January 20, 2021 5:46 pm
SEATTLE (AP) – Researchers say the population of gray whales off the West Coast of the United States has fallen by nearly one-quarter since 2016, resembling a similar die-off two decades ago. NOAA Fisheries reported Tuesday that surveys counted about 6,000 fewer migrating whales last winter, 21,000 as compared with 27,000 in 2016. The agency declared an “unusual mortality event” in 2019 as dozens of gray whales washed up on Pacific Ocean beaches. Scientists aren’t sure what has been causing the die-off. But they believe that it is within the range of previous population fluctuations and that the number of whales may have exceeded what the environment can support.
January 20, 2021 5:43 pm
(AP) – Two large studies give a much sharper picture of which inherited mutations raise the risk of breast cancer for women without a family history of the disease. Doctors say the results published Wednesday by the New England Journal of Medicine can help women make better decisions about screening, preventive surgery or other steps. Although this sort of genetic testing isn’t currently recommended for the general population, its use is growing and many people get it from tests sold directly to consumers. One study suggests that nearly 2% of U.S. women have a mutation that may raise their risk for breast cancer.
January 20, 2021 8:42 am
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) – His term at an end, President Donald Trump has said farewell to Washington. Trump has arrived in Florida in the last hour of his presidency, skipping Joe Biden’s inauguration. Before departing, Trump spoke to supporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where he walked across a red carpet and boarded Air Force One. He said: “So just a goodbye. We love you.” And the 45th president added, “We will be back in some form.” Trump departs office as the only president ever impeached twice, and with millions more out of work than when he was sworn in and 400,000 dead from the coronavirus. Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived in Florida just as the inauguration ceremony was getting underway at the Capitol.
January 20, 2021 5:07 am
Louis McQuillan of McDonald has announced his candidacy for Magisterial District Judge 27-3-06 which includes; McDonald Borough, Cecil Township, Mt Pleasant Township and Robinson Township. A lifelong Washington County resident, McQuillan has served as Police Chief in Mt. Pleasant Township for the past ten years. He has been with the department for the past 18 years. McQuillan has twice been elected as a councilman in McDonald Borough. A graduate of Point Park University with a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He is a member of numerous police organizations. McQuillan resides in McDonald with his children who attend school in the Fort Cherry School District.
January 20, 2021 4:25 am
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – California officials are pinning their hopes on President-elect Joe Biden as they struggle to obtain coronavirus vaccines to curb a surge that has packed hospitals and morgues. Doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been arriving haphazardly as they make their way from the federal government through the state and finally to counties, cities and hospitals. San Francisco’s public health department says it’s likely to run out of vaccine on Thursday. But Mayor London Breed and others say they’re hopeful that Biden will provide more resources for vaccination after he’s inaugurated on Wednesday. California this week surpassed 3 million COVID-19 cases.
January 20, 2021 4:22 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is placing blame on President Donald Trump for the deadly riot at the Capitol. McConnell on Tuesday said the mob was “fed lies” and the president and others “provoked” those intent on overturning Democrat Joe Biden’s election. McConnell’s remarks come on Trump’s last full day in office. The Republican leader vowed a “safe and successful” inauguration of Biden on Wednesday. It’s an unparalleled time of transition as the Senate presses ahead to Trump’s impeachment trial and starts confirmation hearings on Biden’s Cabinet. Three new Democratic senators-elect are to be sworn into office Wednesday.
January 20, 2021 4:18 am
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Lottery players are getting another shot at the third-largest jackpot in U.S. history. The Mega Millions top prize has hit an estimated $865 million, making Tuesday night’s drawing the biggest in more than two years. The winning number’s in Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing are: 10-19-26-28-50 and a Mega Ball of 16. Powerball, the other lottery game offered in most of the U.S., isn’t far behind at $730 million for a drawing Wednesday night. It’s the first time both lottery jackpots have topped $700 million. No one has won the Mega Millions jackpot since Sept. 15. The last Powerball jackpot winner was a day later, on Sept. 16.
January 20, 2021 4:17 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Joe Biden has officially become the 46th president of the United States. Biden took the oath of office just before noon Eastern time during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. The presidential oath was administered by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. Biden was sworn in using a Bible that has been in his family since 1893 and was used during his swearing-in as vice president in 2009 and 2013. Biden’s late son, Beau, also used the Bible for his own swearing-in ceremony as attorney general of Delaware and helped carry the Bible to his father’s 2013 ceremony.
January 20, 2021 4:15 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump has pardoned former chief strategist Steve Bannon as part of a late flurry of clemency action benefiting nearly 150 people, including rap stars and former members of Congress. The pardons and commutations for 143 people, including Bannon, were announced after midnight Wednesday in the final hours of Trump’s White House term. The last-minute clemency, announced earlier Wednesday morning, follows separate waves of pardons over the last month for Trump associates convicted in the FBI’s Russia investigation as well as for the father of his son-in-law.
January 20, 2021 4:12 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Beset by state-ordered closures during the pandemic, casinos and other gambling operators in Pennsylvania reported a drop in 2020’s revenues of more than one-fifth the previous year, even as their take from online gambling and sports betting skyrocketed. Pennsylvania’s 13 operating casinos, fantasy sports operators and truck stops took in $2.65 billion in gross revenue in 2020, compared to $3.4 billion taken in by 12 casinos in 2019, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board said. That was a drop of 22%. Not including sports wagering, fantasy sports or truck stops, Pennsylvania’s casinos drew $2.4 billion, a drop of 26% from $3.3 billion.
