November 27, 2021 9:26 am
NEW YORK (AP) – Stephen Sondheim, the songwriter who reshaped the American musical theater in the second half of the 20th century, has died. He was 91. Sondheim influenced several generations of theater songwriters, particularly with such landmark musicals as “Company,” “Follies” and “Sweeney Todd.” His most famous ballad, “Send in the Clowns,” has been recorded hundreds of times, including by Frank Sinatra and Judy Collins. Six of Sondheim’s musicals won Tony Awards for best score, and he also received a Pulitzer Prize for “Sunday in the Park,” an Academy Award for the song “Sooner or Later” from the film “Dick Tracy,” five Olivier Awards and the Presidential Medal of Honor. (photo: AP)
November 27, 2021 9:22 am
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) – Postal workers who recall packages and letters piled up in distribution hubs a year ago are gearing up for another holiday crush. The Postal Service and private shippers UPS and FedEx are bolstering their hiring by bringing in about 230,000 seasonal workers to ensure they don’t become overwhelmed by packages again. But low product inventories and port and supply chain disruptions are creating new uncertainty about getting gifts delivered on time. Despite that, U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said this month: “We are ready.”
November 27, 2021 9:19 am
HEREFORD, Pa. (AP) – Authorities say a 10-year-old boy was shot and killed on Thanksgiving Day while he was with someone who was target shooting in southeastern Pennsylvania. The shooting occurred around 1:30 p.m. near the child’s home in Hereford. The boy was taken to a hospital but was pronounced dead there a short timer later. Berks County District Attorney John Adams said Friday that the shooter is known to police. But the incident remains under investigation and no charges have been filed so far. Authorities haven’t disclosed specific details about the shooting, and the child’s name has not been released. No other injuries were reported in the shooting.
November 27, 2021 9:16 am
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) – With each passing hour, new restrictions were being slapped on travel from countries in southern Africa as the world scurried to contain a new variant of the coronavirus that has the potential to be more resistant to the protection offered by vaccines. A host of countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada Iran, Japan and the United States, joined others, including the European Union and the U.K. in impose restrictions on southern African countries in response to warnings of the new variant – against the advice of the World Health Organization. Dutch officials were undertaking further tests Saturday on 61 people who tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in the Netherlands on two flights from South Africa on Friday
November 27, 2021 7:47 am
CINCINNATI, Ohio — The Procter & Gamble Co. on Tuesday voluntarily recalled select Old Spice and Secret brand aerosol spray antiperspirants after low levels of benzene, a known human carcinogen, were detected. Per the recall notice, the affected lots carry expiration dates through September 2023. The affected Old Spice and Secret lots were found to contain benzene, which can result in cancers – including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow, as well as certain life-threatening blood disorders – if inhaled, consumed orally or absorbed through the skin. The recalled products were distributed nationwide through retail outlets and online, the notice stated. Old Spice and Secret will also offer reimbursement for consumers who have purchased products impacted by this recall. Consumers are advised to stop using the affected products immediately and to appropriately discard the affected aerosol spray products. Consumers with questions regarding the recall can seek more information via P&G’s consumer care team at 888-339-7689, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST; or online at www.oldspice.com. (story: WPXI, photo: AP)
November 27, 2021 5:25 am
U.S. health officials say Merck’s experimental COVID-19 pill is effective but they raised questions about its safety during pregnancy. The Food and Drug Administration posted its review Friday ahead of a public meeting next week where outside experts will debate the drug’s benefits and risks. If FDA authorizes the drug it would be the first pill for U.S. patients infected with the virus. All FDA-authorized drugs currently used against coronavirus require an IV or injection. The FDA will ask its experts whether the drug’s benefits outweigh its risks for various patient groups, including pregnant women.
November 27, 2021 5:21 am
TACOMA, Wash. (AP) – Authorities say shots were fired near a food court at a shopping mall in Tacoma, Washington. Pierce County Sheriff’s Sgt. Darren Moss said at least one person was struck and injured at the Tacoma Mall. People called 911 just after 7 p.m. Friday to say multiple shots were fired. The Tacoma Police said the victim was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. Hundreds of shoppers sheltered in place or hid inside stores, which immediately went into lockdown. More than 60 law enforcement officers from Tacoma, Pierce County, Lakewood and other agencies went to the scene. No suspects were in custody. The Tacoma Mall is the city’s largest shopping mall, with more than 100 stores.
November 27, 2021 5:16 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. – Deer hunters here in Pennsylvania have more opportunities to get in the woods, as Saturday is the opening day of rifle deer season, something that usually lands on the Monday after Thanksgiving. In addition, one day of Sunday hunting, November 28th, has been added. And this year, both antlered and antlerless deer are legal game for the entire two-week season. The PA Game Commission says the season runs through December 11th.
November 27, 2021 5:13 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – The Republican field of candidates aiming to capture Pennsylvania’s open U.S. Senate seat is churning. Out is Sean Parnell, the candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Parnell’s exit is reshuffling the race. Getting in might be a couple guys who are relative unknowns to many party figures. First, there’s Mehmet Oz, the cardiac surgeon and host of TV’s “Dr. Oz Show.” He’s a longtime New Jersey resident. The other is David McCormick, a Connecticut resident who runs one of the world’s largest hedge funds, but grew up in Pennsylvania. The campaign could determine Senate control in next year’s election.
November 27, 2021 4:57 am
Pittsburgh (WPXI) – Pittsburgh Police responded to a “Shotspotter” notification of multiple rounds fired in the area of South 17th and East Carson streets at about 1:40 a.m. Friday. According to our news partners at WPXI, Officers found shell casings and learned that a woman showed up at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to the back. She is in stable condition. A man who suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the chest is in critical condition. Both victims arrived at the hospital by private vehicle. Pittsburgh Violent Crime Unit detectives are investigating.
