July 13, 2023 5:08 am
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — After a historically wet winter and a cloudy spring, California’s summer is in full swing. A heat wave that’s been scorching much of the U.S. Southwest is bringing triple digit temperatures and an increased risk of wildfires. Forecasters say blistering conditions Thursday will build throughout the weekend in the central and southern parts of California, where many residents should prepare for the hottest weather of the year. An excessive heat watch is in effect through Sunday for interior Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. This week across the U.S., more than 111 million people are under extreme heat advisories, watches and warnings.
July 13, 2023 5:07 am
CHICAGO (AP) — The National Weather Service says a tornado touched down near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport prompting passengers to take shelter and disrupting hundreds of flights. There were no immediate reports of injuries. A confirmed tornado was on the ground around 7 p.m. Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service in Chicago. The National Weather Service had issued two tornado warnings for portions of the city Wednesday evening. Tornado sirens sounded at least twice across Chicago, warning people to take cover before the storm continued moving east into Michigan and possibly into Indiana and Ohio.
July 13, 2023 5:06 am
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP) — Thousands of Ukrainian civilians are being detained across Russia and the Ukrainian territories it occupies, in centers ranging from brand-new wings in Russian prisons to clammy basements. Most have no status under Russian law. An Associated Press investigation also found that Russia is making plans to hold potentially thousands more. A Russian government document obtained by the AP dating to January outlined plans to create 25 new prison colonies and six other detention centers in occupied Ukraine by 2026. In addition, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree in May that would make it easier for Russia to deport Ukrainians who resist Russian occupation deep into Russia indefinitely, which has already happened in multiple cases documented by the AP.
July 13, 2023 5:05 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials said air defenses shot down 20 Iranian-made drones fired by Russia mostly at the Kyiv region early Thursday morning. They said wreckage from the drones fell on four districts of the capital Thursday night, wounding two people and destroying several homes. The latest barrage by the Kremlin’s forces began shortly after midnight and explosions shook different parts of the city. Authorities say two people were hospitalized with shrapnel wounds. In the capital, rescuers extinguished a fire in a 16-story building, as well as in a non-residential building. Debris also damaged the frontage of a 25-story apartment building. Russian strikes have become a grim routine in Ukraine over the almost 17 months of the war.
July 13, 2023 5:03 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Actors will join screenwriters in a combined strike that will have huge consequences for Hollywood. Leaders of SAG-AFTRA, the union that represents the actors, voted Thursday to strike after contract talks collapsed with the studios and streaming services that hire them. It’s the first time actors from film and television shows have gone on strike since 1980. And the first time both actors and writers have been on strike since 1960. Industry leaders expressed disappointment in a walkout they said comes at the worst possible time. The group representing studios and streaming services said early Thursday that the actors’ decision to end negotiations was their choice and will hurt thousands financially.
July 13, 2023 4:59 am
In a unanimous vote, Charleroi Borough Council Wednesday terminated Manager Matt Staniszewski. Back on June 14, Council suspended Staniszewski by placing him on ten-days unpaid leave. The move came after residents complained about his behavior at Council meetings. Staniszewski did not attend meetings on June 28 and July 5. Council also rejected Borough Solicitor Sean Logue’s request to approve a separation agreement with Staniszewski. The agreement would have paid Staniszewski four-months of pay and benefits. In turn, he would waive any potential litigation for wrongful termination. The Borough would also pay him $4,000 for his legal expenses. Larry Celaschi was the lone Council member to vote in favor of that agreement. Staniszewski , meanwhile, spoke with the Mon Valley Independent newspaper after the meeting and says he plans to move forward with legal action against Council claiming improper actions by the board and says he has a court complaint prepared. Logue tells WJPA News he cannot comment on the matter at this time because of pending litigation.
July 13, 2023 4:34 am
WARREN, Pa. (AP) — Authorities are seeking information about a drone that may have been operating near a northwestern Pennsylvania jail before the escape of a homicide suspect last week, and they say they have increasing concerns that the escaped prisoner may be armed. Michael Burham fled the Warren County Prison late Thursday by climbing on exercise equipment, climbing through a window and then down a rope fashioned from jail bedding, authorities said. He remains on the loose. County commissioners are vowing security upgrades and a thorough review of procedures following the escape of a homicide suspect who used bedsheets to escape from a northwestern Pennsylvania jail last week.
July 13, 2023 4:31 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A court’s ruling earlier this year that the way Pennsylvania funds public schools is unconstitutional helped make education spending one of the thorniest issues in state budget negotiations. The state government is approaching a second week without full spending authority. The final OK on a $45 billion spending plan has been stymied over a dispute about creating a $100 million program to allocate state subsidies for students in the lowest performing districts to attend private or religious schools. Complicating matters is the judge’s ruling, which ordered the Legislature and governor to fix the system but with no guidance about how — or how quickly — it should be done.
July 13, 2023 2:14 am
Washington County 911 reports that the North Junction of Interstate 79 to Interstate 70 East was shutdown Thursday afternoon following an accident on Interstate 70 East between the junction and the Murtland Avenue Exit. Dispatchers tell us that accident involved a tractor-trailer and a motorcycle. The accident caused major traffic back-ups on the interstates and in and around the city of Washington as traffic was detoured off the highway. At least one person was seriously injured and taken to a Pittsburgh hospital. This is a developing story. Check back for details.
July 12, 2023 9:16 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — After two years of painfully high prices, inflation in the United States has reached its lowest point in more than two years — 3% in June compared with 12 months earlier — a sign that the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes have steadily slowed price increases across the economy. The inflation figure the government reported Wednesday was down sharply from a 4% annual rate in May, though still above the Fed’s 2% target rate. Over the past 12 months, gas prices have dropped, grocery costs have risen more slowly and used cars have become less expensive.
