Lake Refuses To Concede Arizona Governor’s Race

November 17, 2022 4:20 am

PHOENIX (AP) – Defeated Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake says she’s assembling lawyers and collecting evidence of voters who had trouble casting ballots as she considers her next move. The Republican did not concede Thursday in her most extensive public comments since losing the election. Before the election, she refused to say that she would concede if she lost the race to Democrat Katie Hobbs. She has pointed to long lines at some polling places and problems with ballot printers in Maricopa County. County officials say that all ballots were counted and that voters could go to any polling place in the county.

GOP Wins Slim House Majority, Complicating Agenda

November 17, 2022 4:18 am

WASHINGTON (AP) – Republicans have won control of the U.S. House, returning the party to power in Washington and giving conservatives leverage to blunt President Joe Biden’s agenda and spur a flurry of investigations. But a threadbare majority will pose immediate challenges for GOP leaders and complicate the party’s ability to govern. More than a week after Election Day, Republicans secured the 218th seat needed to flip the House. The full scope of the party’s majority may not be clear for several more days – or weeks – as votes in competitive races are still being counted.

Governor-Elect Shapiro Opens Transition

November 17, 2022 4:16 am

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro gave his first Capitol news conference Wednesday as he begins the transition to his new job, pledging to work constructively with lawmakers and saying he will remain as attorney general until he is sworn in as governor in January. For now, Shapiro, a Democrat, is navigating the massive task of sorting through what is likely to be thousands of applications to fill top posts in his administration as he gets his arms around the government of the nation’s fifth-most populous state. Shapiro’s campaign policy director, finance director and press secretary will take on key roles in the transition team and inaugural committee. Shapiro said he will continue serving as attorney general until he is sworn in. After that, he said, he will nominate a successor to the Senate for confirmation to fill the remainder of his four-year term lasting through 2024. He said he will announce a nominee in the coming weeks.

4 Injured After Chase Ends In Fiery Crash

November 17, 2022 4:08 am

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. — (WPXI) – Four people were injured after a police chase through Allegheny County led to a fiery Crash. The chase began in McKeesport and ended in Pittsburgh’s South Side Flats neighborhood. Police, EMS and fire units responded to the 3300 block of East Carson Street at 8:28 p.m. The condition of the people injured is not known at this time.

Vehicle Hits Twenty-Five Sheriff’s Academy Recruits

November 16, 2022 5:55 pm

WHITTIER, Calif. (AP) – Authorities say 25 Los Angeles County sheriff’s academy recruits on a training run were hit by a vehicle that veered onto the wrong side of the road Wednesday morning, and five were critically injured. Sheriff Alex Villanueva says another four recruits have moderate injuries and 16 have minor injuries. The crash occurred around dawn in suburban Whittier. The sheriff says the victims were members of an academy class that includes recruits for the Sheriff’s Department and local police departments. The driver has only been identified as 22-year-old man. The sheriff says a field sobriety test on the driver was negative.

Coal Center Blaze Rekindles

November 16, 2022 8:43 am

(WPXI) – Crews returned to a house fire after it rekindled in Coal Center Wednesday morning. Washington County 911 said crews were called back to the house, located in the 900 block of Pike Run Road around nine o’clock. The blaze first broke out around four-thirty in the house, which was vacant at the time. There were no injuries and no word on what may have caused the fire.

Icy Conditions Cause Morning Commute Problems

November 16, 2022 7:59 am

A blast of winter overnight caused plenty of problems Thursday morning throughout Washington County. It began just before 3 a.m. with State Police blocking of the ramps connecting Interstate 70 and 79 in South Strabane Township because of at least two accidents that resulted from icy conditions.  A short time later, at least two tractor trailers jack-knifed along Interstate 79 near the Southpointe and Canonsburg exits. Interstate 70 Eastbound was then closed after a tractor trailer caught fire just past the Eighty Four exit. Issues were also reported along Route 5-19 at Route 980 as well as other roadways. Penn Dot crews were called to numerous sites to put down salt.

Same-Sex Marriage Clears Senate Hurdle

November 16, 2022 4:19 am

WASHINGTON (AP) – Legislation to protect same-sex and interracial marriages has crossed a major Senate hurdle, putting Congress on track to take the historic step of ensuring that such unions are enshrined in federal law. Twelve Republicans voted with all Democrats to move forward on the legislation, meaning a final vote could come as soon as this week, or later this month. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says the bill ensuring the unions are legally recognized under the law is chance for the Senate to “live up to its highest ideals” and protect marriage equality for all people. Senate Democrats are quickly moving to pass the bill while the party still controls the House.

North Strabane To Preview Budget

November 16, 2022 4:17 am

The agenda was light for North Strabane Township Supervisors on Tuesday evening. Among the items that supervisors will consider at their legislative meeting will be a draft budget proposal for 2023. According to Assistant Manager Ashley Stack, an additional $75,000 has been received through earned income taxes. That money has been added to the budget and Township Manager Andrew Walz says there is no tax increase anticipated. Actual numbers will be available at the legislative meeting. Additionally, supervisors will consider a change to their Ordinance 403 amending chapter one that outlines the make up of the police department. The position of chief is to be eliminated and replaced by personnel as determined by the board of supervisors. The legislative meeting will be on November 22.

Scott Takes On McConnell In Bid For Senate Leader

November 16, 2022 4:14 am

WASHINGTON (AP) – Florida Sen. Rick Scott is mounting a long-shot bid to unseat Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. It’s the opening of the latest front in an intraparty battle between allies of McConnell and former President Donald Trump over the direction of the GOP following a disappointing showing in last week’s midterm elections. Scott is the leader of the GOP’s Senate campaign efforts and has long feuded with McConnell over the party’s approach to reclaiming a Senate majority. In a letter to Senate Republicans, Scott wrote, “If you simply want to stick with the status quo, don’t vote for me.” Republicans are holding their leadership elections on Wednesday.