August 9, 2021 4:28 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Democrats released a budget resolution Monday that maps $3.5 trillion in spending boosts and tax breaks aimed at strengthening social and environmental programs. That will set up a battle this fall over President Joe Biden’s domestic policy ambitions. The measure’s introduction marks the start of a long trek through Congress of legislation that Democrats hope will result in a progressive reshaping of government. To succeed, they’ll have to overcome likely unanimous Republican opposition. The resolution calls for creating free pre-Kindergarten for three- and four-year-olds and two years of free community college; extending tax breaks for children and some low-income workers; and establishing paid family and sick leave.
August 9, 2021 4:26 am
(AP) – Earth’s climate is getting so hot that temperatures in about a decade will probably blow past a level of warming that world leaders have sought to prevent. That’s according to a report released Monday that the United Nations calls a “code red for humanity.” Report co-author Linda Mearns of the U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research says she sees nowhere that will be safe from climate change. But scientists also eased back a bit on the likelihood of the absolute worst climate catastrophes. The report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change makes more precise forecasts for the 21st century than it did last time it was issued in 2013.
August 9, 2021 4:24 am
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s top aide has resigned amid a furor over sexual harassment allegations against the Democrat. Melissa DeRosa sent a statement to news organizations Sunday night announcing her resignation, about a week after a state attorney general report found the governor had sexually harassed 11 women. DeRosa joined Cuomo’s administration in 2013, eventually becoming one of the governor’s most trusted confidantes. She became his top aide in 2017. DeRosa said in her statement “the past two years have been emotionally and mentally trying.” Cuomo has denied that he ever touched anyone inappropriately, but he acknowledged hugging and kissing aides and other individuals.
August 9, 2021 4:23 am
UNDATED (AP) – Canada is lifting its prohibition on Americans crossing the border to shop, vacation or visit, but the United States is keeping similar restrictions in place for Canadians. The reopening Monday is part of a bumpy return to normalcy from COVID-19 travel bans. The border has been closed to nonessential travel since March 2020 to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The U.S. has said it will extend its closure to Canadians making nonessential trips until at least Aug. 21, which also applies to the Mexican border. The lopsided rules on one of the world’s longest and busiest land borders is unsurprisingly being met with cheers and jeers.
August 9, 2021 4:22 am
MIAMI (AP) – A federal judge on Sunday night granted Norwegian Cruise Line’s request to temporarily block a Florida law banning cruise companies from asking passengers for proof of coronavirus vaccination before they board a ship. A U.S. district judge granted the preliminary injunction in a lawsuit challenging the state’s “vaccine passport” ban, which was signed into law in May by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. The state’s attorney has said the law’s aim is to prevent discrimination against passengers who don’t get vaccinated. Norwegian says vaccine proof is needed to safely resume its cruises. A Norwegian cruise is set to depart from Miami on Aug. 15. It will be the company’s first voyage from Florida since the pandemic halted its operations.
August 9, 2021 4:17 am
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – Active coronavirus cases in West Virginia continue to resurge at an alarming rate as public school students in some counties returned Monday for the start of fall classes. State health figures show the number of active cases statewide has reached at least 4,010, a startling jump since bottoming out at 882 cases on July 9. Gov. Jim Justice has said he won’t consider reinstating an indoor mask mandate. Instead, he continues to push for more people to get vaccines. About 57% of state residents ages 12 and up are fully vaccinated. Classes began Monday in Kanawha County. Many other counties don’t return until later this month.
August 9, 2021 4:10 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – The Pennsylvania prison system is stopping in-person visits for the thousands of inmates who are not vaccinated against COVID-19. The Corrections Department also said Thursday it will begin housing unvaccinated inmates together next week. Corrections Secretary John Wetzel says the policy limits the contact that the unvaccinated have with potential carriers of the coronavirus. The changes won’t affect inmates’ access to classes and programs. Additional terminals will be installed in the unvaccinated units for video visitation. Nearly 8,000 inmates in state prisons are not vaccinated. That’s about one in five. The prison system provides vaccinations to all inmates who want one. It also requires everyone to wear masks indoors.
August 9, 2021 4:09 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – A Pittsburgh man has pleaded guilty to leaving a backpack containing homemade explosive devices in a bush outside of a complex in the city’s downtown area during last year’s protests over the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. Matthew Michanowicz, 53, pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to possession of an unregistered destructive device. Authorities said he was seen on surveillance video placing the military-style backpack near a bike rack under some trees at PNC Plaza on May 31, 2020. Officials said the backpack contained three improvised explosive devices filled with gasoline.
August 9, 2021 4:07 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Democrats see one of their best chances to pick up a Senate seat during next year’s midterms in Pennsylvania. That’s where Republican incumbent Pat Toomey is retiring. But first the party will have to endure a potentially bruising primary where the packed field doesn’t break neatly down along ideological lines. The lineup includes a heavily tattooed lieutenant governor who looks more like a nightclub bouncer than the holder of an advanced degree from Harvard. A young upstart in the Legislature trying to become the state’s first Black and first openly gay senator. An anesthesiologist endorsed by a powerful women’s group. And, as of Friday, a former Marine.
August 8, 2021 8:00 am
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo could face misdemeanor charges if investigators substantiate a criminal complaint accusing the governor of groping an aide last year, the Albany County sheriff said Saturday. Sheriff Craig Apple promised a “very comprehensive” investigation in partnership the Albany County district attorney’s office but said it would be premature to commit to a timeline or say whether Cuomo himself will be questioned. The complaint, filed this week, is the first known instance where a woman has made an official report with a law enforcement agency over alleged misconduct by the Democratic governor. The executive assistant has sat down for an interview set to be televised Monday.
