September 22, 2019 7:09 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Gov. Tom Wolf busied himself in the quiet Capitol over the summer with plans: paying for new voting machines, writing new charter school regulations, creating gun violence prevention programs and more. Wolf calls those moves “conversation openers” to inject momentum into an agenda the Democrat insists can get done this fall in the Republican-controlled Legislature. His administration also suggests Wolf will consider unilaterally pursuing limits on greenhouse-gas pollution from power plants if he can’t persuade lawmakers into an agreement to advance his agenda to fight climate change. For now, GOP leaders and rank-and-file Republicans suggest that attitudes didn’t change over the summer toward top Wolf priorities left hanging in June. Those include a minimum wage increase and a tax on Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling.
September 22, 2019 7:08 am
WASHINGTON, Pa. — Aggravated assault charges were dropped against a Washington man serving a life sentence for first degree murder. Brandon Wolowski, 25, was serving a life sentence for the murder of Matthew Mathias and injuring Michelle Powell, at SCI Camp Hill, when he was scheduled for a trial earlier this month. The District Attorney’s office decided against the trial citing safety concerns. Wolowski has a federal lawsuit that he filed still pending. That suit alleges that he was mistreated by Washington County Corrections Officers. A trial date has yet to be set. Wolowski is currently serving his sentence at SCI Greene County.
September 21, 2019 4:38 am
Economic Development was featured at a roundtable discussion sponsored by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. Several county notables led by Will Thomeier, Director of Economic and Tourist Development for the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, discussed ongoing and future development projects throughout Washington County. William McGowen, Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority of Washington County discussed the vital role a public/private partnership has in economic development. He pointed to several projects in the county, the most visible being the reclamation of the Brockway Glass factory on Interstate 70. Ben Brown, CEO of the Mon Valley Alliance highlighted business development in the Monongahela Valley but also pointed out that economic development also occurs in recreation development as his group is heavily involved in the redevelopment of the old Charleroi High School football stadium that sits right on the river. Economic development is not complete without a workforce and Jeff Nobili from the Southwest Corner Workforce Development Board explained apprenticeships available and how vital they are to supplying employers with people that can perform the jobs needed for them to succeed. Information for any of these programs can be obtained by contacting the Washington County Chamber of Commerce at www.washcochamber.com.
September 21, 2019 4:21 am
HOUSTON (AP) – A man found dead in his vehicle in southeast Texas after floodwaters receded is at least the fourth person to have died in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Imelda.
Police in Beaumont said the body of 47-year-old Malcolm Foster was found Friday morning in a Toyota Prius that was found in a flooded canal. Authorities say his family was later notified of his death. Foster is the fourth man to have drowned after Imelda inundated the region this week. Authorities said one of the men also was electrocuted while trying to move his horse to safety Thursday.
September 21, 2019 4:17 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – The money-losing Three Mile Island, site of the United States’ worst commercial nuclear power accident, has been shut down by its energy giant owner. Friday’s end to the 45-year electricity-producing career of Three Mile Island Unit 1 came after Chicago-based Exelon Corp. tried and failed to get financial aid from Pennsylvania last spring. Three Mile Island’s Unit 1 opened in 1974 and was licensed to operate through 2034. But Exelon complained the plant was losing money in competitive electricity markets. Three Mile Island also faced particularly difficult economics because the 1979 accident that destroyed Unit 2 left it with just one reactor. Decommissioning both units could take decades. No nuclear plant proposed after the 1979 accident has been successfully completed and put into operation in the United States.
September 21, 2019 4:13 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate remained stable in August, as payrolls rose to a record high. The state Department of Labor and Industry said Friday that Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate remained at 3.9%. That’s one-tenth of a percentage point above the lowest rate on record it hit earlier this year. The state says its records go back to 1976. The national unemployment rate was 3.7% in August. Among states, Pennsylvania’s rate ranks 33rd. A survey of households found Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force rose by 9,000, closer to 6.5 million, as employment and unemployment each rose by 5,000. A separate survey of employers showed seasonally adjusted non-farm payrolls rose 16,500, to a record high farther above 6 million. The education and health services sector was the biggest gainer. The figures are preliminary and could change.
September 21, 2019 4:06 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Jewish leaders are preparing to discuss plans to commemorate the deadly shooting that killed 11 worshippers inside a Pittsburgh synagogue almost a year ago.
The October 2018 shooting in the Tree of Life building was the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history. Seven others were injured when, authorities say, gunman Robert Bowers opened fire. He’s pleaded not guilty. Leaders of the three congregations whose members were attacked are gathering Friday to reflect on the past year and discuss plans for next month’s observance.
As the anniversary approaches, paintings by young people from around the world containing messages of support have replaced blue tarps covering a fence cordoning off the Tree of Life building.
September 21, 2019 3:59 am
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – Five people remain in critical condition after a bus crash that killed four Chinese tourists and injured dozens more near a national park in Utah. Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Nick Street said Friday evening that the bus originated in Southern California, and the tourists on board were natives of mainland China. Up to 15 people suffered injuries that were originally considered very critical, but the condition of several passengers has improved in the hours since the crash. Authorities are investigating what caused the bus to careen into a guard rail Friday morning on highway winding through otherworldly spires of red rock near Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah. The names and hometowns of the victims were not immediately released.
September 21, 2019 3:55 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump urged the new leader of Ukraine this summer to investigate the son of former Vice President Joe Biden. That’s according to a person familiar with the matter. Democrats condemned what they saw as a clear effort to damage a political rival, now at the heart of an explosive whistleblower complaint against Trump. It was the latest revelation in an escalating controversy that has created a showdown between congressional Democrats and the Trump administration, which has refused to turn over the formal complaint by a national security official or even describe its contents.
September 20, 2019 4:37 pm
(AP) – The New England Patriots have released receiver Antonio Brown after a second woman accused him of sexual misconduct. The team announced the move Friday in a statement emailed to reporters. The statement said: “We appreciate the hard work of many people over the past 11 days, but we feel that it is best to move in a different direction at this time.” Brown has been accused of rape in a lawsuit by a former trainer. He is also accused of exposing himself to a painter he had hired. He has denied the allegations. The Patriots signed Brown this month hours after he was released by Oakland. He was traded to the Raiders after wearing out his welcome with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he was a four-time All-Pro in nine seasons.
