February 24, 2021 4:16 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Leading technology companies say a monthslong breach of corporate and government networks was so sophisticated, focused and labor-intensive that a nation had to be behind it and the evidence points to Russia. On Tuesday, in the first congressional hearing on the breach, representatives of technology companies involved in the response described a hack of almost breathtaking precision, ambition and scope, with the perpetrators stealthily scooping up specific emails and documents on a target list from the U.S. and at least seven other countries. It comes as the U.S. weighs punitive measures against Russia that the White House says will occur in “weeks, not months.”
February 24, 2021 4:15 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Republican leaders in the House and Senate say a proposed plan for an independent commission to study the Capitol insurrection is overly tilted toward Democrats. They say the panel should be an even party split in the mold of a similar panel formed more than 15 years ago to study the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. A draft proposed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would create an 11-member commission with four Republicans and seven Democrats, three of whom would be chosen by President Joe Biden. That’s according an aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the details, which have not yet been publicly released.
February 24, 2021 4:14 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Authorities say golf star Tiger Woods car crash was purely an accident, although they are waiting to see if a black box that is included in some SUV’s can shed any light on the crash, if his vehicle was equipped with one. Woods was seriously injured when his SUV crashed into a median and rolled over several times on a steep road in suburban Los Angeles. Harbor-UCLA Medical Center’s chief medical officer says Woods shattered tibia and fibula bones on his right leg in multiple locations, with additional injuries in the ankle and foot. A statement on his Twitter account says he was awake, responsive and recovering. Authorities had to extricate Woods through the front windshield. They say he’s fortunate to be alive. The accident left him with a shattered ankle and multiple broken bones in his leg. The injuries were repaired with rods, pins and screws. Woods is 45 and had back surgery back in December. The crash happened on a sweeping, downhill stretch of road.
February 24, 2021 4:06 am
North Strabane Supervisors ended February by getting ready for the spring and summer paving projects and hiring two new police officers. At the beginning of the meeting supervisors looked back to 2020 and Township Manager Andrew Walz presented final budget numbers for 2020. Walz said that measures taken by the township to protect against any shortfalls paid off with all township accounts finishing 2020 in the black. Both the general fund and the capital fund finished the year with amounts in excess of $1 million dollars. Supervisors approved a paving program of $930,000 and according to Walz that number came in roughly $70,000 under budget. Two police officers were hired to fill a spot left open due to retirement and a spot open due to an officer leaving. Walz points out that one of the candidates is female and will become the second female police officer in the township.
February 24, 2021 2:14 am
LAS VEGAS (AP)- Class action lawsuits were filed in Nevada against 10 major auto insurance companies on Tuesday, contending that the companies charged excessive insurance premiums during the pandemic by failing to account for a drop in driving and crashes. The lawsuits acknowledge that some insurers provided discounts over the emptier roads and drop in accidents and claims, but the discounts did not offer “any meaningful relief that actually reflects the reduction in cars on the road and reduced driving during the pandemic.” The lawsuits were filed against State Farm, USAA, Geico, Acuity, Liberty Mutual, Farmers, Progressive, Travelers, Nationwide and Allstate.
February 23, 2021 2:52 pm
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Authorities and Tiger Woods’ manager say the golf star has suffered leg injuries in a vehicle rollover in suburban Los Angeles and is undergoing surgery. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department says Woods was alone in the vehicle and had to be extricated from it Tuesday. No other cars were involved in the wreck that injured the golfer. Authorities say an ambulance took Woods to a hospital in serious condition. Authorities are saying that it does not appear alcohol was a factor in the crash. Woods was in Los Angeles over the weekend as the tournament host of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera.
February 23, 2021 12:00 pm
AMBRIDGE, Pa. (AP) – A western Pennsylvania woman was held without bond Tuesday after authorities said she shot and killed her two daughters. According to police, Krisinda Bright, 48, called officers to her home on Monday afternoon and let officers in. Interim Police Chief John Deluca said officers found “a gruesome scene” inside. Kiara Bright, 16, and Jasmine Cannady, 22, were shot in the head, the Beaver County coroner said. Their mother was taken to the county jail without incident and was charged with two counts of homicide. It was not known whether she had retained a lawyer. The motive for the shootings was unclear. The youngest victim was a student at Ambridge High School. District officials posted a statement offering offering condolences and providing assistance to students, parents and teachers. “The district has counselors available for any student who may need or want help or any type of assistance surrounding this loss,” the statement said. (Photo: WPXI)
February 23, 2021 4:19 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden’s pick for health secretary is facing two days of contentious Senate hearings. Republicans are portraying the Californian as unfit. But Democrats are unfazed, accusing the GOP of playing politics despite the pandemic. California’s attorney general, Xavier Becerra, will be grilled by two panels beginning Tuesday. Republicans say he’s a radical, but Democrats shrug that off as “flailing.” If confirmed, Becerra would be the first Latino to head the Department of Health and Human Services. The $1.4 trillion agency carries a broad portfolio that includes health insurance programs, drug safety and approvals, advanced medical research and the welfare of children.
February 23, 2021 4:18 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden will visit Texas on Friday as the state begins its recovery from a devastating winter storm that caused serious damage to homes and businesses across the state and left many without power or clean water for days. The White House announced Tuesday that Biden and his wife, Jill, will travel to Houston on Friday. While there, he’ll meet with local leaders to discuss the ongoing recovery from last week’s winter storm, and will visit a COVID-19 health center where vaccines are being distributed. Millions of Texas residents remain under boil water notices after the freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall caused power outages and burst pipes across the state.
February 23, 2021 4:16 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden’s nominee to head the Interior Department says oil and natural gas will continue to play a major role in America for years to come. But New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland, Biden’s nominee to be interior secretary, says the United States also must address climate change and recognize that the energy industry is changing. In testimony prepared for her confirmation hearing Tuesday, she said the Interior Department has a role in “harnessing the clean energy potential of our public lands to create jobs” while restoring and conserving federal lands. If confirmed, Haaland would be the first Native American to lead a Cabinet agency.
