Singer Admits Being Drunk While Singing National Anthem

July 16, 2024 2:39 am

(AP) – Country singer and four-time Grammy nominee Ingrid Andress says she was drunk during her widely panned performance of the national anthem at the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby. The singer posted a statement Tuesday that addressed her performance and says she will be seeking treatment. On Monday night, the 32-year-old singer-songwriter belted an a cappella version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” an incredibly challenging song to sing. Clips of her less-than-popular rendition have made the rounds on social media, drawing comparisons to lackluster performances of the song by Rosanne Barr and Fergie in years past. The MLB said it would not comment. A representative for Andress says there will be no additional comment at this time.  (Photo:  AP)

Sex Therapist Dr. Ruth Dead At 96

July 15, 2024 4:22 pm

NEW YORK (AP) – Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the diminutive sex therapist who became a pop icon, media star and best-selling author through her frank talk about once-taboo bedroom topics, has died. She was 96. Westheimer never advocated risky sexual behavior. Instead, she encouraged an open dialogue on previously closeted issues that affected her audience of millions. Her one recurring theme was there was nothing to be ashamed of. Westheimer’s giggly, German-accented voice, coupled with her 4-foot-7 frame, made her an unlikely looking — and sounding — outlet for “sexual literacy.” The contradiction was one of the keys to her success. She died Friday at her home in New York City, surrounded by family.  (Photo:  AP)

Donald Trump Official GOP Presidential Nominee

July 15, 2024 3:54 pm

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Donald Trump has become the official Republican presidential nominee after receiving the votes of enough delegates at the Republican National Convention. Trump has been the presumptive nominee for months. But it was the vote of RNC delegates in Milwaukee that made it official Monday afternoon. Trump hit the necessary threshold with votes from his home state of Florida.

Trump Picks Senator JD Vance Of Ohio For Running Mate

July 15, 2024 3:46 pm

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Donald Trump has selected Sen. JD Vance of Ohio as his Republican running mate. Vance swept to national prominence with his bestselling memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy.” Vance was a vocal opponent of Trump during the 2016 presidential election but changed his position, arguing he was proved wrong by Trump’s performance in office. Vance was rewarded for his turnaround during his bid for an open Senate seat in 2022, during which he landed Trump’s coveted endorsement. Vance is now a Trump loyalist who challenges the legitimacy of criminal prosecutions and civil verdicts against him and questions the results of the 2020 election.  (Photo:  AP)

Judge Dismisses Trump Classified Documents Case

July 15, 2024 11:53 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal judge presiding over the classified documents case against ex-President Donald Trump in Florida has dismissed the prosecution. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon on Monday sided with defense lawyers who said the special counsel who filed the charges against Trump was illegally appointed by the Justice Department. Special counsel Jack Smith’s team had vigorously contested Trump’s efforts to dismiss the case. Trump’s team has no immediate comment on the dismissal of the case. Trump had been accused of illegally hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach and obstructing FBI efforts to get them back. The judge’s ruling can be appealed and may be overruled by a higher court.  (Photo:  AP)

Biden Asks For Americans To Reject Political Violence

July 15, 2024 5:28 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is urging Americans to reject political violence and recommit themselves to resolving their differences peacefully. In a prime-time address to the nation, Biden said the upcoming presidential election will be a “time of testing” in the aftermath of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Biden says political passions can run high but people “must never descend into violence.” The president said that his party and the Republicans can compete forcefully over different policy visions but do it in a civil fashion. Biden spoke for six minutes in his third address to the nation since Saturday evening’s attack.

Former Fire Chief ‘Died A Hero’ At Trump Rally

July 15, 2024 5:21 am

BUFFALO TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — The victim who was killed at a Pennsylvania rally for Donald Trump spent his final moments diving in front of his family to protect them from gunfire that rang out Saturday during an assassination attempt against the former president. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro confirmed Sunday that Corey Comperatore had died a “hero,” using his body as a shield to protect both his wife and daughter from the bullets. Randy Reamer, president of the Buffalo Township volunteer fire company, called Comperatore “a stand-up guy” and “a true brother of the fire service.” A GoFundMe launched to support Comperatore’s family had already surpassed more than $696,000 in donations as of Sunday.

Man Shot In Eye While Traveling On Parkway West

July 15, 2024 5:14 am

PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – Pittsburgh Police say a man was shot in the eye while he was traveling on the Parkway West in Pittsburgh on Sunday. Police say they were called for reports of rifle shots fired from one vehicle into another vehicle in the area of Exit 69 A on I-376W. A 60-year-old man was found with a gunshot wound to his eye. He was taken to a hospital and is receiving surgery. The suspect was driving a White Mazda SUV. It fled the scene and continued toward either Banksville Road or continued onto I-376W, police say. Police are using video of the incident to try to learn more about what happened.

Investigation Continues Into Bethel Park Gunman

July 15, 2024 5:07 am

PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) The FBI has identified the suspected gunman at former President Donald Trump’s rally on Saturday as a Bethel Park man. The agency identified him as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, and said they’re considering the shooting that injured Trump and two spectators and killed another spectator as an assassination attempt. Following the identification of Crooks as the suspected gunman, police shut down a Bethel Park roadway near where he lived. WPXI has learned Crooks had no previous criminal history, according to online court records. Voter records in Allegheny County show Crooks is a registered Republican voter. However, according to federal campaign finance records, Crooks appears to have donated $15 to the Progressive Turnout Project through the Democratic donation platform ActBlue. A spokesperson from Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center also confirmed to Channel 11 that Crook was an employee of theirs. According to NBC News, Crooks was a member of the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club. The club has various shooting range, including a 200-yard rifle range as well as pistol ranges and indoor outdoor archery ranges. The FBI has not yet identified a motive for the shooting. Anyone with information about Crooks is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or leave a tip at FBI.gov/butler.

Trump Gets Hero’s Welcome At Convention

July 15, 2024 5:05 am

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has appeared triumphantly at the Republican National Convention’s opening night with a bandage over his right ear. Delegates cheered wildly when he was seen onscreen two days after being injured when a would-be assassin opened fire at his rally in Pennsylvania. Republicans have nominated Trump to lead their presidential ticket and cheered enthusiastically after he unveiled Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate. Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley hailed the ticket as an ideal team to defeat President Joe Biden and Democrats in November.