Violent Memorial Day Weekend In Pittsburgh

May 30, 2023 5:15 am

PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – A violent holiday weekend across the city left four people hurt in three separate shootings, including three children under the age of 18. In a span of 24 hours over the Memorial Day weekend, Pittsburgh Police responded to a double shooting and two other shootings that sent all the victims to the hospital. A gunfight in the city’s Hill District early Monday morning left a woman caught in the crossfire. Gunfire erupted around 2 a.m. on Bedford Avenue. Police said the woman’s head was grazed by a bullet after a fight broke out between two men that ended with the men shooting at each other. The woman is expected to make a full recovery. A few hours before that gunfight, detectives and a police K9 were investigating a double shooting in the city’s Homewood North neighborhood. Police said two boys were hurt on Nolan Court and were rushed to Children’s Hospital. They’re also expected to fully recover. Sunday afternoon, a teen was wounded in the city’s Lincoln-Lemington neighborhood. The 16-year-old boy is recovering after he was shot in the leg at Larimer Avenue and Deary Street.

Apparent Domestic Dispute Leads To Death Of Couple

May 30, 2023 5:12 am

MUDDY CREEK TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI) – State police have identified the woman and man found shot to death at a park-and-ride in Muddy Creek Township Monday. Twenty-eight-year-old Jenna Christine Smith and thirty-one-year-old Jacob Christian Smith of Pulanski, were found around 5:30 p.m. along Perry Highway. State Police say they found the body of Jenna Smith beside a vehicle, while Jacob Smith was found in the passenger side of the vehicle. Investigators have determined the couple, who was married, exchanged gunfire in the vehicle after an altercation – and this was an isolated incident with no public safety concern.

Trial For Pittsburgh Synagogue Mass Shooter Underway

May 30, 2023 5:08 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Prosecutors are describing how a heavily armed suspect barged into a Pittsburgh synagogue and shot every worshipper he could find in the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. The suspect in the 2018 synagogue massacre went on trial Tuesday, more than four years after the attack that killed 11 worshippers from three congregations who were meeting at the Tree of Life synagogue. Robert Bowers could face the death penalty if he is convicted of some of the 63 counts he faces. The trial follows a month-long jury selection process. Twelve jurors and six alternates will hear the case.

George Maharis, star of TV’s ‘Route 66’ Dies At 94

May 29, 2023 4:51 am

LOS ANGELES (AP) — George Maharis, the handsome actor who became an icon to American youth on the hit 1960s TV series “Route 66,” has died at age 94. Maharis’ friend Marc Bahan says he died Wednesday at his home in Beverly Hills, California, after contracting hepatitis. Maharis and his co-star Martin Milner cruised the country in a corvette convertible, having adventures shot on location for the CBS series. Maharis, like his character Buz Murdock, was raised in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen. He studied at the Actors Studio, and strong reviews in stage plays led to his landing the TV role. (Photo: AP)

Russian Air Campaign Terrorizes Citizens In Ukraine

May 29, 2023 4:47 am

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s capital is sleepless as a new Russian air campaign terrorizes citizens in Kyiv. A pharmacist says “what is there to say? Everyone is exhausted.” Russian air attacks have escalated to near-nightly raids over the last month. Many people are complaining about sleeplessness. The war-defying bustle of Kyiv’s cafes, restaurants and salons goes on despite the ongoing war. But everyone has a story about how tired they feel.

Fight Still Ahead For Texas’ Ken Paxton After Impeachment

May 29, 2023 4:46 am

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The historic impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is plunging Republicans into a bruising fight over whether to banish one of their own in America’s biggest red state. Paxton was impeached this weekend by the state’s GOP-controlled House of Representatives after years of scandal and accused crimes. Paxton says he has “full confidence” as he now awaits trial in the state Senate. His conservative allies in the Senate include his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, who has not said whether she will recuse herself from the proceedings.

Suspect Arrested In 5 Separate Phoenix Shootings

May 29, 2023 4:45 am

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Authorities say a suspect has been arrested in connection with five separate shootings in the Phoenix metro area that left four people dead and a woman wounded. Mesa police say 20-year-old Iren Byers was taken into custody Sunday on suspicion of four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder. They say a motive for the shootings wasn’t immediately clear, but Byers took responsibility for the shootings and told officers where they could find the clothes and gun used in the crimes. Police say video surveillance footage showed the suspect wearing the clothing reported by witnesses at multiple shooting scenes.

Biden, McCarthy Reach Final Deal To Avoid U.S. Default

May 29, 2023 4:43 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — The debt ceiling deal has come with just days to spare before a potential first-ever government default. On Sunday, President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached a final agreement and they are urging Congress to quickly pass it. Biden pronounced the development “good news” in remarks at the White House announcing the agreement. This followed a tentative compromise announced late Saturday. The deal risks angering some Democratic and Republican lawmakers as they begin to unpack the concessions, which include spending cuts. McCarthy and Biden spoke Sunday evening as negotiators drafted legislative text. They face a June 5 deadline when Treasury says the U.S. would risk a debt default.

One Injured After ATV Accident

May 29, 2023 4:39 am

NORTH BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Emergency personnel responded to an ATV accident with injuries in North Bethlehem Township Sunday night. Richeyville and Cokeburg Fire crews worked with Ambulance and Chair EMS along Station Road at around 10:30 p.m. Reports say the patient lost consciousness but eventually regained it. A medical helicopter was requested initially, but was canceled. No other injuries were reported.

Missing Man’s Body Found In Greene County

May 29, 2023 4:22 am

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WPXI) — A man who went missing while kayaking in Greene County was found dead in Wisecarver Run Reservoir Sunday morning, Pennsylvania State Police said. Shane Phillips, 65, from Sycamore, was reported missing just after 11 p.m. on Thursday, May 18. The fisherman was officially reported missing after his wife became alarmed when nighttime fell and he still was not home. She went to the reservoir and found his red F-150 parked at the landing, but Phillips was nowhere to be found. His family said his yellow kayak was found in the water. All of Phillips’ belongings were intact, including his wallet. State police said Phillips was found in the water. They were able to match and identify him after he was removed. The investigation is still ongoing as the cause and manner of Phillips’ death is still pending. (Photo: WPXI)