June 13, 2024 5:08 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve officials said inflation has fallen further toward their target level in recent months but signaled that they expect to cut their benchmark interest rate just once this year. The policymakers’ forecast for one rate cut was down from their previous projection of three cuts, because inflation, despite having cooled in the past two months, remains persistently above their target level. The scaled-back estimate for rate cuts came as something of a surprise, given that the government reported that inflation slowed in May more than most economists had expected. Financial markets took encouragement, though, from the statement the Fed issued after its latest meeting, which underscored that it sees progress in its fight against high inflation.
June 13, 2024 5:08 am
DETROIT (AP) — Tesla shareholders have voted to restore CEO Elon Musk’s record $44.9 billion pay package that was thrown out by a Delaware judge earlier this year. Vote totals were not immediately announced. The favorable vote doesn’t mean CEO Musk will get the all-stock compensation anytime soon. The package is likely to remain tied up in the Delaware Chancery Court for months as Tesla appeals the rejection. The court ruled in January that Musk essentially controlled the Tesla board when it approved the package in 2018, and that it failed to fully inform shareholders who approved it the same year. Tesla has said it would appeal, but asked shareholders to reapprove the package at Thursday’s annual meeting.
June 13, 2024 5:08 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Eight former employees sued SpaceX and its CEO Elon Musk, alleging that Musk ordered them fired after they challenged what they called rampant sexual harassment, a hostile “Animal House”-style work environment at the company and Musk’s role in creating that atmosphere. The employees, who filed suit in a California state court, detailed their complaints in a 2022 open letter to management they shared via a company intranet. The next day, four of the plaintiffs were fired, they alleged; others were terminated later after an internal investigation. In January, the federal National Labor Relations Board filed its own complaint against SpaceX on behalf of the fired employees.
June 13, 2024 5:05 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court unanimously upheld access to a drug used in the majority of U.S. abortions, though abortion opponents say the ruling won’t be the last word in the fight over mifepristone. The narrow decision on Thursday came two years after the high court overturned the nationwide right to abortion. Rather than fully dive into the issue, the high court found that anti-abortion doctors lacked the legal right to sue. That could leave an opening for anti-abortion states or other opponents to keep up the legal fight.
June 13, 2024 5:04 am
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A tropical disturbance that brought a rare flash flood emergency to much of southern Florida delayed flights at two of the state’s largest airports and left vehicles waterlogged and stalled in some of the region’s lowest-lying streets. Travelers across the area were trying to adjust their plans on Thursday morning after more than 20 inches of rain has fallen in some areas of South Florida since Tuesday, with more on the way. The disorganized storm system was pushing across Florida from the Gulf of Mexico at roughly the same time as the early June start of hurricane season, which this year is forecast to be among the most active in recent memory amid concerns that climate change is increasing storm intensity. (Photo: AP)
June 13, 2024 5:02 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies have agreed to set in motion a $50 billion loan to help Ukraine. Interest earned on profits from Russia’s frozen central bank assets would be used as collateral. Details of the deal are being hashed out by G7 leaders at their summit in Italy. The money could reach Kyiv before the end of the year. The plan is to use profits from Russia’s roughly $260 billion in frozen central bank assets as collateral. President Joe Biden said the move was part of a “historic agreement.” Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, called it “a vital step forward in providing sustainable support for Ukraine in winning this war.” (Photo: AP)
June 13, 2024 5:00 am
READING, Pa. (AP) — President Donald Trump’s campaign has teamed up with the Republican National Committee and the Pennsylvania GOP to open a “Latino Americans for Trump” office in Reading. It’s a town with a fast-growing Hispanic population. Trump and top Republicans are looking to boost their support among Latino voters in a swing state that could well decide the election, betting that promises to prioritize entrepreneurship and smaller government can resonate with a voting block that historically has favored Democrats. President Joe Biden has seen his support drop among Hispanic adults in national polls, but it’s unclear if Trump can capitalize.
June 13, 2024 5:00 am
PITTSBURGH — If you’re headed into downtown Pittsburgh from the South Hills, and depend on the T’s red line to get you there, your commute will be changing. Starting Sunday, the red line from Overbrook to South Hills Junction will be closed entirely as part of a $150 million construction project. Construction crews were already at the Overbrook junction days before it’s scheduled to close for most of the summer. The red line construction is the second part of Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s light rail rehabilitation project. The start of the closure comes on a busy weekend — as Juneteenth activities are kicking off downtown. The project is scheduled to last until 2028.
June 13, 2024 4:56 am
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Md. — (WPXI) – Sen. John Fetterman is at fault for a car crash he was involved in over the weekend, according to a report from Maryland State Police. The crash happened Sunday at the Interstate 70 and Interstate 68 interchange. The police report says a Chevrolet Traverse rear-ended a Chevrolet Impala and identifies Fetterman as the driver of the Traverse. A witness told police that Fetterman’s vehicle passed her at a “high rate of speed, well over the posted speed limit” before the crash.
June 13, 2024 2:55 am
The merger of the Washington Health System and UPMC was confirmed earlier this month and on Wednesday, a celebration was held to commemorate the partnership. The Washington Health System will now be known as UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene. The announcement comes a year after the two entities announced an affiliation agreement in June of 2023. “We are elated that the affiliation is complete and look forward to starting a new chapter of collaboration with UPMC,” said Brook Ward, president of UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene. “This affiliation protects the vitality of an essential community asset and solidifies a healthy future for Washington and Greene counties for generations to come.” According to the statement, UPMC has committed to invest at least $300 million over 10 years to enhance clinical services and upgrade facilities at UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene. These investments by UPMC, combined with contributions the WHS Foundation has made and will continue to make, ensures UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene can provide state-of-the-art health care for local residents for years to come and maintain its position as one of the largest employers in Washington and Greene counties. UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene will maintain a local Board of Directors consisting of 11 legacy WHS board members and five newly appointed members from UPMC. The affiliation does not affect community members’ in-network access to WHS hospitals or doctors. UPMC Washington, UPMC Greene and their affiliated outpatient facilities will continue to honor the contracts that are in place with regional and national insurers.
