Morning Roundup: Zoo regains 'gold standard' certification; 2 vehicles hit Beechview building

Here are some of the latest news items from this morning, Friday, Sept. 20:

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium regains accreditation

The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium announced Thursday it had earned the "gold standard" designation in animal care, nearly a decade after losing it in a spat over its elephant handling practices.

In 2021, zoo leadership initiated the process to get back in the good graces of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which accredits more than 230 zoos and aquariums across 13 countries.

The AZA had revoked accreditation in 2015, when the zoo refused to ditch its practice of allowing some staff to freely interact with elephants in their enclosures.

According to a release from the zoo, getting it back was a cinch.

It said AZA inspectors were impressed by the health of the animals at the Highland Park facility as well as the International Conservation Center in Somerset and gave high marks to the zoo's sustainability and conservation measures.

The lack of accreditation had cost the zoo grants and ties, like access to a top sea turtle protection program, over the years. It also put it in violation of its lease with the city, though officials never acted to terminate the deal.

Crash causes chain reaction in Beechview

Two vehicles hit a building in Pittsburgh's Beechview neighborhood Thursday evening.

TribLive news partner WTAE reported the crash happened just before 7 p.m. at Gaetano's Banquet Center and Catering.

A bystander told WTAE it was a chain reaction after a vehicle hit a car and a truck, sending them both into the building.

No injuries were reported.