February 2, 2024 5:14 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge in Washington has formally postponed Donald Trump’s March trial on charges of plotting to overturn the 2020 election as a key legal appeal from the former president continues to work its way through the courts. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan on Friday vacated the March 4 trial date but did not immediately set a new date. The postponement comes as a federal appeals court has yet to resolve a pending appeal from Trump arguing that he is immune from prosecution for actions he took in the White House.
February 2, 2024 4:26 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Officials say the U.S. military is launching an air assault on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend. The initial strikes by manned and unmanned aircraft were hitting command and control headquarters, ammunition storage and other facilities. The U.S. had bolstered defenses in place to protect troops at the base in Jordan. President Joe Biden and other top U.S. leaders have warned for days that the U.S. would strike back at the militias in a “tiered response.”
February 2, 2024 4:13 pm
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania prosecutor says the man accused of shooting and decapitating his father in their home northeast of Philadelphia and posting a video of the severed head purchased a gun the previous day. Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said Friday that 32-year-old Justin D. Mohn was “acting with clear mind” when he allegedly killed his father, Michael F. Mohn, at their home in Levittown on Tuesday. Mohn’s mother discovered her husband’s body. Justin Mohn faces charges of first-degree murder, abusing a corpse and possession of instruments of crime. The public defenders representing him are declining comment.
February 2, 2024 8:47 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s employers delivered a stunning burst of hiring to begin 2024, adding 353,000 jobs in January in the latest sign of the economy’s continuing ability to shrug off the highest interest rates in two decades. Friday’s report from the Labor Department showed that last month’s job gain topped the 333,000 that were added in December, a figure that was itself revised sharply higher. The unemployment rate stayed at 3.7%, just off a half-century low. The latest gains far exceeded expectations and showcased employers’ willingness to keep hiring to meet steady consumer spending. It comes as the intensifying presidential campaign is pivoting in no small part on views of President Joe Biden’s economic stewardship.
February 2, 2024 4:56 am
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AP) — President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden joined grieving families at Dover Air Force Base on Friday for the dignified transfer of the three American service members killed in a drone attack in Jordan last weekend. The solemn ritual that took place in Delaware has become relatively uncommon in recent years as the U.S. has withdrawn from conflicts abroad. The deaths were the first U.S. fatalities blamed on Iran-backed militia groups in the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war began. The service members killed Sunday were from Georgia. Biden vowed Thursday to never forget their sacrifice to the nation and said they “risked it all.” (Photo: AP)
February 2, 2024 4:53 am
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Nikki Haley’s path to the Republican presidential nomination is rapidly shrinking. But she’s vowing to stay in the race indefinitely. And the harder she fights, the more Republican officials fear she may be hurting Donald Trump’s long-term prospects in the all-but certain general election against Democratic President Joe Biden. Trump allies describe Haley’s continued presence as a distraction, a drain on resources and a source of frustration. They also worry that Trump’s preoccupation with Haley, whom he frequently calls “birdbrain,” might further alienate moderate voters and suburban women. In practical terms, the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential primary season has barely begun. But after decisive wins in Iowa and New Hampshire, Trump’s grip on the nomination has never been stronger.
February 2, 2024 4:45 am
PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — Punxsutawney Phil’s winter weather forecast has been announced in Gobbler’s Knob, the scene of the country’s largest and most well-known Groundhog Day celebration. The annual event, being held shortly after sunrise on Friday saw his handlers proclaim that Phil did not see his shadow. According to legend, that means spring is just around the court. Had Phil seen his shawow that would have meant six more weeks of winter. Keep in mind, however, that a federal agency took a look at his record last year and put his accuracy rate at about 40%.
February 2, 2024 4:43 am
Thursday was moving day for the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency. A ribbon cutting was held for the new offices of the organizations at the HQ at CNX building in Southpointe. The Chamber moved to its new location from its previous location at 375 Southpointe Blvd. to take advantage of larger space. Jeff Kotula, President of the Chamber says that they doubled their office space by moving there. He said it was necessary because the chamber has grown into the largest Chamber of Commerce in southwestern Pennsylvania. More than 150 members were on hand to celebrate the grand opening.
February 2, 2024 4:40 am
Washington City Council asked officials from its new trash hauling company to visit chambers and address resident concerns. Ben Woods from Bigs Sanitation addressed council with its brief five week history in the city. He admitted to a rough transition initially as drivers became familiar with the city streets and alleys. Weather complicated collection early on also. Woods stated that on Thursday, only three pick ups were missed and two were immediately addressed, the last will be addressed on Friday. Resident complaints about customer service were heard and addressed by the company as well. City Manager Donn Henderson says he anticipated a rough transition but complaints to his offices have dropped. According to Henderson, Bigs Sanitation was the lowest priced, most responsible bidder during a competitive bid period. The next bidder was $500,000 more for similar services, the final bidder entered a bid $1 million more. In other city business, council entered into a contract with PLATESMART. According to police chief Steve Devenney, the license plate reader system is a critical tool for detectives not only in Washington, but statewide.
February 2, 2024 2:46 am
Washington County Republican Commission Chairman Nick Sherman said Thursday that major progress has been made in restoring services within county government that were shut down in an apparent cyber security attack. Sherman said payroll is being met, emails are being sent and received and with the exception of a few issues that need to be taken care of regarding security on their software system, he anticipates all services to be up and running in the very near future. As for how the attack happened, Sherman says it’s an ongoing investigation involving the police, the FBI and Homeland Security.
