April 2, 2024 4:58 am
(AP) – Inspectors consider nearly 7% of the nation’s bridges to be in poor condition — around 42,400 — according to federal data from 2023. Deterioration, specifically problems affecting the piers and beams that keep a bridge upright, requires repairs that can cost millions of dollars and result in closures that affect commuters and small businesses. Bridges fulfill a vital function that often goes overlooked until lives are lost or disrupted by a closure or collapse, like that of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early last Tuesday. That bridge crumpled when struck by a cargo ship, not because of poor maintenance. But thousands of others stand in worse shape. The majority of bridges that were found to be in poor condition suffer from issues with the legs holding them up (the substructure) or arms supporting their load (the superstructure), according to the National Bridge Inventory. While nearly 16,000 of those bridges also were rated poor ten years ago, the overall percentage of bridges in poor condition has decreased about 22% over the last ten years. But federal transportation officials say a lot of work remains. President Joe Biden’s 2021 infrastructure law provided the largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system began nearly 70 years ago. But the $40 billion allocated for bridges is only a fraction of the $319 billion needed to make repairs nationwide, according to estimates from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association.
April 2, 2024 4:54 am
Washington City Council was informed at their agenda meeting of lagging revenues from property tax collection. City Administrator Donn Henderson says that property taxes are about three weeks behind of where they historically have been. He blamed it mostly on the recent cyber attack that the county suffered. He said information was late from the county putting the city’s information dissemination behind. That translates to roughly $400,000. Henderson encourages property owners to pay as soon as they can so that the city does not need to take out a loan and spend tax money on interest payments on an additional loan. City residents were also encouraged to apply to the Citywide Development Corporation for their “Block by Block Home Repair Program”. Residents that qualify for the program are eligible for funding to make repairs to their homes to keep them in compliance with city ordinances. Residents of the 7th and 8th Wards will receive priority for funding. Also available are grants through the Community Development Block Grant program administered through the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Washington. Applications for both programs are available at City Hall.
April 1, 2024 12:31 pm
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Alex Murdaugh has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for stealing from clients and his law firm. The 55-year-old disbarred attorney is already serving a life sentence without parole in a state prison for killing his wife and son. He also pleaded guilty to similar financial crime charges in state court. Before his sentencing Monday, Murdaugh apologized again to his victims and blamed drug abuse. A judge says his schemes were too complex for an addict. The 22 counts are the final charges outstanding for the disgraced attorney. (Photo: AP)
April 1, 2024 12:18 pm
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Cameron Sutton has turned himself in, ending a weeks-long search for a former NFL defensive back who was wanted for a domestic violence warrant. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced the 29-year-old Sutton arrived at a jail in Florida on Sunday night, nearly a week after it said his attorney informed authorities that the former Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers standout would turn himself in. Sutton was wanted for domestic battery by strangulation. The sheriff’s department responded to a call about domestic violence in progress involving Sutton and a female around 5 a.m. on March 7th. (Photo: AP)
April 1, 2024 5:17 am
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has rallied from respiratory problems to lead some 60,000 people in Easter celebrations and make a strong appeal for a cease-fire in Gaza and a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine. Francis presided over Easter Sunday Mass in a flower-decked St. Peter’s Square. He then delivered a heartfelt prayer for peace in his annual roundup of global crises, delivered from the loggia overlooking the piazza. Gaza’s people, including the small Christian community there, have been a source of constant concern for Francis and Easter in the Holy Land overall was a somber affair this year given the war.
April 1, 2024 5:16 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — In Donald Trump’s speeches and online posts, the Republican presidential candidate has ramped up anti-immigrant rhetoric and his messaging often relies on falsehoods about migration. But it’s resonating with many of his core supporters going back a decade, to when “build the wall” chants rang out at his campaign rallies. President Joe Biden portrays the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border as a policy dispute that Congress can fix. He criticizes Republicans in Washington for backing away from a border security deal after facing criticism from Trump. But Trump’s message appears to be resonating with key elements of the Democratic coalition that Biden will need to win over this November. That could be a concern for the Democratic president.
April 1, 2024 5:15 am
BALTIMORE (AP) — Officials say the U.S. Coast Guard has opened a temporary alternate channel for vessels clearing debris at the site of the fallen Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Capt. David O’Connell is the federal on-scene coordinator. He said in a statement Monday that it is “an important first step along the road to reopening the port of Baltimore.” The White House says President Joe Biden will visit the site Friday. Also, the ship’s owner and manager have filed a court petition seeking to limit their legal liability at under $44 million.
April 1, 2024 5:14 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A racially biased test delayed Black patients from getting a kidney transplant and now more than 14,000 are part of a move to make amends. The U.S. transplant system ordered hospitals to quit using a test that made Black patients’ kidneys appear healthier than they really were. Next hospitals had to dig through years-old records to determine which patients should have been put on the transplant list sooner and give them credit for lost time. It’s part of a huge problem — formulas embedded in treatment guidelines, risk calculators and other medical decisions that put people of color at disadvantage.
April 1, 2024 5:13 am
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian residents say the Israeli military has withdrawn from Gaza’s main hospital after a two-week raid, leaving behind a vast swath of destruction. Hundreds of people returned to Shifa Hospital and the surrounding area after the withdrawal early Monday, where they found bodies inside and outside of the facility. The military has described the raid as one of the most successful operations of the nearly six-month war, saying it killed scores of Hamas and other militants, as well as seizing valuable intelligence. The head of the World Health Organization said late Sunday that 21 patients died during the raid and more than 100 were in dire conditions.
April 1, 2024 5:09 am
PITTSBURGH — A Powerball ticket bought in Pennsylvania won a second-tier prize during Saturday’s drawing. According to the Pennsylvania Lottery, a single ticket purchased in the state matched five of five numbers but not the Powerball, winning $1 million. Three other tickets sold in Illinois, Louisiana and Michigan also won the second-tier prize, according to Powerball’s draw results. Saturday’s numbers for the grand prize worth $935 million were 12-13-33-50-52 and the Powerball was 23. The Power Play was 3X. For the 38th consecutive drawing, no one won the jackpot — so the grand prize inched closer to $1 billion. A couple of other Powerball tickets sold in Pennsylvania took home notable prizes. Two players matched four of five numbers and the Powerball, winning $50,000 each. A ticket with Double Play was one of three tickets nationwide to win $50,000 in Saturday’s drawing.
