August 13, 2020 4:15 am
PITTSBURGH, Pa. (AP) – President Donald Trump’s administration has done away with Obama-era rules designed to limit greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas fields and pipelines. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced two final rules for the oil and natural gas industry that removes ineffective and duplicative requirements while streamlining others. He made this announcement at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Secretary Mark W. Menezes, U.S. Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), and EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. Wheeler says these rulemakings will reduce regulatory burdens for oil and natural gas entities while protecting human health and the environment. Combined, the two final rules are estimated to yield net benefits of $750 to $850 million dollars from 2021 to 2030, the annualized equivalent of about $100 million a year. States and environmental advocacy groups warn that last year’s proposed changes would be illegal and a setback in the fight against climate change.
August 13, 2020 4:14 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Americans counting on emergency coronavirus aid from Washington may have to wait until fall. Negotiations over a new coronavirus aid package have all but ended. The White House and Congress are far apart on the size, scope and approach on relief for households, schools and a national strategy to contain the virus. President Donald Trump’s top negotiator, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, tried to revive stalled talks Wednesday. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer dismissed what they called an “overture,” saying the Trump administration is still refusing to meet them halfway. Trump said Democrats are “holding the American people hostage.”
August 13, 2020 4:10 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – Some area bar and restaurant owners may take matters into their own hands, possibly opening and allowing more than 25-percent capacity in their establishments. The president of the Southwest Pa. Restaurant and Tavern Association, Rodney Ambrogi – who is also the owner of Al’s Cafe in Bethel Park, told our news partners at Channel 11 the association sent a letter to Governor Tom Wolf last week. The letter asked that the governor loosen some restrictions. As of Wednesday morning, the association hadn’t heard back from him. If they don’t hear back from him by Aug. 14, according to Ambrogi, members of the association may: Open their bars for direct service again. Allow more than 25-percent capacity and enforce the six foot rule to allow more customers inside, while still following other safety guidelines. He says they are pushed in a corner and are trying to do everything they can to protect their livelihoods and family businesses. Members of the association are hopeful they’ll hear from Governor Wolf by Friday, but said they are willing to take the risk.
August 13, 2020 2:41 am
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – A West Virginia teachers’ union is urging public schools to avoid face-to-face instruction when students return next month due to the coronavirus. The West Virginia Education Association on Thursday suggested the online-only start based on a survey of the union’s membership. WVEA President Dale Lee says most respondents feel uncomfortable returning to classrooms under their individual county’s reopening plans. In addition, nearly all members are skeptical that students could effectively maintain social distancing and wear masks. Gov. Jim Justice has pushed back the start of the school year to Sept. 8. He recently said a final decision on reopening would have to be made by Sept. 1.
August 12, 2020 4:11 pm
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Hank Williams Jr., Marty Stuart and songwriter Dean Dillon are the newest inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Williams joins his father, country legend Hank Williams Sr., in the Hall of Fame and is known for songs like “All My Rowdy Friends Are Comin’ Over Tonight.” Stuart, a five-time Grammy winner, started his career as a sideman backing up Lester Flatt and Johnny Cash before starting his own artist career. Dillon is known for writing dozens of hits for George Strait, including “The Chair” and “Here For a Good Time,” as well as the often covered classic “Tennessee Whiskey.”
August 12, 2020 4:55 am
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) – Trini Lopez, a singer and guitarist who gained fame for his versions of “Lemon Tree” and “If I Had a Hammer” in the 1960s and took his talents to Hollywood, has died. He was 83. Filmmaker P. David Ebersole confirms that Lopez died Tuesday from complications of COVID-19. Lopez was mentored by Buddy Holly and Frank Sinatra and became an international star, performing in English and Spanish. Unlike Mexican American singers such as Ritchie Valens, Lopez rejected advice to change his name. Sinatra signed Lopez to his Reprise Records label after seeing him perform at a West Hollywood nightclub. Ebersole had just finished shooting a documentary on Lopez.
August 12, 2020 4:21 am
CANTON, Ga. (AP) – A Georgia school district has quarantined more than 900 students and staff members because of possible exposure to the coronavirus since classes resumed this last week. The Cherokee County School District outside Atlanta said it would also temporarily shut down a hard-hit high school in which a widely shared photo showed dozens of maskless students posing together. The district serves more than 42,000 students. The state Department of Public Health reports that Georgia on Tuesday posted its highest single-day death total so far of the pandemic at 137. The state is currently averaging more than 60 deaths being reported each day.
August 12, 2020 4:18 am
DETROIT – (AP) – Ford is recalling more than 558,000 midsize SUVs in North America because the brakes may not work properly. The recall covers certain 2015 through 2018 Ford Edge and 2016 through 2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Ford says in a statement Wednesday that some front brake hoses can rupture, causing brake fluid to leak. If too much fluid leaks, it could take more effort to stop the vehicle and stopping distances could increase. The company says it doesn’t know of any crashes or injuries. áDrivers should see a brake warning light on the dashboard if the fluid gets too low. Owners will be notified starting the week of Sept. 14. Dealers will replace the front brake jounce hoses.
August 12, 2020 4:17 am
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) – Health authorities in New Zealand are scrambling to trace the source of a new outbreak of the coronavirus as the nation’s largest city goes back into lockdown. Four cases among people in one Auckland household were the country’s first cases of local transmission in 102 days. A health official said one of the infected people works at a food cold-storage facility, which was being swabbed to check if it was the possible source. The cluster surprised many and raised questions about whether the general election would go ahead as planned next month. New Zealand has been praised for its virus response after coming close to eradicating the virus with a strict lockdown and border quarantines.
August 12, 2020 4:09 am
ALLEGHENY CO., Pa. — (WPXI) – A longtime assistant district attorney for Allegheny County, Russ Broman, has died after a battle with COVID-19. District Attorney spokesperson Mike Manko confirmed Broman, 65, had been hospitalized with the coronavirus since July 7. A family attorney said in July that he was not on a ventilator but that it could be a possibility in the future. He was listed in critical condition on July 14 and remained critical over the past few weeks. The family’s attorney told our news partners at Channel 11 previously that Broman thinks he was exposed to the coronavirus on June 30 while at the Allegheny County Courthouse. Just a week later, he had to be taken to the hospital. Broman worked in the district attorney’s office since the early 1980s, and his accolades are endless. He argued in front of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court twice and 3rd Circuit Court multiple times, and he’s won a number of awards.
