April 24, 2025 4:55 am
The company that owned the railcar that caused the devastating East Palestine train derailment in 2023 won’t have to help pay for the $600 million settlement Norfolk Southern agreed to with residents. An Ohio jury decided Wednesday that GATX isn’t liable for the settlement even though the failure of a bearing on its railcar carrying plastic pellets caused the pileup on Feb. 3, 2023. GATX said the verdict affirmed what it has maintained all along: Norfolk Southern was responsible for the derailment.
April 24, 2025 5:40 pm
WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) — The suburban Chicago man who killed seven people at a 2022 Independence Day parade has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Hours of statements from survivors of the shooting and grieving relatives wrapped up Thursday. But Robert E. Crimo III wasn’t there to hear it. He skipped the sentencing hearing. Survivors say they feel a range of emotions, including relief, anger and closure. Dozens were wounded in the shooting in a suburb north of Chicago. The judge ordered seven sentences of life in prison for the first-degree murder charges and 50 years for dozens of attempted murder counts.
April 24, 2025 4:57 am
VATICAN CITY (AP) — So many people lined up to see Pope Francis lying in state at St. Peter’s Basilica that the Vatican kept the doors open all night, closing for just one hour from 6 a.m. until 7 a.m. Thursday. The last numbers released by the Vatican said more than 20,000 people had paid their last respects on Wednesday in the first 8 ½ hours of the public viewing. Francis, who died Monday after a stroke, is lying in a simple wooden coffin in front of the main altar, inclined on a slight ramp toward mourners. The Vatican had announced that the basilica would be open until midnight, but then indicated it would extend the hours due to higher-than-expected turnout.
April 24, 2025 5:02 am
ATLANTA (AP) — The pastor of a Georgia megachurch who led a nationwide 40-day “fast” against Target stores is now calling for a “full Target boycott.” The Rev. Jamal Bryant said this week that the Minneapolis-based retailer has not met all of the initiative’s demands. Among them: Restoring its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion principles and pledging money to Black-owned banks and businesses. Target announced in January that it would phase out some DEI initiatives, including a program designed to help Black employees build meaningful careers and promote Black-owned businesses. Target said it is committed to creating a welcoming environment for its workers, customers and suppliers.
April 23, 2025 4:56 am
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Thousands of people have begun filing through St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their final respects to Pope Francis at the start of three days of public viewing ahead of his funeral. Tens of thousands of people are expected to pass through the basilica. The Vatican says it may keep the basilica open past midnight due to high turnout. Mourners have been waiting hours to reach the casket during the procession. Francis died on Monday at age 88 and his funeral is on Saturday. Cardinals met in private on Wednesday to finalize preparations and plan the conclave to elect Francis’ successor.
April 23, 2025 5:40 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — A dozen states have sued the Trump administration in the U.S. Court of International Trade to stop its tariff policy, saying it is unlawful and has brought chaos to the American economy. The lawsuit filed Wednesday says the policy put in place by President Donald Trump has left the national trade policy subject to Trump’s whims rather than the sound exercise of lawful authority. The lawsuit challenges Trump’s claim that he could arbitrarily impose tariffs based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. A message sent to the Justice Department for comment was not immediately returned.
April 23, 2025 1:17 pm
(WPXI) – The American Lung Association’s annual “State of the Air” report says that the air in the Pittsburgh metro area is among the most polluted in the country. The area, which includes Pittsburgh, Weirton and Steubenville, ranked 16th worst in particle pollution, returning it to the list of the 25 most polluted cities. It also ranked 12th worst nationwide for year-round particle pollution, with the report saying 2023’s wildfire smoke contributed to poorer air quality. “The air pollutants highlighted in this report are widespread and pose a risk to everyone’s health. Both ozone and particle pollution can lead to premature death and cause serious health issues such as asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, preterm births, and even problems with cognitive function later in life. Particle pollution can also increase the risk of lung cancer,” said Elizabeth Hensil, Director of Advocacy in Pennsylvania, for the American Lung Association. “We’re urging Pennsylvania policymakers to take action to improve our air quality. We’re also calling on everyone to support the vital work of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),” Hensil said.
April 23, 2025 4:50 am
The South Strabane Township Board of Supervisors approved a conditional use application by a 4-1 vote for the Washington County Transit Authority to establish a new bus depot along Berry Road, the former site of a store and driving range, as a central hub for Freedom Transit’s fleet of vehicles. Supervisor Jeff Bull dissented, citing concerns over the transit authority’s tax-exempt status, which could result in a loss of tax revenue for the township and shift the financial burden onto residents. The board also approved an ordinance to implement a Traffic Impact Fee program to ensure fair contributions to the township’s transportation infrastructure. The fee will be imposed on developers of new residential, commercial, or industrial projects that generate additional traffic. The board also approved by 4-1 the final land development plan submitted by 79/70 Associates to redevelop the former Washington Mall site on Oak Spring Road including a Warehouse Club, Fuel Station, RV Dealership, and Service Center. Bull was the opposing vote stating traffic impact and developer concerns.
April 23, 2025 2:57 am
North Strabane Township Supervisors have adopted an ordinance to allow personal warehouses in the township. Development for a personal warehouse venue by CC Realty Advisors is still in the conceptual stage and supervisors took steps at their voting meeting to tie down a few loose details in the ordinance. Better defined parking regulations and a minimum acreage limit will be added to the ordinance. CC Realty Advisors approached the zoning hearing board with variances regarding parking and township officials want to make sure that parking is adequate for the needs of the development and that with a minimum acreage figure, the development will not be overcrowded. Data from other personal warehouses around the country pertaining to parking and lot size are now in township officials’ hands. That was not the case when the ordinance was adopted several months ago. They are studying the data to determine the precise regulations. One idea that had been discussed is the ability for parking to take place in front of garage doors. That idea will not be implemented. In other township business, supervisors authorized the Public Works Director to apply for Pennsylvania Small Water and Sewage Grants for projects on McGregor Drive and Curry Avenue. Next month’s meeting schedule will be different. The non-legislative meeting will be held on May 13, the legislative meeting will be held May 27, all because of the Primary Election on May 20.
April 22, 2025 2:56 am
(WPXI) – The McDonald Police Department is asking for information after the window of one of their police cruisers was smashed out. On Sunday, around 9:25 p.m., police said a man pounded on an office window of the McDonald Borough Police Department. The officer on duty then went outside and found the driver’s side window of a police cruiser shattered. Police said they have video that shows the suspect walking around the borough building while talking on the phone. He had a metal baseball bat, wearing a black balaclava-type mask and gloves. Anyone with information is asked to contact Chief Timothy Motte at tmotte@mcdonaldboro.com.
