May 22, 2024 5:04 am
FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — Prosecutors and defense lawyers in the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump are due in court for the first time since the judge indefinitely postponed the trial earlier this month. The case had been set for trial on May 20 but U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon cited numerous unresolved issues as a basis for canceling the trial date. On Wednesday, Cannon was scheduled to hear arguments on a Trump request to dismiss the indictment on grounds that it fails to clearly articulate a crime and instead amounts to “a personal and political attack against President Trump” with a “litany of uncharged grievances both for public and media consumption.”
May 22, 2024 5:03 am
GREENFIELD, Iowa (AP) — Multiple people have died and at least a dozen were injured since a powerful tornado tore through a small Iowa town, carving a bleak landscape of destroyed homes and businesses, shredded trees, smashed cars, and widely strewn debris. The tornado destroyed much of the small Iowa town of Greenfield. Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Alex Dinkla says at least a dozen people were injured amid widespread devastation in Greenfield. Tuesday saw multiple tornadoes, giant hail and heavy rain in several states. The storms and tornado warnings have moved into Wisconsin, including a warning for the state’s capital city of Madison.
May 22, 2024 5:01 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Sustained Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power grid in recent weeks have forced leaders of the war-ravaged country to institute nationwide rolling blackouts. Without adequate air defenses to counter assaults and allow for repairs, though, the shortages could still worsen as need spikes in late summer and next winter. The airstrikes targeting the grid have brought blackouts to the capital, Kyiv, which hadn’t experienced them since the first year of the war. During a trip to a destroyed power facility Tuesday, Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said there are no quick fixes to the electricity shortages and that Ukraine is appealing to its Western allies for more air defense systems and spare parts to fix its Soviet-era plants.
May 22, 2024 5:01 am
A federal judge has signed off on the $600 million class action settlement over last year’s disastrous Norfolk Southern derailment in eastern Ohio, but many people who live near East Palestine are still wondering how much they will end up with out of the deal. The lawyers who negotiated the deal plan to return to the community several times in the next few weeks and open a dedicated claims center to help answer residents questions. One of the lead attorneys, Mike Morgan, said the agreement will resolve claims against the railroad and the other companies who are defendants in the case but won’t prevent any possible future lawsuits against the EPA or other government entities.
May 22, 2024 4:59 am
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Norway, Ireland and Spain say they are recognizing a Palestinian state in a historic move. It was a lightning cascade of announcements on Wednesday. Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said the Scandinavian country will officially recognize a Palestinian state as of May 28. Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said his nation made the move in coordination with Spain and Norway and that it was “an historic and important day for … Palestine.” Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s Socialist leader since 2018, made the expected announcement to the nation’s Parliament. Norway’s Gahr Støre also said “there cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition” and that it was the way forward to a two-state solution.
May 22, 2024 4:56 am
The Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission held two public input hearings on Tuesday. In them, the public had the opportunity to voice their opinion on a proposed rate hike requested by Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania. Columbia Gas is seeking an increase in revenue of 15.79% or $124.1 million to distribute gas. If approved the average customer using 70 therms of gas would see a 15.88% monthly raise in rates. That would equate to approximately $19 per month. On April 4, the PUC unanimously voted 5-0 to investigate the proposed rate increase that was filed by Columbia Gas on March 15. Testimony was given by Richard Cuthbert, an asset management expert. He called into question Columbia Gas’ rate increases since 2006. He said their rates have increased 335% in those 18 years as opposed to the Consumer Price Index raises of 56% in the same period of time. He also questioned if infrastructure improvements promoted by Columbia Gas were indeed necessary. The public may still voice their opinion on telephonic meetings on May 22 at 1:00 and 6:00 PM. Registration is required at the PUC Office of Administrative Law Judge. Once the public input hearings are complete, telephonic evidentiary hearings will be held on July 31, August 1 and 2. The judge will render his decision in October. The PUC must deliver a final decision by December 14, 2024.
May 22, 2024 4:54 am
North Strabane Township Supervisors held a public hearing Tuesday to consider a conditional use application for garden apartments in the Concord Green Development off W. McMurray Road. The proposal calls for the Alpha Development Group to build a single building containing 48 one and two bedroom apartments on a 4.6 acre parcel of land. An earlier proposal had 74 apartments proposed, but that was withdrawn. The developer went item by item proving compliance with the zoning ordinance. Noted during the hearing was a 2010 development plan that called for two buildings containing 24 apartments each. A subsequent plan called for 26 townhomes to be built on the lot. The original 2001 master plan allowed for 48 apartments to be built. The developer expressed his interest in being a good neighbor offering to alter his plan to satisfy current residents comments. Public comment concerns pointed to increased traffic in the neighborhood and onto an already overcrowded W. McMurray Rd. Comment also called into question the compatibility of the rental apartment building in a neighborhood of owned homes. Concerns were also raised about how well the apartments and surrounding area would be cared for. It was asked if renters would take the same pride in their apartments as homeowners take in their homes. The meeting was continued for additional study. No date was given for the next meeting.
May 22, 2024 2:20 am
(WPXI) – Pittsburgh will host the 2026 NFL Draft. Steelers spokesperson Burt Lauten confirmed that the city was awarded the 2026 NFL Draft. “The NFL Draft is one of the biggest, most-anticipated sporting events of the year, and we’re thrilled to partner with the Pittsburgh Steelers and VisitPITTSBURGH for our 2026 event,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We have a unique opportunity to spotlight this wonderful community on a global stage, benefiting Pittsburgh’s economy and entertaining football fans from all markets. We know this pride of Pennsylvania will shine bright in 2026.” The NFL decided where the draft would be held in 2026 during the Spring League Meeting in Nashville. Ahead of this announcement, Channel 11 spoke with city officials to find out what the draft would look like, including where the stage and other activities would be. Their vision has Downtown as the central backdrop of the main stage that would be placed on the North Shore near Acrisure Stadium. The full layout has not yet been revealed, but it’s expected to include Downtown, Point State Park, the Central Business District and the Strip District ancillary events, along with Acrisure Stadium and the North Shore. The officials also think the weekend-long event that could bring upwards of 300,000 people to the city will be a major economic boost. The process for Pittsburgh to secure rights to host the draft began years ago, with the Steelers having ongoing conversations with the NFL about bringing a “mega football event” to the city.
May 22, 2024 2:17 am
The Board of Governors for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education unanimously selected Dr. Jon Anderson on Wednesday to serve as the next president of Pennsylvania Western University. His appointment to PennWest’s top leadership role takes effect July 1, 2024. Anderson will succeed Dr. Lorraine “Laurie” Bernotsky, who has served as PennWest’s interim president since 2023. Anderson is currently provost and vice president for academic affairs at Southern Utah University (SUU), a regional institution with more than 15,000 students. Prior to joining SUU, he was provost and vice president for academic affairs at Middle Georgia State University, which has five physical campuses and online program offerings. He also spent 10 years in various administrative positions, including deputy provost and associate vice president, at the University of West Georgia. “Dr. Anderson impressed the Board of Governors with his focus on student success, his commitment to shared governance, and his experience with integrating academic and student support systems across multi-campus institutions,” said Board of Governors Chair Cynthia Shapira. “At this pivotal moment for PennWest, we believe that Dr. Anderson is the committed, collaborative and strategic leader this university needs.” He and his wife, Kristy, have seven children and seven granddaughters. Their youngest son, Bryce, will accompany them on their move to western Pennsylvania. “I am grateful for the opportunity to put down roots in western Pennsylvania and help to shape the future of PennWest,” Anderson said. “The role of a regional university is to serve students and elevate communities — and PennWest lives that mission every day. I am honored to be part of its story.
May 21, 2024 5:55 pm
PHOENIX (AP) — Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani pleaded not guilty Tuesday to nine felony charges stemming from his role in an effort to overturn Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss in Arizona to Joe Biden. Giuliani appeared remotely for the arraignment that was held in a Phoenix courtroom. His trial is scheduled for Oct. 17, about 3 weeks before the U.S. election. His plea follows a not guilty plea by former Arizona Republican Party chair Kelli Ward for the same charges. Ward and nine other people were arraigned in a Phoenix courtroom on conspiracy, forgery and fraud charges. The Tuesday arraignments were the second held in the case. (Photo: AP)
