October 2, 2021 4:28 am
HOUSTON (AP) – Authorities say a former student of a Houston public charter school shot and wounded the campus principal before quickly surrendering to police. The shooting happened at about 11:45 a.m. Friday at YES Prep Southwest Secondary, a charter school that serves students in sixth through 12th grades. Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said the 25-year-old man shot through the school’s door. The school later said Principal Eric Espinoza was taken to a hospital after being grazed by a bullet in the back. He was expected to be released Friday. The school says no students were hurt. Authorities have not released name of the suspected shooter. Finner says authorities are investigating whether he and the principal had any past interactions.
October 2, 2021 4:27 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden has pledged on Capitol Hill to “get it done” as Democrats strain to rescue a scaled back version of his $3.5 trillion government overhaul and salvage a related public works bill. But it’s not getting done soon: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told colleagues in a letter that “more time is needed.” Biden huddled privately Friday with House Democrats after days of frantic negotiations with no deal. Biden is also planning to visit American cities next week to make his case. Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia wants to scale back the big bill to $1.5 trillion. That’s too meager for progressive lawmakers.
October 2, 2021 4:25 am
American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue will require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. That’s happening as the Biden administration steps up pressure on airlines to adopt vaccine mandates. A key White House adviser talked about the matter with the CEOs of American, Delta and Southwest, according to people familiar with the situation. United Airlines already requires employees to be vaccinated, and United says it could terminate more than 300 employees who have refused to get the shots. Delta says it will require vaccination or weekly testing. Delta and Southwest haven’t said how they will comply with President Joe Biden’s vaccination mandate.
October 2, 2021 4:24 am
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – California will become the first U.S. state to require COVID-19 vaccinations for children to attend public and private schools in person under a mandate that could effect millions of students. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday announced that the coronavirus shot will be added to 10 other immunizations already required for school kids, including those for measles and mumps. The requirement is expected to be phased in next year after the U.S. government grants final approval for vaccinations for various age groups. The mandate eventually will affect more than 6.7 million public and private school students. It also could push other states to follow.
October 2, 2021 4:22 am
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – North Korea says it has test-fired a new anti-aircraft missile. It is its fourth weapons launch in recent weeks, which experts say is part of a strategy to win sanctions relief and other concessions. South Korea, Japan and the United States typically confirm North Korean ballistic missile launches, but did not immediately do so for Thursday’s launch. That could indicate the weapon may have been a different kind. Diplomacy aimed at getting North Korea to abandon its nuclear arsenal has largely been deadlocked since early 2019.
October 2, 2021 4:05 am
WASHINGTON, Pa. — (WPXI)- The COVID-19 pandemic brought foot traffic at the Washington County courthouse to a minimum for months. With court cases resuming, however, it’s almost back to business as usual. According to officials, when there’s jury duty, there can be upwards of 600 people coming through the front doors. There are now new security measures when getting in the door, including new bins and screening procedures. “Our deputies are in charge of screening and greeting, enforcing the mask mandates, providing directions at a time when all facets of business at the courthouse have increased drastically this year,” said Sheriff Samuel Romano. “We’re always trying to tweak and train. We have reevaluated the way we do screenings. If there is a better way to do it, we are all for it. We take the security at the courthouse very seriously.” Officials said deputies went through a metal detector refresher course and they often turn people away who refuse to take off items or through the metal detector.
October 2, 2021 2:23 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – The Rolling Stones will be playing at Heinz Field on Monday night, but before the show, the rock band will host a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic for concertgoers. The clinic, offering the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the stadium’s Main Concourse West. Unvaccinated concertgoers will be able to get their first vaccine dose. Their second dose will be scheduled with Giant Eagle at that time. Vaccinated concertgoers will be offered the booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine, as long as they meet the eligibility guidance set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In order to get a shot, photo identification and a medical insurance card will be required.
October 2, 2021 1:43 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court says Justice Brett Kavanaugh has tested positive for COVID-19. The high court said in a press release Friday that Kavanaugh has no symptoms and has been fully vaccinated since January. Kavanaugh had a routine coronavirus test ahead of Friday’s ceremonial investiture for Justice Amy Coney Barrett. The court says Kavanaugh’s wife and daughters are also fully vaccinated, and they tested negative Thursday. Kavanaugh will participate remotely from his home next week during oral arguments. The court’s new term begins Monday and the justices are returning to the courtroom to hear arguments after an 18-month absence due to the coronavirus pandemic.
October 1, 2021 2:45 pm
DOWNINGTON, Pa. (AP) – A former Roman Catholic pastor has admitted he stole $30,000 from his Pennsylvania parish, money he spent on a beach house on the New Jersey shore and men with whom he had sexual relationships. Monsignor Joseph McLoone pleaded guilty Thursday to misdemeanor theft charges and was sentenced to five years of probation, the first nine months of which he will complete under house arrest. He also will have to perform community service. The 58-year-old McLoone initially was accused of stealing nearly $100,000 from the St. Joseph parish in Downington, but he eventually reached a plea deal with Chester County prosecutors. He has been on administrative leave since his resignation in 2018.
October 1, 2021 12:49 pm
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) – The Christian Broadcasting Network says Pat Robertson is stepping down as host of the long-running daily television show the “700 Club.” The 91-year-old televangelist says Friday was his last show as host of the weekday program, and his son, Gordon, is taking over as full-time host. CBN began airing in 1961 after Robertson bought a bankrupt UHF television station. The “700 Club” began production in 1966. The network is now based in Virginia Beach. And its outreach extends to more than 100 countries and territories in dozens of languages. The “700 Club” talk show can be seen in the vast majority of U.S. television markets.
