January 17, 2025 4:54 am
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s security Cabinet has recommended approval of a ceasefire deal after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed an agreement had been reached that would pause the 15-month war with Hamas in Gaza and release dozens of hostages held by militants there. Mediators Qatar and the U.S. announced the ceasefire on Wednesday, but the deal hung in limbo for more than a day as Netanyahu insisted there were last-minute snags. After the recommendation Friday, the deal now goes to the full Cabinet of ministers for final sign-off. It is expected to OK the ceasefire. It could start as soon as Sunday.
January 17, 2025 4:51 am
SEWICKLEY HEIGHTS, Pa. — Penguins star Evgeni Malkin’s Stanley Cup Championship rings that were reported stolen in a burglary were found inside his house, police said. The team confirmed that Malkin’s house was burglarized during Saturday’s game at PPG Paints Arena. Initial reports indicated that Malkin’s championship rings were among the items stolen from his home, but Allegheny County police said Thursday that they were found inside the house. The investigation into the burglary is still ongoing, police said. Anyone with information is asked to contact the County Police Tip Line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS.
January 17, 2025 4:48 am
MCKEESPORT, Pa. — (WPXI) – Skimmers were found at two local Giant Eagle locations. According to a Giant Eagle spokesperson, the skimmers were found at the Greenfield and McKeesport locations in late December and were removed the same day that they were installed. Giant Eagle tells Channel 11 they contacted customers who potentially had their information stolen. Giant Eagle didn’t say if the skimmers were placed on self-checkout lanes or full-service lanes. It’s also unclear if they think the same person installed the skimmers. If anyone swiped their card into the pin pad, a spokesperson said it potentially captured the customer’s information and code via the magnetic strip. Giant Eagle also said they have multiple security measures in place to limit the risk of customers having their identities stolen.
January 16, 2025 3:29 pm
LOS ANGELES (AP) — David Lynch has died at 78. The filmmaker was celebrated for his uniquely dark vision in such movies as “Blue Velvet” and “Mulholland Drive” and the TV series “Twin Peaks.” His family announced the death in a Facebook post on Thursday. The cause of death and location was not immediately available, but Lynch had been public about the effect emphysema had had on his life. Lynch was a onetime artist who broke through in the 1970s with the surreal “Eraserhead” and rarely failed to startle and inspire audiences and peers in the following decades. (Photo: AP)
January 16, 2025 11:46 am
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Bob Uecker, the voice of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers who after a short playing career earned the moniker “Mr. Baseball” and honors from the Hall of Fame, has died. He was 90. In a statement released Thursday by the Brewers, Uecker’s family said he had battled small cell lung cancer since early 2023. Uecker, who was born and raised in Milwaukee, signed his first pro contract with the Milwaukee Braves in 1956 and reached the majors in 1962. He lasted six seasons in the big leagues. He then spent over 50 years broadcasting the Brewers, becoming synonymous with baseball in Wisconsin and beyond.
January 16, 2025 5:08 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Rudy Giuliani has settled with two Georgia elections workers in a deal they say let him keep his homes and personal belongings in return for compensation and a promise to never defame them again. The agreement announced Thursday came after the women were awarded a $148 million judgment against Giuliani. It came just as the 80-year-old former New York City mayor was supposed to testify in Manhattan federal court at the start of a trial to decide if he could keep his Florida condominium and three World Series rings. It’s unknown how much he agreed to pay the women, how he’s footing the bill or whether anyone is helping him.
January 16, 2025 5:06 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — One by one, President-elect Donald Trump’s hoped-for Cabinet is falling into place. Defense Secretary pick Pete Hegseth was back on track after a fiery Senate confirmation hearing that probed his drinking, allegations of sexual assault and qualifications to lead the U.S. military. And Trump’s other nominees pushed Wednesday through a gauntlet of confirmation hearings. Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming predicted the Senate will begin start voting on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, to confirm some of Trump’s picks. But Trump’s more controversial choices of Kash Patel, Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., have yet to come before senators and face more uncertainty ahead.
January 16, 2025 5:01 am
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that a last-minute dispute with Hamas was holding up Israeli approval of a long-awaited ceasefire that would pause the fighting in the Gaza Strip and release dozens of hostages. Netanyahu signaled complications with the deal shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden and key mediator Qatar announced it was complete. It was not yet clear if Netanyahu’s statements merely reflected jockeying to keep his fractious coalition together or whether the deal was at risk. The Israeli Cabinet is expected to vote on the deal Thursday. But Netanyahu’s office said they won’t meet until Hamas backs down, accusing it of reneging on parts of the agreement, without elaborating. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 72 people in the war-ravaged territory.
January 16, 2025 4:56 am
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Police believe a cat was stolen from a porch in Fayette County. Pennsylvania State Police issued a press release on Jan. 15 saying the crime happened on Dec. 17. Troopers were called to a house on Stewarton Road in Springfield Township for reports of a cat stolen on that date. The victim told police an unidentified woman rang the house doorbell and stayed on the front porch for around 10 minutes before leaving. Troopers said the cat may have been stolen in those 10 minutes. The cat is a 3-year-old Maine Coon female. Troopers said it is worth $2,500. A Red Dodge Avenger with aftermarket wheels and a license plate reading: MHM1845 is believed to be involved in the incident.
January 16, 2025 4:53 am
MONESSEN, Pa. — (WPXI) – The president of the Monessen volunteer fire department is facing a number of charges. Stephen Gaydos III is accused of stealing more than $30,000 from the organization over the course of several years. According to the criminal complaint, Gaydos had access to the bank account and began taking money from it in December 2020. Police say the theft was only discovered when the department board of directors asked Gaydos to close the account and found it only contained about $7. Gaydos allegedly admitted to taking the money. “It’s a shame this stuff occurs, but it does, unfortunately […] sometimes things like this go unmonitored and squeeze through the cracks. It’s an absolute shame,” neighbor Paul Kucera said. Neighbors say they hope this doesn’t hurt the public’s confidence in the department. Gaydos is due in court on Jan. 24.
