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.
June 9, 2020 1:47 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is pressing his “law and order” message and siding with police over protesters by advancing an unfounded conspiracy theory about a 75-year-old protester in New York who was pushed down by officers. He’s tweeting without evidence that the confrontation may have been a “set up.” Trump is attempting to cast doubt on video showing Buffalo police shoving the man, Martin Gugino, who fell backward and hit his head on the sidewalk. Two Buffalo police officers have been charged with assault for the incident and have pleaded not guilty.
June 9, 2020 4:29 am
As Western Pennsylvania entered the green phase of reopening last week, Peters Township took steps to get its residents the recreational activities they have been missing for nearly three months. Township Manager Paul Lauer alerted Peters Twp. Council that all parks, playgrounds and athletic fields are now open and girls softball and boys baseball leagues are now back to playing games. The library is taking its reopening in phases. Books are being recycled using curbside pickup and delivery currently but beginning next week the library will be opening the building section by section so that in about four weeks the library will be in full operation once again. Lauer credited Parks and Recreation Director Michele Harmel for researching methods to be able to keep the popular Concert In The Park and Movies In The Park series for the year. Dedicated circles will be applied to the ground to allow families to gather together and still maintain the social distancing guidelines suggested by the CDC and Pennsylvania Department of Health. Lauer also stated that the Community Recreation Center will reopen on June 15.
June 9, 2020 4:01 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. economy entered a recession in February, a group of economists declared Monday, ending more than a decade of steady if slow growth. The economists said employment peaked in February and fell sharply afterward, marking the beginning of the downturn. A committee within the National Bureau of Economic Research, a trade group, determines when recessions begin and end. It defines a recession as “a decline in economic activity that lasts more than a few months.” The committee acknowledged, however, that in this case the depth of the economic downturn so far also played a role in its decision.
June 9, 2020 4:00 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Democrats in Congress are proposing a far-reaching overhaul of America’s police procedures and accountability. It is a sweeping legislative response to the mass protests denouncing the deaths of black Americans in the hands of law enforcement. However, the political outlook is deeply uncertain in this polarized election year. The “Justice in Policing Act” would overhaul legal protections for police, create a national database of excessive-force episodes and set new standards for police training. President Donald Trump is conflating it with outside efforts to “abolish the police” and says the Democrats have “gone crazy.” At the Capitol, Democrats read the names of George Floyd and others who died in police hands and then knelt for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.
