September 27, 2021 4:22 am
JOPLIN, Mont. (AP) – Investigators are seeking the cause for the weekend derailment of an Amtrak train in far northern Montana that killed three people. Seven people remained hospitalized Sunday but were in stable condition. The Empire Builder train was westbound when the derailment occurred about 4 p.m. Saturday just outside the tiny community of Joplin. Nearby residents rushed to the scene to help first responders attend to the roughly 160 passengers and crew. National Transportation Safety Board investigators are looking into the cause of the accident, which occurred near a switch on the tracks. The Empire Builder runs between Chicago and Seattle.
September 27, 2021 4:20 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden has had his COVID-19 booster shot. Monday’s booster shot came days after federal regulators recommended a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine for Americans age 65 or older and approved them for others with preexisting medical conditions and high-risk work environments. Biden is 78. He got his first shot on Dec. 21 and his second dose three weeks later, on Jan. 11, along with his wife, Jill Biden. It’s unclear whether the first lady will also receive the booster dose Monday. Biden has been a champion of booster doses since the U.S. experienced a sharp rise in coronavirus cases from the delta variant in the summer. (Photo: CNN)
September 27, 2021 4:17 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – An eagle has taken flight over Pittsburgh after escaping from the National Aviary on Saturday. The bird, a two-feet tall Steller’s sea eagle named Kodiak, is believed to have gotten out of his habitat through weakened chain netting, Aviary officials said Sunday morning. Kodiak was last seen flying over the North Side. He’s still believed to be in that area of the city. odiak has been at the Aviary for about 17 years. Animal control and officials with the Aviary are working to safely capture Kodiak. Anyone who sees Kodiak is asked to not approach him and call the Aviary at 412-323-7235.
September 27, 2021 4:14 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – In response to anticipated increase in demand from recent booster dose guidance, Giant Eagle Pharmacy has reinstated its online appointment requirement for all COVID-19 vaccinations. In an effort to ensure timely access to those who have previously received a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and qualify for a Pfizer booster dose under the CDC’s September 24 booster guidance, Giant Eagle Pharmacy will return to an appointment-only system. Giant Eagle Pharmacy is now able to provide Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine boosters to certain patients, if it has been at least 6 months since they received the second dose of the initial Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine series, and they meet the eligibility criteria.
September 27, 2021 3:50 am
PITTSBURGH — A woman was stopped from taking a handgun aboard a plane at Pittsburgh International Airport on Friday, marking the sixth time this month someone was caught at the airport checkpoint with a weapon, Allegheny County Police said. A 31-year-old woman, who was not identified by police, was stopped by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at 3:20 p.m. Friday when officers saw a loaded Glock 9 mm handgun in her purse at the airport’s main security checkpoint and alerted police. The woman had a valid concealed carry permit and told authorities she inadvertently left the firearm in her bag, police said. The FBI was notified. The passenger was permitted to fly, but her gun was confiscated. County police said they do not anticipate charges will be filed against her. TSA officers also stopped a Homer City man on Thursday from bringing his unloaded .380-caliber handgun onto a flight. When TSA officers spotted the gun in the checkpoint X-ray machine, they informed police who confiscated the weapon and temporarily detained the man for questioning before issuing a court summons. With the two guns that were caught at the airport security checkpoint this week, there have been a total of 24 guns confiscated by authorities this year. There have been six guns caught at the checkpoint this month alone, including on Sept. 7, 8, 10 and 14.
September 26, 2021 8:10 am
BERLIN (AP) — German voters were choosing a new parliament Sunday in an election that will determine who succeeds Chancellor Angela Merkel after her 16 years at the helm of Europe’s biggest economy. Polls point to a very close race Sunday between Merkel’s center-right Union bloc, with state governor Armin Laschet running for chancellor, and the center-left Social Democrats, for whom outgoing finance minister and Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz is seeking the top job. Recent surveys show the Social Democrats marginally ahead. The environmentalist Greens, with candidate Annalena Baerbock, are making their first run for the chancellery, and polls put them several points behind in third place.
September 26, 2021 8:03 am
JERUSALEM (AP) — At least four Palestinian gunmen were killed in shootouts with Israeli security forces during a sweeping West Bank arrest operation cracking down on the Islamic militant group Hamas on Sunday, the Israeli military said. It was the deadliest violence between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants in the occupied West Bank in recent weeks and came amid heightened tensions following this year’s 11-day war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Health Ministry said a Palestinian was shot dead near the northern West Bank city of Jenin and three others were killed in Biddu, north of Jerusalem. The Israeli military said an officer and soldier suffered serious injuries during the arrest in Burqin, near Jenin, and were airlifted to a hospital for medical treatment.
September 26, 2021 8:02 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats pushed a $3.5 trillion, 10-year bill strengthening social safety net and climate programs through the House Budget Committee, but one Democrat voted “no,” illustrating the challenges party leaders face in winning the near unanimity they’ll need to push the sprawling package through Congress. The Democratic-dominated panel, meeting virtually Saturday, approved the measure on a near party-line vote, 20-17. Passage marked a necessary but minor checking of a procedural box for Democrats by edging it a step closer to debate by the full House. Under budget rules, the committee wasn’t allowed to significantly amend the 2,465-page measure, the product of 13 other House committees. More important work has been happening in an opaque procession of mostly unannounced phone calls, meetings and other bargaining sessions among party leaders and rank-and-file lawmakers. President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have led a behind-the-scenes hunt for compromises to resolve internal divisions and, they hope, allow approval of the mammoth bill soon.
September 26, 2021 8:00 am
JOPLIN, Mont. (AP) — At least three people were killed Saturday afternoon when an Amtrak train that runs between Seattle and Chicago derailed in north-central Montana, toppling several cars onto their sides, authorities said. The westbound Empire Builder train derailed about 4 p.m. near Joplin, a town of about 200, Amtrak spokesman Jason Abrams said in a statement. The accident scene is about 150 miles northeast of Helena and about 30 miles from the border with Canada. Liberty County sheriff’s dispatcher Starr Tyler told The Associated Press that three people died in the derailment. She did not have more details. Amtrak said in a statement that there were multiple injuries. The train had about 141 passengers and 16 crew members onboard, Abrams said. The train had two locomotives and 10 cars, eight of which derailed, he said. “We are deeply saddened to learn local authorities are now confirming that three people have lost their lives as a result of this accident,” Abrams said.
September 26, 2021 7:45 am
PITTSBURGH (WPXI) — If you looked up in the sky Saturday morning, you may have seen something pretty big flying around. An eagle has taken flight over Pittsburgh after escaping from the National Aviary. “Kodiak” is a two foot tall Steller Sea Eagle. He escaped from the facility early Saturday morning. He was seen flying over the North Side. Animal control and officials with the Aviary are working to capture him safely. If you see Kodiak on your street or flying around, do not approach him and call the authorities. The Aviary can be reached by the public at 412-323-7235.
