 8 in Butler County are used to customers taking parking lot selfies and making a big fuss over the staying power of this Ponderosa.


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Ashley Frailey
A Halloween parade display in Westmoreland County depicting Vice President Kamala Harris handcuffed and leashed to the back of a golf cart drew outrage from bystanders.

Mt. Pleasant fire department apologizes for Halloween parade entry with VP Harris tied to golf cart

Oct. 31, 2024. A Halloween parade display in Westmoreland County depicting Vice President Kamala Harris handcuffed and leashed to the back of a golf cart drew outrage from bystanders and the Pittsburgh branch of the NAACP, which denounced it as a symbol of racism and hatred.


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Courtesy of Ryan Miller
An Eastern Massasauga snake.

Copperheads, timber rattlers and the rare Eastern massasauga among Pa.’s venomous snakes

May 31, 2024. Summer is rapidly approaching, and, for a lot of people, that means getting into the great outdoors — whether it’s spending a few days camping, hiking a favorite trail or just getting out and enjoying a wooded park.


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AP
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson listens during a news conference after the team’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif.

Madden Monday: Steelers had a better option at QB than Russell Wilson

March 11, 2024. The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly signing former Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson. During this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE said that the organization should have gone in a different direction.