December 31, 2021 4:20 am
SEATTLE (AP) – The omicron-fueled surge that is sending COVID-19 cases rocketing in the U.S. is putting children in the hospital in record numbers. And experts lament that most of the youngsters are not vaccinated. Dr. Paul Offit of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia says it’s “heartbreaking” knowing that there’s a way prevent such cases. During the week of Dec. 22-28, an average of 378 children with the coronavirus were admitted per day to hospitals, a 66% increase from the week before. That’s according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
December 31, 2021 4:17 am
NEW YORK (AP) – New York City has revived its annual New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square, as an uneasy nation tries to muster optimism that the worst days of the pandemic are now behind it. The city said it would limit the number of people to witness a 6-ton, crystal-encrusted ball descend above a crowd of about 15,000 in-person spectators. The expected crowd is far fewer than the 50,000 revelers initially envisioned by organizers. Doubts swirled whether the city would have to cancel this year’s bash, as the city posted record numbers of COVID cases in the days leading to it, even as some cities like Atlanta had decided to cancel their own celebrations.
December 31, 2021 4:15 am
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) – President Joe Biden has warned Russia’s Vladimir Putin that the U.S. could impose new sanctions against Russia if it takes further military action against Ukraine. Putin has responded that such a U.S. move could lead to a complete rupture of ties between the nations. The two leaders spoke frankly for nearly an hour amid growing alarm over Russia’s troop buildup near Ukraine. Putin’s foreign affairs adviser says further U.S. sanctions “would be a colossal mistake that would entail grave consequences.” The White House says Biden made clear that the U.S. and its allies “will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine.”
December 31, 2021 4:12 am
PENN HILLS, Pa. (AP) – The parents of a 13-year-old accused of fatally shooting his 5-year-old brother with their father’s unsecured handgun last month have each been charged with four counts of child endangerment, Authorities say 35-year-old Thomas Wolfe and 37-year-old Sara Gerwig turned themselves in Wednesday, two days after Allegheny County police issued warrants for their arrests. They were released later that day, and it wasn’t known Thursday if either one has retained an attorney. Authorities have said the teen boy shot and killed his younger brother at the family’s home in Penn Hills on Nov. 22. They say the teen was trying to scare his brother and thought the safety was on when he pulled the trigger.
December 31, 2021 4:09 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – The University of Pittsburgh will begin the spring semester with two and a half weeks of remote learning due to the spread of omicron cases in the area. The university says that this change will allow for testing and shelter in place upon arrival back to campus. Classes will still begin on Jan. 10. Exceptions to remote learning may be made by the dean for programs and classes that need to meet in person. According to the university, if the dean approves an in-person class during the remote period, vaccinated students may attend as long as they are not symptomatic or COVID positive. Unvaccinated students will need to have an approved exemption and be compliant with the weekly testing process in order to have access to the university. In a letter to faculty and students, Provost Ann Cudd said that classes will return to fully in person learning on Jan. 27.
December 31, 2021 3:05 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Philadelphia police say six people were shot as six gunmen fired dozens of shots on a street full of businesses late Thursday. Officers responded to 911 calls for a shooting and found a 21-year-old woman with gunshot wounds lying near more than 65 casings from at least two different semi-automatic weapons. Officers rushed the woman to the hospital, and she was in critical condition Friday. Police say five other men with nonfatal gunshot wounds arrived at two other hospitals shortly after the shooting. City officials have recorded more than 1,800 nonfatal shootings in 2021. That’s an increase of more than 600 from 2019.
December 30, 2021 2:44 pm
(AP) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some harsh news for people planning to embark on a voyage — avoid all cruises no matter your vaccination status. The CDC has raised the travel health notice to level 4 — its highest, for cruise ships. The CDC said, “Even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants.” The agency said COVID-19 spreads easily on ships because of the close quarters and that the chance for someone to get the virus is very high even if a person has had all three shots. If travelers are still willing to take the risk, the CDC advises them to be fully vaccinated including the booster shot, and then self-quarantine for five days after returning home. Cruise Lines International Association said the group is disappointed by the announcement. The CDC is investigating more than 80 ships because of outbreaks on board. (Photo: ABC)
December 30, 2021 1:38 pm
(WPXI) – Will Monday night’s game at Heinz Field be the last home game of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s career? “This is the most important game of the season for us right now,” Roethlisberger said during a press conference. “All signs are pointing to: This could be it. In terms of regular seasons, signs are pointing this way that this could be it.”There’s been speculation that Roethlisberger would retire after this season. “It’s 18 years. It’s almost half my life I’ve given to this city and this team and the fans. I know I still have it in the tank this week to go out there this week and next week and give it everything I have, and do everything I can to get us into the post season,” Roethlisberger said. “I can’t sit here all week and just be nostalgic and think about everything that my career has been when I just have to focus on this game. This is the most important game of the season for us right now.” “My focus is winning this game,” Roethlisberger said. “If it is indeed my last regular season game, it’s going to be one of the most important games of my career.”
December 30, 2021 8:42 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell below 200,000, more evidence that the job market remains strong in the aftermath of last year’s coronavirus recession. Jobless claims dropped by 8,000 to 198,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The four-week average, which smooths out week-to-week volatility, fell to just above 199,000, lowest level since October 1969. The numbers suggest that the fast-spreading omicron variant has yet to trigger a wave of layoffs. Altogether, 1.7 million Americans were collecting traditional unemployment aid the week that ended Dec. 18, lowest since March 2020 and down by 140,000 from the week before.
December 30, 2021 4:21 am
DENVER (AP) – A man accused of killing five people in a rampage in Denver is believed to have written fictional books self-published online that named some of his real-life victims and described similar attacks. Denver police spokesman Doug Schepman says the writings are part of the investigation into what led Lyndon James McLeod to carry out Monday’s shootings. Four of the people shot were attacked at tattoo shops, raising questions about why they were targeted. Police say McLeod knew most of the people he shot at several locations around the metro area, through either business or personal relationships. They were still investigating his motive.
