November 14, 2023 5:10 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House is preparing for a vote to prevent a government shutdown. New Republican Speaker Mike Johnson was forced to reach across the aisle to Democrats when hard-right conservatives revolted against his plan. Johnson was willing to leave his right flank Republicans behind and work with Democrats on Tuesday to keep the government open. It’s the same political move that cost Kevin McCarthy, the former House speaker, his job. This time, new Speaker Johnson appears on track for a better outcome. The Senate would act next, ahead of Friday’s shutdown deadline. But Johnson is facing the same political problem that led to McCarthy’s ouster as hard-right conservatives revolt. That could spell trouble ahead when funding runs out again in January.
November 14, 2023 5:05 am
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian authorities are calling for a cease-fire to evacuate three dozen newborns and other patients trapped inside Gaza’s biggest hospital as Israeli forces battled Hamas in the streets just outside and seized more ground across northern Gaza. The Israeli army has encircled Shifa Hospital, the facility it says Hamas hides in, and beneath, to use civilians as shields for its main command base. Hundreds of patients, medical staff and displaced people are trapped there with dwindling supplies and without electricity to run incubators and other equipment. Gaza’s largest hospital has emerged as a symbol of Palestinian suffering in the war between Israel and Hamas that extends far beyond its walls.
November 14, 2023 5:02 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – Giant Eagle is ending one of its programs that allows shoppers to earn perks on gas and groceries. The grocery store is ending its fuelperks+ in Jan. 2024. Those who use the program will be moved into an enhanced myPerks Loyalty Program and existing fuelperks will be converted into myPerks. In addition to ending fuelperks+, Giant Eagle is making changes to improve the myPerks Loyalty Program. They say they’re combining the best benefits of fuelperks+ and myPerks into a single loyalty program. It combines already existing rewards, like free gas and 20% off groceries, with the added choice of dollar rewards on gas and groceries.
November 14, 2023 5:00 am
A Vestaburg man who was wanted on multiple felony charges in Bentleyville was arrested Monday evening. Authorities arrived at a home at 411 First Street in Vestaburg just after six-thirty to serve an arrest warrant. State Police say 51-year-old Geoffrey Douglas, who also goes by “Jazz”, was hiding in an attic at the time. Police said Douglas managed to crawl through to the opposite duplex, where he fell through the ceiling into an elderly neighbor’s home. He was then taken into custody. Pennsylvania State Police say charges of criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief and flight to avoid apprehension are pending. (Photo: WPXI)
November 14, 2023 4:54 am
Canonsburg Borough Council spent a long night considering a lengthy agenda that included the decision to advertise the 2024 preliminary budget and to delay any action on the sale of the Canonsburg-Houston Joint Authority. According to Borough Manager Denise Lesnock, the budget will come in at just under $6.2 million. It is a balanced budget but residents will be paying an additional .134 mills for that balanced budget. According to Lesnock, the tax increase will generate $75,000 in revenue. She indicated that it will cost an additional $13 per year for every $100,000 of a home owner’s assessed value to their home. Council also delayed action on the proposed sale of the CHJA. Council President Eric Chandler says that “this is the biggest decision that Canonsburg will ever make and they want to make sure they get it right.” Council will vote on the decision in their December meeting. Council did schedule a workshop to answer questions about the sale. The date of the meeting will be November 27 at 6:30 in council chambers. The public is invited as will be members of the Authority Board and members of Houston Council. Both the Authority and Houston have voted to approve the sale of the Authority to AQUA for $145 million.
November 13, 2023 4:45 pm
(WPXI) – A man and a woman were stabbed in Baldwin on Monday afternoon. First responders were called to the 5300 block of Youngridge Drive at 1:14 p.m. Once on scene, emergency crews found a woman and man who were both stabbed in the chest. Both victims were taken to a local hospital and they are in stable condition. A suspect is in custody. Police have not released the suspect’s identity, and a news release said detectives are consulting with the district attorney’s office to determine if charges will be filed. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-833-ALL-TIPS.
November 13, 2023 4:23 pm
(WPXI) – The Westmoreland County coroner has released the identity of a woman whose body was found in a New Stanton Borough pond last week. Coroner Tim Carson identified the woman as Kele Diane Townsend, 34, of Jeannette. Authorities learned Townsend’s identity the same day as she was found but withheld her name while notifying next-of-kin. Townsend was found in a pond off Broadview Road. The coroner used medical records, physical stature, teeth, tattoos and jewelry to make the positive identification. Her cause and manner of death are still pending while the investigation into her death is ongoing.
November 13, 2023 2:39 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump Jr. has returned to the stand in New York City as defense lawyers start calling witnesses in the civil fraud trial that threatens his father’s real estate empire. Trump Jr. spent more than an hour Monday testifying almost as a character witness for Donald Trump’s company, waxing exuberantly about the former president’s “incredible vision” as a developer. Two weeks ago, Trump Jr. was grilled by New York state attorneys about financial statements supporting loans and real estate deals — statements that state Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit contends fraudulently inflated the value of Donald Trump’s business and private holdings. (Photo: AP)
November 13, 2023 9:18 am
One person was injured in a two-vehicle crash Monday morning. Washington County 9-1-1 says it happened just before 8 a.m. in the northbound lanes of Interstate 79 just before the Laboratory exit in Amwell Township. Dispatchers say one person was transported from the scene by ambulance. There is no word on their identity or condition. The crash led to some traffic delays through the region with just one-lane getting by. The accident was cleared about an hour later.
November 13, 2023 5:22 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s team is raising the Democratic sweep of this month’s key elections as proof that he’s in good position to win a second term. Yet many Democrats are fearful that there is a serious disconnect between the popularity of Biden’s agenda and the president himself. Biden’s approval ratings remain stubbornly low and voters continue to register concerns about his age. Biden advisers argue their policies and positions are popular with the American public even if the president isn’t. And last Tuesday’s elections were centered on abortion rights, which majorities of Americans support and Democrats focused on heavily as key to victory.
