May 3, 2023 4:13 am
Test scores in history and civics have declined slightly for eighth grade students in the U.S., according to results that show an increasing number of children lack a basic understanding of either subject. The scores were released Wednesday by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. That same assessment reported in October that every single state had seen a decline in math or reading scores amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest scores, officials said, reflect more of the impact of the disruptions from the virus that shuttered schools across the country. Nearly one-third of eighth grade students, 31%, cannot describe the structure or function of government, according to the results.
May 3, 2023 4:12 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve reinforced its fight against high inflation by raising its key interest rate by a quarter-point to the highest level in 16 years. But the Fed also signaled that it may now pause its streak of 10 rate hikes, which have made borrowing for consumers and businesses steadily more expensive. In a statement after its latest policy meeting, the Fed removed a sentence from its previous statement that had said “some additional” rate hikes might be needed. It replaced it with language that said it will weigh a range of factors in “determining the extent” to which future hikes might be needed.
May 3, 2023 4:11 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — It looks likely to be a long grind for Hollywood writers who have gone on strike to preserve pay and hang on to job security. Members of the Writers Guild of America picketed in Los Angeles and New York on Tuesday, a day after their contract expired. The first Hollywood strike in 15 years, brought on by the economic pressures of the streaming era, has already led to most late-night shows going into reruns. Some scripted productions have also pushed pause, and many more could follow if it gets stretched out. With no talks at the moment and none pending, a solution does not appear near.
May 3, 2023 4:11 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. and Mexican officials on Tuesday agreed on new immigration policies meant to deter illegal border crossings while also opening up other pathways ahead of an expected increase in migrants following the end of pandemic restrictions. Mexico — despite sharing a 1,951-mile border with the U.S. — had been notably absent from the rollout last week of a fresh set of border control efforts, including the creation of hubs outside the United States where migrants could go to apply to legally settle in the U.S., Spain or Canada. The first centers will open in Guatemala and Colombia.
May 3, 2023 4:09 am
CLEVELAND, Texas (AP) — Authorities near Houston say they have caught a man suspected of killing five of his neighbors with an AR-style rifle. San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said Tuesday that 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza was arrested in connection with the shooting in the town of Cleveland. He said Oropeza was found hiding in the closet of a home, under a pile of laundry, after investigators acted on a tip. Authorities say the shooting began late Friday after the neighbors had confronted Oropeza about firing a gun in his yard late at night. One of the victims was 9 years old.
May 3, 2023 4:06 am
CONNELLSVILLE, Pa. — (WPXI) – Pennsylvania State Police are investigating after a woman was shot in Connellsville. According to state police, the initial call was for an alleged assault at a house on East Crawford Street. When police arrived at the scene, they found a woman who had been shot in the leg. The victim’s injuries are non-life threatening, state police said. Police at the scene took two people who were also inside of the house in for questioning. Police said they’re unsure of the relationship between the people involved and don’t know what prompted the shooting.
May 3, 2023 4:04 am
HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI) – After a report was issued on Tuesday notifying the public about a missing young woman, Pennsylvania State Police have confirmed the entire situation was a hoax. According to initial reports, Chloe Stein, 23, was last seen leaving Sonic in Hempfield Township at 10:30 p.m. on Monday night. She allegedly texted her boyfriend shortly after saying she had been pulled over. Stein was driving a Volkswagen Beetle. The car was found abandoned on Tuesday along Radebaugh Road. Tuesday night, Pennsylvania State Police gave an update that Stein has been located safely. They later confirmed the situation was a hoax. Police said Stein sent the text to her boyfriend, but that she was not pulled over. A tip from Penn State helped police solve the case. They mentioned Stein had not been attending classes for nearly a year. Previous information indicated Stein was a senior in college who was about to graduate. Stein allegedly ditched her car after driving a short distance following her shift at Sonic. She then made her way to Jeannette and stayed at the home of an acquaintance for about 21 hours. Police said they spent tens of thousands of dollars in resources Tuesday, including sending a chopper into the air on a bad weather day, which is something they would not have done if they didn’t believe she was in danger. She is now facing a list of charges for the incident: false alarm to agency of public safety, false reports, obstruction of administration of law and other governmental functions, disorderly conduct.
May 3, 2023 2:42 am
A former Washington County man now living in West Virginia pleaded guilty to an attempted flight charge on Tuesday. Leonard Weiser, 31 also pleaded guilty to a general impairment DUI charge. Back in December, according to City of Washington Police, they were called to a home on Burton Avenue about a man threatening to shoot up a house. Upon police arrival Weiser took off in his car, crashed it and then fled on foot before police arrested him. Weiser’s sentence on the attempt to elude an officer charge will have him spend the next three years on probation with the first three months on electronic home monitoring. He will serve a concurrent six months of probation on the DUI charge. Weiser will also pay $357 in restitution.
May 3, 2023 2:36 am
A Philadelphia area woman facing burglary, assault and reckless endangerment charges had her case dismissed on Tuesday. Shandrea Anderson, 44 is accused of participating in an assault of Zach Lloyd’s girlfriend in the 300 block of Valley View Terrace in March of 2022. She was accompanied by her daughter Nicole Anderson and the mother of her Lloyd’s children Dina Nicoleau. The criminal complaint states that Shandrea Anderson and another man held Lloyd down while Nicoleau and Nicole Anderson assaulted Lloyd’s girlfriend. The victim did not show up for the hearing. The arresting officer indicated that he had not had contact with the victim since July. The public defender requested a dismissal due to travel constraints of Anderson being from Philadelphia and the lack of contact with the victim. Co-defendants Nicole Anderson and Dinah Nicoleau still have warrants out for their arrest. The judge agreed. Should the co-defendants be located the district attorney could refile charges.
May 3, 2023 2:26 am
(WPXI) – Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey has named Larry Scirotto, a former Pittsburgh police officer, as his choice for the next chief of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Scirotto became the frontrunner after Gainey’s first choice, former Bosie, Idaho, police chief Ryan Lee unraveled when his controversial past — including that he was forced to resign from the job in Boise after an allegation that he injured an officer during a tactical restraint demonstration — came to light. Three separate panels made up of community members, police union members, and members of the mayor’s staff were assembled to privately interview Gainey’s finalists. Scirotto rose to the rank of assistant chief in Pittsburgh and then retired in 2018 and moved away from the city. He is also an NCAA Division 1 college basketball referee. Scirotto’s appointment will be voted on by city council. Scirotto is a native of Monessen.
