May 14, 2023 8:04 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Three weeks since launching his reelection campaign, President Joe Biden is confronting a sweeping set of problems in his day job that defy easy solutions and are not entirely within his control. If, as his advisers believe, the single best thing Biden can do for his reelection prospects is to govern well, then the coming weeks can pose a near-existential test of his path to a second term. He’s facing a showdown with Congress over the debt limit, chaos at the border as pandemic restrictions ease, and a pivotal foreign trip meant to sustain support for Ukraine and contain a more assertive China in the Indo-Pacific.
May 14, 2023 8:03 am
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is seeking to weaken former President Donald Trump’s grip on the Republican Party as he courts voters in battleground Iowa. Both prospects for the GOP presidential nomination were to hold events in the state Saturday, but a tornado warning prompted Trump to cancel his. DeSantis is expected to announce his 2024 presidential campaign any day. He briefly flipped burgers and pork chops at a picnic fundraiser in Sioux Center that drew hundreds of conservatives. At the podium, DeSantis highlighted his willingness to embrace conservative cultural fights and sprinkled his remarks with indirect jabs at Trump.
May 14, 2023 8:02 am
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — A fragile cease-fire between Israeli forces and militants in the Gaza Strip appears to be holding after a five-day clash that killed 33 Palestinians and two people in Israel. As the truce took hold Sunday, in Gaza, residents surveyed the latest damage caused to their surroundings, with gaping holes left in the apartments serving as hideouts for the six senior Islamic Jihad members killed during this round. Israel lifted most restrictions on residents in southern Israel which had borne the brunt of the rocket fire. The fighting was the latest in a long series of battles between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza since the Islamic militant group Hamas seized control of the seaside territory in 2007.
May 14, 2023 8:01 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Thanks to recent advances in artificial intelligence, tools that can create lifelike photos, video and audio are now cheap and readily available. AI experts and political scientists say these new programs will have significant implications for next year’s U.S. elections, as campaigns will be able to create targeted emails, texts and videos quickly and effectively. But these tools could also be used to mislead voters, impersonate candidates and undermine trust in elections. When combined with the powerful algorithms of social media, political misinformation generated using AI has the potential to spread farther and faster than ever before.
May 14, 2023 4:42 am
WASHINGTON, Pa. — One person was injured following a motorcycle accident in the City of Washington Friday night. According to reports, a man crashed into a building along the 500 block of Jefferson Avenue just before 9:00 p.m. Reports on scene say the victim was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident and he was taken to an area hospital for his injuries. There is no word on his condition or identity at this time. No other vehicles were reportedly involved in this incident.
May 14, 2023 4:33 am
MT. PLEASANT TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Officials responded to an incident involving a deceased bald eagle in Mt. Pleasant Township late this week. Police say the eagle death occurred in the area of Waterdam Road near Beachnut Road. Specific details regarding the situation were not released, but authorities are asking for the public’s help to identify the owner and operator of a car that was allegedly involved. If you have any information relating to the vehicle pictured or this incident in that area that occurred around 12:30 pm Friday please call 1-833-PGC-HUNT. You can remain anonymous. Police say if you live on Waterdam Road, Wabash Avenue, Main Street, or Millers Run Road and have security cameras please check them for this vehicle. If you have footage please contact the department or the above listed number. The Pennsylvania Game Commission continues to investigate the situation. (Photo: Mt. Pleasant Township Police Facebook Page)
May 14, 2023 4:03 am
Democrats and Republicans head to the polls Tuesday for Pennsylvania’s primary election. Although it’s considered an “off year,” many races will determine who will run in the November general election, including state Supreme Court, Commonwealth Court and Superior Court, and local races including city councils and school board seats. Pennsylvania is a closed primary, meaning only those who are registered members of a political party may vote the ballot of that political party. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If it’s your first time voting at a new location, you must bring one of the approved forms of identification. WJPA will have complete election results coverage beginning at 8 p.m.
May 14, 2023 2:21 am
ELRAMA, Pa. – When the old Duquesne Light Elrama Power Station was partially imploded last November, Elrama Volunteer Fire Chief Lenny Bailey said local first responders had no idea it was going to happen. “Pretty much whoever, the property owner, the demolition crew, they could’ve posted signs,” Bailey said. “That was totally on them.” This time, they were told well in advance. The implosion, or at least – part of the implosion – took place at 9:30 Friday morning. However, a second implosion took place Friday evening, after a section failed to come down during the morning event. Our news partners at Channel-11 spoke with Brian Baumann, the President of B&B Wrecking, the company handling the implosion of the former plant. He said they wanted to make sure the communication with local departments this time around was clear.” This time around, I contacted the fire and the police to make sure there was not a lack of communication if you will. Baumann said they also had crews remove all of the asbestos from the building so it was not released into the air. How long that dust lasts in the air, Baumann said, is really all dependent on the wind.
May 14, 2023 2:00 am
CHARLEROI, Pa. — Multiple fire departments were called to a structure fire in Charleroi Saturday morning. Fire officials say the blaze broke out just after 6:00 a.m. at the intersection of 6th Street and Fallowfield Avenue. The fire was reportedly handled quickly, as Charleroi Fire crews were joined by Fallowfield, Stockdale, Monessen, Bentleyville and North Belle Vernon on scene. Charleroi Regional Police and Rostraver West Newton Emergency Services were also a part of the response. Officials say they were working the call for just over an hour. (Photo: Bentleyville Fire-Rescue Facebook Page)
May 13, 2023 4:53 am
NIIGATA, Japan (AP) — The Group of Seven’s top financial leaders have united in their support for Ukraine and determination to enforce sanctions against Russia for its aggression. The finance ministers and central bank chiefs ended three days of talks in Niigata, Japan, with a pledge to bring inflation under control while aiding those suffering the most from surging prices. They also committed to working together to build more stable, diversified supply chains for developing clean energy sources and to “enhance economic resilience globally against various shocks.” But they avoided any mention of China or of “economic coercion.” The talks in this port city were in preparation for a summit of G-7 leaders in Hiroshima next week.
