January 28, 2024 6:19 am
COLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) — President Joe Biden is bidding to salvage a border deal in Congress that also would unlock money for Ukraine. He’s offering fresh assurances that he would be willing to close the U.S.-Mexico border if lawmakers would only send him a bill to sign. Biden is also trying disarm GOP criticism of his handling of migration at the border. He said at a political event in South Carolina on Saturday that he would shut down the border ’“right now” if Congress passed the proposed deal. The framework hasn’t been formally agreed to by Senate Democrats and Republicans and would face an uncertain future in the GOP-controlled House.
January 28, 2024 6:16 am
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has praised Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for defying the Biden administration over immigration. Texas has restricted U.S. Border Patrol entry to remove razor wire in a popular corridor for migrants illegally entering the U.S. Trump is visiting Las Vegas as he is marching toward securing the Republican presidential nomination. He says Texas should be given full support in its measures to deter migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump has largely avoided talking about a verdict delivered Friday in a defamation case. He has been ordered to pay an additional $83.3 million to a columnist he called a liar for accusing him of sexual assault.
January 28, 2024 6:07 am
WHITEHALL, Pa. — (WPXI)-An air fryer is blamed for a fire in a Whitehall home late Friday night. “I never had any issues, so it’s kind of interesting to see it randomly just decide to blow up on me last night,” said homeowner Courtney Bradley. Bradley said he was watching television when he heard a loud pop from his kitchen. “At first, I wasn’t sure if it was a firework or something going on outside, but then I saw smoke coming out of my kitchen and realized my air fryer had actually blown up,” he said. Bradley said the air fryer wasn’t on but was plugged into an outlet. He quickly woke up his 5-year-old son, ran outside, and called 911. “I can honestly say that this is the first time that I’ve seen an air fryer on fire, but from what I’ve heard, it’s not uncommon,” said Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Pearson, Whitehall Fire Company. In 2023, in Chippewa Township, an air fryer caught fire and damaged a home. The family told firefighters the appliance hadn’t been used in two days but was plugged in when it caught fire. Firefighters say these appliances use a lot of electricity, especially during the initial heating cycle. “I think the best thing to do is have a dedicated circuit for your air fryer,” Pearson said. “If it’s plugged in, don’t have anything else in that outlet. When you’re not using it, almost certainly do not have it plugged in.” “I usually had that plugged in or my coffee maker, and now I’m not going to keep anything plugged in at this time,” Bradley said. “It was definitely a moment, I would definitely say that. However, I’m just happy to be here and safe, and my son is safe.” The Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating how the fire started.
January 28, 2024 5:37 am
A Charleroi man has pleaded guilty to federal drug and firearms charges. United States Attorney Eric Olshan announced Friday that 28 year old Rashawn Ford pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and cocaine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of that crime on January 25. In a plea hearing in March of 2021, admissions made said that Pennslyvania State Police made a traffic stop of Ford in Westmoreland County and found packaged heroin and fentanyl along with the handgun. A subsequent search of a hotel room that Ford was staying in yielded fentanyl, heroin, a loaded handgun and $8,600. Ford will be sentenced on May 20. He faces 5-40 years in prison and a $5 million fine on the drug charge, 5 years to life and an $8 million fine on the firearms charge.
January 28, 2024 4:59 am
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — President Joe Biden says the U.S. “shall respond” after a drone strike by an Iran-backed group killed three American troops in Jordan and injured dozens more near the Syrian border. Biden’s national security team briefed him as he traveled Sunday in South Carolina. Appearing at a church banquet hall, he said the U.S. had a “tough day last night in the Middle East” and that “we shall respond.” He also asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of the slain service members. They are the first U.S. fatalities after months of strikes by such groups against American forces across the Middle East amid the Israel-Hamas war.
January 28, 2024 3:53 am
Washington County Commissioners, on Friday, provided an update to the ongoing investigation and system reclamation due to a cyber attack to its computer system that was discovered on January 24 causing most of the county’s computers to be shut down. In a written statement, Public Affairs Director Patrick Geho says the investigation by county IT and an outside forensics firm continue their analysis, recovery and remediation efforts. The investigation includes several federal agencies. Work continues to restore the crippled government functions and the county appreciates the patience and support from county residents. Because of the system outage, the jury reporting line is not in service. Any juror summoned for Monday, January 29 is not required to report, your service is complete and no further action is needed. Any juror summoned for Thursday, February 1 is required to report as instructed. Any summoned juror who has questions can call Court Administration at 724-228-6974 or 724-228-6797.
January 27, 2024 4:20 am
NEW YORK (AP) — A jury has awarded an additional $83.3 million to longtime advice columnist E. Jean Carroll, who says former President Donald Trump damaged her reputation by calling her a liar after she accused him of sexual assault. Friday’s verdict raises to $88.3 million the amount Carroll can receive after another jury last May awarded her $5 million over her claims that Trump assaulted her in a New York City department store in 1996 and defamed her. This defamation trial was over things Trump said about Carroll while he was president. Trump vows to appeal. Carroll says it’s a victory for every woman who stands up when knocked down.
January 27, 2024 4:17 am
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — President Joe Biden is spending the weekend in South Carolina, intent on driving home two messages: He’s loyal to the state that saved his campaign in 2020 and he’s determined to win back Black voters here and elsewhere who were central to his election last time but are less enthused this go-round. Biden will be the keynote speaker Saturday night at the state party’s fundraising dinner ahead of its first ever “first-in-the-nation” Democratic primary on Feb. 3. He’ll stick around to attend a political event at St. John Baptist Church on Sunday, in a state where politics and faith are intertwined.
January 27, 2024 4:15 am
PETALUMA, Calif. (AP) — A year after the bird flu led to record egg prices and widespread shortages, the disease known as highly pathogenic avian influenza is wreaking havoc on California poultry farms. The state had escaped the earlier wave of outbreaks that devastated egg producers in the Midwest. Experts say the latest outbreaks are being fueled by ducks, geese and other migratory birds that spend the winter in California. The waterfowl are being infected by the highly contagious virus and spreading it to poultry farms and backyard chicken flocks. California farms are under strict quarantine to curb the outbreak until the migratory birds return north in the spring
January 27, 2024 4:12 am
JERUSALEM (AP) — Yemen’s Houthi rebels have launched a missile at a United States warship patrolling the Gulf of Aden, forcing it to shoot down the projectile. The Houthis also struck a British vessel, and the Carney sailed toward it to assist. U.S. forces later conducted a strike against a Houthi anti-ship missile that was aimed into the Red Sea and prepared to launch, U.S. Central Command says. The attack Friday on the USS Carney marks the latest by the rebels amid their campaign against ships traveling through the Red Sea and surrounding waters. Those assaults have disrupted global trade amid Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
