Democrats Get Third-Party Candidate Off Ballot

August 22, 2024 5:14 am

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democrats have won legal challenges keeping the left-wing Party for Socialism and Liberation off Pennsylvania’s presidential ballot. A Commonwealth Court judge, in a Tuesday decision, agreed with two Democratic Party-aligned challenges that the paperwork filed by the Party for Socialism and Liberation was fatally flawed and ordered the party’s presidential candidate off Pennsylvania’s Nov. 5 ballot. A Commonwealth Court judge agreed with two Democratic Party-aligned challenges on Tuesday, ruling that the paperwork filed by the Party for Socialism and Liberation was fatally flawed and ordering the party’s presidential candidate, Claudia De la Cruz, off Pennsylvania’s Nov. 5 ballot. Meanwhile, a lawyer with deep ties to the Republican Party is working to help get independent candidate Cornel West on it. The lawyer argues that the Secretary of State’s office under Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro was wrong to reject West’s paperwork.

Parents Of American Held By Hamas Appeal For Release

August 22, 2024 5:08 am

The parents of a 23-year-old American taken hostage by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel have given a moving speech at the Democratic National Convention. The parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin on Wednesday pleaded for the release of the dozens of people who continue to be held captive in Gaza. They were greeted with an extended ovation and chants of “bring him home” by the thousands of Democratic delegates in Chicago. More than 100 hostages remain in Gaza, including eight American citizens. The parents steered clear of politics but said President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are “working tirelessly” for a deal to release the hostages and end the fighting in Gaza.

Activists Call Chicago Protests A Success

August 22, 2024 5:04 am

CHICAGO (AP) — As far as Chicago’s storied protests go, the numbers outside the Democratic National Convention were unremarkable. But organizers say they did something leaders inside didn’t: Make the war in Gaza part of the agenda. The stakes were high for the nation’s third-largest city. Despite hosting more political conventions than any other American city, comparisons to the infamous 1968 convention when police clashed with protesters were hard to shake. And one unsanctioned protest that resulted in dozens of arrests and tense police standoffs didn’t help. But both organizers and police say they were successful in helping broadcast different narratives about Chicago.

One Flown From Chartiers Township Crash

August 22, 2024 4:59 am

One person was injured in a one-vehicle crash in Chartiers Township Wednesday night.  Washington County 9-1-1 says it happened just before 9 p.m along N. Main Street extension.  The vehicle reportedly struck a guardrail.  The person injured was flown by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital but there is no word on their identity or condition.

Three Injured In Separate Accidents On I-79

August 22, 2024 4:56 am

It was a busy night for emergency crews.   Washington County 9-1-1 dispatchers tell us there were two, separate crashes on Interstate 79 late Wednesday night.  The first was a one-vehicle accident that  occurred just before 10 p.m near the 40 mile-marker in South Strabane Township.  Two people were injured and transported to Pittsburgh hospitals by ambulance.   We have no word on their identities or conditions.  A short time later, dispatchers say there was a two-vehicle crash near the 31 mile-marker in Amwell Township in the southbound lanes of I-79.  One person was transported by ambulance.  Again, the identity and condition of the person injured is not available.

Washington County DA Clears Officer In Viral Video

August 22, 2024 2:58 am

Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh announced Wednesday that following an investigation by his office, concerning the arrest of a man on Trinity Point Drive in South Strabane Township Tuesday night, that was captured on a video that is now circulating on social media, he is clearing the officer involved.  Walsh says after reviewing the video showing the attempted arrest of Trendon Mobley, he has determined the officer followed all policies, procedures and laws of Pennsylvania in the arrest of a dangerous offender.  Walsh says Mobley is classified as a wanted person with caution for violent tendencies and has warrants for his arrest, not only in Washington County, also out of state.  The video shows Mobley running away from the arresting officer, the officer getting into his truck and pursuing him.  During the pursuit, Mobley is seen colliding with the officer’s vehicle and falling to the ground, but quickly getting back up.  Walsh says his investigation shows Mobley purposefully ran into the officer’s truck to evade arrest.  Mobley, who was treated for minor injuries, is being held in the Washington County Jail on multiple charges.

Walz Night At Democratic National Convention

August 21, 2024 5:06 am

CHICAGO (AP) — The Democratic National Convention’s third night showcased a familiar former president in Bill Clinton and introduced more Americans to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. He was little known outside his state until Vice President Kamala Harris selected him as her running mate. Walz used his background as a former teacher and football coach to put a home-town spin on the Democrats’ agenda of protecting individual freedoms and rejecting what they paint as the intrusive policies of Republican Donald Trump. Wednesday’s program also highlighted plenty of up-and-coming Democratic politicians and media mogul Oprah Winfrey, who gave an energetic speech in support of the party’s ticket.

Voters In Arizona & Montana Can Decide Abortion

August 21, 2024 5:06 am

PHOENIX (AP) — Voters in Arizona and Montana will be able to decide whether they want to protect the right to an abortion in their state constitutions. The Arizona Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a 200-word summary that advocates used to collect signatures is valid, clearing the way for the issue to remain on the ballot. Montana’s secretary of state on Tuesday certified its abortion measure to appear on the November ballot. Both measures protect the right to an abortion until the fetus could survive outside the womb and allow later-term abortions to protect the mother’s life or health.

Obama’s Close Out DNC’s Second Night

August 21, 2024 5:04 am

CHICAGO (AP) — Warning of a difficult fight ahead, former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have called on the nation to embrace Kamala Harris in urgent messages to the Democratic National Convention that were at times both hopeful and ominous. “America, hope is making a comeback,” the former first lady declared. She then tore into Republican Donald Trump, a sharp shift from the 2016 convention speech in which she told her party, “When they go low, we go high.” Barack Obama, the first Black president in U.S. history, insisted the nation is ready to elect Harris, who is of Jamaican and Indian heritage and would be the nation’s first female president.

Canadian Rail Dispute Could Cause Disruption In U.S

August 21, 2024 5:03 am

TORONTO (AP) — Both of Canada’s major freight railroads have come to a full stop because of a contract dispute with their workers, an impasse that could bring significant economic harm to businesses and consumers in Canada and the U.S. if the trains don’t resume running soon. Canadian National and CPKC railroads both locked out their employees after the deadline of 12:01 a.m. Eastern Thursday passed without new agreements with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference that represents some 10,000 engineers, conductors and dispatchers. Business groups had urged the government to intervene, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has declined to force both sides into arbitration yet. The railroads offered binding arbitration and said the shutdown would end if the union accepts it.