More Progress On A COVID-19 Vaccine

September 1, 2020 1:29 pm

(AP) – A third leading candidate COVID-19 vaccine has entered a final stage of human testing in the United States. AstraZeneca announced Monday its potential COVID-19 vaccine has entered final trials in the U.S. to test the effectiveness and safety of the product. The Cambridge, England-based company said the trial will involve up to 30,000 adults from various racial, ethnic and geographic groups. The potential vaccine was invented by the University of Oxford and an associated company, Vaccitech. Meanwhile, a U.S. advisory panel is suggesting a way to ration the first limited doses once a vaccine does prove safe and effective.

Georgia To Extend Deadline For Absentee Ballots

September 1, 2020 4:18 am

ATLANTA (AP) – A federal judge has ordered Georgia to extend its deadline for accepting mail-in ballots for November’s general election from the close of polls on Election Day until three days later. Georgia law says absentee ballots must be received by the close of polls on Election Day. U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross on Monday ordered that deadline extended until 7 p.m. three business days later, as long as they are postmarked by Election Day. The secretary of state’s office says it plans to immediately appeal the ruling

Texas Sues Over Mail Ballot Applications

September 1, 2020 4:17 am

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – The fight over mail balloting in Texas has expanded to Houston, where the state is suing over a plan to send mail balloting applications to more than 2 million registered voters. Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the lawsuit Monday. Texas is one of the few states not allowing more people to vote by mail in November over pandemic fears. Texas generally restricts mail-in voting to people who are 65 or older, disabled or will be outside the county on Election Day. Harris County officials say it’s up to each voter who gets an application to decide whether or not they’re eligible.

Trump Weakens Obama-Era Rule On Coal Plant Pollution

September 1, 2020 4:14 am

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) – The Trump administration has weakened an Obama-era rule aimed at reducing coal plant pollution that contaminates streams, lakes and underground aquifers. The changes finalized Monday will allow utilities to use cheaper wastewater cleanup technologies and take longer to comply with pollution reduction guidelines adopted in 2015. It’s the latest in a string of regulatory rollbacks for the coal power industry under Trump. The Environmental Protection Agency says it will save companies $140 million annually. But environmentalists say the move will harm public health and result in hundreds of thousands of pounds of pollutants annually contaminating water bodies.

Trump Visits Kenosha

September 1, 2020 4:13 am

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) – A few hundred supporters and detractors of President Donald Trump gathered at a city center intersection in Kenosha, engaging each other in shouting matches at times, but there were no reports of violence. Some Kenosha residents had feared Trump’s visit would prompt violence. The city saw some unrest after the Aug. 23 police shooting of Jacob Blake. Blake was shot seven times in the back. His family says the 29-year-old Black man is paralyzed. Tensions temporarily rose Tuesday as Trump’s motorcade rolled by, with his supporters clapping and others booing and cursing. But crowd sizes were modest and passions were mostly tempered.

Sheriffs Slam Governor’s Portland Plan

September 1, 2020 4:12 am

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A plan by the governor of Oregon to use sheriff’s deputies from surrounding counties to help patrol Portland following the deadly shooting of a right-wing Trump supporter was sharply criticized by law enforcement. They said it wouldn’t end the “cycle of violence” in the city that’s approaching 100 consecutive nights of often-violent Black Lives Matter protests. Gov. Kate Brown had announced a plan to use deputies from the two counties, as well as Oregon State Police troopers, to help Portland police.

Washington City Council Eyes Expansions

September 1, 2020 4:09 am

Washington City Council set its agenda for their September Action Meeting on Monday night. Council will be looking to approve an expansion project for the Get Go gas station and convenience store. Plans are to demolish and rebuild a bigger store to accommodate anticipated liquor sales. The gas pumps will stay where they are currently located. Council will also have a first reading of an ordinance to expand the current business district to include several properties along Walnut Street. Council will approve parking changes along W. Maiden Street in front of the TRIPL building. All parking from the corner of South Main and W. Maiden along W. Maiden up to two spaces past the TRIPL building will be eliminated. That change is part of the Highway Occupancy Permit from PennDot granted to TRIPL. The reason for the change is sight distance around the building.

COVID-19 Deaths Climbing In West Virginia

September 1, 2020 2:06 am

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – The number of deaths from the coronavirus continues to surge in West Virginia while confirmed cases hit a new daily record. Health officials announced eight more virus-related deaths Tuesday, pushing the state’s total to at least 222 deaths. That’s up 91% since Aug. 1. The latest deaths include three residents apiece from Kanawha and Logan counties and one each from Mingo and Monroe counties. Despite Gov. Jim Justice’s indoor mask mandate issued July 6, daily positive cases have skyrocketed. According to the Department of Health and Human Resources’ website, the state reported 225 confirmed cases Sunday, topping the one-day record of 180 set on July 30.

Airlines Want You Back On Their Planes

August 31, 2020 5:17 pm

(AP) – Delta and American are following the example set by United Airlines and saying they will drop an unpopular $200 fee on customers who change a ticket for travel within the United States. The moves come as airlines try desperately to lure people back to flying. Although air travel has recovered slightly since April, it is still down sharply. Normally in summer, 2 million or more people pass through security checkpoints at U.S. airports each day. That number hasn’t been above 900,000 since the early days of the pandemic in mid-March. But in dropping change fees, airlines are abandoning a lucrative extra.

Finleyville Woman Dies In Westmoreland County Crash

August 31, 2020 12:54 pm

State Police in Greensburg are investigating the death of a Washington County woman who was killed late Sunday in a crash in Westmoreland County.  Authorities say 41-year-old Lucinda Jones of Finleyville died in an accident around ten o’clock in the 500 block of Arona Road in Arona.  Jones was taken to Forbes Hospital in Monroeville where she was pronounced dead.