January 6, 2024 5:05 am
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia has fired dozens of rockets at northern Israel. It warned that Saturday’s barrage was its initial response to the targeted killing of a top leader from the allied Hamas group in Lebanon’s capital earlier this week. The killing of Hamas’ deputy political leader Saleh Arouri was widely blamed on Israel and the Hezbollah leader said his group must retaliate. Israel says its military struck the Hezbollah cell that fired the rockets. The cross-border escalation comes as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken starts his fourth Mideast trip in three months in hopes of preventing the Israel-Hamas war from turning into a regional confrontation.
January 6, 2024 5:04 am
BLUE BELL, Pa. (AP) — For his first campaign speech of the year, President Joe Biden has warned that Donald Trump’s efforts to retake the White House in 2024 pose a grave threat to the country. Biden’s speech, near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, came the day before the third anniversary of the violent riot at the U.S. Capitol by then-President Trump’s supporters aiming to keep him in power. Biden called that Jan. 6 day a moment when “we nearly lost America — lost it all.” He said the presidential race — a likely rematch with Trump, who is the far and away GOP frontrunner — is “all about” whether American democracy will survive.
January 6, 2024 5:01 am
More than 6 million people receive benefits through the nation’s food assistance program for women, infants and children, which is known as WIC. But it’s not always easy to get what you might need. Unlike food stamps, the fresh produce, baby formula and other nutritious items that are WIC-approved can’t be bought online just yet. Complex requirements make it tough for smaller stores and sometimes big-name stores to participate. Some states are working to expand access after vendors left due to changes in the WIC program or pandemic-related store closures.
January 6, 2024 4:59 am
A reporter who was fired for his standup comedy has been reinstated to his job at a Philadelphia-based public radio station through an arbitrator. Jad Sleiman is to be fully reinstated to his position at WHYY, a a Philadelphia-based NPR station, after an arbitrator determined that, while the bits posted to social media could be interpreted as “inflammatory,” the organization “rushed to judgment” in its decision to terminate him.
January 6, 2024 4:57 am
STOWE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI) – Stowe Township police are searching for a missing 17-year-old girl who has Down syndrome. Kayla Durler, 17, of West Mifflin, was dropped off at Sto-Rox High School around 7 a.m. Friday. School was closed Friday, but Durler was dropped off due to a miscommunication, police said Durler has not been seen since 7 a.m. She was last seen wearing a green coat and maroon pants. Allegheny County police shared a surveillance photo believed to be Durler. The photo was taken at 10:15 a.m. on Stanwix Street in downtown Pittsburgh. In the photo, she is wearing a black cap and purple backpack. Detectives believe she got off a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus at that location. State police said Durler was seen in Market Square at 10 a.m. Friday. Sto-Rox School District said they’re working with police to help find Durler.
January 6, 2024 4:53 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – The first shoveling snow of the New Year is set to move this weekend, leaving as much as 3 to 5 inches of snow on the ground by Sunday. The higher snowfall totals are expected east of Pittsburgh, but area roads could be slushy and snow-covered Saturday afternoon and evening making travel difficult. The latest timing brings a round of light snow into Pittsburgh by mid-morning with light freezing drizzle also possible. Untreated surfaces could be icy so be careful as you head out. Steadier snow will develop for all areas by noon and there could be some moderate bursts of snow at times, especially north and east of Pittsburgh. Snow will taper to snow showers before sunset, but temperatures will fall below freezing so wet roads could refreeze if not treated so watch for quickly changing travel conditions. More snow showers are possible on Sunday but should not be as steady or widespread.
January 5, 2024 5:23 pm
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (AP) — For his first campaign speech of the year, President Joe Biden has warned that Donald Trump’s efforts to retake the White House in 2024 pose a grave threat to the country. Biden’s speech, near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, came the day before the third anniversary of the violent riot at the U.S. Capitol by then-President Trump’s supporters aiming to keep him in power. Biden called that Jan. 6 day a moment when “we nearly lost America — lost it all.” He said the presidential race — a likely rematch with Trump, who is the far and away GOP frontrunner — is “all about” whether American democracy will survive.
January 5, 2024 4:15 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — The longtime head of the National Rifle Association is resigning, just days before the start of a New York civil trial that’s poised to scrutinize his leadership of the powerful gun rights organization. A trial in New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against the NRA, Wayne LaPierre and others who have served as organization executives is scheduled to start on Monday. LaPierre is among the witnesses expected to testify. James, a Democrat, accuses LaPierre and other executives of illegally diverting tens of millions of dollars from the NRA and spending organization funds on personal trips, no-show contracts and other questionable expenditures. (Photo: ABC)
January 5, 2024 11:35 am
LONDON (AP) — The actor who earned fame as blond half of crime-fighting duo “Starsky and Hutch” in a popular 1970s television series, has died. David Soul was 80. His wife, Helen Snell, said Friday that Soul died on Thursday “after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family.” Soul portrayed detective Ken “Hutch” Hutchinson alongside Paul Michael Glaser as detective David Starsky in “Starsky and Hutch.” It ran on ABC between 1975 and 1979. At the height of his fame, Soul also hit the music charts with the single “Don’t Give Up on Us.” Soul had lived in Britain for many years, taking several stage roles. (Photo: AP)
January 5, 2024 5:08 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — As the Biden administration grapples with an increasingly tense and unstable situation in the Middle East, Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to the region this weekend for the fourth time in three months on a tour expected to focus largely on easing resurgent fears that the Israel-Hamas war could erupt into a broader conflict. The Biden administration had breathed a sigh of relief about the potential for a broader Mideast war in the immediate aftermath of Israel’s military response to the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel. Two-and-a-half months later, though, the chances of a regional war have increased. The State Department says Blinken will visit Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank and Egypt.
