August 3, 2021 10:53 am
UNDATED (AP) – New York City will soon require proof of COVID-19 vaccinations for indoor activities, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday. It is the first big city in the U.S. to impose such restrictions. The new requirement will go into effect Aug. 16. It applies to indoor dining, gyms and indoor entertainment venues. De Blasio said Monday he was making “a strong recommendation” that everyone wear a mask in public indoor settings but stressed that the city’s “overwhelming strategic thrust” remained getting more people vaccinated. Data shows that about 66% of adults in New York City are fully vaccinated.
August 3, 2021 10:34 am
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) – The number of people hospitalized for COVID-19 in Florida has risen to an all-time high of 11,515 patients. The data was released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is used to track admissions and staffing shortages. The figures also show 2,400 of those patients are in ICU beds. The previous day, the data showed there were 10,389 COVID-hospitalizations in the state. The new number breaks a previous record for current hospitalizations set more than a year ago before vaccines were available. Last year, Florida hit its previous peak on July 23, with 10,170 hospitalizations.
August 3, 2021 4:15 am
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – Louisiana is reinstating a statewide mask mandate for both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents in all indoor locations, including schools and colleges. Gov. John Bel Edwards’ announcement Monday came as the state struggles with a fast-growing fourth surge of COVID-19 driven by the delta variant. The Democratic governor’s mandate takes effect on Wednesday. It will apply to anyone age 5 and older who enters a business, school, church or other inside location. Louisiana has one of the lowest coronavirus vaccination rates in the nation and is seeing the highest COVID-19 spike per capita. Edwards’ order will last until Sept. 1, but could be extended.
August 3, 2021 4:14 am
NEW YORK (AP) – An investigation into New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has found that he sexually harassed multiple current and former state government employees. State Attorney General Letitia James announced the findings Tuesday. The investigation, conducted by two outside lawyers, found that the Cuomo administration was a “hostile work environment” and that it was “rife with fear and intimidation.” Cuomo faced multiple allegations last winter that he inappropriately touched and sexually harassed women who worked with him or who he met at public events. Cuomo has always denied touching anyone inappropriately. The attorney general’s report is expected to play an important role in an ongoing inquiry in the state Assembly into whether there are grounds for Cuomo to be impeached.
August 3, 2021 4:12 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Officials say a Pentagon officer died after being stabbed Tuesday during a burst of violence at a transit station outside the building, and a suspect was shot by law enforcement and died at the scene. More details about the violence were expected at a Pentagon news conference. The incident occurred on a Metro bus platform that is part of the Pentagon Transit Center, the Pentagon Protection Force Protection Agency tweeted. The Pentagon was locked down for more than an hour after the incident.
August 3, 2021 4:10 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is looking to speed up consideration of a nearly $1 trillion bipartisan national infrastructure package. He promised on Monday that fellow Democrats would work with Republicans on amendments for the Senate’s consideration. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act clocks in now at some 2,700 pages. Republican leader Mitch McConnell is praising those who crafted the bill, but says that senators need a chance to put their states’ imprints on the bill. The spending is broadly popular among lawmakers, bringing big-ticket items that cities and states can rarely afford on their own.
August 3, 2021 4:09 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Biden administration will announce a new 60-day eviction moratorium that would protect areas where 90% of the U.S. population lives. That’s according to three people familiar with the plans who insisted on anonymity to discuss the forthcoming announcement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified a legal authority for a new and different moratorium that would be for areas with high and substantial increases in COVID-19 infections. The ban helps to heal a rift with liberal Democratic lawmakers who were calling on executive action to keep renters in their homes after a prior moratorium lapsed at the end of July.
August 3, 2021 4:07 am
PITTSBURGH — Pennsylvania has seen a three-day total of more than 3,000 new COVID-19 cases, the Department of Health said Monday. In fact, most local counties are now considered to be substantial when it comes to risk of community spread. Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Indiana Lawrence, and Washington counties are all now in the substantial risk for community spread. Westmoreland, Fayette, Greene and Mercer counties remain at moderate levels. Over the past three days, 3,019 positive cases were reported, bringing the statewide total to 1,227,519. There are 507 people hospitalized with COVID-19, and 104 of those patients are in the intensive care unit. The trend in the 14-day moving average number of hospitalized patients continues to increase. Seven new deaths were reported from July 30 to Aug. 1.
August 3, 2021 4:03 am
PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle is strongly encouraging customers to again wear masks, which are now being required for employees, regardless of vaccination status. In a news release, Giant Eagle the company said the COVID-19 delta variant “has created a renewed sense of urgency across our communities” and that it is taking extra steps to keep people safe. While customers will not be required to wear masks in stores, Giant Eagle released the following statement: “We are strongly requesting that our guests comply with the same mask requirement, starting Friday, August 6. We will have Team Members ready at each of our stores to provide a complimentary mask for any guest who does not have one when they visit with us. Additionally, our Giant Eagle curbside pickup and delivery service continues to be available for all guests who prefer the convenience of having one of our expertly trained Team Members shop for them.” Employees at all Giant Eagle, Market District and GetGo facilities will start wearing masks on Aug. 4.
August 3, 2021 4:00 am
A Washington man is dead following an ATV crash in Canton Township Monday. The Washington County coroner’s office says 40 year old Michael Romano lost control and rolled the vehicle on private property near 1085 West Wiley Avenue. He was not wearing a helmet. The incident was reported to 911 around 9:15 p.m. A cause and manner of death are pending. State Police are investigating.
