October 16, 2021 4:43 am
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A crowd of 100 people wreaked havoc in downtown Portland, Oregon, this week, smashing storefront windows, lighting dumpsters on fire and causing at least $500,000 in damage. But police officers didn’t stop them. Portland Police Bureau officials say that’s because legislation passed by Oregon lawmakers this year restricts the tools they can use as people vandalize buildings and cause mayhem. The measure prohibits the use of things like pepper spray and rubber bullets for crowd control. However there are exceptions, and lawmakers say police should still be able to use the tools they need to quell riots. Portland has seen ongoing, often violent protests since the murder of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis.
October 16, 2021 4:42 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. Defense Department says it is committed to offering condolence payments to relatives of the 10 people who were killed in an errant U.S. drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, in August. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement Friday that the Defense Department is also working with the State Department to help surviving family members relocate to the United States. Kirby did not say how much money would be offered. He says Dr. Colin Kahl, under secretary of defense for policy, discussed the matter Thursday with Dr. Steven Kwon, founder and president of the nonprofit group Nutrition & Education International.
October 16, 2021 2:42 am
The Meadows Casino has taken the final step in its three year journey since being sold to Penn National Gaming in 2019. At a Friday morning unveiling of the new marquee, the casino is now officially named the Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. Vice President and General Manager Tony Frabbiele announced the name change and highlighted renovations that ran $25 million in investments. The Eatery by Fabio Vivani, The H Lounge and Embers Lounge by the racetrack are just a few upgrades that visitors will see. The casino will celebrate all weekend long with a “Pink Out” event and Family Fun night with Corgi Dog races, food trucks and entertainment. The Casino along with the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association will also have a check presentation to the American Cancer Society in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Saturday events include hourly lucky draws and merchandise giveaways, food trucks and music. The weekend will come to an end with fireworks at 7:15 pm and an 8:00 pm grand prize drawing for a brand new Mercedes Benz. The celebration will continue all month long with more giveaways and lucky draws.
October 16, 2021 2:21 am
After years of preparation and construction, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has opened the Southern Beltway. The $800 million project links with the already operating Findlay Connector at this point, which will give Washington County residents and others a direct shot to Pittsburgh International Airport and other points north from Southpointe. The opening happened in phases Friday, with the entire highway now completely drivable. Some ramps at the Interstate 79 Interchange are still closed as work continues in that area. Drivers will encounter three toll points along the route, where two-axle vehicles will pay $1.30 with an EZ Pass, or $2.60 via the state’s toll-by-plate system. This means it will cost regular cars just under $4.00 to take the whole highway with an EZ Pass, and just under $8.00 without one. Construction will continue on Interstate 79 at the Southern Beltway ramps between Bridgeville and Southpointe until work is completed on that highway around Memorial Day of 2022.
October 16, 2021 1:53 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – A panel of U.S. health advisers has endorsed booster doses of Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot COVID-19 vaccine. The Food and Drug Administration panel said Friday that the booster should be offered at least two months after immunization but didn’t suggest a firm time. The FDA isn’t bound by the vote but its ultimate decision could help expand the nation’s booster campaign. Booster doses of Pfizer’s vaccine began last month for people at high risk of COVID-19, and the FDA advisory panel has recommended the same approach for Moderna.
October 16, 2021 1:21 am
ORANGE, Calif. (AP) – Bill Clinton is recovering from a urological infection in a Southern California hospital. An aide said Friday the former president was in an intensive care section of the hospital, though not receiving “ICU care.” The aide, who would not allow his name to be used, did not elaborate on the reason Clinton was in the ICU. He said Clinton had a urological infection that spread to his bloodstream, but is on the mend and never went into septic shock, a potentially life-threatening condition. Hillary Clinton was with him in the hospital, though not his daughter, Chelsea Clinton. There was no immediate word on any timeline for Clinton’s release.
October 15, 2021 4:13 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – A congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection has set a vote to recommend criminal contempt charges against former White House aide Steve Bannon after he defied the panel’s subpoena. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said that the panel will vote Tuesday to recommend the charges. That would send the recommendation to the full House for a vote. If the House votes to recommend the contempt charges against Bannon, the Justice Department will ultimately decide whether to prosecute. The committee had demanded documents and testimony from Bannon, who was in touch with President Donald Trump ahead of the violent attack.
October 15, 2021 4:11 am
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – A federal appeals court is once again allowing Texas to continue banning most abortions. The decision Thursday night keeps the law known as Senate Bill 8 in place as the Justice Department tries to halt the law. The Biden administration is suing Texas over the restrictions that ban abortions once cardiac activity is detected, usually around six weeks. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has now allowed the law to proceed three times since August. The Texas law allows private citizens to collect at least $10,000 in damages if they bring a successful lawsuit against an abortion provider who violates the restrictions.
October 15, 2021 4:09 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden has signed into law a bill raising the nation’s debt limit until early December, delaying the prospect of an unprecedented federal default that would cause economic disaster. The House passed the $480 billion increase in the country’s borrowing ceiling on Tuesday after the Senate approved it on a party-line vote last week. Senate Republicans had derailed initial Democratic efforts to raise the debt limit, but a handful of Republicans eventually joined Democrats and allowed the bill to come to the floor for a vote. Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell has said Republicans will offer no support for another increase in December.
October 15, 2021 4:08 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Average long-term mortgage rates jumped this week, with the benchmark 30-year loan again breaching 3%. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average rate for a 30-year mortgage rose to 3.05% from 2.99% last week. That is its highest level since April, when it peaked at 3.18%. The rate for a 15-year loan rose to 2.30% from 2.23% last week. The increase in mortgage rates came amid continued inflation pressures. The government reported Wednesday that retail inflation rose 0.4% in September, with its consumer price index up 5.4% over the past 12 months – matching the fastest pace since 2008.
