January 28, 2020 1:55 am
Here’s what you can expect – courtesy of our news partners at WPXI:
What days will the trial be in session: The trial will run six days a week, Monday through Saturday, until it is finished.
Here is the schedule:
Wednesday, Jan. 29: Possible vote on witnesses
What channel will show the trial: Broadcast networks and cable news channels will be airing the trial live
How did we get here: On Dec. 18, after nearly three months of hearings and investigation, the House passed two articles of impeachment against Trump stemming from a phone conversation he had with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The articles claim Trump abused his power as president and obstructed Congress from investigating his alleged abuse of power. Trump, House investigators said, tried to solicit foreign interference in the 2020 election by having Zelensky push an investigation into his likely 2020 political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden. The articles of impeachment claim that Trump withheld vital military aid and a White House meeting with Zelensky until he was promised the investigation into Biden and his son Hunter would take place. He also wanted an investigation into a conspiracy theory that suggests that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 U.S. election, House Democrats claim. The impeachment inquiry that led to the articles of impeachment was triggered by a whistleblower who reported the gist of a phone conversation that took place on July 25 between Trump and Zelensky where Trump allegedly pressured Zelensky for the investigation. (Photo: CNN)
January 27, 2020 4:43 pm
West Virginia State Police say a small plane went down along the Taylor/Marion County line just before one o’clock Monday afternoon. Agencies from both counties are on the ground along with the Grafton Fire Department. There is no information about the number of passengers or injuries, if any.
January 27, 2020 11:52 am
SCOTTSBORO, Ala. (AP) – The fire chief in Scottsboro, Alabama says at least eight people were killed in an explosive fire that consumed at least 35 vessels along the Tennessee River. Authorities say all eight people known to be missing are confirmed dead, and “that number could go up,” because they don’t know how many were on boats that sank. At least seven people were sent to hospitals suffering from exposure to the water or flames. The fire quickly consumed the dock as people were sleeping, cutting off their escape routes and raining debris into the water. (Photo: CNN)
January 27, 2020 10:34 am
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) – A U.S. official says that a mystery crash in eastern Afghanistan was a U.S. military plane. The official spoke on background to provide details not publicly released, adding that the military aircraft crashed in the Ghazni province and an investigation of its causes was ongoing. Video from the crash site circulating on social media appeared to suggest the aircraft was a U.S. Air Force electronic surveillance plane. The Taliban control much of the province and all of the area of the crash site. Monday’s plane crash is not expected to derail U.S.-Taliban peace talks if it turns out to have been an accident.
January 27, 2020 9:56 am
(WPXI) – A Peters Township man is in stable condition after he was struck while trying to cross Route 19 near its intersection with McMurray Road just after 7 a.m. Monday. According to Peters Township Police Chief Doug Grimes, the 83-year-old man was walking toward the BP gas station on Route 19. He was struck by a car when he stepped off the median into the northbound lane. Grimes said he was transported via ambulance to Allegheny General Hospital. He did not comment on the extent of his injuries. Grimes identified the driver only as a woman, whom he said attempted to avoid hitting the pedestrian. The driver remained at the scene, and Grimes said there is no reason to believe she will be charged. Castle Shannon and Jefferson Hills police departments assisted Peters Township police with reconstructing the accident. A pile of clothing and a cane were visible in the roadway while police conducted their investigation. Police had northbound lanes of Route 19 closed until shortly after 9:30 a.m.
January 27, 2020 6:50 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. – We’re getting a better idea which Sundays hunting will be allowed. The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissions has given its preliminary approval for three Sunday hunting dates. Those dates include Nov. 15, for archery deer hunting, Nov. 22 for bear hunting during firearms season, and Nov. 29 for deer hunting during the firearms season. Sunday hunting would require a landowner’s written permission. The hunting and trapping seasons will be finalized during the game commission’s next meeting in early April.
January 27, 2020 4:19 am
EAU CLAIRE, Pa. — (WPXI) – Emergency officials said nearly 100 people had to be evacuated for several hours after a vehicle crashed into a natural gas substation in Eau Claire borough in northern Butler County Sunday afternoon. The Eau Claire Volunteer Fire Department posted on social media that the gas company was able to make temporary repairs and people could return home. The crash caused a natural gas leak. The Marion Township Volunteer Fire Department had opened their building to be used as a shelter for people displaced until they could go home. It’s not clear what led to the initial crash or if there were any injuries.
January 27, 2020 4:15 am
LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) – An elderly Amish man who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing four girls for years is facing 38 to 76 years in prison, even though the judge acknowledged the sentence is largely symbolic given the man’s age. Seventy-five-year-old David Stoltzfus Smucker chose not to speak in court in Lancaster County on Friday. The capacity crowd included Smucker’s wife and black-suited members of his church and family. Smucker pleaded no-contest in December to 20 felony counts, including rape. The girls told police that Smucker assaulted them when they were between 4 and 9 years old. The girls have been removed from their homes and are being homeschooled.
January 27, 2020 4:13 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Pennsylvania’s legislative campaign season is kicking into gear, with incumbents announcing their retirements and the period about to begin for circulating petitions to get on the ballot. Both chambers hold comfortable majorities for Republicans, with the margin at 110 to 93 in the House and Democrats in the 50-member Senate down to 21 seats. This year’s battle for the General Assembly is being waged as Pennsylvania is widely considered to be a key to the presidential race. All 203 House districts and half the Senate will go before the voters this year.
January 27, 2020 4:12 am
FAYETTE CO., Pa. — (WPXI) – What started as a flooded basement and call for a plumber ended in a SWAT situation in Fayette County. According to state police, Frank Bowers first called the fire department Saturday afternoon because his basement flooded. Bowers was told to call a plumber by fire fighters, so a plumber later arrived at his home on Mill Run Road. Police said the plumber had an “uneasy feeling” about Bowers, so he left. Bowers then allegedly chased the plumber out of the driveway while beating his truck. The plumber’s truck got stuck in the mud and he got scared, so he jumped out and took off running down the road to ask a neighbor for help, according to investigators. Officers were called to the scene, and when they got to the plumber’s truck, he realized Bowers had stolen $15,000 worth of tools and tried to set the truck on fire. At that point, police went to Bowers’ home to talk to him, but he then holed himself inside – which prompted the SWAT situation. Officers had that road blocked off as they attempted to communicate with Bowers. Bowers was taken into custody without incident around 8:30 p.m.
