Police Arrest 150 As Unrest Spreads In France

June 29, 2023 5:20 am

NANTERRE, France (AP) — Protesters angry after police shot a 17-year-old boy dead set cars and buildings ablaze in Paris suburbs. Unrest spread to some other French cities and towns Wednesday night and Thursday morning, despite increased security efforts and the president’s calls for calm. The killing Tuesday of 17-year-old Nahel during a traffic check was captured on video and shocked the country. It also stirred up long-simmering tensions between police and young people in housing projects and other disadvantaged neighborhoods around France. A second night of violence erupted in the Paris suburb of Nanterre and nearby towns, and police reported 150 arrests.

28 Injured In Fayette County Bus Crash

June 29, 2023 5:12 am

Almost 30 people, most of whom are juveniles, were taken to local hospitals after a crash involving a camp bus in Fayette County. The crash happened just after 8 a.m. at the intersection of Pine Slopes Road and Indian Creek Valley Road in Saltlick Township. A “multi-function” school bus drove off the side of the road, crashed into a wooden fence, and came to rest in a field, according to state police. They say the bus was carrying kids and adults with the Christian Camps of Pittsburgh. 28 people were taken to nearby hospitals. 25 of them are minors. The bus just barely missed a utility pole when it crashed into the fence and field. Troopers say it could have been worse. Troopers said the investigation will look at the bus for any mechanical issues that may have caused the crash. The driver is being tested for drugs and alcohol, which they say is standard procedure for a bus crash.

Ukraine Aims To Wear Down ‘Distracted’ Russian Army

June 29, 2023 5:11 am

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian forces are attempting to wear down the Russian army and reshape battle lines to create more favorable conditions for a decisive, eastward counteroffensive. Ukraine’s troops were given a boost of morale last week by an armed rebellion in Russia that posed the most significant threat to President Vladimir Putin’s power in more than two decades. Yet how the revolt by Wagner Group mercenaries under the command of Russian warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin affects the trajectory of the war remains to be seen. Ukraine has not yet fully committed elite units and Western-trained brigades, signaling to experts and allies that the counteroffensive remains in its early stages.

Testimony; Synagogue Killer Has History Of Mental Illness

June 29, 2023 5:09 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A neurologist says a gunman who massacred 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue has schizophrenia and epilepsy. Dr. Siddhartha Nadkarni testified Wednesday as a defense expert at Robert Bowers’ federal death penalty trial. Bowers has already been convicted in the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. Jurors must now decide whether Bowers should be sentenced to death or to life in prison without parole. The defense is trying to show the gunman’s ability to form intent to kill was impaired by mental illness. Prosecutors say Bowers was motivated to kill by his hatred of Jewish people.

600 Arrested, 200 Police Officers Hurt In France Protests

June 29, 2023 5:07 am

NANTERRE, France (AP) — French protesters erected barricades, lit fires and clashed with police in the streets of some French cities as tensions mounted over the deadly police shooting of a 17-year-old. The fiery protests that continued for a third consecutive night. Tens of thousands of police officers have been deployed to quell the unrest. Police said more than 400 people were arrested overnight around the country and 200 police officers were injured. The teen who is only being identified by his first name, Nahel, was shot and killed by police in the Paris suburb of Nanterre on Wednesday. The officer accused of killing him faces a preliminary charge of voluntary homicide.

Ohio Men Held For Court For 8th Ward Playground Shooting

June 29, 2023 5:05 am

20-year old Tyler Shrieve and 18-year-old T’Kai Jett have been held for court on multiple charges. The Ohio men attended their preliminary hearing where charges were added to their original list. The men’s charges include possessing firearms without a license, possession of narcotics, and receiving stolen property. The stolen property charge was added after officials confirmed that one of the firearms they had was stolen. Shrieve and Jett were reportedly involved in a shooting that occurred at the 8th Ward Playground in Washington back in May. Police were dispatched to the area following reports of shots being fired. Officers were then able to locate the men in their vehicle after a tip to 911 dispatchers. Shrieve and Jett’s arraignment is scheduled for July 27.

Code Orange Air Quality Alert For Friday

June 29, 2023 5:04 am

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for Fine Particulates, until midnight tonight. A code ORANGE air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, the elderly, and people suffering from asthma, heart disease, or other lung diseases. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding outdoor exercise or strenuous activity. For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles, visit http://www.airnow.gov and https://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/AQPartnersWeb/

Code Red Air Quality Alert Remains In Effect

June 29, 2023 1:24 am

PITTSBURGH — Outdoor activities are not recommended as smoke from Canadian wildfires bring unhealthy air quality conditions to the region. A Code Red Air Quality alert has been issued and the smoke may irritate your eyes, nose, throat and lungs making it harder to breathe. If you can, try to limit strenuous activities and time outdoors. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection said that unhealthy levels of air quality will continue Thursday and at least early Friday before unsettled weather returns to help at least temporarily improve conditions through the weekend. The unhealthy air has again led officials to close the Washington Park pool for a second day in a row.

Twenty-Eight Injured In Camp Bus Crash In Fayette County

June 28, 2023 12:41 pm

(WPXI) – More than 20 people were taken to local hospitals after a crash involving a camp bus in Fayette County. The crash happened just after 8 a.m. at the intersection of Pine Slopes Road and Indian Creek Valley Road in Saltlick Township. A 911 dispatcher told Channel 11 the bus went through a fence and into a field. Twenty-eight people of the forty-nine on the bus were taken to hospitals. All but three of them were children.  Authorities say most of the injuries were bumps and bruises.  State police in Uniontown are investigating.

Pennsylvania Case Workers Facing Felony Charges

June 28, 2023 12:29 pm

(AP) – A Pennsylvania prosecutor says caseworkers at a child welfare agency failed to protect children from horrific abuse and neglect, allowing them to languish for years in homes overtaken by animal waste and garbage. District Attorney Mark Powell announced felony charges Tuesday against five people at Lackawanna County’s Office of Youth and Family Services in Scranton. Powell says the caseworkers knew that children were living in dangerous, deplorable conditions, but “instead of coming to the rescue, they chose to walk away.” The arrests came days after state authorities downgraded the county agency’s license.