October 24, 2021 8:35 am
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Hours before actor Alec Baldwin fired a fatal gunshot from a prop gun that he had been told was safe, a camera crew for the movie he was filming walked off the job to protest conditions and production issues that included safety concerns. Disputes in the production of the Western film “Rust” began almost from the start in early October and culminated with seven crew members walking off several hours before 42-year-old cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed. The crew members had expressed their discontent with matters that ranged from safety procedures to their housing accommodations, according to one of those who left. He requested anonymity for fear that speaking up would hurt his prospects for future jobs. Rust Movie Productions did not answer emails Friday and Saturday seeking comment. At a rehearsal on the film set Thursday at Bonanza Creek Ranch outside Santa Fe, the gun Baldwin used was one of three that a firearms specialist, or “armorer,” had set on a cart outside the building where a scene was being rehearsed, according to the court records. Court records indicate that an assistant director, Dave Halls, grabbed a prop gun off a cart and handed it to Baldwin, indicating incorrectly that the weapon didn’t carry live rounds by yelling “cold gun.” When Baldwin pulled the trigger, he unwittingly killed Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza, who was standing behind her inside a wooden, chapel-like building.
October 24, 2021 8:32 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Republicans have succeeded this year in passing a range of voting restrictions in states they control politically, from Georgia to Iowa to Texas. They’re not stopping there. Republicans in at least four states where Democrats control the governor’s office, the legislature or both — California, Massachusetts, Michigan and Pennsylvania — are pursuing statewide ballot initiatives or veto-proof proposals to enact voter ID restrictions and other changes to election law. In another state, Nebraska, Republicans control the governor’s office and have a majority in the single-house legislature, but are pushing a voter ID ballot measure because they have been unable to get enough lawmakers on board. Republicans say they are pursuing the changes in the name of “election integrity,” and repeat similar slogans — “easier to vote, harder to cheat.” Democrats dismiss it as the GOP following former President Donald Trump’s false claims that widespread fraud cost him the election. They say Republicans have tried to whip up distrust in elections for political gain and are passing restrictions designed to keep Democratic-leaning voters from registering or casting a ballot.
October 23, 2021 4:39 am
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) – Court records show that an assistant director unwittingly handed Alec Baldwin a loaded weapon and told him it was safe to use in the moments before the actor fatally shot a cinematographer. The assistant director referred to the gun as “cold,” according to a search warrant filed Friday in a Santa Fe, New Mexico, court. Instead, the gun was loaded with live rounds. When Baldwin pulled the trigger Thursday on the set of a Western, he killed 42-year-old cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The sheriff’s office obtained the warrant so investigators could document the scene where the shooting took place. They sought to examine Baldwin’s blood-stained costume for the film “Rust.”
October 23, 2021 4:38 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – A deal within reach, President Joe Biden and Congress’ top Democrats have edged close to sealing their giant domestic legislation. But Friday’s informal deadline was slipping as they worked to scale back the measure and determine how to pay for it. Biden met at the White House with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer joined in a call from New York. Biden and the Democrats are working to reach agreement between the party’s progressives and moderates in Congress. Pelosi says a deal is “very possible.” Talks are expected to continue into the weekend.
October 23, 2021 4:37 am
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Northern California residents are cleaning up Friday and preparing for a massive storm this weekend that could bring flash flooding to vast areas scorched by fire. Residents had been relieved when rain started falling this week for the first time in any measurable way since spring, helping contain stubborn wildfires and soaking dry gardens. The National Weather Service for the San Francisco Bay Area issued a flash flood watch for parts of the region Sunday. Rain and snow will soak northern and central California before spreading into Southern California Monday. This week’s storms won’t end the drought that’s plaguing California and the western United States.
October 23, 2021 4:36 am
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – North Korea has accused the Biden administration of raising military tensions with Pyongyang’s closest ally China through its support of Taiwan. An official quoted by state media Saturday said the U.S. had engaged in “reckless” backing of Taiwan and said a growing U.S. military presence in the region constitutes a potential threat to the North. The comments by Vice Foreign Minister Pak Myong Ho came a day after President Joe Biden told a CNN townhall event that the United States was committed to defending Taiwan if it were to come under Chinese attack. North Korea has increasingly criticized the broader U.S. security role in the Indo-Pacific that has sharpened the competition with China, Pyongyang’s chief political and economic backer.
October 23, 2021 4:35 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. military says it killed a senior al-Qaeda leader in an airstrike Friday in northwest Syria. Army Maj. John Rigsbee, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, says in a statement that Abdul Hamid al-Matar was killed by a drone strike. Rigsbee says the killing of al-Matar will disrupt al-Qaida’s “ability to further plot and carry out global attacks threatening U.S. citizens, our partners, and innocent civilians.” The U.S. strike came two days after a U.S. military outpost in southern Syria was hit by a coordinated attack that included drones and rockets. U.S. officials said no American troops stationed there were injured or killed.
October 23, 2021 4:27 am
WASHINGTON, Pa. — Saturday is National Drug Take Back Day across the United States, and many local law enforcement agencies are taking part in the event between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Residents are encouraged to drop off all unused and expired prescription medication. There will be no questions asked when items are dropped off. In Washington County, there are 15 collection sites established including the Canonsburg Shop and Save, South Strabane Township Police Department, Mingo Creek County Sheriff’s Office, Troop B State Police Barracks and the Washington Health System. To find the nearest location for you, visit https://takebackday.dea.gov.
October 23, 2021 4:18 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – A landmark synagogue building in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood remains dormant three years after it was the scene of a rampage that left 11 people dead in what was America’s deadliest anti-Semitic attack. The solemn anniversary is being observed by survivors, family members of victims and congregants. There’s still no trial date for the suspected shooter, former truck driver Robert Bowers. These days a renowned architect is among those now working to transform the site where the massacre took place. Some members of the congregations say their grief has been compounded by the coronavirus pandemic because it further isolated them from each other and from in-person worship.
October 23, 2021 4:15 am
The National Weather service has now confirmed six tornadoes hit the region Thursday night. An EF-1 twister hit an area east of West Finley in Washington County. Another was in Hopewell Twp, Washington County where reports say homes along Willow Road and Lowry Lane were damaged. In Peters Twp, another tornado was confirmed as officials say the Venetia area was hit hard with reports of numerous trees and wires down and roadways blocked. Both the Hopewell and Peters Township tornadoes will be surveyed to determine damage Saturday. In Allegheny County, an EF-0 tornado hit the Mt. Nebo area, while an EF-1 struck Hampton Township. Saturday morning, the NWS confirmed an EF-0 tornado in the City of Butler, while crews will also be heading out to survey damage in Lancaster Township, Butler County as well as Franklin Township, Beaver County Saturday. The weather service will continue to investigate damage throughout the area over the next several days. There have been no reports of any injuries. (Photo: Nick Wikes – Facebook)
