August 3, 2024 5:12 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy suffered an unexpected setback in July, as hiring fell sharply and the unemployment rate rose for the fourth straight month in a sign that higher interest rates may be taking a bigger toll on businesses and consumers. Friday’s report from the Labor Department showed that employers added just 114,000 jobs in July — far fewer than the 175,000 forecasters had expected — and that unemployment rose to 4.3%, highest since October 2021. The news shook financial markets around the world. The S&P 500 index ended Friday down 2%
August 3, 2024 5:10 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon has announced that the U.S. will move a fighter jet squadron to the Middle East and maintain an aircraft carrier in the region. President Joe Biden is making good on his promise to beef up the American military presence to help defend Israel from possible attacks by Iran and its proxies and to safeguard U.S. troops. Friday’s announcement also said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the European and Middle East regions. The shifts come as U.S. leaders worry about escalating violence in the Middle East in response to recent attacks by Israel on Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.
August 3, 2024 5:09 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris says she’s ready for the fight against Republican Donald Trump after securing enough votes from Democratic delegates to become her party’s presidential nominee. The Democratic Party chair announced Friday that Harris had the votes. The online voting process doesn’t end until Monday, but Harris’ campaign marked the moment Friday when she crossed the threshold to have the majority of delegates’ votes. Harris says she’s “honored to be the presumptive Democratic nominee.” Harris is poised to be the first woman of color at the top of a major party’s ticket. The Democratic Party’s convention in Chicago begins Aug. 19.
August 3, 2024 5:04 am
In the biggest East-West prisoner swap since the Cold War, Russian President Vladimir Putin is sending a clear, morale-boosting message to his security services: If you get caught, Russia will bring you home. For the Kremlin, Vadim Krasikov, the hitman imprisoned in Germany for killing a former Chechen militant in Berlin, was perhaps the key component in the exchange that saw eight Russians swapped for 16 Westerners and Russian dissidents who had been imprisoned in recent years. In exchange for Krasikov and seven others, those freed by Moscow included American journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva and former Marine Paul Whelan.
August 3, 2024 4:47 am
LAS VEGAS (WPXI) — John Chapman was sentenced to life in prison on Friday for kidnapping Jaime Feden, driving her to Nevada and killing her in the desert. Chapman was found guilty of Feden’s murder in April 2024 after an eight-day trial. Chapman and Feden knew each other for about 10 years and their relationship was very on-again, off-again. Photos on Chapman’s cell phone showed Feden zip-tied to a signpost in the Nevada desert with duct tape covering her mouth and nose, where she was left to die. Officers found her body days later. The defense argued that Feden consented to be tied up and duct taped when she was intimate with Chapman and that’s what the two were doing in the desert when she died.
August 4, 2024 7:00 am
WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. — A local mom is calling on Kennywood to step up its security after her teenage son was attacked outside the park Sunday night while waiting for his Uber home. The 16-year-old, who works at Kennywood, has injuries to his face and head. His mom said he can barely remember the attack. His mother received a text that night saying, “Mom I’ve been beat up, they said they are going to shoot me.” He said a group of boys he’d never seen before began taunting him and then attacked him.“That was the scariest text message I’ve ever got in my life. It still gives me anxiety. I haven’t slept all week,” she said. Her son finished work after 9:30 p.m. and the park was closed.“When I got here his face was busted open he had a black eye his mouth was busted open, I could tell he was scared,” she said. The teen’s mom says security still should have been patrolling the area even though the park had closed. “There wasn’t any adults around, and I just feel like we have kids who come and work for places like this, and you’re not even protecting our kids when they are coming to work and it doesn’t make sense to me,” she said. She said her son won’t be returning to work.“He will absolutely not be back,” she said. “I don’t feel like he is safe here, I don’t feel like it’s a safe environment.” Kennywood provided the following statement: “We take the safety of our team members and guests seriously and are working directly with the West Mifflin Police Department.” West Mifflin police are asking anyone who saw something to reach out to them immediately.
August 4, 2024 7:00 am
PITTSBURGH – Iconic rock band Aerosmith has announced their retirement from touring. The band formed in 1970 and began its farewell tour in 2023. Lead singer Steven Tyler, 76, suffered a vocal cord injury and the remaining dates were originally postponed to September 2024 so that he could recover. On Friday, the band announced that a full recovery is unlikely despite Tyler’s best efforts.” As you know, Steven’s voice is an instrument like no other. He has spent months tirelessly working on getting his voice to where it was before his injury. We’ve seen him struggling despite having the best medical team by his side. Sadly, it is clear, that a full recovery from his vocal injury is not possible. We have made a heartbreaking and difficult, but necessary, decision – as a band of brothers – to retire from the touring stage,” a Facebook post reads. The band was scheduled to perform in Pittsburgh on Sept. 20. Automatic refunds will be made through Ticketmaster. People who purchased on a third-party resale site should reach out to the point of purchase for more details. (Photo: AP)
August 2, 2024 2:45 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris says she’s “honored” to be the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison said Friday that Harris had secured enough votes from delegates to become the party’s nominee. The online voting process doesn’t end until Monday, but the campaign marked the moment Friday when she crossed the threshold to have the majority of delegates’ votes. Harris is poised to be the first woman of color at the top of a major party’s ticket. The Democratic Party’s convention in Chicago begins Aug. 19. Harris was endorsed by President Joe Biden after he left the race, catapulting her to the forefront of the campaign to beat Republican Donald Trump.
August 2, 2024 8:43 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. hiring decelerated sharply last month in the face of high interest rates as employers added a weak 114,000 jobs. Friday’s Labor Department report showed a drop from the 179,000 jobs created in June. Forecasters had expected to see 175,000 jobs in July. The unemployment rate rose to 4.3%. The economy has proven unexpectedly sturdy in the face of the Federal Reserve’s campaign to tame inflation with high interest rates. The Fed raised its benchmark rate 11 times in 2022 and 2023, taking it to a 23-year high. But the higher borrowing costs appear to be taking a toll.
August 2, 2024 4:57 am
City council is coming up with some creative accounting to help ease the pension burden. Council approved a motion to dismiss the advertising for the “distressed pension act”. City Councilman Ken Westcott says the move is necessary to help offset the increasing expense of pensions and will allow the city to pay approximately 1.3 million in pension taxes as opposed to the original tax that would cost about 2.3 million. Also, earlier this year, the city refinanced bonds to help offset rising costs and give themselves enough money to cover pension debt for the next 3 years. There is new pavement on the way for the 7th ward playground. City council approved $76,482.00 dollars in improvements to the park located at 2nd and Donnan Aves. Upgrades will include paved basketball courts and playgrounds, and a walking trail. The project has been stalled for almost 2 years and they hope to complete most of the work by the end of 2024. Crews are gearing up to start working on some local roadways. Thanks to approval from city council for a new $245,639.00 dollar paving project, workers will begin laying new asphalt on city streets in the coming weeks. Currently, teams have been focusing on smaller roads as they await the return of their street sweeper which is being repaired. Once the sweeper is back, work will turn to paving larger roads, such as East Chestnut St. near Main St., McCarrell Ave., Allison Ave. and Grove Ave.
