December 17, 2020 4:14 am
Members of the family who own OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma are scheduled to answer questions from a congressional panel about their role in the nation’s long-running opioid addiction crisis. It marks a rare appearance in a public forum for the Sacklers, who have faced increased scrutiny in recent years over Purdue’s role in the nation’s opioid addiction and overdose crisis. Activists have been waiting to hear them field tough questions. Kathe Sackler and David Sackler agreed to testify after the committee’s chairwoman, Democratic Rep. Carolyn Maloney, threatened to issue subpoenas. Purdue Pharma’s CEO also will answer questions.
December 17, 2020 4:08 am
NORTH VERSAILLES, Pa. — (WPXI) – A man was hit and killed by a North Versailles Public Works plow truck that was out clearing snow-covered roads on Wednesday afternoon. According to investigators, County 911 was called just before 5 p.m. for a vehicle versus pedestrian accident in the 100 block of Union Avenue. Police said the man was walking with a snow blower when the plow truck was backing up the street. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and homicide detectives are investigating. The victim’s identity has not yet been released.
December 17, 2020 4:06 am
The ‘dig-out’ has begun. Washington County residents dealing with some eight-inches of snow after a powerful storm system rolled through. Travel around the region could still be tricky in some spots. State Police Washington tell WJPA that reduced speed limits remain on Interstates 70 and 79. Troopers tell us there was also an issue overnight involving several disabled tractor trailers at the south junction to I-79. State police tell us ,once crews were able to get to the area, the situation cleared. There are also reports of some power outages. West Penn Power is reporting nearly 500 customers without service early Thursday morning. The outages the result of the weather, specifically the heavy wet snow bringing down tree and limbs onto power lines.
December 17, 2020 2:31 am
Shortly after 7 a.m. on Dec. 16, Carol Soltes, who works in the Operating Room, at Monongahela Valley Hospital, received Washington County’s first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. “I’m getting the vaccine to help keep our patients and my co-workers and family safer,” Ms. Soltes said as she rolled up her sleeve for the injection. Monongahela Valley Hospital was among the first health systems in Western Pennsylvania and the only one in Washington County to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the first shipment. MVH is administering the Pfizer vaccine to its employees and physicians in two doses approximately 21 days apart. The Pfizer vaccine is 50% effective after the first dose and 95% effective after the second dose. “It is wonderful that we have the ability to provide this vaccine to staff, said Sherry Watkins, MBA, MSN, RN, MVH’s senior vice president of Nursing. “It is important for us to protect ourselves so we are here every day to care for our community.” (Photo: Carol Soltes, who works in the Operating Room, receives one of Washington County’s first COVID-19 vaccinations at Monongahela Valley Hospital from Christopher Coccari, RN, director of Perioperative Services)
December 16, 2020 5:27 pm
(AP) – Twitter says it will begin removing misinformation about COVID-19 vaccinations from its site. That includes false claims that the virus is not real, debunked claims about the effects of receiving the vaccine. It will also remove baseless claims suggesting immunizations and vaccines are used to intentionally cause harm or to control people. Twitter said in a blog post Wednesday that it will start enforcing the new policy next week. If people send tweets in violation of the rules, they will be required to delete them before they are able to tweet again. Before the offending tweet is removed, Twitter will hide it from view.
December 16, 2020 4:18 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President-elect Joe Biden has formally announced former rival Pete Buttigieg as his pick to be secretary of transportation. Buttigieg would be the first openly gay person confirmed by the Senate to a Cabinet post. The 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, was virtually unknown nationally when he launched a longshot bid for president, but became a formidable political force in the early primary states, finishing well ahead of Biden in Iowa and New Hampshire. Buttigieg eventually endorsed Biden, who later suggested the ex-mayor could be a bridge to a new generation of Democratic leadership. Biden plans to formally introduce Buttigieg during a Delaware event Wednesday with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
December 16, 2020 4:17 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Top Capitol Hill Republicans are laboring to keep the price tag for a long-delayed COVID-19 aid package in check, seeking to prevail in a battle over help for state and local governments, while capping the cost of bonus jobless benefits and direct payments sought by Democrats. Negotiations on COVID-19 relief intensified Tuesday after months of futility. The top four leaders of Congress met twice in hopes of finally cementing an agreement that would revive subsidies for businesses hit hard by the pandemic, help distribute new coronavirus vaccines, fund schools and renew soon-to-expire jobless benefits.
December 16, 2020 4:16 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Hundreds more U.S. hospitals have started inoculating their workers as a second COVID-19 vaccine moves toward government authorization. About 400 hospitals and other health care facilities were getting first shipments of the Pfizer vaccine on Tuesday. The expansion comes one day after the nation’s death toll surpassed a staggering 300,000. Nurses and other health workers volunteered to be among the first recipients, hoping to dispel fears over safety. The Food and Drug Administration says a second potential COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Moderna, appears safe and highly effective. An expert panel will publicly review the shot on Thursday, and clearance from the FDA is expected soon afterward.
December 16, 2020 4:15 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Trump administration has relaxed a regulation restricting water flow from showerheads – something that was a pet peeve of President Donald Trump, who complained that he wanted more water to make his hair “perfect.” Since 1992, federal law has dictated that showerheads shouldn’t spew more than 2.5 gallons of water a minute. As newer shower fixtures came out with multiple nozzles, the Obama administration updated the ruling, stating that 2.5 gallons was still the limit regardless of how many nozzles were running. The new ruling now says each showerhead can emit 2.5 gallons a minute.
December 16, 2020 4:14 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is seeking to shut down any Senate effort to support President Donald Trump’s extended assault on the election. During a private call Tuesday, he warned Republican senators not to join a January floor fight in Congress over the Electoral College results. McConnell is trying to unite a fractured Republican Party ahead of Georgia runoff elections that will determine Senate control. First, the Republican leader heaped praise on Trump’s “endless” accomplishments as he congratulated President-elect Joe Biden during a morning Senate speech. Then he privately warned Republican senators against disputing the Electoral College tally when Congress convenes Jan. 6 to confirm the results.
