July 27, 2023 10:24 am
The number of Americans applying for jobless benefits slid last week to its lowest level in five months, further evidence that the U.S. labor market continues to defy the Federal Reserve’s attempts to cool it off. U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell by 7,000 to 221,000 for the week ending July 22, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s the fewest since February. Jobless claim applications are broadly seen as a proxy for the number of layoffs in a given week. Overall, 1.69 million people were collecting unemployment benefits the week that ended July 15, about 59,000 fewer than the previous week and the fewest since January.
July 27, 2023 10:23 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy surprisingly accelerated to a 2.4% annual growth rate from April through June, showing continued resilience in the face of steadily higher interest rates resulting from the Federal Reserve’s 16-month-long fight to bring down inflation. The gross domestic product — the economy’s total output of goods and services — picked up from the 2% growth rate in the January-March quarter. Last quarter’s expansion was well above the 1.5% annual rate that economists had forecast. Driving the gain was a burst of business investment, which surged at a 5.7% annual pace, the fastest rate since late 2021. Companies plowed more money into factories and equipment. Increased spending by state and local governments also helped fuel growth.
July 27, 2023 6:59 am
The occupants of a Fayette County home were able to escape an overnight fire. The fire broke out in the 600 block of Water Street in Brownsville around 3:20 a.m. Thursday. All the occupants were able to make it out safely. Fire crews at the scene told our news partners at Channel 11 they were able to rescue three dogs from the home but a cat died in the fire. The fire is not believed to be suspicious.
July 27, 2023 5:08 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The unraveling of Hunter Biden’s plea agreement has thrust his criminal case into uncertain waters and given new fodder to Republican critics in Congress as they push ahead with investigations into the president’s youngest son. Biden was supposed to plead guilty Wednesday to misdemeanor charges for failing to pay taxes. But U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika put the brakes on the guilty plea after raising concerns during a hearing about the structure and terms of the agreement and another deal that would allow him to avoid prosecution on a gun charge if he meets certain conditions. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that President Joe Biden would not pardon his son.
July 27, 2023 5:06 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell briefly left his own press conference Wednesday after stopping his remarks midsentence and staring off into space for several seconds, appearing to be disoriented. McConnell approached the podium for his weekly press conference and began speaking about the annual defense bill. He said the bill was proceeding with “good bipartisan cooperation.” But he then appeared to lose his train of thought, trailing off. McConnell then stared vacantly for around 20 seconds before his colleagues in Republican leadership, who were standing behind him, grabbed his elbows and asked if he wanted to go back to his office.
July 27, 2023 4:56 am
The environmental activist group MAD FACTS-Moms And Dads-Family Awareness of Cancer Threat Spike met for a second time on Tuesday. The featured speaker was Dr. Ned Ketyer, a retired pediatrician that is heavily involved in research on the effects of fracking on children that are raised near fracking operations. His speech touched on several topics ranging from pollution from fracking operations to mental and psychological effects that people suffer due to their proximity to a fracking operation. Ketyer pointed out to attendees that the Pennsylvania Constitution guarantees all residents are guaranteed the right to clean air and pure water in Article One, Section 27 of the Constitution. He says that residents need to hold political officials responsible to deliver that guarantee. He touched on plastics pollution. He indicated that the cracker plant in Beaver County is supplied by fracking operations. He suggested limiting the use of plastics and possibly replacing them with hemp that could be grown in western Pennsylvania. He also said that forever chemicals used in fracking are abundant in our area and all water regardless of source should be filtered with a charcoal activated filter. The group was informed that the results of a 2019 study authorized by Governor Tom Wolf and performed by the University of Pittsburgh in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Health will be released. A meeting is scheduled for August 15 at 6:30 PM at Penn West California University. The location on campus is yet to be determined. According to Ketyer, this epidemiological study will not offer findings of causation but will offer links to be studied to determine the cause of rare cancers, asthma and birth impacts to those living near fracking operations.
July 27, 2023 2:53 am
On Wednesday, Voices For Independence (VFI) held its very first “Ride for Our Rights.” It took part in 3 locations across western Pennsylvania; Washington, Seneca, and Erie, beginning at the VFI office in Washington. The convoy then headed north to the Voices for Independence office in Seneca, with a final stope at the VFI headquarters in Erie. “People with disabilities are forced to battle obstacles relating to transportation every day,” says Shona Eakin, CEO of Voices for Independence. “The current para-transit system is broken, with rides needing to be scheduled days in advance, rides arriving late, and more. We’ve actually seen individuals arrive at our office so late that their return ride home is already at the office by the time they get here. These kinds of stories happen daily, and there is no better time to call for reform than on the 33rd anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Eakin says this event is unique not only in the fact that it is the first of its kind since the “Freedom Ride of ’95,” nearly 30 years ago, but that the subject matter corresponds directly to ADA Day, is urgent in nature, and will host a variety of speakers at every stop of the trip.
July 27, 2023 2:26 am
Washington Police Chief Dan Rush says they are investigating a shooting that occurred late Tuesday night in the city’s West End. Rush says they were called to the emergency room of Washington Hospital just after ten-thirty for reports of a man with a gunshot wound. Rush says he has been identified as 24-year-old Michael Jackson and had suffered a gunshot wound to the leg. According to Rush, the shooting occurred on Broad Street near the 8th Ward Playground. Rush says they do not, at this time, have any suspects.
July 27, 2023 2:21 am
LONDON (AP) — A London jury has acquitted Kevin Spacey on sexual assault charges stemming from allegations by four men dating back 20 years. Jurors returned their verdicts Wednesday in Southwark Crown Court after deliberating over three days. Three men accused the Oscar winner of aggressively grabbing their crotches and an aspiring actor said the actor took advantage of him after he fell asleep or passed out at Spacey’s London apartment. Spacey, who turned 64 on Wednesday, pleaded not guilty to nine charges, including multiple counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. (Photo: AP)
July 26, 2023 2:45 pm
(AP) – A federal judge has rejected a request by lawyers for the Pittsburgh synagogue gunman to exhume the body of his father. Robert Bowers’ lawyers had wanted the body exhumed for a DNA test after prosecutors raised questions about paternity. Bowers is facing a possible death sentence after being convicted of killing 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue. Trying to persuade jurors to spare his life, the defense says Bowers has a family history of mental illness and has introduced evidence that his father was diagnosed with schizophrenia. The judge ruled Wednesday that the defense waited too long to make the exhumation request. (Photo: AP)
