December 13, 2023 2:51 pm
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — School-funding legislation is on the move in Pennsylvania to send millions more to subsidize private school tuition and create a student-teacher stipend. The bill passed the Republican-controlled Senate on Wednesday and heads to the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. Under the bill, the state would expand a tax credit program that subsidizes private school tuition by $130 million to $470 million. And it seeks to encourage more college students to become teachers by creating a program to give a stipend of up to $15,000 to student teachers. The legislation also ties up some loose ends of a months-old budget dispute for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
December 13, 2023 11:51 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andre Braugher (BROW’-ur), the Emmy-winning actor best known for his roles on the series “Homicide: Life on The Street” and “Brooklyn 99,” died Monday at age 61. Braugher’s publicist Jennifer Allen confirmed his death to the trade publication Variety. He died after a short illness. The Chicago-born actor had his breakthrough role in 1989’s “Glory,” starring alongside Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington, who won an Oscar for the film about an all-Black army regiment during the Civil War. Despite the part, he told The Associated Press in 2019 that he struggled to find work in a Hollywood where roles for African American actors were “few and far between. Period.” But he would establish himself with the role of Det. Frank Pembleton, which he would play for seven seasons in “Homicide: Life on the Street,” a gritty police drama on NBC based on a book by David Simon, who would go on to create “The Wire.” Braugher won two career Emmys from 11 nominations. He was married for more than 30 years to his “Homicide” co-star Ami Brabson. They had three sons. (Photo: AP)
December 13, 2023 5:10 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House is pushing toward a vote to authorize the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden formally. This comes as Republicans rally behind the charged process despite lingering concerns among some in the party that the investigation has yet to produce evidence of misconduct by the president. House Speaker Mike Johnson and his leadership team have been facing growing pressure to show progress in what has become a nearly yearlong probe centered around the business dealings of Biden’s family members. Their investigation has raised ethical questions, but no evidence has emerged that Biden acted corruptly or accepted bribes in his current role or previous office as vice president.
December 13, 2023 5:08 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s pledge to restore American credibility around the globe is at risk during the congressional debate over support for Ukraine. Congress appears unable to reach a deal on funding despite Biden’s insistence that the United States should help defend against a Russian invasion for as long as it takes. Without a bipartisan agreement, Washington will run out of authorized military assistance that can be shipped to Kyiv. Analysts say that would be devastating not only to Ukraine but to Biden’s efforts to demonstrate American fortitude in the face of international aggression.
December 13, 2023 5:07 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials say a Russian missile attack on Kyiv has resulted in more than 50 injuries and several damaged buildings. A series of loud explosions could be heard in Kyiv at 3 a.m. local time Wednesday as air defenses were activated for the second time this week. Kyiv’s mayor says debris from intercepted missiles fell in the eastern Dniprovskyi district, injuring at least 53 people, 20 of whom were hospitalized. The mayor says a residential building and several cars caught fire. On Monday, a Russian missile attack destroyed several homes on the outskirts of Kyiv and left more than 100 households temporarily without electricity.
December 13, 2023 5:04 am
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Israeli military says Palestinian militants ambushed troops in a dense Gaza City neighborhood, killing at least nine of them. The fighting comes as Hamas puts up stiff resistance in areas that Israel has isolated and pounded with airstrikes for over two months. The air and ground war triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack has killed thousands of Palestinian civilians and pushed nearly 85% of Gaza’s population from their homes. It has sparked international outrage. The United States has repeatedly called on Israel to take greater measures to spare civilians, even as it has blocked international calls for a cease-fire and rushed military aid to its close ally. Clashes raged overnight and into Wednesday in multiple areas.
December 13, 2023 4:58 am
South Strabane Township Supervisors wrapped up 2023 at their voting meeting on Tuesday. They were able to deliver good news to residents going into 2024. Supervisors formally adopted the 2024 budget. According to Township Manager Jeff Ziegler, the budget totals $8,006,053. Ziegler says there is no tax increase and the budget is balanced. Also approved was an extension for the collection of recyclables. The township will once again make use of a one year extension with Waste Management. Costs will rise over last year. The new monthly fee will be $6.18 per month. That is a $1.43 per month more and $17.16 more per year than last year. Supervisors also accepted the resignation of Supervisor Bracken Burns. Burns submitted his resignation after he lost his bid for reelection in November. The remaining supervisors reached out to Burns to ask that he reconsider, no response was received from Burns before the November meeting. Supervisors acted on the resignation making it official on Tuesday. The Board of Supervisors will hold their reorganization meeting on January 2, 2024 at 7:00 pm.
December 13, 2023 2:51 am
Representatives Bud Cook (R-Greene/Washington); Joshua Kail (R-Beaver/Washington)l Andrew Kuzma (R-Allegheny/Washington); Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington); Tim O’Neal (R-Washington), and Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) on Tuesday, released the following statement in response to the news that Washington County Controller April Sloane has been charged with felony animal cruelty: “Every elected official should be held to a high standard. We were shocked and appalled to learn that April Sloane has been charged with felony animal cruelty as a result of the death of her dog. “Washington County House Republicans call for a full and thorough investigation into the alleged crimes. Obviously, in this country, there is an important due process that must take place. However, we unequivocally condemn the alleged actions and hope that any and all responsible parties are held accountable. “All animals deserve to be treated with decency. We are extremely disappointed that a local elected official is being accused of such a despicable act. We support local law enforcement and look forward to the completion of the judicial process.”
December 13, 2023 2:27 am
The warden at the Washington County Correctional Facility announced on Wednesday that they have renamed one of their female housing units to honor retiring Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughan. Warden Jeffrey Fewell says that the 4SE Housing Unit has been renamed 4SE-DIV (Diana Irey Vaughan)in honor of her faithful service of twenty-eight-years to the citizens of Washington and for her volunteer work at the facility. Fewell says the facility, incarcerated persons and the chain of command thank her and her family for their support, guidance and leadership over the past three decades.
December 13, 2023 2:19 am
Washington County Republican Controller April Sloane was arraigned Tuesday on charges related to the discovery of a dead dog in her home. Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh says Sloane faces charges of aggravated cruelty to animals causing serious bodily injury or death; aggravated cruelty to animals – torture and neglect of animals. Walsh says these are felony three charges and are very serious. He called the events they stemmed from, “horrific.” North Strabane Township Police executed a search warrant last week at Sloane’s home in Canonsburg after a police officer with the Washington Area Humane Society contacted police, saying they had 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 on Meadowbrook Drive, 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 the home. According to the Humane Society, Sloane adopted Thor in April of 2021. Sloane was released on a 150-thousand-dollar bond, ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation and to not harbor any animals of any kind until sentencing. A preliminary hearing has been set for December 19th.
