June 16, 2020 4:01 am
ATLANTA (AP) – A widely available drug is showing promise of treating the most seriously ill coronavirus patients. It’s a welcome bit of hope as countries grapple with spikes in contagion as they loosen restrictions and reopen their economies. Researchers say the steroid, called dexamethasone, reduced deaths by 35% in patients who needed breathing machines and by 20% among those using supplemental oxygen. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the drug was the “biggest breakthrough yet” in treating the virus, and top U.S. infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci called it “a significant improvement in the available therapeutic options that we have.” Since the virus emerged in China last year, there have been more than 8 million confirmed cases and more than 435,000 deaths around the world.
June 16, 2020 3:58 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Justice Department has set new dates to begin executing federal death-row inmates following a monthslong legal battle over the plan to resume the executions for the first time since 2003. Attorney General William Barr directed the federal Bureau of Prisons to schedule the executions, beginning in mid-July, of four inmates convicted of killing children. Three of the men had been scheduled to be put to death when Barr announced the federal government would resume executions last year. The move is likely to add a new front to the national conversation about criminal justice reform.
June 16, 2020 3:54 am
NEW CASTLE, Pa. — (WPXI) – The New Castle police chief has told our news partners at Channel-11 the body of Amari Wise, who has been missing for over a week, was found in a wooded area off Pennsylvania Avenue in Shenango Township Monday afternoon. Officials said it was a Shenango Township police officer driving along the road who found Wise’s body near a creek. The coroner has ruled Wise’s death as a homicide due to a gunshot wound to the head. Two men have been charged in connection with Wise’s death. Police said Connor Henry, 20, faces charges of criminal homicide and tampering with evidence, and his father, Todd Henry, 47, was charged with criminal conspiracy to commit homicide, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence. Connor Henry was arrested Sunday night in Ocean City, Maryland, New Castle police said. Todd Henry was arrested on Monday. (Photo; WPXI)
June 16, 2020 2:29 am
MCKEESPORT, Pa. (AP) – Authorities say three people ambushed and gunned down a man in McKeesport. Police say surveillance video shows 54-year-old George Brosey was walking up the stoop of an acquaintance at Crawford Village when he was approached by a male and shot late Monday night. Police say two other males standing nearby also opened fire. The victim died at the scene. Authorities do not know why the man was targeted. No arrests have been made.
June 15, 2020 5:49 pm
(AP) – For the fourth time in its history, the Oscars are being postponed. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Monday that the 93rd Academy Awards will now be held on April 25, 2021, eight weeks later than originally planned because of the pandemic’s effects on the movie industry. The Academy’s Board of Governors also decided to extend the eligibility window beyond the calendar year to Feb. 28, 2021. Other entertainment industry awards shows are also in flux, like the Tony Awards. The 74th Tony Awards, originally set for June 7, has been postponed indefinitely.
June 15, 2020 10:38 am
California University of Pennsylvania will be reopening its campus for students this fall and classes will begin one week earlier than planned. A revised calendar now calls for classes to begin August 17. The fall semester will then wrap up before Thanksgiving. University spokesperson Christine Kindl says that will keep students at home during the traditional flu season. Students will then resume with the spring semester. While on campus, students will be required the wear a mask and social distance. Classrooms will be reorganized and students will have the option to utilize remote learning. Residence halls will be open with single or double occupancy. The dining hall will also be open but will be counter service only. There will be no salad bar and students will be permitted to take their meal back to their room.
June 15, 2020 10:18 am
LONDON (AP) – The U.S. Air Force says a fighter plane with one pilot on board has crashed into the North Sea. The status of the pilot is not known. The F-15C Eagle from the 48th Fighter Wing was on a routine training mission Monday from RAF Lakenheath when it crashed at 9:40 a.m. U.K. search and rescue authorities are taking part in the search of the crash site. Lakenheath is a Royal Air Force base that hosts the U.S. Air Force’s 48th Fighter Wing, known as the Liberty Wing. The base is about 80 miles northeast of London.
June 15, 2020 10:17 am
MOSCOW (AP) – An American has been sentenced to 16 years in prison by a Russian court on spying charges. The Moscow City Court on Monday convicted Paul Whelan on charges of espionage and sentenced him to 16 years in maximum security prison colony. Whelan has insisted on his innocence, saying he was set up. The U.S. Embassy has denounced Whelan’s trial as unfair, pointing that no evidence has been provided. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo denounced Whelan’s treatment by Russian authorities as “appalling.” His brother David said lawyers will appeal the verdict. Whelan’s Russian lawyer said he could be exchanged for Russians in U.S. custody.
June 15, 2020 10:16 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court has ruled that a landmark civil rights law protects gay, lesbian and transgender people from discrimination in employment. It’s a resounding victory for LGBT rights from a conservative court. The court decided by a 6-3 vote Monday that a key provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that bars job discrimination because of sex, among other reasons, encompasses bias against gay and lesbian workers. The ruling also covers transgender people. The opinion was written by conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch. It’s expected to have a big impact for the estimated 8.1 million LGBT workers across the country because most states don’t protect them from workplace discrimination.
June 15, 2020 4:15 am
ATLANTA (AP) – Police video from the fatal shooting of a black man after a failed sobriety check in Atlanta shows a largely peaceful encounter that lasts 40 minutes before spiraling into violence. Rayshard Brooks was shot by officers outside a Wendy’s restaurant where he was found sleeping in a car blocking the drive-thru lane. Atlanta police said Sunday the department fired Officer Garrett Rolfe and has taken Officer Devin Brosnan off patrol duty. Body camera footage shows Brooks cooperating and telling officers they’re just doing their job. But when they try to handcuff him, Brooks tries to run. They wrestle on the ground and Brooks grabs a Taser before attempting to flee. Three gunshots soon follow. Rolfe said afterward Brooks fired the Taser at him.
