April 4, 2021 6:55 am
The Center for Disease Control announced Saturday that the state ranks 12th among all 50 states for first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered by percentage of population and 5th among all 50 states for total doses administered. According to the news release, Pennsylvania has administered first doses of vaccine to 33.5% of its eligible population, with 3,694,176 people having received at least their first dose. The release also states that 1,960,809 people are fully vaccinated, with a seven-day moving average of close to 89,000 people per day receiving vaccinations. More than 5.5 million vaccinations have been administered, the release states.
April 4, 2021 4:25 am
HEMPFIELD, Pa. – One individual has died following a head-on collision in Hempfield Township Friday night. Westmoreland County 911 confirmed the incident took place just after 7:00 p.m. that evening on State Route 136 between Fallow Deer Lane and Harry Long Road. According to officials, one patient was pronounced dead on scene, while the other was airlifted to Allegheny General Hospital. Route 136 in Hempfield was closed for a time while authorities cleared the scene. There is no word on the reason for the accident, status of the hospitalized patient or the identities of anyone involved.
April 4, 2021 4:10 am
Cecil Township officials are warning residents of a black bear that has been spotted in the area. Cecil Police posted this on their Facebook page; A black bear has been spotted in the Cherrybrook housing plan off Morganza rd. The Pa Game Commission is aware. Please keep all potential food sources (garbage, bird seed, etc.) to a minimum and avoid contact with it. This is the time of year when young bears tend wander from their traditional habitats and will probably be out of the area shortly.
April 3, 2021 4:32 am
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The head of the Minneapolis Police Department’s homicide division has testified that kneeling on the neck of someone who is handcuffed and lying on his stomach is “totally unnecessary” deadly force. Lt. Richard Zimmerman testified Friday at the trial of former Officer Derek Chauvin, who is charged with killing George Floyd last year. His testimony came a day after a Minneapolis police supervisory sergeant who was on duty the night Floyd died testified that he believes the officers who restrained Floyd could have ended it after Floyd stopped resisting. Chauvin is charged with murder and manslaughter in Floyd’s death.
April 3, 2021 4:30 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) – The University of California is warning students and staff that a ransomware group might have stolen and published their personal data and that of hundreds of other schools, government agencies and companies nationwide. The school this week said a cybersecurity attack targeted a vulnerability in a third-party vendor that is used to securely transfer files. The university system on Friday said the cyberattack affected about 300 organizations. They have included Stanford University’s School of Medicine, Yeshiva University in New York City, university systems in Miami, Maryland and Colorado, and a Washington state agency.
April 3, 2021 4:29 am
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a bill that will make handgun carry permits and background checks on unlicensed sales optional in Iowa. As of July 1, people will be able to buy handguns from private, non-licensed sources such as websites, gun shows and individuals without a permit or background check. People also will be able to carry a gun into public places such as grocery stores and malls without prior safety training or a permit. The bill Reynolds signed Friday passed the House and Senate with support from only one Democrat. Most Democrats called the measure a dangerous reversal of commonsense safety measures. Republicans insist it recognizes that keeping and bearing arms is a fundamental right for law-abiding citizens.
April 3, 2021 4:29 am
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued an executive order Friday banning businesses from requiring customers to show proof they’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to get service. In his executive order, DeSantis asserts that “vaccination passports reduce individual freedom and will harm patient privacy.” As of this week, more than 2 million Floridians have been infected by the virus, and nearly 33,500 have died. The governor’s order scrapped a plan by a private university near Fort Lauderdale that would have required students and staff to be vaccinated for COVID-19 when they returned for the fall semester. Nova Southeastern University had previously said vaccinations would be mandatory by Aug. 1.
April 3, 2021 4:28 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The political peril is deepening for conservative Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz. The often outlandish, Trump-styled provocateur appears increasingly isolated amid a federal sex-trafficking investigation. Federal prosecutors are examining whether the Florida congressman and a political ally who is facing sex trafficking allegations may have paid underage girls or offered them gifts in exchange for sex. That’s according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss it publicly. Few Republicans are coming to Gaetz’s defense. But GOP leaders are also slow to publicly confront a high-profile lawmaker popular in Trump’s orbit. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing.
April 3, 2021 4:27 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – A U.S. Capitol Police officer who died after a man rammed his car into him and another officer at a barricade was identified as an 18-year veteran of the force. William “Billy” Evans joined the department in 2003 and was a member of its first responders unit. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hailed Evans as a “martyr for our democracy,” while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was “heartbroken.” The death is the latest moment of sorrow for a department after the loss of Brian Sicknick, who clashed with rioters during the Jan. 6 insurrection and died a day later, and Howard Liebengood, who committed suicide weeks later.
April 3, 2021 4:17 am
PITTSBURGH (WPXI) — Officials with the City of Pittsburgh confirm to Channel 11 they’re now exploring hosting the 2021 MLB All-Star Game. Mayor Bill Peduto’s Chief of Staff, Dan Gilman, told Channel 11, “With today’s news we have begun conversations on the potential ability to host in Pittsburgh. We believe this could be a win for our hospitality industry and also highlight Pittsburgh and Allegheny County’s commitment to voter protection.” This comes after MLB officials said they were moving the game and the draft out of Atlanta after Georgia passed new changes to its voting laws that some see as imposing more restrictions on voters. The last time the event was held in Pittsburgh was 2006, five years after PNC Park was built along the Allegheny River.
