December 21, 2021 2:24 am
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is announcing that additional ramps to Turnpike 576, otherwise known as the Southern Beltway will be opening in Cecil Township and South Fayette Township. Ramps will open December 21 with drivers being able to access Turnpike 576 and travel westbound from Morganza Road in Cecil. Traffic traveling westbound on Turnpike 576 will be able to exit and travel northbound on Interstate 79 in South Fayette. Ramps should be open by 5:00 PM. Motorists are advised that these new ramps are in an active work zone and the speed limit is 45 miles per hour. That speed limit is strictly enforced.
December 20, 2021 5:44 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) – In a major step to fight climate change, the Biden administration is raising vehicle mileage standards to significantly reduce emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases. A final rule being issued Monday would raise mileage standards starting in the 2023 model year, reaching a projected industry-wide target of 40 miles per gallon by 2026. The mileage rules are the most ambitious tailpipe pollution standards ever set for passenger cars and light trucks. Mileage goals set by the Trump administration would achieve only 32 miles-per-gallon in 2026. The move comes a day after Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin delivered a potentially fatal blow to Biden’s $2 trillion social and environmental policy bill, jeopardizing Democrats’ agenda and infuriating the White House.
December 20, 2021 5:41 pm
NEW YORK (AP) – The sex trafficking trial of Ghislaine Maxwell is speeding to a conclusion with closing arguments. A prosecutor told jurors Monday that the 59-year-old Maxwell is a dangerous predator who helped Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls. A defense lawyer told the Manhattan federal court jury that Maxwell is an innocent woman wrongfully accused of crimes she did not commit. Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan federal jail cell in August 2019 as he awaited a sex trafficking trial. Maxwell has been held without bail since she was arrested in July 2020.
December 20, 2021 5:39 pm
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The jury has begun deliberating in the manslaughter trial of the suburban Minneapolis police officer who killed Black motorist Daunte Wright after she says she mistook her gun for her Taser. Kim Potter’s case went to the mostly white jury on Monday following closing arguments. Potter, who is white and who resigned from the Brooklyn Center police force after killing Wright, shot the 20-year-old as she and other officers were trying to arrest him on an outstanding warrant during an April traffic stop. The prosecutor told jurors during closing arguments that the shooting was “entirely preventable.” Potter’s attorney said she made a mistake and it wasn’t a crime.
December 20, 2021 4:57 pm
NEW YORK (AP) – Former President Donald Trump sued New York Attorney General Letitia James on Monday, seeking to end her civil investigation into his business practices. The lawsuit was filed two weeks after James requested that Trump sit for a deposition next month. Trump alleges the Democratic attorney general’s investigation has violated his constitutional rights. He’s seeking a permanent injunction barring her from investigating him. Messages seeking comment were left with James’ office and Trump’s lawyers. News of the lawsuit filed in federal court in Albany was first reported by The New York Times.
December 20, 2021 3:50 pm
PITTSBURGH-(WPXI) — During a virtual press conference to unveil his transition team on Monday, Pittsburgh Mayor-elect Ed Gainey announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19, after being exposed over the weekend. Gainey said he learned he was potentially exposed on Saturday and the test was taken during his regular routine and showed “slightly positive.” He is now awaiting the results of a PCR test. While no plans for the inauguration were announced, he did say they would be making those decisions in the coming days, based on his test results and if current COVID-19 numbers spike.
December 20, 2021 2:13 pm
A mid morning accident at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Hall Avenue left one person injured. The accident occured at 9:15 AM when a pick up truck collided with a car and the truck ended up on its side atop the car. The accident damaged the control box for the traffic light. County 9-1-1 dispatchers stated that the accident scene was cleared and all police and fire personnel were gone before 12:00 PM. (photo credit Ken Westcott)
December 20, 2021 4:24 am
MANILA, Philippines (AP) – The death toll following the strongest typhoon to batter the Philippines this year has climbed to more than 200, with 52 other people still missing. At its strongest, the typhoon packed sustained winds of 195 kilometers (121 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 270 kph (168 mph) before it blew out Friday into the South China Sea. The toll was expected to increase because several towns and villages remained out of reach due to downed communications, power outages and clogged roads, although massive repairs and clean-up efforts were underway with the improved weather.
December 20, 2021 4:21 am
NEW YORK (AP) – YouTube TV began restoring access to Disney content after a dispute between the companies led to an interruption of service. YouTube told viewers they were restoring service so customers could once again watch networks provided by Disney. That includes ESPN, FX, National Geographic and local ABC stations. During the outage, viewers lost access to all live Disney content including recordings they had saved to their libraries. The outage stemmed from a breakdown in negotiations between YouTube and Disney over the contract between the companies, which expired late Friday. The companies reached agreement Sunday.
December 20, 2021 4:20 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Cory Booker of New Jersey say they have tested positive for COVID-19. Their announcements on Sunday of breakthrough infections come as the country deals with another surge in cases and the emergence of the omicron variant. In separate statements, the Democrats say they have been fully vaccinated with two doses and a booster and that their symptoms have been mild so far. They also encouraged others to get the trio of shots if eligible.
