U.S Rep. Ilhan Omar Wins Democratic Primary

August 14, 2024 5:13 am

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar has won her primary race in Minnesota. Omar is one of the progressive House members known as the “Squad.” She successfully defended her Minneapolis-area 5th District seat against a repeat challenge from former City Council member Don Samuels in Tuesday’s primary. Meanwhile, conservative populist and former NBA player Royce White defeated Navy veteran Joe Fraser in Minnesota’s primary election for the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar in November. And former federal prosecutor Joe Teirab won a contested GOP primary for Minnesota’s 2nd District seat held by Democratic Rep. Angie Craig.

Americans Give Harris Advantage On Honesty & Discipline

August 14, 2024 5:11 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new poll finds Vice President Kamala Harris is going into the last stretch of the presidential campaign as the candidate more likely to be perceived as honest, committed to democracy and disciplined. Meanwhile, similar shares of Americans say Harris and former President Donald Trump have the right vision for the country, are strong leaders, can win the 2024 election and are capable of handling a crisis. That’s according to the survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Harris has an advantage over Trump on issues related to race and inequality, abortion policy, and health care, while Americans are slightly more likely to believe that Trump is better positioned to handle the economy and immigration.

U.S Approves $20 Billion In Weapons Sales To Israel

August 14, 2024 5:10 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. has approved $20 billion in arms sales to Israel, including scores of fighter jets and advanced air-to-air missiles. The State Department made the announcement Tuesday. Congress was notified of the impending sale, which includes more than 50 F-15 fighter jets, Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, or AMRAAMs, 120 mm tank ammunition and high explosive mortars and tactical vehicles. It comes at a time of intense concern that Israel may become involved in a wider Middle East war.

Israeli Strikes Kill At Least 17 In Gaza Strikes

August 14, 2024 5:09 am

Palestinian health officials say Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip overnight and into Wednesday killed at least 17 people, including five children and their parents. The latest strikes came on the eve of new talks aimed at reaching a cease-fire in the 10-month-long war. The United States, Qatar and Egypt are hoping to broker an agreement, but the sides remain far apart on several issues even after months of indirect negotiations. One strike hit a family home late Tuesday in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, which dates back to the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation. It killed five children, ranging in age from 2 to 11, and their parents, according to the nearby Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

Commissioners Poised To Vote On Emergency Radio System

August 14, 2024 5:04 am

Washington County Commissioners appear poised for a vote on a multi-million dollar contract with Motorola for a new emergency radio system. Commissioner’s Chairman Nick Sherman says a meeting is set for today to provide final design and cost numbers. After Tuesday’s agenda meeting, he said they wanted to get this on the agenda for a vote at their Thursday morning meeting. Motorola was one of three bidders looking to overhaul the system after Commissioner’s voted 2-1 back in April to terminate a more-than $22 Million contract with MRA Inc. Sherman and fellow Republican Electra Janis voted in favor of the move. Democrat Larry Maggi was opposed. Thursday’s meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m.

Trump To Hold Another News Conference

August 14, 2024 4:55 am

BEDMINSTER, N.J. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has invited reporters to his New Jersey golf club for his second news conference in as many weeks. Trump will meet the press Thursday as he steps up his criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris for not holding a news conference or sitting down for interviews since President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign and endorsed her to replace him. The vice president has barely engaged with reporters since becoming the Democratic nominee, though she travels with journalists aboard Air Force Two and sometimes answers shouted questions while boarding or leaving the plane for campaign stops.

North Franklin Affirms Burn Ban

August 14, 2024 4:44 am

Supervisors in North Franklin Township unanimously affirmed the burn ban that was put in under emergency action on Saturday. Supervisor Chairman Bob Sabot said that all burning and use of fireworks will be prohibited until further notice. Anyone in violation of the ban could be fined $500. The ban will be lifted when sufficient rain falls to ease the drought conditions that exist in the township. Supervisors also took their next steps in developing their Waterside Park project. They awarded nearly $850,000 in contracts to begin work on the Waterside Park Event Center. The center will be housed in the old PA American Water building that is situated next to the municipal building. Supervisors also accepted a contribution of a small parcel of land adjacent to the park from the estate of Edith Sprowls. They expressed their gratitude for the land that is nearly .2 acres in size.

Ernesto On Path To Become A Hurricane

August 13, 2024 5:40 pm

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Tropical Storm Ernesto is battering the northeast Caribbean as it takes aim at Puerto Rico, where officials have shuttered schools and government agencies. Ernesto is expected to become a hurricane late Tuesday as the center of the storm moves just north of Puerto Rico on a path toward Bermuda. Forecasters have issued a hurricane watch for the U.S. and British Virgin Islands as well as the tiny Puertorican islands of Vieques and Culebra, which are popular with tourists. Officials in Puerto Rico warned of widespread power outages given the crumbling electric grid.

Multi-Vehicle Accident Shuts Down SB Lanes Of I-79

August 13, 2024 3:51 pm

The southbound lanes of Interstate 79 in North Strabane Township were closed for about two hours after a multi-vehicle crash that occurred around two-thirty Tuesday afternoon. All southbound lanes were closed between Exit 48 toward Southpointe and Exit 45 toward Canonsburg but reopened just before four-thirty.  There has been no word on the cause of the crash or how many people were injured.

Ford & Mazda Owners Warned To Stop Driving Them

August 13, 2024 12:36 pm

DETROIT (AP) — Ford and Mazda are warning the owners of more than 475,000 older vehicles in the U.S. not to drive them because they have dangerous Takata air bag inflators that have not been replaced. The warning issued Tuesday covers more than 374,000 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles from the 2004 through 2014 model years and nearly 83,000 Mazdas from the 2003 through 2015 model years. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the inflators can explode with too much force in a crash, blowing apart a metal canister and shooting fragments that can severely injure or kill people. All were recalled previously but repairs have not been completed. The government says 27 people have been killed in the U.S. by the inflators.