March 22, 2023 4:22 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Manhattan prosecutors have postponed a scheduled grand jury session in the investigation into Donald Trump over hush money payments during his 2016 presidential campaign. That’s according to four people familiar with the matter who insisted on anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation. Three people said the grand jury was told to be on standby for Thursday. The reason for the Wednesday postponement wasn’t clear, but one person said it wasn’t security related. The postponement indicates a vote on whether or not to indict Trump might be at least temporarily pushed back. The grand jury may hear from yet another witness, according to a person familiar with proceedings.
March 22, 2023 4:21 am
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has signed a new law prohibiting transgender people at public schools from using the restroom of their choice. Sanders’ office on Tuesday said she signed the bill, making Arkansas the fourth state to enact such a restriction. The new law will take effect later this summer. It applies to multi-person restrooms and locker rooms at public schools and charter schools serving prekindergarten through 12th grade. The move comes as Arkansas lawmakers are considering a more far-ranging bathroom bill that would criminalize transgender adults using public restrooms that match their gender identity.
March 22, 2023 4:20 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve extended its year-long fight against high inflation by raising its key interest rate a quarter-point despite concerns that higher borrowing rates could worsen the turmoil that has gripped the banking system. “The U.S. banking system is sound and resilient,” the Fed said in a written statement. At the same time, the Fed warned that the financial upheaval stemming from the collapse of two major banks is “likely to result in tighter credit conditions” and “weigh on economic activity, hiring and inflation.” The Fed also signaled that it’s likely nearing the end of its aggressive series of rate hikes.
March 22, 2023 4:19 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials are reporting two more deaths and additional cases of blindness linked to eyedrops tainted with a drug-resistant bacteria. The eyedrops from were recalled in February and health authorities are tracking infections from the outbreak. In the latest tally, 68 people had infections, which has caused a total of three deaths and eight cases of people losing their vision. That’s according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The outbreak is considered particularly worrisome because the bacteria driving it is resistant to standard antibiotics. The recalled drops were manufactured by Global Pharma Healthcare in India.
March 22, 2023 4:12 am
North Strabane Township Supervisors held their non legislative meeting on Tuesday and were greeted with great financial news. Bob Regola is a consultant for government affairs that represents North Strabane Township. In his presentation he brought news that the township will be awarded more than $1.6 million in State Local Share Account grants. This program is administered in Harrisburg as opposed to the LSA grants that are disseminated throughout Pennsylvania and local governments like the Washington County Commissioners oversee that grant funding. North Strabane was awarded $1 million for its public administration building project, $404,000 for McDowell Lane improvements and $225,000 to the municipal authority to perform upgrades to the sewer lines in the Glencannon Development. Township Manager Andrew Walz thanked State Senator Camera Bartolotta and State Representative Tim O’Neal for their efforts in securing these grants.
March 22, 2023 2:25 am
Petition challenge hearings for candidate placement for the May 16 primary election began on Tuesday. Three Republican races for county positions highlighted the first day. In one Republican race for county commissioner, Ashley Duff initially had a petition registered against her disputing her employment status. The testimony turned on whether Duff was properly served notice of the challenge to her petition. The judge hearing the case stated that in Senior Judge Katherine Emery’s order, service of notice can only be completed by personal delivery or personal delivery to a candidate’s counsel. Neither criteria was met and the petition against Duff was dismissed. In a second case where incumbent prothonotary Laura Hough challenged her opponent Kevin Hill, similar criteria was heard about Hill’s employment. The testimony was irrelevant when it was presented by Hill’s counsel that Hill was not properly notified of the challenge. Hill was served a notice for Kevin Redford who is a candidate for county commissioner. Redford’s petition was challenged by Sandra Schiffauer. The judge dismissed the challenge against Hill for notice improperly delivered. In a third county race, Kevin Redford had the challenge against him withdrawn. Two other hearings were held for local races. Steve Toprani will appear as a candidate for Ringgold School Board on the Democratic ticket when his challenge was dismissed. Candidate David Carlisle, a Democratic candidate for Hopewell Township Supervisor had his challenge upheld. He did not properly file his financial statement with the township.
March 22, 2023 2:14 am
(AP) – Defense lawyers say a former truck driver about to face trial for shooting to death congregants in a Pittsburgh synagogue more than four years ago has schizophrenia and structural and functional brain impairments. Lawyers for Robert Bowers told a federal judge in a court filing this week that they are concerned about a prosecution proposal to have their own psychiatric experts examine or evaluate him. Jury selection is scheduled to begin next month in Bowers’ trial for shooting to death 11 people and wounding seven others at the Tree of Life Synagogue in the nation’s most deadly attack on Jewish people. Bowers has offered to plead guilty in return for a life sentence, but prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
March 22, 2023 2:02 am
(WPXI) – A new athlete has just been signed as a competitor in the “Great Pittsburgh Pierogy Race.” PNC Park Events announced on Twitter that Potato Pete will be joining the current list of racers taking a competitive tater-tote around the stadium. Pete will race against Sauerkraut Saul, Cheese Chester, Jalapeno Hannah, Oliver Onion and Bacon Burt. The races are held at the end of the fifth inning during every Pittsburgh Pirates home game. The pierogies run for a total of 280 yards during each race. Potato Pete was one of the original three pierogies to run in the race when it originally started.
March 21, 2023 1:54 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Norfolk Southern’s CEO is offering support for some parts of a bipartisan U.S. Senate bill to put tougher safety regulations on railroads. A fiery hazardous materials train derailed last month on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border. CEO Alan Shaw is under pressure from senators and federal safety regulators to step up his commitment to safety regulations as he appears before the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday. Shaw says in prepared remarks that Norfolk Southern will “support legislative efforts to enhance the safety of the freight rail industry. But he does not address several key provisions of the Railway Safety Act of 2023. (Photo: AP)
March 21, 2023 10:46 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is trying to project calm after recent regional bank failures in California and New York. Yellen says additional bank rescue arrangements “could be warranted” if any new failures at smaller institutions pose a risk to financial stability. Yellen, who made her remarks at the American Bankers Association on Tuesday. The Treasury secretary says that overall the bank situation “is stabilizing” and the U.S. banking system “remains sound.” Yellen adds the government’s intervention has been necessary to “protect the broader banking system” and more rescue efforts could be necessary. Earlier this month, Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank failed.
