June 10, 2020 4:16 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump says he is ruling out changing the name of Army bases named for Confederate Army officers. This comes two days after Defense Secretary Mark Esper indicated he is open to a discussion of such changes, which have been urged by prominent retired Army officers and others. The issue has arisen periodically but is gaining new attention as the nation wrestles with questions of race after the death of George Floyd in the hands of Minneapolis police. In a series of tweets, Trump wrote, “My administration will not even consider” changing those Army base names.
June 10, 2020 4:12 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Trump administration is opposing a Democratic proposal to extend a $600 per week federal unemployment benefit approved in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia says the $600 payment has served its purpose but is no longer needed as the economy begins to recover. The payment is in addition to normal unemployment benefits, and has helped millions of workers stay in their homes and pay bills. The additional benefit is scheduled to end July 31, but Democrats want the extra benefit to continue through January.
June 10, 2020 4:11 am
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) – The remnants of Tropical Storm Cristobal have moved across parts of the Midwest after lashing the South, unleashing downpours and bringing gusty winds. Heavy rain hit Missouri on Tuesday morning and swept across Illinois, battering Chicago with high winds that downed trees and knocked out electricity to close to 20,000 customers of Commonwealth Edison. National Weather Service says Cristobal may produce flash flooding and isolated river flooding as rains continued overnight and into Wednesday. Cristobal weakened into a depression early Monday after inundating coastal Louisiana and ginning up dangerous weather along most of the U.S. Gulf Coast.
June 10, 2020 4:10 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – A D.C. National Guard spokeswoman says members of the Guard have tested positive for COVID-19 in the wake of the mass protests across the nation’s capital last week. Lt. Col. Brooke Davis says the Guard will not release the exact total. U.S. officials say they believe it is not a large number, at least so far. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information publicly. While some Guard troops responding to the protests wore protective equipment, most were not wearing masks and it was largely impossible to maintain social distancing.
June 10, 2020 4:09 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Despite President Donald Trump’s “law and order” approach to demonstrations over the death of George Floyd, Republicans in Congress are quickly, if quietly, trying to craft legislation to change police practices and accountability. The burst of legislative activity in the Republican ranks is an abrupt turnaround after years of black deaths at the hands of law enforcement. It comes as Trump lashes out at activists who want to “defund the police.” Democrats have unveiled the most sweeping police overhaul in years, and House leaders have recalled lawmakers back to Washington for a vote on it. The White House hopes for a Senate bill soon.
June 10, 2020 4:08 am
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – A statue of Christopher Columbus in Richmond has been torn down by protesters, set on fire and then submerged into a lake. News outlets report the figure was toppled less than two hours after protesters gathered in the city’s Byrd Park Tuesday chanting for the statue to be taken down. The figure was removed from its pedestal around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday by protesters using several ropes. NBC 12 reports it was then set on fire and submerged into a lake in the park. A sign that reads, “Columbus represents genocide” has been placed on the spray-painted foundation that once held the statue.
June 10, 2020 3:57 am
PITTSBURGH, Penn. (AP) – Pennsylvanians caught boating under the influence could face stiffer penalties as support for stricter laws grows in the state Legislature. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that the House and a Senate committee passed a measure that would make the penalties for people driving a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs similar to those imposed for driving a car under the influence. The legislation particularly focuses on those boating with minors on board. If the legislation passes, boating under the influence with a minor on board would carry a fine ranging from $1,500 to $10,000, or imprisonment not exceeding five years, or both.
June 9, 2020 4:48 pm
(WPXI) – A Latrobe man was arrested on Sunday for having a 9 mm handgun in his carry-on bag at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe. A Transportation Security Administration agent spotted the weapon on the checkpoint’s X-ray machine monitor, according to a news release. The gun was unloaded, but there was a magazine also in the bag that was loaded with four bullets. This is the first gun to be caught at that airport this year. Last year, four guns were found at the airport’s security checkpoint.
June 9, 2020 4:19 pm
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Anita Pointer says if it weren’t for her sister Bonnie, we never would have had the chance to hear the Grammy-winning group. Anita says her younger sister broached the idea of her family giving up singing at church – and trying to make it in as a pop group. First, Bonnie and her younger sister June formed a duo. Then Bonnie got her two older sisters Ruth and Anita to join the group – even though they were married and had kids – and the Pointer Sisters were born. Bonnie Pointer has died. Her publicist says it was cardiac arrest. She was 69.
June 9, 2020 3:57 pm
Cedar Fair, the owners of Kings Island and Cedar Point amusement parks, announced the reopening dates and safety plans amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Kings Island, located in Mason, will reopen to season pass holders only July 2 through 11. Starting July 12, the park will be open to both season pass holders and daily ticketholders, the amusement park announced in a media release Tuesday morning. Cedar Point, in Sandusky, will follow a similar reopening plan, with the park opening up for only for pass holders, including the season, gold and platinum levels, July 9 and 10. Starting July 11, the park will be open for Cedar Point Resort guests, as well as the pass holders. In an effort to maintain a limited capacity, both parks are requiring guests to schedule a reservation through an app prior to their visit. A guest will also be required to submit to a health screening through the app 24 hours prior to visiting either park. Touchless temperature checks will be conducted for both guests and employees before they enter the park. Face coverings will be required at all times at both parks for guests, employees, and vendors.
