September 13, 2023 5:05 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says he’s directing the House to open an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. The Republican leader faces mounting pressure from his right flank to take action as the House returns Tuesday for a disruptive fall agenda. McCarthy plans to convene lawmakers behind closed doors multiple times this week, including for a meeting to discuss the Biden impeachment. McCarthy also is struggling to pass legislation needed to avoid a federal government shutdown. It’s a familiar political bind for the California congressman, who’s juggling the impeachment inquiry and the government shutdown threat with no clear end game. The White House dismisses the impeachment push as politically motivated.
September 13, 2023 5:04 am
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed support for Russia’s “sacred fight” during a summit with President Vladimir Putin that the U.S. warned could lead to a deal to supply ammunition for Moscow’s war in Ukraine. The leaders met at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia’s most important domestic satellite launch center, for a summit that underscores how their interests are aligning in the face of their countries’ separate, intensifying confrontations with the United States. Putin is thought to be seeking munitions from North Korea to resupply his army in Ukraine, and Kim likely wants both help with satellite launches and economic aid in return.
September 13, 2023 5:03 am
POTTSTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania police say escaped murderer Danelo Souza Cavalcante has been captured after nearly two weeks on the run. State police announced Cavalcante’s capture on social media Wednesday and planned a news conference announcing details. Heavily armed police had descended on the South Coventry Township area, closing roads and telling residents to lock their doors. The 34-year-old Cavalcante had broken out of the Chester County jail Aug. 31 while awaiting transfer to a state prison to serve a life sentence for fatally stabbing an ex-girlfriend in 2021. The capture was announced as the manhunt in rural southeastern Pennsylvania entered its 14th day.
September 13, 2023 4:59 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic state lawmaker Jared Solomon says he’ll run in next year’s election for Pennsylvania attorney general. The 44-year-old Solomon on Tuesday became the fourth Democratic candidate to join the race for the state’s top law enforcement office. Solomon is from Philadelphia and says he’ll draw on his experience running a neighborhood-improvement group, practicing anti-trust law and going against political machines. Solomon was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 2016 after beating out a 42-year Democratic incumbent. The attorney general’s office has played a big role in fighting drug trafficking, suing opioid makers and defending the battleground state’s 2020 presidential election against Republican attempts to overturn it.
September 13, 2023 2:56 am
A North Strabane man had his sentence handed down to him on Tuesday, stemming from an incident that took place last fall. Lance Stumpf, 54, was arrested and charged in October of 2022 for committing terroristic threats and prohibited possession of firearm. According to police, Stumpf’s girlfriend called 911 after arriving to his Ash Street residence where he was armed with a shotgun. Stumpf, who was intoxicated, threatened to commit suicide, and to even get in a shootout with police. The surrounding neighborhood was placed on lockdown by authorities, and multiple streets were closed. Because of its close proximity to the residence, Canonsburg Hospital was also put into a lockdown situation. Stumpf will serve seven to 23 ½ months in jail for making terroristic threats, and will serve two years’ probation for the firearms charge. In addition, he was ordered to pay $5,453.11 in restitution and must wear a SRAMx device, which monitors an individual’s alcohol consumption.
September 13, 2023 2:36 am
A Monongahela woman is facing homicide, aggravated assault and other charges in the death of a 12 day old baby Tuesday. Darian Helmantoler, 22 is identified as the mother of the child. According to Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh, when police arrived they found EMTs administering CPR to the child that also had blood on its face. Police entered the Chess Street residence to find Helmantoler on a bed talking on a phone. Police noticed blood on Helmantoler and arrested her. She stated to police that “if her baby is dead she wants to go to jail, otherwise she will kill herself.” She was taken to the Monongahela Police Department for questioning and indicated that she may have rolled over onto the child. In addition to the homicide and aggravated assault charges Helmantoleer faces endangering the welfare of children and reckless endangerment charges. A preliminary hearing date is pending.
September 13, 2023 2:16 am
PITTSBURGH -(WPXI) -A Washington County woman was indicted by a federal jury on a charge of theft by a credit union employee. The Department of Justice claims Heidi Metz, 40, of California Borough stole more than $40,000 from the credit union she worked at from June 2021 through Sept. 2022. If convicted, Metz faces a maximum of 30 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. She could also face a fine of up to $1,000.Metz had her initial appearance Tuesday and was released on a $10,000 bond
September 12, 2023 2:23 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Government advisers say the leading decongestant used by millions of Americans to treat nasal congestion doesn’t actually work. The Food and Drug Administration convened an expert panel to review the latest data on phenylephrine. That’s used in over-the-counter versions of Sudafed, Dayquil and most other cold and allergy medicines sold on pharmacy shelves. Drugmakers reformulated their pills and solutions with the ingredient after a 2006 law required an older drug to be moved behind the counter. But researchers have long questioned the ingredient’s effectiveness. The FDA advisers say new studies show oral phenylephrine was no better than a placebo at relieving congestion.
September 12, 2023 12:48 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says he’s directing a House committee to open an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. The Republican leader faces mounting pressure from his right flank to take action as the House returns Tuesday for a disruptive fall agenda. McCarthy plans to convene lawmakers behind closed doors multiple times this week, including for a meeting to discuss the Biden impeachment. McCarthy also is struggling to pass legislation needed to avoid a federal government shutdown. It’s a familiar political bind for the California congressman, who’s juggling the impeachment inquiry and the government shutdown threat with no clear end game. The White House dismisses the impeachment push as politically motivated.
September 12, 2023 5:00 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Google will confront a threat to its dominant search engine beginning Tuesday when federal regulators launch an attempt to dismantle its internet empire in the biggest U.S. antitrust trial in a quarter century. Over the next 10 weeks, federal lawyers and state attorneys general will try to prove Google rigged the market in its favor by locking its search engine in as the default choice in a plethora of places and devices.
