October 1, 2024 5:06 am
ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia judge has struck down the state’s abortion law, which took effect in 2022 and effectively prohibited abortions beyond about six weeks of pregnancy. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney wrote in his order Monday that “liberty in Georgia includes in its meaning, in its protections, and in its bundle of rights the power of a woman to control her own body, to decide what happens to it and in it, and to reject state interference with her healthcare choices.” McBurney wrote that his ruling means the law in the state returns to what it was before the law took effect in 2022.
October 1, 2024 5:05 am
VALDOSTA, Ga. (AP) — Donald Trump is spreading falsehoods about the federal response to the deadly Hurricane Helene, despite claiming not to be politicizing the disaster. Trump criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for “campaigning and looking for money.” He also levied attacks against the federal government for being “non-responsive” to the disaster, claiming Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has been struggling to get President Joe Biden on the phone. This is despite the White House announcing that Biden spoke by phone on Sunday night with Kemp and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. Biden accused Trump of “lying.” Kemp, meanwhile, expressed appreciation Monday for federal response to the storm.
October 1, 2024 5:04 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Tim Walz and JD Vance will meet for their first and possibly only vice presidential debate Tuesday. It may also be the last debate for both campaigns to argue their case before the election. The debate in New York hosted by CBS News will give Vance, a Republican freshman senator from Ohio, and Walz, a Democratic former congressman and two-term governor of Minnesota, a chance to make the case for their running mates, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, and go on the attack against the opposing ticket. Vice presidential candidates and the lone debate they typically engage in have not historically had a huge impact on the presidential race, but this matchup could have an outsized impact.
October 1, 2024 5:02 am
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — President Joe Biden is planning to survey the devastation in the mountains of Western North Carolina on Wednesday, where exhausted emergency workers continue to work around-the-clock to clear roads, restore power and cellphone service, and reach people left stranded by Hurricane Helene. Water, food and other supplies are being airlifted into places cut off by mudslides and washed-out roads. The death toll after the storm left a trail of destruction across the U.S. Southeast has reached at least 133. Officials worry the toll will rise further as searchers reach isolated areas. Hundreds of people are still unaccounted for. Meanwhile, forecasters are keeping a close eye on Tropical Storm Kirk, which is expected to become a powerful Atlantic hurricane this week.
October 1, 2024 5:00 am
Already the longest-lived of the 45 men to serve as U.S. president, Jimmy Carter is about to reach the century mark. Carter remains under home hospice care and will turn 100 on Tuesday. Carter has seen the U.S. population nearly triple. The U.S. has about 330 million residents. There were about 114 million in 1924. And for all the shifts in U.S. politics, some things stay the same. Or at least come back around. Carter was born in an era of isolationism, protectionism and white Christian nationalism. All three of those elements are prominent features of the right in Donald Trump’s Republican Party.
October 1, 2024 4:59 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Dockworkers at ports from Maine to Texas have started walking picket lines in a strike over wages and automation that could reignite inflation and cause shortages of goods if it goes on more than a few weeks. The contract between the ports and about 45,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association expired at midnight, and even though progress was reported in talks on Monday, the workers went on strike early Tuesday. The strike is affecting 36 ports. The U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents the ports, said Monday evening that both sides had moved off of their previous wage offers, but when picket lines went up just after midnight, it was apparent there was no deal.
October 1, 2024 4:57 am
BUTLER, Pa. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is returning this weekend to the town where an assassin’s bullet grazed his ear in July. The assassination attempt on the former president was felt deeply in Butler County, a mountainous community north of Pittsburgh. Trump enjoys wide support there, and many are expecting a large crowd at the Farm Show property west of town. But there’s also some apprehension and fear. Residents say they have a sense that Butler’s wounds are still healing. Kim Geyer, a Butler County commissioner, says she won’t let her mixed emotions keep her away from Saturday’s rally. She says she’ll be there.
October 1, 2024 4:54 am
A Monday evening Washington City Council meeting focused on a 2023 audit report for the city and next steps for the upcoming budget. Although the audit was clean, Council is now looking for creative solutions to address a near 500 thousand dollar revenue shortfall. Councilman Ken Westcott says the process is just beginning and the lost revenue is mostly due to businesses leaving the area and the continuing rising costs of city pensions. He says they’ve been able to make up some ground with refinancing but are still looking at ways of finding money that will hopefully stave off a tax increase for residents.
October 1, 2024 4:52 am
Peters Township Council approved a project that is part of a larger project that has been under consideration for years. Council awarded a $5,995,000 contract to Massaro Corporation to build a splash pad in Rolling Hills Park. The plan is partially funded by a $3 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant. The remainder is financed by bond funds already on hand. In addition to the splash pad, there will be a party building, restrooms and a pavilion. The vote to approve the measure was 6-1. Councilman Gary Stiegel dissented saying he was always against an aquatic center. He thinks the splash pad is a gateway to having a full blown pool. Councilman Robert Lewis has been a proponent of a swimming facility for decades. He said it is a good first step toward an aquatic facility. Ground breaking could occur as early as October with work continuing through the winter depending on the weather. Officials hope to have the facility ready sometime in the summer of 2025.
October 1, 2024 2:53 am
Washington County Commissioners have appointed Heather Sheatler, the Deputy Controller, as supervisor of the Washington County’s Controller office pursuant to Section 12308 of the Pennsylvania Code. Commission Chair Nick Sherman says that with twenty-one years of outstanding service in the Controller’s Office, Heather has his complete confidence in her ability to manage the day-to-day operations and oversee the 12-employee office. He says Heather has assured him of her dedication to the controller’s office and expressed readiness to take on the challenge. Her priority, he says, is to bring honor back to the office and fulfill her fiscal duties. Sherman says he anticipates a smooth transition with her great team of experienced employees. Further, Sherman says, the commissioners have requested that the Governor appoint Sheatler as Acting Controller for the unexpired term in accordance with Section 12309 of the Pennsylvania County Code. Her appointment comes after Republican Controller April Sloan entered a plea in Washington County Court to charges related to the death of her dog Thor. She was accused of neglecting him and allowing him to die. His body was found wrapped in a plastic bag in her garage. As part of her plea, she agreed to resign her position.
