Migrants Rush To Border As Restrictions About To End

May 11, 2023 4:14 am

MATAMOROS, Mexico (AP) — Migrants are rushing across the border hours before pandemic-related asylum restrictions are to expire, fearing that policies will make it far more difficult to gain entry into the United States. In a move to clear out overwhelmed holding facilities, a U.S. official says Border Patrol agents were told Wednesday to begin releasing some migrants with instructions to appear at an immigration office in the United States within 60 days. The Biden administration has been unveiling measures to replace Title 42, which suspended rights to seek asylum since March 2020 on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Israel Kills Another Militant Commander In Gaza

May 11, 2023 4:10 am

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip have killed a fourth militant commander, raising the death toll from the latest burst of fighting to 25. Israel was bracing for more rocket fire on Thursday amid reports of faltering Egyptian attempts to broker a cease-fire. It has been the worst bout of fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza in months and among the dead were also women and children. It has also pushed the region closer toward a full-blown war. The conflagration comes at a time of soaring tensions and spiking violence over the past year in the West Bank.

Senate Panel OKs Rail-Safety Bill

May 11, 2023 4:05 am

A Senate panel has approved a rail-safety measure in response to the train derailment earlier this year in East Palestine, Ohio. The Senate Commerce Committee voted to send the bill to the full Senate. The vote was mostly along party lines, with only two Republicans favoring it, which raises questions about whether the bill will ever get to President Joe Biden’s desk. Some Republicans complain that the measure could restrict shipments of coal and oil. The vote came after the CEO of Norfolk Southern railroad promised to compensate East Palestine residents whose homes have declined in value since the derailment in February.

Man Arrested After Alleged Threat On Pittsburgh Flight

May 11, 2023 4:03 am

PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – A man who allegedly made a threat to agents at Pittsburgh International Airport after missing the boarding time for his flight has been arrested. According to a spokesperson for the airport, police responded to a call about a perceived threat to a flight just after 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. The man, who Allegheny County police have identified as Hossein Dehnavifard, was late and missed boarding his flight to Philadelphia. He allegedly made a threat against the aircraft. Gate agents reported the threat to police. Over 100 passengers who were already on board were taken off the plane for law enforcement to investigate. A full search was conducted, and no threat was found, including in Dehnavifard’s luggage. Dehnavifard is charged with terroristic threats and threat to use weapons of mass destruction. TSA may also impose a civil penalty.

Norfolk Southern Train Derails In New Castle

May 11, 2023 3:59 am

NEW CASTLE, Pa. – A Norfolk Southern train has derailed in western Pennsylvania. It happened near Montgomery Avenue in New Castle, Lawrence County.  Lawrence County Dept of Public Safety says most first responders are now clearing the scene and that the only “hazardous material” car that derailed is carrying paraffin wax. Contractors will either remove the rail cars or get them back on track, but the process could take hours. Norfolk Southern issued the following statement:
“At 11:57 p.m. Wednesday evening, nine cars derailed outside of New Castle, PA. There were no hazardous materials involved, and no injuries have been reported. Our crews responded immediately and are actively working at the site.”
The company has come under fire recently after a massive train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, in which toxic chemicals were released. In March, another Norfolk Southern train derailed in Springfield, Ohio.

WVU Coach Bob Huggins Gets Suspension & Pay Cut

May 10, 2023 1:32 pm

(AP) – Bob Huggins has agreed to a three-game suspension and a $1 million pay cut after he used a homophobic slur during a radio show. The agreement allows Huggins to keep his job as the school’s basketball coach, but the blunder will leave a lasting mark on his Hall of Fame career. During a call to a Cincinnati radio station Monday, Huggins was asked whether he had a chance of landing an Xavier player from the transfer portal. Huggins then made offensive comments about Xavier fans. He later apologized. Huggins will also be required to meet with LGBTQ+ leaders as part of the agreement.  (Photo:  AP)

Five Hurt In Pittsburgh Regional Transit Bus/Car Crash

May 10, 2023 11:48 am

(WPXI) – At least five people were injured in a head-on collision between a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus and a vehicle this morning. The crash happened in the area of Cedar Avenue and Suismon Street around 10 a.m. A PRT spokesman said a car crossed the center line and struck the bus head-on. The driver of the car was unconscious but breathing, according to the spokesman. The bus driver and three passengers were taken to a hospital for non-serious injuries, the PRT spokesman said.

U.S Rep. George Santos Pleads Not Guilty

May 10, 2023 9:28 am

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — U.S. Rep. George Santos pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges alleging a financial fraud at the heart of a political campaign built on dubious boasts about his personal wealth and business success. Santos, the New York Republican whose biography began to unravel after his election last fall, is accused of duping donors, stealing campaign funds, lying to Congress and cheating to collect unemployment benefits he didn’t deserve. Santos, 34, was expected to be released on a $500,000 bond following his arraignment at a Long Island federal courthouse, about five hours after he surrendered to authorities. Santos told reporters he would not resign.

GOP Says Biden Family Finances A “Smoking Gun”

May 10, 2023 8:23 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans have detailed what they say are concerning new findings about President Joe Biden’s family and their finances. The GOP has been facing growing pressure to show progress in their investigations. Republicans say the smoking gun is recently obtained financial records connected to the president’s son Hunter Biden, brother James Biden and a growing number of associates who allegedly received millions of dollars in payments from foreign entities in China and Romania. Investigators have relied on more than 150 suspicious activity reports as a roadmap to follow what they call the Bidens’ complicated financial money trail. The White House on Wednesday dismissed the whole investigation as “yet another political stunt.”

Crews Repair Water Main Break In Chartiers Township

May 10, 2023 5:57 am

(WPXI ) – A water main break in Washington County flooded a home and forced a local school to close for the day. The break, along McGovern Road in Houston, occurred near Chartiers-Houston High School and Central Christian Academy. The private school had no water and held classes virtually. It was around 3 a.m. when water started bubbling on each side of the road because of an eight-inch water main break. A man who rents a house along McGovern said two feet of water flooded his basement, covering the hot water tank and some of his possessions. Pennsylvania American Water crews say they had a difficult time finding the shut-off valve, but were eventually able to access it, allowing repairs to be made and service to be restored.