May 11, 2023 5:37 pm
(AP) – An environmental group says in a new lawsuit that Shell is putting residents’ health at risk by persistently violating air quality standards at its massive new petrochemical refinery in western Pennsylvania. A federal lawsuit filed by the Clean Air Council asks a judge to order Shell to bring the plant into compliance, and impose civil penalties of up to $140,000 per day. Opened in November, the plant 25 miles outside of Pittsburgh makes polyethylene, a plastic used in everything from consumer and food packaging to tires. The plant has been shut down for repairs since early April. Shell says it has no comment on the suit.
May 11, 2023 12:53 pm
(AP) – Peloton is recalling more than 2 million of its exercise bikes in the U.S. because the bike’s seat post assembly can break during use, posing fall and injury hazards. The recall includes approximately 2.2 million of the Peloton Bikes Model PL01. The bikes were sold in the U.S. from January 2018 through May 2023 for about $1,400. They were sold at Peloton and Dick’s Sporting Goods stores nationwide and online at Amazon, Peloton and Dick’s websites.
May 11, 2023 4:16 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Protecting a narrow, four-vote majority, Republican leaders in the House are making clear the legal process will need to play out with New York Rep. George Santos before they take steps to force his resignation or expel him. The freshman congressman has been accused by federal prosecutors of embezzling money from his campaign, falsely receiving unemployment funds and lying to Congress about his finances. The position Republican leaders have staked out generally follows the precedent that Congress has set on similar matters over the years. The House has expelled just two members in recent decades, and both votes occurred after the lawmaker had been convicted on federal charges.
May 11, 2023 4:14 am
MATAMOROS, Mexico (AP) — Migrants are rushing across the border hours before pandemic-related asylum restrictions are to expire, fearing that policies will make it far more difficult to gain entry into the United States. In a move to clear out overwhelmed holding facilities, a U.S. official says Border Patrol agents were told Wednesday to begin releasing some migrants with instructions to appear at an immigration office in the United States within 60 days. The Biden administration has been unveiling measures to replace Title 42, which suspended rights to seek asylum since March 2020 on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19.
May 11, 2023 4:10 am
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip have killed a fourth militant commander, raising the death toll from the latest burst of fighting to 25. Israel was bracing for more rocket fire on Thursday amid reports of faltering Egyptian attempts to broker a cease-fire. It has been the worst bout of fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza in months and among the dead were also women and children. It has also pushed the region closer toward a full-blown war. The conflagration comes at a time of soaring tensions and spiking violence over the past year in the West Bank.
May 11, 2023 4:05 am
A Senate panel has approved a rail-safety measure in response to the train derailment earlier this year in East Palestine, Ohio. The Senate Commerce Committee voted to send the bill to the full Senate. The vote was mostly along party lines, with only two Republicans favoring it, which raises questions about whether the bill will ever get to President Joe Biden’s desk. Some Republicans complain that the measure could restrict shipments of coal and oil. The vote came after the CEO of Norfolk Southern railroad promised to compensate East Palestine residents whose homes have declined in value since the derailment in February.
May 11, 2023 4:03 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – A man who allegedly made a threat to agents at Pittsburgh International Airport after missing the boarding time for his flight has been arrested. According to a spokesperson for the airport, police responded to a call about a perceived threat to a flight just after 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. The man, who Allegheny County police have identified as Hossein Dehnavifard, was late and missed boarding his flight to Philadelphia. He allegedly made a threat against the aircraft. Gate agents reported the threat to police. Over 100 passengers who were already on board were taken off the plane for law enforcement to investigate. A full search was conducted, and no threat was found, including in Dehnavifard’s luggage. Dehnavifard is charged with terroristic threats and threat to use weapons of mass destruction. TSA may also impose a civil penalty.
May 11, 2023 3:59 am
NEW CASTLE, Pa. – A Norfolk Southern train has derailed in western Pennsylvania. It happened near Montgomery Avenue in New Castle, Lawrence County. Lawrence County Dept of Public Safety says most first responders are now clearing the scene and that the only “hazardous material” car that derailed is carrying paraffin wax. Contractors will either remove the rail cars or get them back on track, but the process could take hours. Norfolk Southern issued the following statement:
“At 11:57 p.m. Wednesday evening, nine cars derailed outside of New Castle, PA. There were no hazardous materials involved, and no injuries have been reported. Our crews responded immediately and are actively working at the site.”
The company has come under fire recently after a massive train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, in which toxic chemicals were released. In March, another Norfolk Southern train derailed in Springfield, Ohio.
May 10, 2023 1:32 pm
(AP) – Bob Huggins has agreed to a three-game suspension and a $1 million pay cut after he used a homophobic slur during a radio show. The agreement allows Huggins to keep his job as the school’s basketball coach, but the blunder will leave a lasting mark on his Hall of Fame career. During a call to a Cincinnati radio station Monday, Huggins was asked whether he had a chance of landing an Xavier player from the transfer portal. Huggins then made offensive comments about Xavier fans. He later apologized. Huggins will also be required to meet with LGBTQ+ leaders as part of the agreement. (Photo: AP)
May 10, 2023 11:48 am
(WPXI) – At least five people were injured in a head-on collision between a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus and a vehicle this morning. The crash happened in the area of Cedar Avenue and Suismon Street around 10 a.m. A PRT spokesman said a car crossed the center line and struck the bus head-on. The driver of the car was unconscious but breathing, according to the spokesman. The bus driver and three passengers were taken to a hospital for non-serious injuries, the PRT spokesman said.
