February 6, 2024 5:03 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans are resisting the advance of a bipartisan proposal intended to clamp down on illegal border crossings. That signals a likely defeat in Congress that would leave leaders with no clear path to approve wartime aid for Ukraine. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell recommended to GOP senators in a closed-door meeting that they vote against the first procedural vote Wednesday. Senate negotiators on Sunday night released a $118 billion package of border enforcement policy and funding for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies. The bill represented a rightward tilt in Senate negotiations over border measures, but still the backlash was intense from conservatives.
February 6, 2024 5:02 am
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — A ship traveling through the southern Red Sea has been attacked by a suspected Yemen Houthi rebel drone. The attack happened early Tuesday west of Hodeida, Yemen, and a projectile caused “slight damage” to the vessel’s windows on the bridge. That’s according to the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations. The private security firm Ambrey identified the vessel as a Barbados-flagged, United Kingdom-owned cargo ship. The firm said no one was hurt onboard the vessel, which suffered “minor damage.” No group immediately claimed responsibility. However, suspicions immediately fell on the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have conducted attacks since November over Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
February 6, 2024 5:01 am
CAIRO (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Cairo for a meeting with Egyptian leaders that U.S. officials say will concentrate mainly on the task of negotiating a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. Such a cease-fire would come in exchange for the release of hostages held by the militants in Gaza. Blinken’s visit Tuesday also comes amid growing concerns in Egypt about Israel’s stated intentions to expand the combat in Gaza to areas on the Egyptian border that are crammed with displaced Palestinians. Egypt fears an expansion of combat to the Rafah area could push terrified Palestinian civilians across the border, a scenario Egypt is determined to prevent. Blinken has said repeatedly that Palestinians must not be forced out of Gaza.
February 6, 2024 4:52 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The balance of power in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives is at stake for the fourth time in a year. Voters next week will choose between a Democratic school board member and a Republican political newcomer in a suburban Philadelphia district. Democrats controlled the House by one vote until a member resigned in December. Even though Democrats have been doing well in the district, the national Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee is spending $50,000 on the race. A victory for Republicans would give them a majority in both the House and Senate and could allow them to advance legislation on school vouchers and proposals to amend the state constitution on issues including abortion, voter identification and curbing the governor’s regulatory authority.
February 6, 2024 4:48 am
Prior to their monthly voting meeting, Cecil Township Supervisors held a conditional use application hearing about a proposed pickleball event center. Wayne Dollard is the owner of Level Up Pickleball, LLC and the publisher of Pickleball Magazine. He is proposing an indoor, 16 court pickleball/badminton facility. Dollard and his wife Lisa are national champions in the 50 year old and above category for mixed doubles competition. He said they were approached by some 500 people in the south hills of Pittsburgh to look into building a facility for enthusiasts to use during the winter. Dollard is proposing the 48,000 square foot space that will also be home to several pool tables, dart boards for leagues and table tennis. The building is proposed for 19 Mayview Road across from the Hills-Hendersonville Elementary School. Supervisors did give approval to the conditional use application at their voting meeting immediately following. Dollard hopes to be playing pickleball in his facility at the end of the year.
February 6, 2024 1:00 am
A Washington County man was sentenced to two years probation, was ordered to forfeit his air rifle and suppressor and must pay more than tweleve-thousand-dollars in restitution and fines for killing a bald eagle in Mount Pleasant Township. Rodney Thomas was also ordered to serve fifty-hours of community service with a bird or wildlife-related organization. Thomas pled guilty in May to killing the bald eagle, saying he had thought it was a turkey vulture. It is, however, also illegal to kill a turkey vulture.
February 5, 2024 2:08 pm
LONDON (AP) — Buckingham Palace says that King Charles III has been diagnosed with a form of cancer and has begun treatment. The palace says the cancer is not related to the king’s recent treatment for a benign prostate condition. It did not say what form of cancer the 75-year-old monarch has. It says Charles “remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.” The palace said “a separate issue of concern was noted” during Charles’ treatment for an enlarged prostate last month. (Photo: AP)
February 5, 2024 11:51 am
Homeland Security and the FBI are investigating a cyber attack that is impacting the state court system website. There has been some progress made in restoring services. Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Debra Todd says that of 5:20 on Monday afternoon, portions of the website including PACFile, GTS, web dockets and court summaries, and PAePay were restored, but the court information technology and executive team continues to work closely with the FBI and Homeland Security to analyze and investigate the cyber attack. Todd says work also continues to further assess and address website services which are not yet accessible. Todd said there is still no indication that any court data has been compromised, they appreciate the patience and cooperation of the public, media and legal professionals as they work to bring the entire website back online, and they reiterate that, amid this event, the courts have remained open and accessible.” According to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a denial of service cyber attack occurs when malicious actors flood the targeted host or network with traffic until the target cannot respond or simply crashes, preventing access for legitimate users. The agency also didn’t say whether its cyber-security measures worked as designed or whether the attackers demanded money or a ransom. Courts remain open and are accessible to the public.
February 5, 2024 7:34 am
A man was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital after their vehicle crashed into the Slovenian Club along Liberty Avenue In Burgettstown early Monday morning. Washington County 9-1-1 says it happened just before 4:30 a.m. Dispatchers say the driver was flown by medical helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital but there is no word on his identity or condition. According to dispatchers, power had to be shut off to the building. It’s unclear how badly the building was damaged.
February 5, 2024 6:22 am
A Washington man suffered suspected serious injuries after he was struck by a vehicle while walking along Jefferson Avenue in Canton Township late Sunday night. State Police say it happened around 10:30 p.m. The 46 year old man was transported to Washington Hospital. His identity was not released and there is no word on his condition. The driver of the vehicle, who was identified as a 58 year old female, did stop at the scene. The roadway was closed following the accident but has since reopened to traffic. State Police continue to investigate.
