August 20, 2024 5:08 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Tim Walz and JD Vance have vaulted themselves out of national obscurity as they hustle to introduce themselves to the country, but the senator from Ohio has had a rockier start than the Minnesota governor. A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that Walz had a smoother launch as a running mate to Vice President Kamala Harris than Vance did for former President Donald Trump. Overall, about one-quarter of Americans have a positive opinion of Vance, and about one-third have a favorable view of Walz. Significantly more also have an unfavorable view of Vance than Walz, 44% to 25%.
August 21, 2024 5:06 am
PHOENIX (AP) — Voters in Arizona and Montana will be able to decide whether they want to protect the right to an abortion in their state constitutions. The Arizona Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a 200-word summary that advocates used to collect signatures is valid, clearing the way for the issue to remain on the ballot. Montana’s secretary of state on Tuesday certified its abortion measure to appear on the November ballot. Both measures protect the right to an abortion until the fetus could survive outside the womb and allow later-term abortions to protect the mother’s life or health.
August 20, 2024 4:53 am
Washington school teachers will be starting the year Thursday with a new contract. The board voted unanimously to approve a 5 year deal that will include salary increases of 4.2 percent annually. In addition to increases, the two sides agreed to freeze medical contributions and enhance provisions for modified family leave. The board also announced a meeting scheduled for next Tuesday regarding the potential sale of the Crossroads parking garage. Representatives from the city, district and parking authority are gathering to share information and work towards clearing up communication issues regarding the proposed sale. Forget the gas and plug in the bus. That’s what Wash High school bus drivers will be doing between dropping off students for classes later this week. The district is rolling out a new fleet of electric vehicles made possible by a 3.2 million dollar grant. Geographically, Washington is ideal for electric busing due to the condensed radius in which vehicles need to travel.
August 20, 2024 6:37 am
The Peters Township School Board quickly disposed of their agenda filled largely with procedural voting items. The board of directors is looking forward to a new year that will begin Wednesday August 21. Superintendent Dr. Jeannine French says she is looking forward to greeting the students this year. She says that crews were hard at work making sure the facilities are nice and fresh for students when they arrive. She says that the district will keep focusing on the basics of education. That way the district should be able to maintain its local, state and national recognition that it has enjoyed for the last several years. According to USNews.com, the district ranks third in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Region, 11th in Pennsylvania and 503rd in the nation last year. French also expressed her gratitude to the union leaders, teachers negotiating team and staff for coming together on a five year labor agreement last month.
August 13, 2024 4:54 am
Peters Township Council spent the majority of their agenda authorizing bids and proposals for several future projects. Council first approved a $45,000 contract to help the library reimagine its space and help it better utilize that space for programming that was not thought of when the building was built 25 years ago. They also approved solicitation for bids for a new pumper truck for the fire department. Finally, council approved the execution for a grant agreement with the state in order to lock in grant funding for the splash pad that is proposed for Rolling Hills Park. Once all of the paperwork is finalized bids can be submitted. It is hoped that in late September or early October, council will be able to vote on recommendations for a final contract.
August 19, 2024 4:59 am
HENRY CLAY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI) – A homeowner who shot a burglary suspect in Fayette County will not face any charges, District Attorney Michael Aubele announced Monday. Aubele said his office determined the homeowner’s actions were “appropriate” and have cleared him of any wrongdoings. Just before midnight on Saturday, police were called to a home on Mae West Road in Henry Clay Township for a burglary in progress. During the burglary, the homeowner retrieved a gun and confronted the intruder, who PSP identifies as David Luczak, 62, of Cleveland. PSP said when Luczak didn’t leave after being approached by the homeowner, the homeowner fired the gun several times. Luczak was struck twice in the face and was treated on scene by troopers and medics, then life-flighted to a hospital. He was last listed in stable condition. Aubele said his office, along with state police, reviewed several pieces of evidence including witness statements and surveillance footage. The DA’s office also considered the remote location of the home and Luczak’s criminal history, which includes involvement in a 2013 homicide in Cleveland. “Most importantly, we acknowledge the absolute right of every citizen to make reasonable, split-second decisions to use deadly force to defend themselves and others,” Aubele said in a press release. Luczak is facing several charges including burglary and remains in the hospital.
August 20, 2024 5:02 am
FINDLAY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI) – Transportation Security Administration officers caught a man with a loaded gun in his carry-on bag at Pittsburgh International Airport’s main security checkpoint. TSA said the gun was intercepted on Sunday, Aug. 18. A man from Commodore, Indiana County, had a .38 caliber firearm loaded with six bullets in his bag, which was also packed with a gun magazine that had six more bullets. When TSA officers detected the firearm, the checkpoint lane came to a halt until the police responded and removed the carry-on bag from the X-ray machine. “We are seeing way too many guns show up at our checkpoints,” said Karen Keys-Turner, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “If you own a firearm, do not bring it to a checkpoint. If you must travel with your gun, the proper way to do it is to make sure it’s unloaded, packed in a hard-sided locked case and taken to the airline check-in counter. The airline will ensure it is transported in the belly of the aircraft.” TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Civil penalties for bringing a weapon into a checkpoint can reach up to $15,000, depending on the specific weapon and the circumstances.
August 20, 2024 5:05 am
CHICAGO (AP) — President Joe Biden has delivered his valedictory address to the Democratic National Convention, saying, “I gave my best to you.” He basked in a long ovation that reflected the energy released by his decision to cede the stage to Vice President Kamala Harris. Biden received a hero’s welcome weeks after many in his party were pressuring him to drop his bid for reelection. The opening night of the convention in Chicago was designed as a handoff from the incumbent to his hand-picked successor — albeit four years before he intended for her to follow him. A visibly emotional Biden was greeted by a more than four-minute-long ovation and chants of “Thank you Joe.”
August 20, 2024 5:08 am
Barack Obama is returning to the Democratic National Convention stage two decades after his memorable debut. His job is different this time. In 2004, Obama was a young state senator from Illinois stumping for nominee John Kerry and introducing himself to the nation. That speech came months before his election to the U.S. Senate and catapulted him on a course to the presidency barely four years later. This time, Obama is the 63-year-old elder statesman eight years removed from serving two terms as the nation’s first Black president. And he will be making the case for another historic figure: Vice President Kamala Harris. Democrats say they expect Obama to balance aggressive attacks on Republican Donald Trump while boosting Harris.
August 20, 2024 5:09 am
CHICAGO (AP) — Dozens of protesters broke through a security fence near the site of the Democratic National Convention on its opening day as thousands took to the streets to voice their opposition to the war in Gaza. Families with babies in strollers, students, elected leaders and others holding signs and flags joined the march on Monday to the United Center, where the convention is being held, to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. As the larger group marched peacefully, a few dozen who broke away tore down pieces of the security fence. Several protesters who had managed to get through the fence were detained and handcuffed by officers.
