January 15, 2020 4:18 am
BELLAIRE, Texas (AP) – School officials say a 16-year-old student has been shot to death at a Texas high school, and a suspect and another person police said was connected to the case were arrested hours later. Grenita Lathan, interim superintendent of the Houston Independent School District, confirmed the victim of the Tuesday afternoon shooting at Bellaire High School had died. The district later issued a statement that Wednesday classes at the school were canceled.
January 15, 2020 4:16 am
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) – A federal judge in California has revoked bail for attorney Michael Avenatti after prosecutors revealed evidence of new crimes. Prosecutors said Wednesday that Avenatti orchestrated several schemes to hide assets from creditors as he lived a life of luxury while awaiting trial. The development threatens to disrupt next week’s scheduled trial in New York on charges he tried to extort $25 million from Nike. Avenatti has declared his innocence. He was arrested at a bar court hearing in Los Angeles where state lawyers were seeking to prevent him from practicing law because he allegedly stole from clients.
January 15, 2020 4:13 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – The Pennsylvania House is voting to force public agencies to post agendas on their websites a day before meetings when they’ll be voted on. State representatives voted unanimously on Tuesday for the proposed amendments to the state Sunshine Act. Officials wouldn’t be able to vote on anything that’s not on the posted agenda, except when an emergency arises that threatens life or property or an issue is considered extremely minor and doesn’t involve spending money. Items could also be added to agendas during meetings by a majority vote. It’s being sent to the state Senate for its consideration.
January 15, 2020 4:12 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – A former western Pennsylvania church administrator has been sentenced to 10 to 20 years in the theft of $1.2 million that prosecutors said he and his wife used for vacations, sports tickets and other personal expenses. An Allegheny County judge also ordered 50-year-old David Reiter to pay restitution. Reiter pleaded guilty in October to receiving stolen property, theft, and other charges. His wife faces trial later this month. Prosecutors say the money was stolen over the course of about 17 years from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair. The church says it hopes for “rehabilitation, restitution, and even restoration.”
January 15, 2020 2:18 am
(WPXI) – Two more flu deaths have been reported in Allegheny County, bringing the total number of flu related-deaths to three, according to the health department. The first flu-related death in the county was reported on Jan. 8th. There have been 6,145 flu cases in the county this season, compared to this time last year when there was only 333. So far, 41 people have been hospitalized.
January 14, 2020 5:22 pm
(AP) – Computer security experts are urging individuals and organizations to fix a major Windows 10 security flaw that the National Security Agency has discovered. The flaw could let hackers intercept seemingly secure communications. Rather than exploit the flaw for its own needs, the intelligence agency tipped off Microsoft so that it can fix the system for everyone. Security experts say that is unusual and represents the “constructive role” the NSA can play in improving global information security. Microsoft says it hasn’t seen any evidence that hackers have used the technique. A free fix was issued Tuesday.
January 14, 2020 1:19 pm
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating a crash in Fayette County Tuesday morning that left at least one person dead. The collision happened around eight o’clock on Route 40 in Henry Clay Township and involved an SUV and a tractor-trailer. No other details have been released.
January 14, 2020 9:51 am
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Iran’s judiciary says arrests have been made over the shootdown of a Ukrainian plane that killed all 176 people on board. A judiciary spokesman says “extensive investigations have taken place and some individuals are arrested.” He was quoted by Iranian state media on Tuesday, but didn’t say how many individuals have been detained or name them. Also, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has called for a special court to be set up to try those responsible for the plane shootdown. The developments come amid an upswell of anger and protests by Iranians in recent days over apparent attempts by senior officials to cover up the cause of the crash.
January 14, 2020 4:27 am
TAGAYTAY, Philippines (AP) – A volcano near the Philippine capital is spewing lava half a mile high and trembling with earthquakes constantly as tens of thousands of people flee villages darkened and blanketed by heavy ash. The activity from the Taal volcano could portend a much bigger and dangerous eruption. Volcanologists say new fissures are cracking the ground and about 50 earthquakes were detected over eight hours, indicating rising magma. Heavy and prolonged ashfall is forecast in nearby villages. The number of evacuees is expected to swell. Government work was suspended and schools closed in a wide swath of towns and cities, including the bustling capital, Manila, because of the health risks from the ash.
January 14, 2020 4:26 am
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An unusually heated clash of rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination could be the hallmark of Tuesday night’s televised debate in Iowa. Just six candidates are gathering in Des Moines, the smallest number yet on a debate stage. That dynamic will offer candidates more opportunities to criticize each other’s proposals as well as tout their own. But the fuel for the fire comes from the fact that it’s the last debate before Iowa’s leadoff caucuses, set for Feb. 3. The winner will leave Iowa with momentum for the primaries to come. State polling shows Iowa’s top preference too close to call.
