August 21, 2023 6:46 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tropical Storm Hilary deluged arid parts of Mexico and then drenched Southern California from the coast to inland mountains and deserts, forcing rescuers to pull several people from swollen rivers. Millions expected more flooding and mudslides Monday, even as the storm begins to weaken. The storm first made landfall in Mexico’s arid Baja California Peninsula on Sunday in a sparsely populated area about 150 miles south of Ensenada. One person drowned. It then moved through mudslide-prone Tijuana, threatening the improvised homes that cling to hillsides just south of the U.S. border. The first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years, Hilary dropped more than half an average year’s worth of rain on some areas, including the desert resort city of Palm Springs.
August 21, 2023 5:31 am
A Motorcycle crash Sunday afternoon in Chartiers Township has left one person hospitalized. Washington County 9-1-1 says it happened just after 4 p.m. at West Pike and S. Johnson Road. Unconfirmed reports are that the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet and was thrown from the bike. They were flown by medical helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital In Pittsburgh. There is no word on their identity or condition.
August 21, 2023 5:22 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – A quick-thinking tiki boat captain and the family on board made a daring rescue Saturday afternoon. Cruisin’ Tikis Pittsburgh Captain Robb Rusiewicz and the family said they saved a woman from nearly drowning in the Mon River. “When we first saw her, she was about 100 yards in front of that barge right there,” said Brian Gates of Duncansville. Gates was with his wife Chantel Ventura celebrating their daughter Grace’s 12th birthday with her two friends on a tiki boat tour when he said the captain spotted someone bobbing up and down in the water struggling. Gates quickly called 911. Captain Robb turned the boat in the woman’s direction. “She was struggling with hands and arms, just everything she could do to just to keep her nose above water,” said Gates. The family and boat captain then pulled the woman out of the Mon River. Gates said the woman first told them she was swimming but later told them she fell in. The family said she was disheveled and had cuts all over her feet. Point State Park Manager Jake Weiland said the 54-year-old woman was taken to the hospital for treatment and is expected to recover.
August 21, 2023 5:18 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A trial this week will shine a spotlight on a key part of President Joe Biden’s immigration policy. Under the humanitarian parole program, the U.S. allows up to 30,000 people monthly from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. The program started for Venezuelans in fall 2022 was expanded in January. People taking part must have a financial sponsor in the U.S. and can then stay for two years and get a work permit. The Biden administration argues the program is vital in its strategy to reduce stress on the U.S.-Mexico border. But in a lawsuit, Republican-leaning states say the administration is usurping the power of Congress.
August 21, 2023 5:17 am
GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — A progressive from outside Guatemala’s power structure was resoundingly elected the country’s next president Sunday in a reprimand to the governing elite over widespread allegations of corruption. Despite preliminary results showing a potential landslide for anti-corruption crusader Bernardo Arévalo, the attention immediately turned to whether he would be allowed to assume power. The current administration’s attempts to suspend his party’s legal status are ongoing. With all votes counted, Arévalo had 58% while 37% went to former first lady Sandra Torres in her third bid for the presidency. The official results still must be certified.
August 21, 2023 5:14 am
(AP) – Donald Trump’s bond has been set at $200,000 in the Georgia case accusing the former president of illegally scheming to overturn his 2020 election loss. The bond agreement was outlined in a court filing signed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Trump’s defense attorneys. It also bars Trump from intimidating co-defendants, witnesses or victims in the case — including on social media. He is also prohibited from communicating “in any way, directly or indirectly” about the facts of the case with any co-defendant or witness, except through attorneys. It’s the fourth criminal case against the former president, who is campaigning to reclaim the White House in 2024.
August 21, 2023 5:08 am
NEW SALEM, Pa. — (WPXI) – A Fayette County man is facing charges after state police say he attacked a teenager who did not make him a sandwich. State police say the attack happened on Tex Lane in New Salem on Saturday. Justin Jellots, 39, was allegedly responsible for the attack. Police say Jellots punched the boy in the face and hit his head on a wall several times. When troopers asked Jellots what his name was when they were responding he told them he was the “Uniontown Ninja.” Jellots faces simple assault and harassment charges.
August 21, 2023 4:57 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Authorities say a smash-and-grab jewelry store robbery by four men using pepper spray and a sledgehammer prompted evacuation of a northeast Philadelphia mall over the weekend. Police said officers were called to Javier the Jeweler store in the Philadelphia Mills Mall shortly before 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Officials said four men entered and used pepper spray on employees before breaking jewelry cases with a sledgehammer and taking various items. Police said the mall was immediately evacuated and emergency responders provided treatment to the employees. No arrests were immediately announced.
August 21, 2023 4:56 am
CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Starbucks has been ordered to pay an additional $2.7 million in lost wages to a former regional manager who was fired after two Black men were arrested at a Starbucks in 2018. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Wednesday that the judge’s ruling was over past and future lost compensation, as well as tax damages. The ex-manager Shannon Phillips was awarded $25.6 million in June. She alleged that she and other white employees were unfairly punished after the high-profile arrests. A jury found that race was a determinative factor in Phillips’ firing, in violation of federal and state anti-discrimination laws.
August 20, 2023 7:40 am
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Two Philippine security officials said that the United States, Japan and Australia are planning a joint navy drill this week in the South China Sea off the western Philippines after a recent show of Chinese aggression in the disputed waters. The drill will include three aircraft and helicopter carriers sailing together in a show of force and undertaking joint drills. The three countries expressed concern and support for the Philippines after Chinese coast guard ships used water cannons against Philippine vessels in an Aug. 5 confrontation in the contested waterway where disputes have long become a fault line in the rivalry between the U.S. and China in the region.
