September 12, 2024 5:04 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – Roughly a dozen schools across the region have received threats this week. Wednesday, nearly 10 districts shared information about threats and protocol moving forward. Some of the threats resulted in lockdowns, remote learning instead of in-person classes and evacuations. At this time, all of the impacted districts are operating as normal on Thursday. Some students will see increased police presence as investigations continue. FBI Pittsburgh reminded residents on Wednesday afternoon that issuing a threat promoting violence is against the law. Wednesday night, Shaler Township police said an elementary school student admitted to making a threat that circulated rapidly on social media and included multiple districts. The FBI says they are aware of the threats and remain in close coordination with police. In a statement they said “The FBI is aware of recent threats directed toward multiple school districts across Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. We remain in close coordination with our law enforcement partners to provide assistance where appropriate. That includes gathering intelligence, sharing information, tracking down leads, and working with partners to identify and mitigate threats quickly and effectively.
September 12, 2024 2:37 am
Firefighters and police in South Strabane Township once again sponsored a memorial to those lives lost when Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four airplanes and crashed them into the Twin Towers of New York City, The Pentagon and a vacant field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001. Nearly 3000 people were killed in the attack, 343 firefighters and EMT’s and 71 police officers are included in those numbers. Remarks were spoken by Pastor Gary Gibson, Chaplain of the Washington Health System. He reflected on the unity of our country after the attack and prayed that our divided nation today return to those days of unity. Pastor Robert Grewe, Chaplain of the South Strabane Fire Department, spoke on how important it is that adults remember the attack and pass down to the younger generations the importance of fighting terrorism. South Strabane Township Fire Chief Jordan Cramer spoke to honoring not only those lost on September 11, 2001, but also caring for those who suffer illnesses they developed as a result of working on the burn piles after the attack. He said we should make sure that we get those heroes the care that they deserve.
September 11, 2024 4:40 pm
(WPXI) – The FBI Pittsburgh has issued a statement after multiple schools across the region received threats this week. The bureau says they are aware of the threats and remain in close coordination with police to assist however possible. In the statement, the FBI reminds neighbors that issuing a threat of any kind can be a violation of state or federal law. Anyone found responsible for threats will be investigated. Threats were made at multiple local districts throughout the week, including Trinity, Canon McMillan and the Burgettstown school districts in Washington County, along with the Butler Area School District and Armstrong High School. In their statement, they said that the FBI Pittsburgh stands committed and ready to respond to any immediate threat involving any educational institution 24 hours a day. We encourage students, teachers, administrators, and parents to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities that could represent a threat to 911, to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, or online at tips.fbi.gov.”
September 11, 2024 9:11 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The post-pandemic spike in U.S. inflation eased further last month as year-over-year price increases reached a three-year low, clearing the way for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates next week. Consumer prices rose 2.5% in August from a year earlier. It was the fifth straight annual drop and the smallest such increase since February 2021. From July to August, prices rose just 0.2%. Excluding volatile food and energy costs, so-called core prices rose 3.2% in August from 12 months earlier, the same as in July. For months, cooling inflation has provided gradual relief to America’s consumers, who were stung by the price surges that erupted three years ago, particularly for food, gas, rent and other necessities.
September 11, 2024 7:00 am
Washington County Tourism Promotion Director Jeff Kotula says Washington County Pennsylvania is home to some of the country’s finest historical and cultural attractions, and continues to lead the southwestern Pennsylvania region in both economic and tourism growth. To support this growth and leverage tourism’s impact on economic development, he says the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency (WCTPA) – as part of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce – has awarded $150,230 in new tourism investments, bringing the agency’s 2024 grant total to $533,205. Kotula says the grants are awarded to public and private organizations for both marketing and capital projects in the 2025 tourism season. Historical, cultural and entertainment organizations such as the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, Washington County Historical Society, Canonsburg Educational and Cultural Institute, Sarris Candies, National Pike Trail Council, and others are receiving grants to promote their events and for capital improvements.
TOURISM GRANT PROGRAM AWARDS
Borough of Burgettstown: To promote cycling in Hillman State Park & the Panhandle Trail $ 6,750.00
Canonsburg Educational & Cultural Institute: Comprehensive site evaluation & developmental plan $ 40,000.00
County Home Shows: To promote visitation to the 2025 Washington Co. Home Show $ 8,480.00
National Pike Trail Council: To install lighting within a 1,000 ft curved tunnel along the trail $ 20,000.00
Pennsylvania Trolley Museum: To install swinging door operators to meet ADA standards $ 20,000.00
Sarris Candies, Inc.: To promote visitor interest and events at new production facility $ 35,000.00
Washington County Historical Society: To restore the main hallway & staircase of the LeMoyne House $ 20,000.00
September 11, 2024 5:01 am
They faced the challenge of moderating what is probably the only general election debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. And ABC’s David Muir and Linsey Davis learned the difficulty of satisfying a polarized country. Trump and his supporters bitterly criticized ABC for conducting a biased debate, while Harris fans suggested their opponent hanged himself with his own words. The ABC moderators corrected misstatements by Trump four times, none for Harris. There was some question before the debate whether ABC would follow CNN’s lead in staying away from in-the-moment fact checks, as happened in June’s debate between Trump and President Joe Biden.
September 11, 2024 4:57 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Taylor Swift endorsed Kamala Harris for president shortly after the debate ended on Tuesday night. She made the endorsement in an Instagram post. Swift is one of the country’s biggest pop stars with a dedicated following among young women, a key demographic in the November election. Swift signed her message “Childless Cat Lady,” a reference to comments made by JD Vance, Donald Trump’s running mate.
September 11, 2024 4:56 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Some 9/11 victims’ relatives have appealed to presidential candidates for accountability as the U.S. marks an anniversary laced with election-season politics. President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris stood together Wednesday at ground zero just hours after Trump and Harris faced off in their first-ever debate. The image was one of putting politics aside at a solemn commemoration of the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in 2001. But some loved ones took the occasion to deliver political messages of their own. More than one spoke out against a now-revoked plea deal with alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. (Photo: AP)
September 11, 2024 4:54 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kamala Harris has pressed a forceful case against Donald Trump in their first and perhaps only debate before the presidential election. The event Tuesday night showcased their starkly different visions for the country on abortion, immigration and American democracy. The Democratic vice president seemed to get under the skin of the Republican former president, provoking him with reminders about the 2020 election loss that he still denies, mocking his rally crowds and delivering derisive asides at his other false claims. Trump questioned why Harris was proposing ideas she hadn’t accomplished while serving as vice president. He often launched into the sort of freewheeling personal attacks from which his advisers and supporters have tried to steer him away.
September 11, 2024 4:52 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – A man and woman were hit by a pickup truck in a Downtown Pittsburgh crosswalk on Tuesday evening, Pittsburgh police said. The crash happened at the intersection of Sixth and Centre Avenues at 7:15 p.m. Police say the driver was heading north when he hit the pedestrians and then crashed into the BNY Mellon parking garage. Investigators believe the driver had a medical emergency. The driver and the pedestrians were taken to area hospitals. The driver is in critical condition and police say the pedestrians are stable. Police said the damage to the parking garage is being assessed. The investigation is ongoing.
