August 13, 2020 4:35 pm
NEW YORK (AP) – The nation’s largest movie theater chain will reopen in the U.S. on Aug. 20 with retro ticket prices of 15 cents per movie. AMC Entertainment said Thursday that it expects to open the doors to more than 100 cinemas – or about a sixth of its nationwide locations – on Aug. 20 with throwback pricing for a day. AMC theaters have reopened in numerous international countries but have remained shuttered in the U.S. since March. The chain touted the reopening as “Movies in 2020 at 1920 Prices.” Regal Cinemas, the second largest chain, is to reopen some U.S. locations on Aug. 21.
August 13, 2020 1:36 pm
(WPXI) – A grand jury has indicted nearly 30 people associated with the Fayette County government and jail in what is being called Operation Clean Sweep. The investigation uncovered a drug deal ring and contraband operation in and outside the Fayette County Jail, Fayette County District Attorney Rich Bower announced during a news conference Thursday. “We never had any clue how deep the corruption was that we were going to find,” Bower said, of the investigation that ultimately resulted in two federal investigations. The 30 indictments include nine inmates; four corrections officers; a deputy warden; a law clerk and an assistant to the court administrator. The inmates were helping to move in synthetic drugs, according to Bower. The investigation started in November of 2019. Bower had heard rumors of corruption and went to county commissioners to ask for the grand jury to become involved, he said during the news conference Thursday.
August 13, 2020 12:57 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump says he opposes additional funding for the U.S. Postal Service, acknowledging that his position would starve the agency of money Democrats say it needs to process an anticipated surge in mail-in ballots during the coronavirus pandemic. The Republican president said Thursday on Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria” that among the sticking points over a new virus relief package were Democrats’ demand for billions of dollars to assist states in protecting the election and to help postal workers process mail-in ballots. The campaign of Trump’s Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, jumped on Trump’s comments, likening the president’s actions to sabotage.
August 13, 2020 8:59 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The number of laid-off workers in the U.S. applying for unemployment aid has fallen below 1 million for the first time since the pandemic intensified in March. It’s the second straight drop, but applications remain at an extraordinarily high level. The Labor Department says applications fell to 963,000 from 1.2 million the previous week. The decline suggests that layoffs are slowing, though last week’s figure is still above the pre-pandemic record of just under 700,000.
August 13, 2020 5:33 am
PennDOT is displaying plans for a new road bridge over Catfish Creek on West Wheeling Street in the City of Washington. Due to the pandemic, the plans for this project are virtual. The new 46-foot box-beam bridge will replace the current 52-foot arch bridge that has been in place since 1919. A portion of West Wheeling Street would be closed during construction, with a half-mile detour in place utilizing Jefferson Avenue, West Maiden Street and Oregon Street. The project is currently in preliminary design, with the final design expected to take place in October of this year. Residents can take a look at the overview of the project, as well as specs and maps at the PennDOT District 12 website. The virtual plans display will be available until August 28th. Construction is set to be started on the bridge in the Spring of 2022.
August 13, 2020 4:19 am
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – A central Florida sheriff says his deputies won’t be allowed to wear face masks except under some conditions, and neither will visitors to the sheriff’s office. Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods made the announcement the same week that Florida had some of its highest days of coronavirus deaths. On Wednesday, state health officials reported 213 new deaths from COVID-19. Also on Wednesday, there were more than 8,100 new infections reported, for a total of 550,000 cases in the state since the pandemic started. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in July asked Americans to wear masks to help stop the spread of the new coronavirus.
August 13, 2020 4:17 am
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) – Joe Biden raised $26 million for his presidential campaign in the 24 hours that followed his announcement that California Sen. Kamala Harris would be his running mate. Biden’s campaign says the sum more that doubled the campaign’s previous record. It also received contributions from more than 150,000 new donors. Harris is a prolific fundraiser, and she is expected to play a prominent role bringing in money for the campaign. Democrats are close to matching the massive $300 million cash stockpile President Donald Trump and the Republicans reported in July.
August 13, 2020 4:15 am
PITTSBURGH, Pa. (AP) – President Donald Trump’s administration has done away with Obama-era rules designed to limit greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas fields and pipelines. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced two final rules for the oil and natural gas industry that removes ineffective and duplicative requirements while streamlining others. He made this announcement at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Secretary Mark W. Menezes, U.S. Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), and EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. Wheeler says these rulemakings will reduce regulatory burdens for oil and natural gas entities while protecting human health and the environment. Combined, the two final rules are estimated to yield net benefits of $750 to $850 million dollars from 2021 to 2030, the annualized equivalent of about $100 million a year. States and environmental advocacy groups warn that last year’s proposed changes would be illegal and a setback in the fight against climate change.
August 13, 2020 4:14 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Americans counting on emergency coronavirus aid from Washington may have to wait until fall. Negotiations over a new coronavirus aid package have all but ended. The White House and Congress are far apart on the size, scope and approach on relief for households, schools and a national strategy to contain the virus. President Donald Trump’s top negotiator, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, tried to revive stalled talks Wednesday. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer dismissed what they called an “overture,” saying the Trump administration is still refusing to meet them halfway. Trump said Democrats are “holding the American people hostage.”
August 13, 2020 4:10 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – Some area bar and restaurant owners may take matters into their own hands, possibly opening and allowing more than 25-percent capacity in their establishments. The president of the Southwest Pa. Restaurant and Tavern Association, Rodney Ambrogi – who is also the owner of Al’s Cafe in Bethel Park, told our news partners at Channel 11 the association sent a letter to Governor Tom Wolf last week. The letter asked that the governor loosen some restrictions. As of Wednesday morning, the association hadn’t heard back from him. If they don’t hear back from him by Aug. 14, according to Ambrogi, members of the association may: Open their bars for direct service again. Allow more than 25-percent capacity and enforce the six foot rule to allow more customers inside, while still following other safety guidelines. He says they are pushed in a corner and are trying to do everything they can to protect their livelihoods and family businesses. Members of the association are hopeful they’ll hear from Governor Wolf by Friday, but said they are willing to take the risk.
