September 26, 2023 4:56 am
The field for the second Republican presidential debate will be smaller than the first. The Republican National Committee says seven candidates have qualified for Wednesday night’s debate in California. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson participated in the first debate but didn’t meet the heightened criteria to make the cut this time. Former President Donald Trump will also be missing from the stage and will instead hold events in Michigan. To qualify for the second debate, candidates needed at least 3% support in two national polls or 3% in one national poll as well as two polls from four early-voting states. The White House hopefuls also needed at least 50,000 unique donors.
September 26, 2023 4:55 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The deal is made, the pickets have been suspended, and Hollywood’s writers are on the verge of getting back to work after months on strike. Crucial steps remain for the striking writers, including a planned vote Tuesday from their union’s governing boards on the tentative agreement reached with Hollywood studios. After that comes a vote from the writers themselves, who have yet to learn what gains they’ve won after nearly five months on strike. Writers Guild of America leaders have halted their picket lines, but they’re encouraging writers to join the lines of actors, who are still on strike with no deal yet on the horizon.
September 26, 2023 4:53 am
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — President Joe Biden has joined the United Auto Workers on the 12th day of their strike against major carmakers, a demonstration of support for organized labor apparently unparalleled in presidential history. It comes a day before former President Donald Trump makes his own visit to meet with striking UAW members. Biden has repeatedly sided with the UAW during their strike. Biden says the workers should participate in the carmakers’ riches “now that the industry is roaring back.”
September 26, 2023 4:51 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — With five days to go before a government shutdown, Congress returns to work in crisis mode. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy faces an insurgency from hard-right Republicans eager to slash spending even if it means closing federal offices to millions of Americans. On Tuesday evening, the House is expected to vote on a package of government funding bills, but it’s not at all clear that McCarthy has the support needed. Meanwhile, the Senate is trying to stave off a federal closure with its own bipartisan plan for a stopgap measure. It would buy some time and keep offices funded past Saturday’s deadline.
September 26, 2023 4:48 am
About two dozen residents of Pancake turned out Monday evening to a town hall meeting held by South Strabane Township Supervisor Chairman Bracken Burns and Vice Chairman Mark Murphy at Billy Bell Park. At issue are concerns from residents over the sale of the Laboratory Elementary School and parking at Billy Bell Park. Supervisors and staff fielded questions about rumors that the park may be for sale and plans for added parking if the adjacent school is sold. Burns told residents that there is no plan to sell Billy Bell Park and that the township had been working with the buyer of the school to address the park’s need for more parking. Burns also addressed issues about the school. He made it quite clear that the township does not own the school and has no control over Trinity School District who owns it nor who they choose to sell it to. He did say that the township will study development plans to make sure that all township zoning laws are adhered to. Residents raised the issue of possibly having a drug rehab center in the building. Supervisors explained that an entity like that is not allowed in an R-4 district. The most recent buyer indicated that they would like to build 16-20 apartments in the building. Residents are concerned about Section 8 subsidized housing. Residents were informed that federal and state law says that subsidized housing can not be banned. Residents asked why the township did not buy the building for a community center and they were told that funding for that use was not available. The original offer to purchase the school from the Trinity School District was denied by the court. The school is now up for auction on October 17.
September 26, 2023 2:26 am
On Monday, a man from Monongahela accepted an open plea to plead guilty to numerous felony drug and gun possession charges. Markeiz Johnson, 28, had his Carroll home raided by state police in June of 2022. According to police, a search warrant was served and authorities found a handgun, 85 grams of crack, 100 grams of cocaine, 29 stamp bags of heroin and two pounds of marijuana. Johnson is facing 10-20 years in prison for the weapons charges and faces 5-10 years for the drug charges. A pre-sentencing investigation will take place prior to his sentencing, which will be held on December 19th at 10 AM.
September 25, 2023 4:11 pm
(WPXI) – Guests of the InTown Suites on McKnight Road in Ross Township were evacuated just before 9 o’clock Monday morning for what officials say is related to pesticide exposure. Ross Township police say they got a call about several people who were feeling sick with respiratory problems. Police say some rat bait traps were set up right outside the hotel and after those traps got wet from the rain the morning rain, it caused a gas, affecting people inside and outside the hotel. Police say seven people were taken to local hospitals, all with respiratory symptoms. Later, a child was taken by private vehicle to UPMC Children’s Hospital. Hotel management say the building is being ventilated and they hope to have everyone back inside as soon as possible.
September 25, 2023 1:49 pm
UNION CITY, N.J. (AP) — Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey is rejecting calls to resign, saying that nearly half a million dollars in cash found in his home was from personal savings, not from bribes. He predicted on Monday that he would be exonerated in his federal bribery case and would still be “New Jersey’s senior senator.” An indictment alleges Menendez took cash, gold bars and a luxury car in exchange for using his office to influence policy. Democratic Party support for Menendez in the state where he’s held office for nearly five decades has significantly eroded. Menendez has denied wrongdoing and vowed to fight charges that he illegally benefited by using his office to influence prosecutions against his associates and by acting on behalf of Egypt. (Photo: AP)
September 25, 2023 6:46 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has awarded $1.4 billion to projects improving railway safety and boosting rail capacity. Much of the money comes from the 2021 infrastructure law. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Monday “these projects will make American rail safer, more reliable, and more resilient.” Buttigieg says the projects will benefit dozens of communities where railroads are located and strengthen supply chains. The money is funding 70 projects in 35 states and Washington, D.C. Railroad safety has become a concern nationwide since a Norfolk Southern train derailed in Ohio in February and caught fire after spilling hazardous chemicals. The White House says a possible government shutdown would undermine railway safety.
September 25, 2023 6:44 am
The Steelers’ plane from Las Vegas made an emergency landing in Kansas City early Monday morning. The Steelers were flying back from their win in Las Vegas Sunday night. Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said everyone on board is safe and they are making plans to arrive back in Pittsburgh later today. He posted on social media: “Our team charter plane was unexpectedly diverted to Kansas City early this morning on our way back to Pittsburgh following our game in Las Vegas. Everyone on the plane is safe, and we are making necessary plans to arrive back in Pittsburgh later today.” Reports say the plane made the emergency landing due to an oil pressure failure in one of its engines. The team arrived home safely mid-Monday afternoon.
