January 30, 2025 5:05 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve left its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday after cutting it three times in a row last year, a sign of a more cautious approach as the Fed seeks to gauge where inflation is headed and what policies President Donald Trump may pursue. A key reason for the earlier reductions was that hiring weakened in the summer and fall. In a statement Wednesday, the Fed upgraded its assessment of the job market, calling it “solid.” The Fed also appeared to toughen its assessment of inflation, saying that it “remains somewhat elevated.” At a press conference, Fed Chair Jerome Powell declined to address Trump’s recent comments calling for lower rates.
January 30, 2025 5:02 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s budget office has rescinded a memo freezing spending on federal grants, less than two days after it sparked widespread confusion and legal challenges across the country. The White House said that Trump’s underlying executive orders targeting federal spending in areas like diversity, equity and inclusion and climate change, remained in place. The original Monday evening memo from the Office of Management and Budget sparked uncertainty over a crucial financial lifeline for states, schools and organizations that rely on trillions of dollars from Washington. The White House has been scrambling to explain what would and wouldn’t be subject to a pause in funding.
January 30, 2025 4:59 am
ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — A midair collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines flight from Kansas killed all 67 people aboard the two aircraft. That was the word from authorities Thursday as they scrutinized the actions of the military pilot after the country’s worst aviation disaster in a generation. At least 28 bodies were pulled from the icy waters of the Potomac River after the helicopter apparently flew into the path of the jet late Wednesday while it was landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington. The plane carried 60 passengers and four crew. Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter.
January 30, 2025 2:55 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro says he wants to fast-track energy projects in Pennsylvania and offer hundreds of millions of dollars in tax breaks for projects that produce electricity and hydrogen. Shapiro’s announcement Thursday came days before he delivers his third budget proposal to lawmakers and amid an energy crunch. Shapiro says he wants to keep pace with other states that are attracting big projects, such as data centers. Shapiro says Pennsylvania is one of 12 states that doesn’t have an entity to fast-track siting decisions for energy projects. He wants to change that. The tax credits Shapiro is proposing are aimed at large projects producing electricity, hydrogen and “sustainable” aviation fuel.
January 30, 2025 2:13 am
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A former resident of Monessen, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 20 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, on his conviction of production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced on Thursday. United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Stefan Sweeney, 36. According to information presented to the Court, Sweeney produced a video depicting the sexual exploitation of a 13-year-old girl. In imposing the sentence, Judge Wiegand stated that a 20-year term of imprisonment reflected a balance between the defendant’s acceptance of responsibility and the serious nature of his crimes. Authorities say this case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
January 30, 2025 2:11 am
First responders and municipal officials gathered at the South Franklin Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall to hear a presentation about Washington County’s new Public Safety Radio System. Representatives from consultant Mission Critical Partners and manufacturer Motorola put on a two hour presentation delving into the technical aspects of the new system. Opinions varied after the meeting with some still skeptical whether their area will be able to be covered due to rugged terrain, all the way to excitement for the new system and the promised coverage improvements. Motorola is guaranteeing 95% coverage of the county when using mobile stations and 90% county coverage when using hand held radios. Fourteen towers are proposed around the county to carry the signal. Construction began in the fourth quarter of 2024. The anticipated completion is set for the fourth quarter of 2027.
January 29, 2025 4:50 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s budget office has rescinded a memo freezing spending on federal grants, less than two days after it sparked widespread confusion and legal challenges across the country. The White House said that Trump’s underlying executive orders targeting federal spending in areas like diversity, equity and inclusion and climate change, remained in place. The original Monday evening memo from the Office of Management and Budget sparked uncertainty over a crucial financial lifeline for states, schools and organizations that rely on trillions of dollars from Washington. The White House has been scrambling to explain what would and wouldn’t be subject to a pause in funding.
January 29, 2025 4:41 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has used a signing ceremony for the Laken Riley Act to announce that his administration plans to send the “worst criminal aliens” to detention in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The bipartisan Laken Riley Act was the first piece of legislation that Trump has signed into law. It is named for a 22-year-old Georgia nursing student who was slain last year by a Venezuelan man in the U.S. illegally. The law makes it easier to deport immigrants in the U.S. illegally who have been accused of crimes. But Trump said some of the immigrants can’t be trusted to not return, necessitating their lockup at Guantanamo.
January 29, 2025 4:56 am
Allegheny County Police are investigating an officer involved shooting in Bethel Park. Our news partners at Channel 11 say police were attempting to serve an arrest warrant for a 45 year old man at an apartment complex on Dorchestor Drive. A preliminary investigation says the unidentified man exited his apartment with a firearm and an officer fired. The man was taken to an area hospital and is last reported in stable condition. No other information is being released at this time.
January 29, 2025 4:54 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve left its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday after cutting it three times in a row last year, a sign of a more cautious approach as the Fed seeks to gauge where inflation is headed and what policies President Donald Trump may pursue. A key reason for the earlier reductions was that hiring weakened in the summer and fall. In its statement Wednesday, the Fed upgraded its assessment of the job market, calling it “solid.” The Fed also appeared to toughen its assessment of inflation, saying that it “remains somewhat elevated.” At a press conference, Fed Chair Jerome Powell decline to address Trump’s recent comments calling for lower rates.
