December 8, 2023 3:19 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court in Washington has upheld a gag order on former President Donald Trump in his 2020 election interference case but has narrowed the restrictions on his speech. The three-judge panel’s ruling Friday modifies the gag order to allow the Republican 2024 presidential front-runner to make disparaging comments about special counsel Jack Smith. Trump has described the gag order as unconstitutional muzzling of his political speech. Trump could appeal the ruling to the full court or to the Supreme Court. Prosecutors say the restrictions are necessary to shield potential witnesses from harassment and threats inspired by Trump’s social media posts. The appeals court says Trump “does not have an unlimited right to speak.”
December 8, 2023 5:14 am
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — One of the biggest and brightest stars in the night sky will momentarily vanish. That’s because an asteroid will pass in front of it in a one-of-a-kind eclipse. The rare event will occur late Monday into early Tuesday. Weather permitting, it should be visible to millions of people along a narrow path stretching from central Asia and southern Europe to parts of Florida and Mexico. The star is Betelgeuse, a red supergiant in the constellation Orion. The asteroid is Leona, a space rock in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Astronomers hope to learn more about both through the secondslong eclipse.
December 8, 2023 5:13 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunter Biden has been indicted on nine tax charges in California as a special counsel investigation into the business dealings of President Joe Biden’s son intensifies against the backdrop of the looming 2024 election. The indictment Thursday includes three felonies and six misdemeanors. Special counsel David Weiss says Hunter Biden “spent millions of dollars on an extravagant lifestyle rather than paying his tax bills.” Defense attorney Abbe Lowell argues prosecutors bowed to political pressure in the case, which had been expected to end with a plea deal before it imploded over the summer. The new charges are in addition to federal firearms charges in Delaware alleging Hunter Biden broke laws against drug users having guns in 2018.
December 8, 2023 5:11 am
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Police say a gunman who killed three faculty members at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, was an unemployed professor who stuffed his waistband with loaded handgun magazines before beginning the attack. Authorities say 67-year-old Anthony Polito brought more than 150 rounds of ammunition and a list of targets — although those shot weren’t on that list. Polito died in a shootout with police Wednesday minutes after opening fire inside a building housing a business school. A fourth victim, a visiting professor, is hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Authorities say Polito appeared to be struggling financially. He taught some classes last year at Roseman University in Henderson, where he lived, but was let go after his program was canceled.
December 8, 2023 5:10 am
RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Desperate Palestinians fleeing Israel’s expanding ground offensive crowded into an ever-shrinking area of the Gaza Strip as the Israel-Hamas war entered its third month Friday. The United Nations warned its aid operation is “in tatters” because no place in the besieged enclave is safe. The United Nations’ humanitarian affairs section said its ability to receive vital aid supplies has been “significantly impaired” over the past few days as trucks and staff were stranded by the fighting, and telecommunications were cut off. Tens of thousands of people displaced by the fighting have congregated in Rafah, in the far south of the Gaza Strip near the border with Egypt, and a nearby strip of barren coastland designed a safe zone.
December 8, 2023 5:08 am
PITTSBURGH – (WPXI) – Six people were injured in a nine-vehicle crash that shut down the Liberty Tunnel in both directions on Thursday evening. One person is in critical condition and the other five people are stable, Pittsburgh Public Safety said. Crews worked to remove more than 30 vehicles still in the Tunnel. Just before 9 p.m., police said all of the vehicles had been removed. A Pittsburgh police spokesperson said they are investigating the possibility of a medical emergency as the cause of the crash. The tunnel reopened in both directions just after 10 p.m.
December 8, 2023 5:05 am
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States has vetoed a United Nations resolution backed by almost all other Security Council members and many other nations demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. Supporters called it a terrible day and warned of more civilian deaths and destruction as the war goes into its third month. The vote in the 15-member council on Friday was 13-1 with the United Kingdom abstaining. U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood criticized the council after the vote for its failure to condemn Hamas’ attacks in Israel and to acknowledge Israel’s right to defend itself. He declared that halting military action would allow Hamas to continue to rule Gaza and “only plant the seeds for the next war.”
December 8, 2023 5:02 am
Washington City Council closed out 2023 by adopting the 2024 budget and saying good bye to two long serving individuals. The 2024 city spending plan leveled out to $15,093,936. It is a balanced budget and does not raise taxes in 2024. Council accepted the retirement of Police Chief Dan Rush. Rush (pictured left) has served the police department for the last 22 years. He has held every position from patrolman to detective and now chief of police. Rush thanked council and the residents of Washington for the honor to serve them. His last day will be January 1. Also saying good bye was Mayor Scott Putnam. He began his public service career in Washington in 2005 with the Parking Authority before moving on to the Citywide Redevelopment Authority. Putnam (pictured right) served two terms as Mayor beginning in 2015. Putnam wished council and the residents of Washington the best of luck and happy holidays. Putnam was defeated in the May Primary Election by Mayor Elect JoJo Burgess.
December 8, 2023 2:28 am
New information has been released regarding a search of the home of Republican Washington County Controller April Sloan. According to a search warrant that was executed on Wednesday at Sloane’s home in North Strabane Township, a police officer with the Washington Area Humane Society contacted the North Strabane Township police on Tuesday, saying they received a tip about a dog named “Thor” dying from neglect. An officer with the humane society showed a picture of the dog “in deplorable conditions, and when police arrived at Sloane’s home in Canonsburg, she admitted her dog died “due to not being properly cared for.” Police said Thor died on Nov. 27th in her living room and that the dog’s body was still in her basement. According to the Humane Society, Sloane adopted Thor in April of 2021. Police say, so far, no charges have been filed, but they’re investigating if Sloane’s actions are consistent with neglect. (PHOTO: WPXI)
December 7, 2023 5:46 pm
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Texas judge has given a pregnant woman whose fetus had a fatal diagnosis permission to get an abortion in an unprecedented challenge to the state’s ban that took effect after Roe v. Wade was overturned last year. It was unclear Thursday how quickly or whether Kate Cox, a 31-year-old mother of two from the Dallas area, will be able to obtain an abortion. State District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble has granted a temporary restraining order allowing Cox to have an abortion. The state has not said if it plans to appeal. Cox is 20 weeks pregnant. Her attorneys say Cox went to an emergency room this week for a fourth time during her pregnancy.
