August 15, 2024 3:56 pm
(WPXI) – The Pittsburgh region was back in the political spotlight Wednesday as JD Vance made a campaign stop in Lower Burrell Wednesday morning. The invite-only event at VFW Post 92 was for local veterans and was not open to the public. Secret Service was on site since our crews arrived around 4 a.m. and canvassed the entire building before anyone was allowed inside. Vance spoke about the honor and sacrifice of military members and how we, as a country, need to prioritize the 300,000 homeless veterans nationwide. He said that includes getting veterans the healthcare choices they need. He also talked about policy and how he believes a Trump-Vance administration could help the economy rebound. “We’ve got 300,000 veterans who are homeless in this country right now. Let’s take care of them first,” Vance said. “I think we ought to be giving veterans more choice in their healthcare, and if we do, that’s how we stay faithful in the promises he made to them.” Much of what he said resonated with local veterans, including the commander of VFW Post 92, Lee Johnson. “The benefit part is the biggest thing we need to get straightened out, and he’s gonna touch on that, and I think the benefits and the better care,” Johnson said. This weekend, Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Governor Tim Walz, will kick off their bus tour in Pittsburgh on Sunday, ahead of the Democratic National Convention
August 15, 2024 4:53 am
TOA BAJA, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hurricane Ernesto has dropped torrential rain on Puerto Rico and knocked out power for nearly half of all customers in the U.S. territory. It was gaining strength as it moved over open water toward Bermuda. Heavy flooding was reported in Puerto Rico, and power and communication were knocked out around the region. Ernesto was a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 85 mph early Thursday. It could become a major hurricane with Category 3 strength Friday. Ernesto is expected to pass near Bermuda on Saturday.
August 14, 2024 4:55 am
BEDMINSTER, N.J. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has invited reporters to his New Jersey golf club for his second news conference in as many weeks. Trump will meet the press Thursday as he steps up his criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris for not holding a news conference or sitting down for interviews since President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign and endorsed her to replace him. The vice president has barely engaged with reporters since becoming the Democratic nominee, though she travels with journalists aboard Air Force Two and sometimes answers shouted questions while boarding or leaving the plane for campaign stops.
August 15, 2024 4:57 am
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — International mediators are set to hold a new round of talks aimed at halting the war in Gaza and securing the release of scores of hostages. A potential deal is seen as the best hope of heading off an even larger regional conflict. The United States, Qatar and Egypt are set to meet with an Israeli delegation in Qatar on Thursday as the Palestinian death toll from the 10-month-old war nears 40,000, according to local health authorities. Hamas has not said whether it will participate, accusing Israel of adding new demands to an evolving proposal that had U.S. and international support, and to which the militant group had agreed in principle.
August 15, 2024 4:58 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s stunning incursion into Russia’s Kursk border region was a bold gamble for the country’s military commanders, who committed their limited resources to a risky assault on a nuclear-armed enemy with no assurance of success. By Wednesday, Ukrainian officials said they controlled 386 square miles of enemy territory, including at least 74 settlements and hundreds of Russian prisoners of war. But a week after it began, the overall aim of the operation is still unclear. What is clear is that the incursion has changed the battlefield. The shock of Ukraine’s thunder run revealed chinks in the armor of its powerful adversary. The assault also risked aggravating Ukraine’s own weaknesses.
August 15, 2024 11:44 am
(AP) – The creator of the Famous Amos cookie empire has died. Wally Amos’ children say he died Tuesday at his home in Honolulu from complications with dementia. He was 88. Amos eventually lost ownership of the company and rights to use the catchy Amos name. He later became a children’s literacy advocate and proprietor of a cookie shop called Chip & Cookie in Hawaii. He was also co-founder of Uncle Wally’s Muffin Co. His shop had a reading room with dozens of donated books, where he usually spent Saturdays reading to children. (Photo: AP)
August 14, 2024 5:14 pm
Part of I-70 was closed for several hours on Wednesday due to a garbage truck that caught fire. Washington County 911 said emergency crews responded to the Wheeling and Pittsburgh split of the interstate just before two o’clock, where they found a garbage truck nearly engulfed in flames on the shoulder of the interstate. Pennsylvania State Police said it appeared the truck was having some issues and pulled over before catching fire. No one was hurt in the blaze, dispatchers said. (Photo: WPXI)
August 14, 2024 4:44 am
Supervisors in North Franklin Township unanimously affirmed the burn ban that was put in under emergency action on Saturday. Supervisor Chairman Bob Sabot said that all burning and use of fireworks will be prohibited until further notice. Anyone in violation of the ban could be fined $500. The ban will be lifted when sufficient rain falls to ease the drought conditions that exist in the township. Supervisors also took their next steps in developing their Waterside Park project. They awarded nearly $850,000 in contracts to begin work on the Waterside Park Event Center. The center will be housed in the old PA American Water building that is situated next to the municipal building. Supervisors also accepted a contribution of a small parcel of land adjacent to the park from the estate of Edith Sprowls. They expressed their gratitude for the land that is nearly .2 acres in size.
August 14, 2024 5:04 am
Washington County Commissioners appear poised for a vote on a multi-million dollar contract with Motorola for a new emergency radio system. Commissioner’s Chairman Nick Sherman says a meeting is set for today to provide final design and cost numbers. After Tuesday’s agenda meeting, he said they wanted to get this on the agenda for a vote at their Thursday morning meeting. Motorola was one of three bidders looking to overhaul the system after Commissioner’s voted 2-1 back in April to terminate a more-than $22 Million contract with MRA Inc. Sherman and fellow Republican Electra Janis voted in favor of the move. Democrat Larry Maggi was opposed. Thursday’s meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m.
August 13, 2024 2:42 am
WEIRTON, W.Va. (AP) — A West Virginia dentist is facing invasion of privacy charges after police say a concealed camera was allegedly found in his office’s employee bathroom. Dr. Jeremy Michael Crow of Washington turned himself in Monday to police in Weirton. Police Chief Charlie Kush says an employee in May reported finding the camera inside a water bottle in the bathroom used by staff at Crow’s office. He says an investigation found that at least 10 female employees reported seeing the same device. Kush says there was no evidence any cameras were placed in the office’s public bathroom. Crow is charged with 39 counts of misdemeanor criminal invasion of privacy, Police Chief Charlie Kush said in a news release. Crow was released on $20,000 bond following arraignment, the police statement said. Crow’s attorney said he looked forward to his acquittal by a jury and that he would keep practicing dentistry while out on bond.
