September 24, 2020 9:11 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment aid rose slightly last week to 870,000, a historically high figure that shows that the viral pandemic is still squeezing restaurants, airlines, hotels and many other businesses six months after it first erupted. The figure coincides with evidence that some newly laid-off Americans are facing delays in receiving unemployment benefits as state agencies intensify efforts to combat fraudulent applications and clear their pipelines of a backlog of jobless claims.
September 24, 2020 9:10 am
LONDON (AP) – Top officials of two firms developing COVID-19 vaccines say pharmaceutical companies are working together to see how much information they can release to the public about their testing regimes as drugmakers and public health officials try to boost confidence that any vaccine approved by regulators will be safe to use. AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot and Paul Stoffels, chief scientific officer of Johnson & Johnson, said Thursday during a panel discussion sponsored by the World Economic Forum that they recognize the coronavirus emergency demands increased transparency from vaccine developers to ensure the public has faith in the end product. But they stressed that there are limits to this transparency because they must protect patient confidentiality.
September 24, 2020 9:07 am
WASHINGTON, Pa. — A man was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital after being hit by a train in Washington Wednesday afternoon. Washington police said the man was struck behind the Chestnut Veterinary Clinic off of West Chestnut Street about 2:30 p.m. Authorities say the man had been identified, but his name was not released pending notification of the victim’s next of kin. Police say the man was conscious when crews arrived, but he was in serious condition and needed immediate attention. He was flown to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. There is no update on the man’s current condition or identity at this time.
September 24, 2020 8:55 am
WASHINGTON, Pa. — A home raid earlier this week in Washington led to charges against known drug dealers from Chicago. According to Washington County detectives have arrested Terrell Jones, 35 Tommie Holmes, 37 after a search of a home on West Spruce Street Wednesday. The duo was also charged with dealing drugs back in July. Cocaine, marijuana and cash were found in the house after the search. Both men face charges of illegal possession of a firearm, drug possession with intent to deliver and possession. The suspects are in the Washington County Jail, and face a preliminary hearing with judge Michael Manfredi in October.
September 24, 2020 3:19 am
JOHANNESBURG (AP) – Many world leaders at this week’s virtual U.N. summit are pleading for a COVID-19 vaccine to be made available and affordable to all. But with the U.S., China and Russia opting out of a collaborative effort to develop and distribute a vaccine, the speeches are likely in vain. More than 150 countries have joined COVAX, in which richer countries buy into potential vaccines and help finance access for poorer ones. But the absence of Washington, Beijing and Moscow means the response is short of truly being global. Kazakhstan’s leader says, “We must take the politics out of the vaccine.”
September 24, 2020 3:17 am
TURNER, Ore. (AP) – Smoke from the West Coast wildfires has tainted grapes in some of the nation’s most celebrated wine regions. The resulting ashy flavor could spell disaster for the 2020 vintage. The smoke from this year’s blazes has been especially bad – thick enough to obscure vineyards drooping with clusters of grapes almost ready for harvest. Growers are trying to assess the extent of the smoke damage in California, Oregon and Washington. John Aguirre is president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers. He says the fires will be the single worst disaster the wine-grape growing community has ever faced.
September 24, 2020 3:15 am
NEW YORK (AP) – Remember how people pack themselves into Times Square to see the ball drop to mark the end of one year and the start of another? Forget it – at least for this year. Officials in New York City say they are making plans for the annual event – but they won’t include crowds, because of the coronavirus. Instead, officials are planning what they call a socially-distant virtual experience – with only a few people to be honored in person. The organization that puts together the annual event says it will honor essential workers and others who have made a difference this year.
September 24, 2020 3:14 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is declining to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses the Nov. 3 presidential election. Trump told reporters Wednesday he would “have to see what happens” when asked about the matter. Trump’s Democratic challenger, Joe Biden, responded by asking, “What country are we in?” It is highly unusual that a sitting president would express less than complete confidence in the American democracy’s electoral process. But he also declined four years ago to commit to honoring the election results if his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, won.
September 24, 2020 3:13 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was remembered Wednesday at the court in front of grieving family, colleagues and friends as a prophet for justice who persevered against long odds to become an American icon. Meanwhile, crowds grew outside waiting for a chance to pay their respects. In the court’s Great Hall, the eight justices were masked along with everyone else because of the coronavirus pandemic. They were gathering for the first time in more than six months for the ceremony to mark Ginsburg’s death from cancer last week at age 87. She served for 27 years on the court, becoming know to admirers as “The Notorious RBG.”
September 24, 2020 3:12 am
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Anger, frustration and sadness over the decision not to charge Kentucky police officers for Breonna Taylor’s death has poured into America’s streets. Protesters lashed out at a criminal justice system they say is stacked against Black people. Violence seized the demonstrations in Taylor’s hometown of Louisville as gunfire rang out Wednesday night and wounded two police officers. Activists, celebrities and everyday Americans have been calling for charges since Taylor was shot multiple times by white officers who entered her home during a narcotics investigation in March. While the officers had a no-knock warrant, state Attorney General Daniel Cameron says the investigation shows they announced themselves before entering. One officer was charged with wanton endangerment.
