August 13, 2024 4:57 am
If nothing else, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris agree on one thing, at least: Both say they want to eliminate federal taxes on workers’ tips. But experts say there’s a reason Congress hasn’t made that change already. It would be complicated, not to mention enormously costly to the federal government, to enact. It would encourage many highly paid workers to restructure their compensation to classify some of it as “tips” and thereby avoid taxes. And, in the end, it likely wouldn’t help millions of low-income workers. Both candidates unveiled their plans in Nevada, a state with one of the highest concentrations of tipped service workers in the country.
August 13, 2024 12:36 pm
DETROIT (AP) — Ford and Mazda are warning the owners of more than 475,000 older vehicles in the U.S. not to drive them because they have dangerous Takata air bag inflators that have not been replaced. The warning issued Tuesday covers more than 374,000 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles from the 2004 through 2014 model years and nearly 83,000 Mazdas from the 2003 through 2015 model years. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the inflators can explode with too much force in a crash, blowing apart a metal canister and shooting fragments that can severely injure or kill people. All were recalled previously but repairs have not been completed. The government says 27 people have been killed in the U.S. by the inflators.
August 12, 2024 5:02 am
Iran has rejected a call by three European countries demanding it to refrain from any retaliatory attacks that would further escalate regional tensions. French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a joint statement Monday endorsing the latest push by mediators to broker an agreement to end the Israel-Hamas war. The European leaders called for the return of scores of hostages held by Hamas and the “unfettered” delivery of humanitarian aid. They also asked that Iran and its allies to refrain from retaliation that would further escalate regional tensions after the late-July killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
August 12, 2024 4:59 am
MONONGAHELA, Pa. — (WPXI) – The Ringgold School District is investigating a threat made against some of its students. In a letter sent to parents, Officials said they were told a threat directed at students and their middle school through a Safe2Say system. The threat was made in social media posts. Superintendent Randall Skrinjorich said the party or parties responsible for the threats will be held responsible to the fullest extent. School district police are currently working with Monongahela City Police to learn more.
August 12, 2024 2:39 am
The North Franklin Township Fire Department was called for several reports of smoke in the 3300 block of West Chestnut Street at 2:00 p.m. Saturday. When firemen arrived, they found a large active brush-fire. According to Washington County 9-1-1, the fire took a good amount of time and manpower to contain. According to a Facebook post by the North Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company, the cause of the fire was a controlled burn that got out of control. Township supervisors instituted an immediate ban on burning in the township due to the dry weather conditions. According to the post, no burning of any kind is permitted, all permits to burn have been revoked and the use of fireworks are prohibited. The ban will be in effect until further notice. North Franklin was assisted by fire departments from Canton Township., Claysville and South Franklin Township. (Photo: North Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company)
August 12, 2024 5:01 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The weather system dubbed Debby isn’t quite done affecting parts of the U.S. After arriving in Florida as a hurricane Aug. 5, the storm spent nearly a week unleashing tornadoes and flooding, damaging homes and taking lives along the East Coast before moving into Canada on Saturday. While many rivers had receded by Sunday, flood warnings remained in effect in several areas across central and eastern North Carolina, where more thunderstorms were possible over the next few days. The National Weather Service says localized downpours could result in additional flash flooding throughout the coastal Carolinas. More than 48,000 homes and businesses in Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont still had no electricity Sunday.
August 12, 2024 5:07 am
SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Paris has closed out two and a half extraordinary weeks of Olympic sports and emotion with a star-studded show in France’s national stadium. The French capital has handed over hosting duties for the Summer Games to the next city in line: Los Angeles in 2028. Hollywood star Tom Cruise descended from the top of the stadium to the “Mission: Impossible” theme song, before taking the Olympic flag from star gymnast Simone Biles, putting it on the back of a motorcycle and roaring out of the stadium. Los Angeles is looking to prove that topping Paris isn’t mission impossible. The French capital made spectacular use of its cityscape, with the Eiffel Tower and other iconic monuments serving as backdrops and venues.
August 12, 2024 5:11 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — At the top of his first speech as her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz turned to Vice President Kamala Harris and declared, “Thank you for bringing back the joy.” The next day, Harris took the theme a step further, branding the Democratic ticket “joyful warriors.” Contrast that with former President Donald Trump, who opened a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida later in the week saying, “We have a lot of bad things coming up.” Democrats are playing up their sunnier outlook. But the Trump campaign argues their candidate is reflecting the country’s more accurate, dour mood.
August 12, 2024 5:09 am
The leaders of France, Germany and Britain have endorsed calls for a cease-fire in Gaza, the return of scores of hostages held by Hamas and the “unfettered” delivery of humanitarian aid. In a joint statement released Monday, they endorsed the latest push by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to broker an agreement to end the 10-month-old Israel-Hamas war. The mediators have spent months trying to get the sides to agree to a three-phase plan in which Hamas would release the remaining hostages captured in its Oct. 7 attack in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel and Israel would withdraw from Gaza.
August 12, 2024 5:05 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The great inflation spike of the past three years is nearly spent — and economists credit American consumers for helping slay it. Some of America’s largest companies say their customers are increasingly seeking cheaper alternative products and services, searching for bargains or just avoiding items they deem too expensive. Consumers aren’t cutting back enough to cause an economic downturn. Rather, the economy appears to be returning to pre-pandemic norms, when most companies felt they couldn’t raise prices much without losing business. A more price-sensitive consumer helps explain why inflation has appeared to be steadily falling toward the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, ending a period of painfully high prices that strained people’s budgets and darkened their outlooks on the economy.
