June 19, 2021 4:21 am
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has solemnly sworn to navigate his country out of deepening economic troubles as he concluded a major ruling party meeting, acknowledging food shortages and urging officials to prepare for both dialogue and confrontation with the U.S. North Korea’s state media released Kim’s comments shortly before President Joe Biden’s special representative for North Korea, Sung Kim, arrived in South Korea on Saturday for talks over stalled nuclear diplomacy with the North. Kim Jong Un presided over a four-day plenary meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party’s Central Committee, which he summoned to discuss efforts to salvage a dismal economy, hurt by years of mismanagement and U.S.-led sanctions that were made worse by pandemic border closures.
June 19, 2021 4:20 am
PHOENIX (AP) – Extreme temperatures like the ones blistering the American West this week aren’t just annoying, they’re deadly. Scientists and health care experts say the record-breaking temperatures this week are a weather emergency, with heat responsible for more deaths in the U.S. than all other natural disasters combined. With more frequent and intense heat waves likely because of climate change and the worst drought in modern history, they say communities must better protect the vulnerable, like homeless people and those who live in ethnically and racially diverse low-income neighborhoods.
June 19, 2021 4:19 am
NEW YORK (AP) – The declaration of Juneteenth as a federal holiday is putting the pressure on more U.S. companies to give their employees the day off, accelerating a movement that took off last year in response to the racial justice protests that swept the country. Hundreds of top companies had already pledged last year to observe Juneteenth in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd. But most private companies take their cues from the federal government in drawing up their holiday calendars. More than 800 companies have publicly pledged to observe Juneteenth, according to HellaCreative. That is nearly double the number of companies that had joined the pledge last year.
June 19, 2021 3:50 am
The regular meeting of the Washington County Commissioners on Thursday turned contentious, when Register of Wills, James Roman, delivered harsh accusations of threats, intimidation and even fraud, against the commissioners. Roman made his remarks during the public comment of the meeting. He specifically named all three commissioners, County Controller Mike Namie and the county’s Director of Finance, Josh Hatfield, calling them “career politicians” and claiming that in their positions, they have ruled over Washington County using “Machiavellian tactics.” Roman pointed to an audit released last week, saying it was being used to distract from what he claimed, was a more than one-million-dollar misappropriation. Meanwhile, Washington County Clerk of Courts Brenda Davis also delivered a prepared statement asking commissioners to provide direction on some sixty cases in her office along with the collection of fees. Davis also called for an independent forensic audit from 2016 through 2019. Commission Chairperson Diana Irey-Vaughan tells WJPA News that in twenty-four-years of public service, she has never experienced such hostility between departments and offices. But, she said, words have consequences and they are working with the county’s solicitor to consider all potential options for the “actionable” behavior that has been exhibited.
June 18, 2021 1:56 pm
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) – West Virginia University is joining the coronavirus vaccine giveaway sweepstakes. WVU is offering an incentive program for students and employees who have verified they’ve received their COVID-19 shots. It’s intended to boost the number of students, faculty and staff who confirm their vaccine information. The university say it will commit to holding a large concert in the upcoming academic year if it reaches a 70% vaccine verification rate by Aug. 1. Among the freebies being offered are football and basketball student season tickets, wilderness trips and a dinner with WVU President Gordon Gee. Drawings will be held in July.
June 18, 2021 1:53 pm
TORONTO (AP) – Canada’s public safety minister says border restrictions on nonessential travel with the United States will be extended until July 21. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says the move has been made in coordination with the U.S. He says Canada’s number one priority is to keep Canadians safe during the pandemic. The border between Canada and the U.S. remains closed to all nonessential travel. The restrictions were announced in March, 2020 in the early months of the pandemic and have been extended every month since. There are growing calls in the U.S. to open the Canada-U.S. border for nonessential travel like tourism, but under 20% of eligible Canadians are fully vaccinated now.
June 18, 2021 4:15 am
(AP) – U.S. Catholic bishops have overwhelmingly approved the drafting of a “teaching document” that many of them hope will rebuke Catholic politicians, including President Joe Biden, for receiving Communion despite their support for abortion rights. The 168-55 vote was announced near the end of a three-day meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that was held virtually. The bishops had cast their votes the previous day. Supporters say a strong rebuke of Biden is needed because of his recent actions protecting and expanding abortion access. Opponents warn that such action would portray the bishops as a partisan force during a time of bitter political divisions. (Photo: AP)
June 18, 2021 4:14 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden has signed legislation Thursday establishing a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery, saying he believes it will go down as one of the greatest honors he has as president. Biden signed into law a bill to make Juneteenth, or June 19, the 12th federal holiday. The U.S. government announced Thursday that most federal government employees will observe the new holiday Friday because June 19 falls on Saturday this year. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas – two months after the Confederacy had surrendered.
June 18, 2021 4:12 am
MIAMI (AP) – A tropical storm warning has been issued for parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama as a potential tropical cyclone advanced toward the northern Gulf Coast. The warning extends from Intracoastal City, Louisiana, to the Alabama-Florida border. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center say heavy rainfall and flooding will likely be the most significant hazard, with the storm reaching the coast beginning on Friday. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards late Thursday issued a state of emergency due to the potential weather threats. As of Thursday night, the storm was located about 435 miles south of Morgan City, Louisiana, with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph.
June 18, 2021 4:11 am
Nevada is distributing $5 million in cash prizes to residents who have been vaccinated as part of an effort to encourage more people to get shots. Gov. Steve Sisolak said Thursday that the new “Vax Nevada Days” initiative provided skeptics one more reason to get vaccinated. His announcement adds Nevada to a growing list of states offering incentives to revive flatlining vaccination efforts and maintain demand. More than half the state’s residents 12 and older have received at least one dose of vaccine and 42.7% – or more than 1.1 million – statewide have completed their inoculations.
