March 10, 2021 4:25 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Congress has sent President Joe Biden the landmark $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill. The House approved the bill Wednesday over solid Republican opposition in a vote that gives the new president and Democrats a victory just seven weeks after he took office. The 628-page measure represents Democrats’ effort to bridle the catastrophic pandemic and revive the enfeebled economy. Republicans say the measure is bloated, crammed with liberal policies and heedless of signs the dual crises are easing. The Senate passed the measure over unanimous Republican opposition four days ago.
March 10, 2021 4:22 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) -Police are investigating multiple shootings across several scenes on Pittsburgh’s North Side after police said there was a shootout. Our news Partners at Channel 11 report there were three shooting victims, all men, that have been taken to local hospitals including AGH and Mercy. Neighbors said they have a suspect on camera running from one of the shooting scenes. Two of the victims were in critical condition and one victim was in stable condition. Police said there was a shootout with at least 20 gunshots fired. Evidence markers lined parts of Suismon at James street. Another scene was on East Ohio Street outside of a convenience store. Investigators said the shooting was reported around 9:20 p.m. The Violent Crime Unit was on scene investigating. It’s believed the shooting victims all knew each other and that this was not a random incident.
March 10, 2021 4:18 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Pennsylvania state government is expected to receive more than $7 billion from the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 rescue package making its way through Congress, or almost one-fifth of its operating costs this year. On Tuesday, some lawmakers warned that the one-time sum of money should only be used for one-time costs. Many across the state government were still trying to determine exactly what restrictions are on the money. The estimated $7.3 billion coming to Pennsylvania state government dwarfs the roughly $2.5 billion deficit projected next year for state government next year by the Independent Fiscal Office, a legislative agency.
March 10, 2021 4:16 am
North Franklin Township Supervisor Chairman Bob Sabot previewed plans for a new township municipal building on Tuesday. Plans call for a 7000 square foot building that not only will hold township office space but will include a community room for gatherings of up to 200 people. The new building will be located on Franklin Farms Road on property purchased from the Pennsylvania American Water Company. The new building will be in front of an 80 acre parcel of land that is under development as a new township park. The cost of the project is $2,225,500 and will be funded by existing funds in savings from a previous bond refinance, Act 13 funds, an LSA grant and the sale of the current municipal building. Sabot says they expect to break ground in the fall of 2021 and hope to have construction complete in the fall of 2022.
March 9, 2021 12:47 pm
LONDON (AP) – Buckingham Palace has issued a statement, saying the family was saddened to learn of the challenges Harry and Meghan had faced in the past few years and that they would address the issues privately. The palace said Tuesday the “issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning,” and are taken very seriously. “Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members,” the statement says. The statement is the first comment by the palace following Harry and Meghan’s two hour interview with Oprah Winfrey in which they alleged that Meghan had experienced racism and callous treatment during her time in the royal family.
March 9, 2021 7:36 am
The Burgettstown School District has found its new Superintendent. The board has appointed Stephen Puskar to take over for Dr. James Walsh who is leaving to become Superintendent in the Bethel Park School District. Puskar currently serves as the Jr./Sr. High Principal of Claysburg-Kimmel School District near Altoona. He previously worked as an administrator in the Wilkinsburg and Baldwin-Whitehall School Districts. Puskar says “I am both proud and grateful that the school board selected me to be Dr. Walsh’s successor.” “I am humbled to be the next Superintendent” and “I look forward to working alongside everyone to create the best possible learning environment for the students.” The district says Dr. Joyce Nicksick will serve as acting superintendent during a transition period. She lives in Burgettstown and is a retired superintendent from Wilmington School District in Lawrence County.
March 9, 2021 4:15 am
DALLAS (AP) – Twitter has filed a lawsuit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The social media company claims the Republican used his office to retaliate against it for banning the account of former President Donald Trump following the riot at the U.S. Capitol. Days after the deadly January riot, Paxton announced an investigation into Twitter and four other major technology companies for what he called “the seemingly coordinated de-platforming of the president.” Twitter responded Monday with a federal lawsuit claiming Paxton is seeking to punish it for taking Trump’s account offline. Paxton’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
March 9, 2021 4:13 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Several million people stand to save hundreds of dollars in health insurance costs, or more, under the Democratic coronavirus relief legislation on track to pass Congress. Winners include those covered by “Obamacare” or now signing up, self-employed people who buy their own insurance and don’t currently get federal help, laid-off workers struggling to retain employer coverage, and most anyone who collects unemployment. Potentially many more could benefit if about a dozen hold-out states accept the legislation’s Medicaid deal and expand their programs.
March 9, 2021 4:12 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – A huge wind farm off the Massachusetts coast is edging closer to federal approval, setting up what the Biden administration hopes will be a model for a sharp increase in offshore wind energy development along the East Coast. The Vineyard Wind project, south of Martha’s Vineyard near Cape Cod, would create 800 megawatts of electricity, enough for 400,000 homes in New England. If approved, the $2 billion project would be the first utility-scale wind power development in federal waters. President Joe Biden has vowed to double offshore wind production by 2030 as part of his administration’s efforts to slow climate change.
March 9, 2021 4:11 am
HONOLULU (AP) – The Hawaii Senate is considering what would be the highest income tax rate of any state in the nation. The legislation would impose a 16% tax on individuals earning more than $200,000. California has the current top rate at 13.3% on those earning more than $1 million. Hawaii’s top rate is now 11%. Some lawmakers are exploring new sources of income because the state has suffered a sharp decline in tax revenue as tourism has plummeted during the coronavirus pandemic. The Senate Ways and Means Committee unanimously passed the measure last week. The bill’s prospects in the House are uncertain.
