February 1, 2023 4:06 am
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – A funeral for Tyre Nichols blended a celebration of his life with outrage over the brutal beating he endured at the hands of the Memphis police and heated calls for police reform. The Rev. Al Sharpton and Vice President Kamala Harris both delivered impassioned speeches Wednesday calling on Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a broad package of police reforms that includes a national registry for police officers disciplined for misconduct, a ban on no-knock warrants and other measures. In the three weeks since his death, five officers have been fired and charged with murder, and their specialized unit was disbanded.
February 1, 2023 4:04 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — An executive order signed Tuesday takes aim at long wait times that keep professionals from entering their field in Pennsylvania. It also seeks to lower the barriers for small business owners, like barbers and cosmetologists. Under the order signed by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro on Tuesday gives state agencies 90 days to review all licenses, certificates and permits and submit recommendations for timelines for each application to the governor’s office. The governor’s office will then develop timelines, and if an agency misses its deadline. the applicant will be reimbursed for the fees.
February 1, 2023 2:12 am
(WPXI) – In an effort to stave off bankruptcy, Bed Bath & Beyond has announced more store closures, including their stores Bethel Park and Monroeville. The company said that the closures add to the plan to shut down 150 lowest-performing locations, including 62 announced in September and 56 announced in January, USA Today reported. Florida will be the hardest hit in this latest round, with 11 stores closing. Reuters reported that the housewares company may file for bankruptcy protection this week and it has already found liquidators to shut the new slate of stores unless a buyer can be found soon. Bed Bath & Beyond says it is exploring “multiple paths” but didn’t confirm the expected bankruptcy filing, despite defaulting on a loan last week and not paying its debts this week. (Photo: AP)
February 1, 2023 2:12 am
A Canton Township man facing terroristic threat charges waived those charges to common pleas court. Richard Bedillion, 49 is accused of threatening to kill his girlfriend’s son in late December. According to the Pennsylvania State Police report, Bedillion’s girlfriend called 9-1-1 and reported that he was armed with an AR-15 rifle and threatened the life of her son. Police arrived to hear gunshots fired and find Bedillion pointing the AR style rifle in the air. Bedillion was taken into custody without incident. Aside from the terroristic threat charges, Bedillion faces simple assault and reckless endangerment and several other charges. Bedillion is free on $25,000 bond. He will be arraigned on February 23.
February 1, 2023 1:18 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – The rank-and-file Democrat who was unexpectedly elected speaker of the Pennsylvania House as a compromise candidate earlier this month is saying he hopes to keep the job. Speaker Mark Rozzi said in a lengthy interview Monday that he won’t necessarily step aside and support Democratic floor leader Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia to succeed him as speaker. The Capitol is now rife with speculation that McClinton or some other candidate may soon try to evict Rozzi from the speaker’s rostrum. McClinton says she’d be “honored” if Democrats make her speaker once they fill three vacancies next week and are up to full strength. (Photo: Wikipedia)
January 31, 2023 5:38 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) – Republican Rep. George Santos of New York has told GOP colleagues he is temporarily stepping down from his two congressional committees. The move comes amid a host of ethics issues and a day after he met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Santos has faced numerous calls for his resignation and is facing multiple investigations by prosecutors over his personal and campaign finances and lies about his resume and family background. Santos was assigned to the House Committee on Small Business and to the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma said the decision was well-received from the GOP conference. In a prepared statement, Santos said he wanted to focus on serving his constituents “without distraction.”
January 31, 2023 4:25 pm
DETROIT (AP) – The U.S. government’s road safety agency is investigating complaints that windshield trim panels can fly off of Ford Explorers while they’re traveling at highway speeds. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it has 164 complaints about the trim pieces detaching on 2011 through 2019 Explorer SUVs. The probe covers about 1.86 million vehicles. The parts could hit the windshield of following vehicles or even a motorcycle rider, possibly causing loss of control and a crash, the agency said. The agency doesn’t have any reports of crashes or injuries.
January 31, 2023 3:57 pm
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) – A Santa Fe district attorney has filed involuntary manslaughter charges against actor Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western movie “Rust.” Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies announced that her office filed the charges Tuesday. She previously had said the charges would be forthcoming. Halyna Hutchins died shortly after being wounded during rehearsals at a ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe in October 2021. Baldwin was pointing a pistol at her when the gun went off. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who supervised weapons on the set, also is charged with involuntary manslaughter.
January 31, 2023 9:30 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Justice Department has been scrutinizing a controversial artificial intelligence tool used by a Pittsburgh-area child protective services agency following concerns that it could result in discrimination against families with disabilities, The Associated Press has learned. The interest from federal civil rights attorneys comes after an AP investigation revealed potential bias and transparency issues about the opaque algorithm. The Allegheny Family Screening Tool is designed to assess a family’s risk level when they are reported for child welfare concerns. A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment. An Allegheny County Department of Human Services spokesman said the agency had not heard from the Justice Department.
January 31, 2023 7:36 am
Snow overnight led to some slick road conditions Tuesday morning. There were reports of numerous accidents including a tractor trailer that jackknifed along Interstate 70 Westbound just after 4 a.m. It happened near the Beau Street exit. The trucks fuel tank ruptured in the crash and reports were that some 75 to 100 gallons of deisel fuel spilled. HazMat crews were called to the scene. Washington County 9-1-1 says no one was transported from the scene. The slick road conditions led numerous area schools to delay classes by two-hours.
