July 20, 2021 5:47 am
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Robert E. “Robby” Steinhardt, a violinist and vocalist with the progressive rock band Kansas, has died of complications from pancreatitis. He was 71. His wife, Cindy Steinhardt, says he died Saturday at a hospital in Tampa, Florida. She announced on Facebook Monday that he had just recorded his first solo album, and had been looking forward to being back on stage and going on tour. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the native of Lawrence, Kansas, was an original member of the band whose hits included “Dust in the Wind” and “Carry on Wayward Son.” PHOTO; Facebook
July 20, 2021 4:14 am
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) – New York prison officials have handed over convicted movie producer Harvey Weinstein for transport to California to face sexual assault charges. The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision says the transfer happened about 9:25 a.m. Tuesday. Details of Weinstein’s travels aren’t immediately known. A New York judge denied a request in June by Weinstein’s lawyers to keep him at a state prison near Buffalo for medical reasons until the start of jury selection in the Los Angeles case. Weinstein was convicted in New York City last year of a criminal sex act and third-degree rape. He faces 11 similar counts in California.
July 20, 2021 4:13 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy has picked five Republicans to sit on the new select committee to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol. McCarthy selected Indiana congressman Jim Banks to be the top Republican on the panel. McCarthy also tapped for the panel Ohio’s Jim Jordan, Illinois’ Rodney Davis, North Dakota’s Kelly Armstrong and Texas’ Troy Nehls. McCarthy’s picks were confirmed by a Republican familiar with the decision and an aide to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of an official announcement. Pelosi must still approve the names.
July 20, 2021 4:12 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden says his infrastructure and families agenda must be passed to sustain economic momentum. He’s aiming to set the tone for a crucial week of congressional negotiations on two separate bills that would together spend over $4 trillion. But Senate Republicans are signaling they would likely oppose a procedural vote set for Wednesday on a bipartisan infrastructure bill. They want to wait until more details are worked out, and plan to filibuster to block it. Senators are wrangling over how to pay for nearly $1 trillion in new spending on highway, water system and other public works projects.
July 20, 2021 4:11 am
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The threat of thunderstorms and lightning has prompted officials in Oregon to ask for wildfire crews from outside the Pacific Northwest to prepare for additional blazes. Resources are already hugely devoted to a massive fire in the state that has grown to a third the size of Rhode Island. The 537-square-mile Bootleg Fire is burning 300 miles (483 kilometers) southeast of Portland in and around the Fremont-Winema National Forest. The Bootleg Fire is fueled by extreme weather and keeps growing by miles each day. Officials with the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest in southwest Oregon are asking for more outside crews to be ready should there be a surge in fire activity there.
July 20, 2021 4:06 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – In the battleground state of Pennsylvania, where former President Donald Trump lost by 80,000 votes eight months ago, his false claims of a stolen election are finding new signs of life. A Republican state lawmaker, bolstered by support from top Republican candidates for U.S. Senate and governor, has launched a push for a “forensic investigation” of the presidential election results, a review modeled on the widely discredited process underway in Arizona. The effort is likely to face legal challenges and is still limited to three counties, where it is getting pushback. But some Republicans worry that a protracted election audit will damage the party’s credibility with critical swing voters.
July 20, 2021 4:05 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Pennsylvania smashed its record for gambling revenue in the most recent fiscal year. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board reported Monday that casinos, truck stops and fantasy sports operators collected nearly $3.9 billion in revenue. The rebound comes after pandemic-related shutdowns knocked casino revenue down significantly. The total for the fiscal year ending June 30 beat the previous high, two years ago, by about 17% and last year’s take by more than 40%. Revenue from slot machines and from table games remains lower than record highs. But online casino gambling and sports betting leaped to new record highs. Gambling revenue also benefited from the opening of two new casinos.
July 20, 2021 4:03 am
CHALK HILL, Pa. — State police are investigating a bank robbery that happened in Fayette County Monday morning. According to troopers, investigators are trying to identify a person caught on security camera footage wearing a helmet at the First National Bank in Chalk Hill. They said the person ran off after the alleged robbery. If you have any information, you’re asked to call state police at 724-439-7111.
July 19, 2021 4:11 pm
TORONTO (AP) – Canada will begin letting fully vaccinated U.S. citizens into Canada on Aug. 9, and those from the rest of the world on Sept. 7. Canadian officials say the 14-day quarantine requirement will be waived as of Aug. 9 for eligible travelers who are currently residing in the United States and have received a full course of a COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Canada. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said Monday a date for the U.S. to allow fully vaccinated Canadians to cross the land border isn’t yet known. Any Canadian can fly to the U.S.
July 19, 2021 3:56 pm
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) – Ben & Jerry’s says it is going to stop selling its ice cream in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and contested east Jerusalem, saying the sales in the territories sought by the Palestinians are “inconsistent with our values.” In a statement posted on the company’s website on Monday, the Vermont-based ice cream maker says it recognizes “the concerns shared with us by our fans and trusted partners.” The company says it has a longstanding partnership with a licensee that manufacturers Ben & Jerry’s in Israel and distributes it in the region. They have informed the licensee that they will not renew the lease agreement when it expires at the end of next year.
