May 18, 2022 4:20 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Ukrainian fighters extracted from the last bastion of resistance in Mariupol were taken to a former penal colony in enemy-controlled territory, and a top military official hoped they could be exchanged for Russian prisoners of war. But a Moscow lawmaker said they should be brought to “justice.” The Russian parliament plans to take up a resolution Wednesday to prevent the exchange of Azov Regiment fighters, who held out for months inside the Azovstal steelworks while Mariupol was under siege. Ukraine’s deputy defense minister said negotiations for the fighters’ release were ongoing, as were plans to rescue fighters who are still inside the sprawling steel mill.
May 18, 2022 4:18 am
BRUSSELS (AP) – NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says that Finland and Sweden have applied for membership amid concerns over Russia’s war on Ukraine. Stoltenberg says NATO allies agree “that this is an historic moment which we must seize.” The applications submitted Wednesday must now be weighed by the 30 member countries. That process is expected to take about two weeks. But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed reservations about Finland and Sweden joining. The two could officially become members once their accession protocols are ratified if Erdogan’s objections are overcome, That could take a few months. The process usually takes eight to 12 months. But NATO wants to move quickly given the threat from Russia hanging over the Nordic countries’ heads.
May 18, 2022 4:16 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Voters in both parties have selected Pennsylvania state representatives to be their nominees for lieutenant governor this fall. Republicans are electing state Rep. Carrie Lewis DelRosso to run in November with their choice for governor, state Sen. Doug Mastriano. Democrats are giving their nominee for governor, Attorney General Josh Shapiro, his choice for second-in-command, Rep. Austin Davis. As votes were being counted late Tuesday, some prominent GOP leaders in the General Assembly found themselves in tight races. Sen. Pat Browne of Lehigh County and state Rep. Stan Saylor of York County, who chair the powerful Appropriations Committees, were both in competitive primaries.
May 18, 2022 4:07 am
Printing mistakes will force local election officials in Pennsylvania and Oregon to redo thousands of mailed ballots, a laborious process that could delay results for some closely contested races in Tuesday’s primaries. In Pennsylvania, where GOP primaries for governor and U.S. Senate are drawing national attention, officials in Republican-leaning Lancaster County said the company that printed its mailed ballots included the wrong ID code. That is preventing scanning machines from being able to read them. In Clackamas County, Oregon, about half the ballots sent to voters included a blurry bar code that cannot be read by ballot-scanning machines. Oregon and Pennsylvania are among five states holding primaries this week.
May 18, 2022 4:06 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Doug Mastriano has won the Republican nomination for governor of Pennsylvania. Mastriano beat eight other candidates in Tuesday’s primary election and a party establishment that had tried to head off his coming victory over fears that he is too extreme to win fall’s general election in the presidential battleground. Mastriano, a retired U.S. Army colonel and state senator since 2019 who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, will face Democrat Josh Shapiro in the November election. Mastriano and Shapiro are vying for the right to succeed Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, who is constitutionally term-limited Mastriano was well on his way to victory when Trump endorsed him on Saturday. Meanwhile, Mehmet Oz, the celebrity heart surgeon endorsed by Trump, is locked with former hedge fund manager David McCormick in a race that is too early to call. On the Democratic side, progressive Lt. Gov. John Fetterman easily secured his party’s Senate nomination.
May 18, 2022 2:49 am
There is good news and bad news as far as the opening of the pool in Washington Park. DeAnna Martin, the city’s director of parks and recreation tells WJPA that they have filled the pool and tested the pumps and the electrical systems and the pool is ready to open, maybe. Martin says the issue they are facing now, as are many pools across the country, is a lack of lifeguards. Martin says they are offering a Lifeguard Certification Class and are encouraging anyone sixteen-years of age or older (even retirees) to take the class and get a tan. Martin says that as an incentive to get certified lifeguards, the city of Washington will even pay much of the expenses, so that when it is all said and done, individuals will really wind up paying only about twenty-five-dollars to get their certification. Martin says more information is available by calling the park office or visiting their Facebook page. As for opening the pool on Memorial Day, Martin says she’s hopeful they’ll be able to work out some type of schedule, even if it means opening for just the weekend, for a shortened time period. The pool has been closed for two years, thanks to the pandemic and safety issues.
May 17, 2022 5:28 pm
CANNES, France (AP) – After two years of coronavirus doldrums, The Cannes Film Festival is being rejuvenated. The red carpet was back in play as stars like Eva Longoria strode in for the screening of “Final Cut.” Over the next 12 days, 21 films will compete for the top prize, the Palme D’or. And Hollywood films like “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Elvis” and “Three Thousand Years of Longing” will be screened. (Photo: AP)
May 17, 2022 12:00 pm
One by one, it appears that businesses are slowly leaving the Washington Crown Center Mall in North Franklin Township. The latest to announce their departure is the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC). School officials say their lease with the mall is up at the end of August and they have decided not to renew it, in part, because of dwindling foot traffic at the mall due to the pandemic and, among other factors, declining enrollment. Officials say that for the upcoming semester, previous for-credit students at the mall can take classes at other CCAC locations or choose from hundreds of other classes that are offered online or remotely. Several businesses have already left the mall, including Joann Fabrics, Hallmark and Ross Dress For Less.
May 17, 2022 10:48 am
U.S. regulators have authorized a COVID-19 vaccine booster for healthy children ages 5 to 11. Everyone 12 and older already was supposed to get one booster dose for the best protection against the newest variants of the coronavirus. Some people, including those 50 and older, can choose a second booster. The Food and Drug Administration’s action Tuesday now opens a third shot to elementary-age kids, too — at least five months after their last dose. There is one more hurdle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must decide whether to formally recommend the booster for this age group.
May 17, 2022 9:13 am
(WPXI) – Pennsylvania Attorney General and Democratic governor candidate Josh Shapiro has tested positive for COVID-19 on Pennsylvania’s Primary Election Day. Shapiro was to join State Rep. Austin Davis in Pittsburgh Tuesday night for a primary night watch party. Shapiro for Pennsylvania spokesperson Will Simons issued the following statement Tuesday morning: “On Monday evening, after taking a precautionary test ahead of his trip to Johnstown and Pittsburgh, Attorney General Josh Shapiro tested positive for COVID-19. Attorney General Shapiro is currently experiencing mild symptoms, and he plans to continue his work of serving the people of Pennsylvania as he isolates at home. “Attorney General Shapiro will be back on the campaign trail next week and will kick off the general election campaign in Johnstown.” Shapiro tweeted, saying he is isolating at home and experiencing some mild symptoms.
