October 2, 2024 5:43 pm
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have toured the hurricane-devastated areas of North Carolina and Georgia. Biden, in a helicopter, flew over toppled trees, twisted metal and towering piles of debris Wednesday in the normally tourist friendly downtown of Asheville, North Carolina. At the same time, Harris was getting her own look at the storm’s damage in Georgia. Both were seeking to demonstrate a larger commitment and competence in helping damaged communities after Donald Trump’s false claims about their administration’s response. Harris praised the workers straining, in her words, “to meet the needs of people who must be seen, who must be heard.” (Photo: AP)
October 2, 2024 5:44 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Prosecutors say Donald Trump laid the groundwork to try to overturn the 2020 election even before he lost, knowingly pushed false claims of voter fraud and “resorted to crimes” in his failed bid to cling to power. A newly unsealed court filing lays out fresh details from the landmark criminal case against the former president. It argues that the former president is not entitled to immunity from prosecution. It was submitted by special counsel Jack Smith’s team following a Supreme Court opinion that conferred broad immunity on former presidents and narrowed the scope of the prosecution.
October 2, 2024 4:07 pm
Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that charges were filed against former Greene County District Attorney David Russo (pictured) and former Chief Detective for the Greene County DA’s Office, Zachary Sams, following a presentment from the 51st Statewide Investigating Grand Jury. Russo, 47, of Holbrook, Greene County, and Sams, 40, of McDonald, Washington County, were charged Wednesday morning. Russo was arrested and appeared before Magisterial District Judge Tom Ankrom and bail was set at $50,000 unsecured. Zachary Sams was served with a summons to appear in court. Russo and Sams were both charged with retaliation for past official action, official oppression and conspiracy; additionally, Russo was charged with conflict of interest and misapplication of entrusted property. The charges detailed in the presentment stem from a series of ongoing disputes that developed between Russo and other Greene County officials, and the actions Russo and Sams took, using the powers of their office, against their critics. The common thread underpinning the case was Russo’s desire to deliver retribution against his political enemies and bolster his reelection bid. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Heather Serrano, Deputy Attorney General Aaron McKendry, and Senior Deputy Attorney General James Price.
October 2, 2024 9:57 am
STEELTON, Pa. (AP) – The Republican challenger trying to flip the U.S. Senate seat in swing-state Pennsylvania says he’ll press for U.S. military action in Mexico to target fentanyl trafficking networks. David McCormick is proposing a controversial and complicated idea that seemed to originate with former President Donald Trump. McCormick is challenging Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania. The issue of fighting fentanyl is playing a big role in the campaign. McCormick envisions using the U.S. military’s drones and special operations teams in Mexico to destroy fentanyl trafficking cartels. Critics say such operations would do little to hurt the cartels or stem the flow of fentanyl, while raising delicate questions about sovereignty.
October 2, 2024 5:09 am
The Republican National Committee and the Pennsylvania GOP have turned to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in the ballot curing legal battle here in Washington County. They have filed and appeal asking the high court to review the Commonwealth Court ruling that upheld Common Pleas Court Judge Brandon Neuman’s order that the county elections board notify voters who made fatal mistakes on their mail-in ballots and allowing them to cast a provisional ballot instead. Washington County Commissioners Chairman Nick Sherman says they are taking a wait and see approach over whether the high court will take the case. The elections board is to hold a special meeting this morning at 10 a.m. to discuss how to handle absentee and mail-in ballots for the November 5 election. It will be held in the meeting room of the Crossroads Center. WJPA News will be there.
October 2, 2024 4:55 am
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) — Three residents of a northeastern Pennsylvania county are suing to overturn a local official’s announcement she will prevent all four of its drop boxes for mail-in ballots from being deployed. The Luzerne County lawsuit filed Tuesday seeks a judge’s order that the drop boxes for use by those voting by mail and absentee ballot be in place for the Nov. 5 election. The plaintiffs say Luzerne County manager Romilda Crocamo lacks authority for statements made last month that the county won’t use drop boxes “because of purported safety and security concerns.” Drop boxes are used to hand over completed mail ballots by those who don’t want to put them through the mail. Crocamo is declining comment.
October 2, 2024 5:13 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice presidential nominees JD Vance and Tim Walz have used their time on the debate stage to focus the bulk of their attacks not on one another, but on those at the top of their rival tickets. Republican Vance and Democrat Walz both sought to project themselves as genial opponents as they lobbed criticism at Harris and Trump, respectively. With the Mideast in turmoil, the two vice presidential candidates offered different approaches toward foreign policy: Walz promised “steady leadership” under Harris while Vance pledged a return to “peace through strength” if Trump is returned to the White House. The two running mates agreed that the number of migrants in the U.S. illegally is a problem. But each laid the blame on the opposing presidential nominee.
October 2, 2024 4:52 am
ROBINSON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI) – A man died after he was shot in Robinson Township, Washington County, on Monday evening. Washington County 911 tells Channel 11 that police and medics were sent to Spring Street near Valley Street just before 7 p.m. for reports of a man shot in a yard. Pennsylvania State Police said the shooting involved two men. Both were taken to the hospital, where one died. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office identified him as Eric Efalo, 50. Neighbors say they’re surprised by the shooting and are curious about what happened. “We were actually eating dinner and my neighbor over here heard hollers for help and then heard the gunshot and the screams stopped and they called 911,” neighbor Karen Dunks said. The neighbors are shaken up by the incident and want to know what led up to the shooting. “It was pretty scary and I don’t want to get emotional but I’m just thankful our neighbors and friends are okay from last night,” Dunks said. The investigation is ongoing.
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 5:15 am
SWANNANOA, N.C. (AP) — President Joe Biden will survey the devastation in North and South Carolina as rescuers continued their search for anyone still unaccounted for since Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage across the Southeast. The death toll is at least 166. While Biden is in the Carolinas on Wednesday Vice President Kamala Harris will be in neighboring Georgia. Helene, one of the deadliest storms in recent U.S. history, knocked out power and cellular service for millions. More than 1.2 million customers still were in the dark early Wednesday in the Carolinas and Georgia. In Augusta, Georgia, people waited in line for more than three hours to try to get water from one of five centers set up to serve more than 200,000 people.
