August 2, 2019 4:02 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – The Pennsylvania Lottery is reporting record highs in revenue and profits, after concerns that it was slumping spurred lawmakers to expand its offerings to the internet and bars. The agency said Thursday it recorded $4.5 billion in sales in the 2018-19 fiscal year, an increase of 7%. Profits were $1.14 billion, an increase of 4.5%. It paid out $2.9 billion in prizes.
Lottery profits go to services for the elderly. Gov. Tom Wolf and lawmakers expanded the lottery’s offerings in late 2017 after year-over-year sales shrank, adding online games and monitor games played in bars. The lottery says iLottery games played on a computer, tablet or mobile device sold $381 million, while 91,000 players created online accounts. Keno and virtual sports games totaled almost $47 million in sales.
August 2, 2019 3:58 am
Just after Columbia Gas took responsibility for an explosion that leveled a home in North Franklin Township, township Supervisors held a press conference to make their statement regarding that blast. Speaking for the township, Supervisor Bob Sabot announced a Cease and Desist Order halting all upgrade work being done in the township. Sabot went on to explain the displeasure that the township has had recently with communications with Columbia Gas with regards to that upgrade work and scheduling. Township Supervisors are also holding Columbia Gas responsible for all repairs necessary to restore township property that was damaged during that blast. They are also seeking reimbursement for all first responders that arrived to help. Fire Chief Dave Bane was also on hand to inform that all those injured in that blast, including himself are now at home and resting. He was especially appreciative of all the help his department received from the surrounding communities. Township Supervisors announced a public hearing in conjunction with the regular Supervisors Meeting on August 13 at 5:00 PM. Columbia Gas has been scheduled to respond to resident’s concerns and announce a plan to remediate the damages and compensate all first responders.
August 2, 2019 3:50 am
Columbia Gas admits they missed the home in North Franklin Township that exploded while during upgrade work in the area. President Michael Huwar (pictured) says the installation of pressure regulators on each home was part of the modernization work that had been taking place in the township. He says they missed the home along Park Lane in both thier initial design work and during a secondary field survey. He called the homes remote location from the main “an anomaly”. According to Huwar, when the new system was engaged the lack of a pressure regulator on the home led to a leak which then caused the explosion. The home owner had called 9-1-1 to report the smell of gas and two township firefighters came to the home and shut off gas service. They were standing just outside the home a short time later when it exploded. All three have since been released from the hospital. Columbia Gas says its investigation continues. State Police are also investigating. (Photo: WPXI)
August 1, 2019 5:25 pm
SHADY GROVE, Pa. (AP) – Vice President Mike Pence is in Pennsylvania again to urge Congress to pass President Donald Trump’s rewrite of a trade pact with Canada and Mexico. Pence toured a crane manufacturing facility in southern Pennsylvania on Thursday, a few miles from the Maryland border, and told hundreds of workers there the pact is a good deal for American manufacturing. It was Pence’s second visit in two months to the presidential battleground state of Pennsylvania, after he visited a York-based robotics maker in June. The visit comes as House Democrats and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer report progress toward a deal that would clear the way for Congress to approve Trump’s U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Pennsylvania is important to Trump’s re-election campaign next year, a state where he scored a surprise win in 2016’s presidential election.
August 1, 2019 5:23 pm
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – The Pennsylvania Lottery is reporting record highs in revenue and profits, after concerns that it was slumping spurred lawmakers to expand its offerings to the internet and bars. The agency said Thursday it recorded $4.5 billion in sales in the 2018-19 fiscal year, an increase of 7%. Profits were $1.14 billion, an increase of 4.5%. It paid out $2.9 billion in prizes. The lottery’s profits go to services for the elderly. Gov. Tom Wolf and lawmakers expanded the lottery’s offerings in late 2017 after year-over-year sales shrank, adding online games and monitor games played in bars. The lottery says iLottery games played on a computer, tablet or mobile device sold $381 million, while 91,000 players created online accounts. Keno and virtual sports games totaled almost $47 million in sales.
August 1, 2019 4:51 pm
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) – A ban on electronic cigarettes and vaping products has started at West Virginia University. The WVU Board of Governors in February approved the ban that took effect Thursday. The policy applies to WVU properties in Morgantown, Beckley and Keyser. The only exception will be in designated smoking areas at large athletic events. Students found in violation of the policy are subject to conduct proceedings and sanctions. Faculty and staff members would also face disciplinary actions, while visitors in violation will be asked to leave campus. The university passed a smoking ban earlier this decade.
August 1, 2019 4:47 pm
(AP) – Lowe’s Co. is laying off thousands of employees at its U.S. stores as it outsources some of their duties to outside companies. The home-improvement chain, based in Mooresville, North Carolina, declined to say exactly how many employees were affected. But The Wall Street Journal reported that thousands of employees were told this week that their jobs were eliminated, which the company confirmed. Lowe’s spokeswoman Jackie Pardini Hartzell said Thursday that the cuts are coming as the company moves to a third-party assemblers and facility services to allow store associates to spend more time on the sales floor serving customers. Lowe’s, under its relatively new CEO Marvin Ellison, is trying to return its focus to its home improvement chain and streamline its business.
August 1, 2019 4:29 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump says the U.S. will apply a new tariff of 10% on about $300 billion worth of products from China on Sept. 1. Trump tweeted Thursday amid slow-moving talks with China that negotiations will continue. But he blamed China for not following through on stopping the sale of fentanyl to the United States or purchasing farm goods in large quantities. The U.S. has already applied tariffs of 25% on $250 billion worth of goods from China. China retaliated with tariffs on $110 billion in American goods, including agricultural products, in a direct shot at Trump supporters in the U.S. farm belt.
August 1, 2019 4:28 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) – A bipartisan budget and debt deal has passed the Senate and is heading to the White House for President Donald Trump’s signature. Thursday’s vote addresses a worrisome set of Washington deadlines as Trump’s allies and adversaries set aside ideology in exchange for relative fiscal peace and stability. The measure would permit the government to resume borrowing to pay all its bills and would set an overall $1.37 trillion limit on agency budgets approved by Congress annually. It also would remove the prospect of a government shutdown in October and automatic spending cuts. But a tea party senator, Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky, says the legislation really is a spectacular failure because it will add hundreds of billions of dollars to the country’s spiraling debt.
August 1, 2019 2:25 pm
GERMAN TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WPXI) – Charges have been filed against the driver of a dump truck that collided head-on with a pickup truck, killing a man, woman and boy in Fayette County in June. Pennsylvania State Police in Uniontown on Thursday announced the charges against Wilbert Burnsworth, who has been arrested. Investigators said Burnsworth was high on cocaine and fentanyl at the time of the June 18 crash on McClellandtown Road in German Township. The truck, which was filled with coal, crossed the centerline, police said. Ronald Burwell, 53; Kayla Burwell, 20; and Hunter Braddee, 4, died in the crash. Ronald Burwell was Kayla Burwell’s father and step-grandfather to Braddee. Burnsworth is charged with third-degree murder, driving under the influence and vehicular homicide.
