September 17, 2019 4:18 am
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) – President Donald Trump made a pocketbook appeal to New Mexico voters, assuring them at a rally Monday night near Albuquerque that his energy policies have made the state wealthier. Trump warned that that those gains could disappear if the proposal known as the Green New Deal takes effect. He accused Democrats of wanting to annihilate New Mexico’s economy. New Mexico hasn’t backed a Republican for president since 2004. Trump rallied supporters in suburban Rio Rancho as part of an effort to turn the state and expand his grip on the Electoral College in next year’s election. Trump usually ventures to Republican-friendly states. The New Mexico rally demonstrates a reelection campaign with resources to try turning a few Democratic-leaning states its way.
September 17, 2019 4:17 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Corey Lewandowski is confirming that President Donald Trump asked him to urge Jeff Sessions to reverse himself and oversee the Russia investigation. Lewandowski never delivered that message, but he told the House Judiciary Committee that Trump didn’t ask him to break the law. He said, “I didn’t think the president asked me to do anything illegal.” Under questioning later by Georgia Democrat Hank Johnson, Lewandowski confirmed as “accurate” that Trump had asked him to deliver the message. Asked why, according to the Mueller report, he never delivered the message to Sessions as instructed, Lewandowski answered that he had taken his kids to the beach. Lewandowski never worked for Trump in the White House, but remained a confidant. The questioning came as the Democratic-led panel conducted its first impeachment hearing. (Photo: CNN)
September 17, 2019 4:16 am
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says “there will be no talks with the U.S. at any level” – remarks apparently meant to end all speculation about a U.S.-Iran meeting at the U.N. later this month. Iranian state TV on Tuesday quotes Khamenei as saying this is the position of the entire leadership of the country and that “all officials in the Islamic Republic unanimously believe” this. There has been speculation about a possible meeting between President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani, during the upcoming U.N. General Assembly this month in New York. Tensions roiling the Persian Gulf have escalated following a weekend attack on major oil sites in Saudi Arabia that U.S. alleged Iran was responsible for. Iran denies the charge.
September 17, 2019 4:12 am
MCKEESPORT, Pa. – Sam Davis won four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a guard in the 1970s. He was found dead at a local personal care home hours after he was reported missing. State officials said they’re now investigating the facility. Officials with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services said they’re looking into the New Life Care Personal Home in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. In the last nine years, inspections of the facility found a number of violations including a gas can found in a smoking area, six resident records not containing pictures and urine stored with food in the pantry. The owner told our news partners at Channel 11 he cannot make a statement because the investigation is ongoing. Davis’ family sent a statement saying in part “We do still have a lot of questions and concerns surrounding the passing of our father. But now, we want to focus on our father’s legacy and say goodbye properly.”
September 17, 2019 4:09 am
BETHEL PARK, Pa. – (WPXI) – Police in Bethel Park are asking for the public’s help finding a man wearing a ski mask who allegedly forced his way into a person’s home when they answered the door. The man claimed to be looking for someone who did not live in the home, police said. “We want people to be aware and take extra precaution until we are able to find him and put him in jail,” police chief Timothy O’connor said. If you recognize the man, you’re asked to contact police at 412-833-2000 or email crimewatch@bethelpark.net.
September 17, 2019 4:05 am
A husband and wife duo of social and political activists came to Washington to hold a roundtable discussion regarding coal and its effects on climate change. Dave and Erin Ninehouser of the organization Hear Yourself Think, want to spark discussion between people to help eliminate division and arrive at a solution. The roundtable discussion was an experiment. About 10 people participated giving their opinions on the subject from their experiences in coal mines and power generation. Joe Smyth, a 40 year veteran of the power generation industry feels that coal does have an effect on climate but says that it would be nearly impossible to replace coal as a fuel source for electricity. Ron Sicchitano, a 35 year coal miner feels that if research would have been performed, the coal industry would not be in the state it is right now. Hear Yourself Think will be back in our area to discuss this issue further. For more information you can go to their website HearYourselfThink.org.
September 16, 2019 4:36 pm
FARMINGTON, Maine (AP) – Officials in Maine say a town’s fire chief is among the six injured in a propane explosion that killed a firefighter. State public safety spokesman Steve McCausland said after Monday morning’s explosion at a nonprofit center in Farmington that five people remain hospitalized. McCausland says an ambulance worker was treated and released. Town Selectman Scott Landry says one nonprofit employee is also hospitalized. Gov. Janet Mills is from Farmington, and her office says she knew the firefighter who died. She says she is sending her condolences. The explosion occurred after firefighters arrived to investigate the smell of gas at the recently constructed building. Farmington is about 70 miles north of Portland. Mills promises an investigation that will provide answers.
September 16, 2019 2:36 pm
(AP) – An Associated Press investigation shows a dark side to booming sales of the cannabis extract CBD. Some people are substituting cheap and dangerous street drugs for the real thing. As a result, vapes and other products marketed as helping a range of ailments instead have sent dozens of people to emergency rooms because they were spiked with synthetic marijuana. Lab testing commissioned by AP shows some CBD vape products available at stores or online contain synthetic marijuana commonly known as K2 or spice. Unlike real CBD, which doesn’t have psychoactive qualities, synthetic marijuana gives an intense high. Industry representatives acknowledge spiking is an issue, but say many companies are reputable. But with drug enforcement authorities busy fighting the opioid epidemic, manufacturers of spiked products operate with impunity.
September 16, 2019 1:39 pm
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Ben Roethlisberger’s season is over. His career possibly, too. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback’s injured right elbow will require surgery, ending the 37-year-old’s 16th season just two weeks in. Roethlisberger shook his arm after a pair of passes with the Steelers driving late in the first half. He remained in the game through the end of the drive but watched the second half from the sideline in a white baseball cap as backup Mason Rudolph took over. Head coach Mike Tomlin said Roethlisberger underwent an MRI exam on Sunday night and team doctors determined Roethlisberger requires surgery. Roethlisberger will have the procedure later this week. Roethlisberger, who led the NFL in passing last season, signed an extension in April that runs through the 2021. There was no immediate timetable on the two-time Super Bowl winner’s return. Roethlisberger has been Pittsburgh’s starter since taking over for Tommy Maddox in Week 2 of the 2004 season as a rookie. His start on Sunday was the 218th appearance of his career, second most in the franchise’s 87-year history. “Prayers up to my guy Ben on his upcoming surgery,” wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster tweeted shortly after Roethlisberger’s diagnosis was announced. “So sad to hear the news, but we’re gonna hold it down for you.” Pittsburgh (0-2) will now move on with Rudolph, taken in the third round of the 2018 draft. Rudolph went 12 of 19 for 112 yards with two touchdowns and an interception against Seattle in the first regular-season snaps of his career. The Steelers play at San Francisco (2-0) next Sunday. “I am completely confident in myself, being a leader on the team and playing games,” Rudolph said on Sunday afternoon. “That’s what it all comes down to. If (Roethlisberger is out a while), I’m ready to roll.”
September 16, 2019 4:25 am
NEW YORK (AP) – The New York City medical examiner says Ric Ocasek , the 75-year-old frontman for The Cars, died of heart disease, worsened by emphysema. Ocasek’s wife, model and actress Paulina Porizkova, posted a statement on Instagram , saying he was “recuperating very well after surgery” and that their two sons were making sure he was comfortable. Porizkova did not say what type of surgery Ocasek was recovering from. She says she went to bring him his Sunday morning coffee and “realized that during the night he had peacefully passed on.” The Cars chart-topping hits in the late 1970s and 1980s included “Just What I Needed,” ”Shake It Up” and “Drive.” The band was inducted last year into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Porizkova announced the couple’s separation last year.
