August 25, 2023 5:17 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment concluded that an intentional explosion caused the plane crash presumed to have killed a Russian mercenary leader. Yevgeny Prigozhin was eulogized Thursday by Vladimir Putin, even as suspicions grew that the Russian president was the architect of the assassination. One of the U.S. and Western officials who described the initial assessment said it determined that Prigozhin was “very likely” targeted and that the explosion falls in line with Putin’s history of trying to silence his critics. The officials did not offer any details about what caused the explosion. Several of Prigozhin’s lieutenants were also presumed dead.
August 25, 2023 5:16 am
ATLANTA (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has been booked at a jail in Atlanta, forced to pose for a mug shot as he surrendered on charges that he illegally schemed to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. Unlike his bookings for three other batches of charges, this one yielded a historic first: the mug shot of a former American president, scowling at the camera. Trump and 18 others were indicted last week, accused of participating in a sprawling conspiracy to overturn his presidential election loss to Democrat Joe Biden. The Fulton County prosecution is the fourth criminal case against Trump since March, when he became the first former president in U.S. history to be indicted.
August 25, 2023 5:11 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – Over 65 local officers will be off the job for about a week after Thursday’s hours-long standoff in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood that ended with a suspect’s death. Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin Kraus told our news partners at Channel 11 that William Hardison Sr. was pronounced dead at 5:08 p.m., nearly seven hours after the shootout started. On Thursday, a Pittsburgh Public Safety official told Channel 11 that about 40 Pittsburgh police officers are on paid leave as protocol. The officers had to turn in the weapons that were fired. They will have to see a psychologist and then give an interview to return to the job. About a dozen Allegheny County police officers are on leave and will return to duty at the discretion of the superintendent, officials told Channel 11. Sixteen Allegheny County Sheriff’s Deputies fired shots and are on paid leave. They must also undergo a psychiatric evaluation before returning to work.
August 25, 2023 5:07 am
STOWE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI) – A man was injured in a shooting in Stowe Township Thursday night. According to Allegheny County police, first responders were called to the 200 block of Oak Lane at 9:36 p.m. The victim was shot in the shoulder and taken to the hospital in a private vehicle. Allegheny County police are handling the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-833-ALL-TIPS.
August 25, 2023 5:00 am
Strong storms rolled through the region overnight leaving thousands without power. West Penn Power is reporting more than 6-thousand customers without service as of 10:30 a.m. The outages are scattered throughout the county. Washington County is certainly not alone. West Penn is reporting more than 9-thousand outages in Fayette County, more than 6-thousand in Allegheny County and more than 12-hundred in Westmoreland County. West Penn is not providing any estimated restoration times. There are numerous reports of trees down across the county with some blocking roadways. The Bethlehem Center School District closed for the day. District officials tell WJPA News they were forced to do so because of power outages and dangerous road conditions because of downed trees.
August 25, 2023 2:56 am
The Washington County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim of a fatal multi-vehicle accident Wednesday morning as 58-year-old Gary Reinhardt of Lancaster, New York. Authorities say Reinhardt was driving a car south when another car in the northbound lanes lost control, crossed the median and collided with the victim’s car, causing a train reaction. Authorities say Reinhardt was wearing a seat-belt. Two others were also injured in the accident, but there’s been no word on the nature of those injuries. The interstate was closed in both directions for several hours. (Photo: WPXI)
August 25, 2023 1:16 am
(WPXI) – The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado touched down in Fayette County. The agency conducted a site survey near Yogi Bear Campground Friday morning. Residents of Springfield Township said there was extensive damage to their farms, including a roof that had been torn from a building. Thousands in the region remain without power at this hour but there were no reports of serious injuries.
August 24, 2023 4:11 pm
(WPXI) – Charges have been filed against a woman who allegedly abandoned her dog at Pittsburgh International Airport. Allison Gaiser, 44, of Kittanning, is facing charges of cruelty to animals, neglect of animals and abandonment of animals by owner for allegedly abandoning the dog at the airport after she was told she didn’t have the right carrier for him. Police said Gaiser left the dog in a baby stroller near short-term parking as she continued to a resort destination. Animal Friends shelter is caring for the dog, which is in good shape and being fostered, according to officials. The 7-year-old dog is not available for adoption. (Photo: Allegheny County Police Department)
August 24, 2023 5:06 am
OKUMA, Japan (AP) — Japan’s tsunami-wrecked nuclear power plant in Fukushima is releasing its first batch of treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean. In a live video from a control room at the plant Thursday, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings showed a staff member turn on a seawater pump, marking the beginning of the controversial project that’s expected to last for decades. China responded by banning seafood from Japan, effective immediately. Shortly after China’s announcement, TEPCO’s president said the utility will compensate Japanese business owners for damages suffered by export bans over the wastewater release. The Japanese government and TEPCO say the treatment and dilution exceeds international safety standards. Still, some scientists say the long-term impact needs attention.
August 24, 2023 5:06 am
TRABUCO CANYON, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say three people were killed and five others were wounded in a shooting at a Southern California biker bar. The gunman was also killed by deputies. The shooting occurred after 7 p.m. Wednesday at Cook’s Corner in rural Trabuco Canyon in Orange County, a popular longtime watering hole for motorcycle riders and enthusiasts who gather for live music and other events. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department said the gunman was dead four minutes after reports of the shooting first came in. Six others were taken to a hospital, including five with gunshot wounds. The hospital said two were in critical condition.
