September 24, 2020 3:07 am
PITTSBURGH (WPXI) — A man was found dead from an apparent homicide in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood, and now police are investigating. According to a release, officers were alerted about shots fired around 9:20 p.m. Wednesday in the 7100 block of Frankstown Avenue. When they got to the scene, they found the victim. That man, who has not yet been identified by police, was pronounced dead at the scene. It’s unclear what led to the deadly incident, and police have not provided any information regarding a suspected killer. Police later said another victim was found from the shooting — a man who had non-life-threatening injuries to his lower body. Officers found a third victim at the Penn Hills Giant Eagle, and that man was taken to the hospital in stable condition. Anyone with information is asked to call police, and local residents were told to avoid the area.
September 24, 2020 3:04 am
PITTSBURGH (WPXI) — Protests are happening across the country after officials announced no officers will be charged in connection with the death of Breonna Taylor. Taylor, 26, was shot and killed by police in her own home in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 13. Detective Brett Hankison, who was fired from the police department in June, was charged with three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment for shooting into Taylor’s apartment from outside, endangering the lives of three people in the apartment next door. The grand jury determined that two other officers, Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Detective Myles Cosgrove, were justified in the shooting. Protesters used social media to organize and gather at Freedom Corner in Pittsburgh’s Hill District in response to the news. Protesters began marching around 8:30 p.m., chanting through the streets down toward PPG Paints Arena. The protest, which began at 7 p.m., is a collective effort from community leaders. The crowd of protesters continued to march for more than an hour, going from Freedom Corner into Downtown Pittsburgh. Organizers spent a long time talking to those in attendance, and a mental health expert talked to them as well before they began marching. She explained how important it is for activists to take the necessary time they need to make sure they are properly processing all of what is going on. As of 11 p.m., Pittsburgh Public Safety said the main group of protesters was at Ross Street sitting on the ground, while some had already dispersed.
September 24, 2020 2:00 am
The Washington County Chamber of Commerce welcomed the Pittsburgh Works Together cooperative venture. Executive Director Jeff Nobers spoke of the companies and trade organizations involved to advance the conversation about industry in our area and how to move the economy forward. K. Scott Roy of Range Resources and Thomas Melcher of the Pittsburgh Regional Building and Construction Trades Council brought their insight into how the organization can benefit the region. Roy complimented the region calling people in the area “problem solvers”. Melcher spoke of how trades are vital to the area to both companies and residents and described the overwhelming support his organization receives when trying to recruit high school students to the trade industries. Nobers spoke on how the organization tries to conduct real and balanced conversations about business, trades and environment, and come to productive conclusions instead of waging a battle of sound bites in the media between organizations. Nobers states that Pittsburgh Works Together is committed to a future that includes everybody – from blue-collar manufacturing to research and high-tech.
September 23, 2020 1:35 pm
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – A Kentucky grand jury has brought no charges against Louisville police for the killing of Breonna Taylor during a drug raid gone wrong. Prosecutors said Wednesday that two officers who fired their weapons at the Black woman were justified in using force to protect themselves. Instead, Officer Brett Hankison was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment for firing into the apartments of Taylor’s neighbors. Taylor was shot multiple times by officers who burst into her home on March 13 during a narcotics investigation. Protesters began marching in Louisville immediately after the charges were announced. Many people were expressing anger and frustration that the grand jury did not do more.
September 23, 2020 11:49 am
NEW YORK (AP) – The Uncle Ben’s rice brand is changing its name to Ben’s Original. Parent company Mars Inc. is the latest company to drop a logo criticized as a racial stereotype. Mars said the Ben’s Original packaging will hit stores in 2021. Since the 1940s, the rice boxes have featured a white-haired Black man, sometimes with a bowtie. Critics have said the image evoke servitude. Global President for Mars Food Fiona Dawson says the company is still deciding on an image to accompany the new name. Pressure on brands to retire racial imagery have intensified amid the Black Lives Matter protests over police killings of unarmed African Americans. Aunt Jemima and Eskimo Pie are among other brands that are retiring racial logos.
September 23, 2020 11:14 am
(WPXI) – A very popular music venue in Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood is closing its doors for good due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and an uncertain future. The Rex Theater, a premier venue on East Carson Street, has been an area staple since occupying the space of a former vaudeville theater 11 years ago. It hosted local and national bands, primarily in indie, electronic and other genres. Since the shutdowns started in mid-March, The Rex hasn’t been able to host live shows. On Tuesday, officials with the venue posted a lengthy statement on social media explaining their decision to shut down permanently.
September 23, 2020 11:09 am
(WPXI) – Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and Department of Health Sec. Dr. Rachel Levine have filed an appeal against a judge’s ruling that some COVID-19 restrictions were unconstitutional. The appeal is also against the judge’s decision on Tuesday to deny a stay. In a Sept. 14 ruling, the judge said the actions of Wolf and Levine were taken with “good intention of addressing a public health emergency,” but they were unconstitutional. That ruling was made on a lawsuit filed by Butler, Fayette, Greene and Washington counties. The lawsuit was directed at the state’s business closure order and the stay-at-home orders issued in March, as well as the indoor and outdoor gathering limitations. Wolf previously said an appeal would be filed, saying the actions he and other state officials took in the early stages of the pandemic were “necessary to keep people safe before we had the resources to reopen safely.”
September 23, 2020 3:07 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) – A lack of firefighting resources in the hours after it was sparked allowed a fast-moving wildfire to make an unprecedented run through Southern California mountains. The Bobcat Fire eventually found fuel in old-growth trees to become one of Los Angeles County’s largest fires ever. The blaze has burned for more than two weeks and is still threatening more than 1,000 homes after scorching its way through brush and timber down into the Mojave Desert. At least 29 homes have been destroyed. But officials say that number will grow. It’s one of dozens of other major blazes across the West.
September 23, 2020 3:05 am
MIAMI (AP) – An American company has pleaded guilty to federal charges that it paid bribes to officials in Brazil, Ecuador and Venezuela to get lucrative contracts, and will pay $16.6 million in fines. The U.S. Department of Justice says Sargeant Marine, Inc., paid the bribes over several years for contracts concerning the buying or selling of asphalt, used in paving roads and other construction. The Justice Department says the company’s actions violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The company used false consulting contracts and fake invoices, and also sent money to offshore bank accounts to facilitate the bribes, according to the department.
September 23, 2020 3:03 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Republicans are charging ahead with plans to confirm President Donald Trump’s pick to quickly fill the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat on the Supreme Court. One possible holdout, GOP Sen. Mitt Romney, said Tuesday he supports holding a vote. Trump is set to announce his nominee Saturday. Appeals court judge Amy Coney Barrett is considered the favorite. Conservatives are pushing for action before Election Day, Nov. 3. Democrats say it’s too close to the election and say whoever wins the presidency should pick the court nominee. Confirmation proceedings will touch off a wrenching debate even as early voting for president is underway in several states.
