January 9, 2020 4:10 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The House moved toward approval of a non-binding measure limiting President Donald Trump’s ability to take military action against Iran as criticism of the U.S. killing of a top Iranian general intensified. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said that while the war powers resolution does not require Trump’s signature, it nonetheless “has real teeth” because it is “a statement of the Congress of the United States.” Republicans denounced the House measure as little more than “a press release” designed to attack Trump. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence urged GOP lawmakers to oppose the plan.
January 9, 2020 4:09 am
BEIJING (AP) – China’s government says its economy czar will go to Washington next week for the signing of an interim trade deal. The Commerce Ministry announcement was the first official confirmation of expectations Vice Premier Liu He would attend the signing. The ministry said Liu would be in Washington from Monday to Wednesday. Under the “Phase 1” deal, China agreed to buy more American farm exports and Washington postponed additional planned tariff hikes on Chinese imports. The two sides have yet to release details.
January 9, 2020 4:08 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Two U.S. officials say it was “highly likely” that an Iranian anti-aircraft missile downed a Ukrainian jetliner late Tuesday, killing all 176 people on board. President Donald Trump is suggesting he believes Iran was responsible. He is dismissing Iranian claims that it was a mechanical issue that brought down the plane. The officials, citing U.S. intelligence, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive information. The crash came just a few hours after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack against Iraqi military bases housing U.S. troops amid a confrontation with Washington over a U.S. drone strike that killed an Iranian Revolutionary Guard general.
January 9, 2020 4:06 am
The newly elected treasurer in Uniontown says city officials plotted to block her from taking office because she is black. Uniontown Treasurer-elect Antoinette Hodge alleges in a lawsuit that a city councilman took action to prevent her from being sworn in as scheduled. She says he called her a “colored girl” in a discussion with officials at a bonding agency. Councilman Martin Gatti denies using racist language and says he had legitimate questions about Hodge’s financial background. Hodge is suing the city, Gatti and another official.
January 9, 2020 3:51 am
A small fire broke out on EQT’s Mono Well Pad in North Bethlehem Township Wednesday afternoon. Officials with the Washington County Department of Public Safety tell WJPA News that there were no injuries, no damages and the fire self-extinguished by the time firefighters arrived. They say the fire broke out in a generator. The Mon Well Pad is located on Senedecker Road.
January 9, 2020 3:31 am
Former Washington County Clerk of Courts Frank Scandale was scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, but instead, waived his case to court. The 52-year-old from Canonsburg, is facing multiple charges, including theft, in connection with some ninety-six-thousand-dollars missing from his office. In July, the Washington County Controller’s Office informed county commissioners that their most recent audit revealed that money was missing from the clerk of courts office, which handles a variety of payments, including those for criminal cases. The commissioners then turned the findings over to the Pennsylvania State Police, whose investigation turned up missing cash deposits and missing checks. Scandale, a Democrat, had been up for re-election to a second four-year term, but lost to Republican Brenda Davis. Scandale faces a formal arraignment within the next forty-five days. Scandale remains free on one-hundred-thousand-dollars bond.
January 9, 2020 3:28 am
The Allegheny County Health Department has reported the first flu-related death this season in Allegheny County. So far, 34 people have been hospitalized. The ACHD issued a statement saying the resident was over 90 years of age and had underlying medical conditions, but they have seen a larger number of flu cases this year compared to last year at this time, particularly Type B flu. Allegheny County leads the state with 5,175 flu cases reported. Washington County has reported 905 flu cases and Greene County has reported 269. Health officials say it’s still too early to make any predictions or speculate what’s to come, but they say the best way to fight the flu is to get vaccinated. While the effectiveness of this year’s vaccine has not yet been determined, it’s very important to get a flu shot every year.
January 9, 2020 2:58 am
Emergency responders were called out around two-thirty Wednesday afternoon to a two vehicle accident at the corner of Main and Wheeling streets in downtown Washington. Authorities say they did not believe there were any serious injuries although an ambulance did take at least one person from the scene. One vehicle on Wheeling Street was on its roof while the front end of the vehicle on main street was severely damaged.
January 8, 2020 5:44 pm
LONDON (AP) – Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, say they plan “to step back” as senior members of the royal family and will “work to become financially independent.” A message from the couple issued Wednesday by Buckingham Palace said they intend to “balance” their time between the U.K. and North America while carving out “a progressive new role within this institution.” The palace issued a second statement hours later acknowledging “their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.” Harry is a grandson of Queen Elizabeth II and sixth in line to the throne. Before becoming the Duchess of Sussex, his wife was an American actress known as Meghan Markle.
January 8, 2020 4:52 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Trump administration has made its case for killing a powerful Iranian general before legislators on Capitol Hill. But Democrats say the classified briefing Wednesday was short on details and left them guessing about the president’s next steps in the Mideast. Democrats say that by not disclosing many details of the threat that prompted the U.S. to kill Iran’s top general, President Donald Trump is asking the American public to trust the very intelligence reports he has often disparaged. Trump administration officials stress that intelligence about imminent threats to Americans in the region justified the strike, but Democrats want more information.
