June 25, 2020 4:04 am
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin’s governor has activated the National Guard to protect state properties after a night of violence that included the toppling of two statues outside the state Capitol and an attack on a state senator. Protesters also threw a Molotov cocktail into a government building and attempted to break into the Capitol, only to be repelled by pepper spray from police stationed inside. The violence broke out Tuesday night as a group of 200 to 300 people protested the arrest of a Black man who shouted at restaurant customers through a megaphone while carrying a baseball bat.
June 25, 2020 4:03 am
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – President Donald Trump’s plans to kick off Independence Day with a showy display at Mount Rushmore are drawing sharp criticism from Native Americans who view the monument as a desecration of land violently stolen from them. Several groups led by Native American activists are planning protests for Trump’s July 3 visit, part of his “comeback” campaign for a nation reeling from sickness, unemployment and social unrest. But it comes amid a national reckoning over racism and a reconsideration of the symbolism of monuments around the globe. Many Native Americans activists say the Rushmore memorial is as reprehensible as the many Confederate monuments being toppled around the nation.
June 25, 2020 4:00 am
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Grammy-winning country group The Dixie Chicks have dropped the word Dixie from their name, now going by The Chicks. The group made of Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines and Emily Strayer posted a statement on their website saying they wanted to meet “this moment.” The group also acknowledged that there was an existing band in New Zealand that allowed them “to share their name.” The move follows a decision by country group Lady Antebellum to change to Lady A after acknowledging the word’s association to slavery. That band received criticism with their switch after a Black singer revealed she’d been performing as Lady A for years. (Photo: CNN)
June 25, 2020 3:57 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Pennsylvania’s House and Senate have begun passing legislation spurred by widespread protests over police brutality and the killing of George Floyd, including legislation designed to prevent “bad apples” from continuing to find employment in police departments. Wednesday’s votes were unanimous, although all four bills still require approval from the other chamber before going to Gov. Tom Wolf. One Senate bill requires police agencies to compile and report use of force incidents. The other bill bans police from using chokeholds. The House approved bills to train officers in how to interact with people of different racial and ethic backgrounds and require that an applicant’s former department provide information on the officer’s disciplinary history.
June 25, 2020 2:47 am
GREENSBURG, Pa. (AP) – A man convicted of murder for a fatal shooting that he said was committed by his now-deceased twin brother has been sentenced to life in prison without parole. Darrelle Tolbert-McGhee also received a five-to-10 year term for a related weapons offense. The 31-year-old Penn Hills man had been convicted in January by a Westmoreland County in the April 2017 slaying of Michael Wilson in downtown Jeannette. Tolbert-McGhee didn’t speak during the sentencing hearing Wednesday. His lawyer said his client maintains his innocence and will appeal the convictions. Prosecutors have argued that evidence from eyewitnesses identified the defendant as the shooter and his identity wasn’t in question.
June 25, 2020 2:33 am
OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) – A man and two women in a Pittsburgh suburb are charged with criminal homicide in the death of his 3-year-old daughter, who was found badly bruised and malnourished. Authorities on Wednesday announced charges in the June 9 death of áBella Seachrist. Detectives say the child suffered “prolonged physical and mental abuse.” Authorities have charged her father, 29-year-old Jose Salazar-Ortiz; her stepmother, 27-year-old Laura Ramriez; and Ramriez’s sister, 20-year-old Alexis Herrera, with criminal homicide, aggravated assault of a child, child endangerment and other counts. Salaza-Ortiz and Ramriez are held in the Allegheny County Jail. An arrest warrant has been issued for Herrera.
June 24, 2020 1:54 pm
(WPXI) – A teenager was killed by a train and two of her friends took desperate measures to try to survive. The teens were walking across a train trestle near the intersection of Wabash Avenue and Millers Run Road in South Fayette around 11:00 a.m. Wednesday. Two other friends were walking on the ground nearby, police said. A train struck a 15-year-old girl, killing her. A 17-year old girl who was also on the trestle jumped over and hung onto the ledge until the train passed. Channel 11 has learned a friend and nearby contractor ran over to help and pulled her to safety. She is expected to survive. A teenage boy who was also walking on the tracks shouted ‘train’ and then quickly – perhaps instinctively – made a move that would save his life. “The kid miraculously laid on the tracks and the train went right over him and he had not injuries at all,” said Chief John Phoennik. Phoennik said his department is constantly urging people to avoid walking across the train trestle.
June 24, 2020 12:51 pm
(WPXI) – Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger opened up about his battles with addiction to pornography and alcohol during the ManUp Pittsburgh conference on Saturday. Roethlisberger spoke for about 15 minutes with former Steeler Tunch Ilkin – one of the program hosts – during the virtual event about a variety of topics, including some demons that he has faced over the years off the field. “I’ve fallen as short as anybody,” Roethlisberger said. “I’ve been addicted to alcohol. I’ve been addicted to pornography, which makes me then not the best husband, not the best father, not the best Christian I can be. You have to dedicate yourself and understand that you can get out of it because of the grace of God.” Twice accused of sexual misconduct a decade ago — he was never charged in either case — Roethlisberger, 38, said it was his marriage to Ashley Harlan in 2011 that brought religion back into his life. The Roethlisbergers are parents to three children.
June 24, 2020 12:17 pm
NEW YORK (AP) – This year’s New York City Marathon has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The race was scheduled to take place on Nov. 1. Organizers said they made the decision to cancel because of health and safety concerns for runners, volunteers, spectators and others. Last year’s marathon included a world record 53,640 finishers. Entrants for the 2020 race will be offered a full refund of their entry fee or a guaranteed entry to either the 2021, 2022 or 2023 marathon. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio praised the decision to cancel and said he looked forward to hosting the 50th running of the race in 2021. (Photo: CNN)
June 24, 2020 11:52 am
(WPXI) – A man who was found unconscious with a head injury Sunday morning in South Fayette Township has died. Jeffery Harouse, 58, of Bridgeville, died Monday at UPMC Presbyterian, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office. A woman who was walking her dog on Ridgepoint Circle around 7:30 a.m. found Harouse on the sidewalk and called 911. When South Fayette police got there, they realized Harouse had a severe head injury and was taken to the hospital, where he had been in critical condition. Through their investigation, police now know that Harouse left a local bar and used a ride sharing company to get home. Surveillance video shows Harouse walking away from that ride share vehicle and the vehicle driving away.
