April 26, 2023 3:59 pm
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Disney is suing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over the Republican’s takeover of its theme park district, alleging Wednesday that the governor waged a “targeted campaign of government retaliation” after the company opposed a law critics call “Don’t Say Gay.” The suit was filed minutes after a Disney World oversight board appointed by DeSantis voted to void a deal that placed theme park design and construction decisions in the company’s hands. The DeSantis board said Disney’s move to retain control over their property was effectively unlawful and performed without proper public notice.
April 26, 2023 3:56 pm
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democrats advanced gun-control bills in the Pennsylvania state House of Representatives, after years of a virtual standstill on legislation amid a politically divided government. The bills passed through committee on party lines on Wednesday, and they could come before the floor as early as next week. Democrats tout the bills as relatively moderate gun-control bills and an effort to reduce gun violence, trafficking, suicides and accidents. Republicans, who voted jointly against the measures, have concerns about who the bills ultimately impact.
April 26, 2023 12:17 pm
A section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike has been blocked after an emergency road closure. The interstate is closed from Exit 75 (New Stanton) to Exit 161 (Breezewood) going eastbound. According to the Pennsylvania Turnpike traffic alerts page, the closure comes due to an incident in a construction zone from a blasting at mile 126. The Pennsylvania Turnpike said the blasting left debris all over the highway, causing it to be shut down in an abundance of caution so crews can clean up the road. Traffic will be able to enter at Exit 146 (Bedford) and travel east during the closure. The Youngwood Volunteer Fire Department said on Facebook that this incident is expected to last two hours, but the Pennsylvania Turnpike said there’s no ETA on when the interstate will reopen.
April 26, 2023 4:28 am
WASHINGTON D.C. — The clock is ticking for Congress to address the looming debt ceiling to avoid a default, which economists warn would lead to an economic disaster. The House could vote as soon as tomorrow on a GOP-backed proposal to raise the debt ceiling and implement spending cuts. The White House has said President Joe Biden will not sign a debt ceiling proposal attached to spending cuts. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is pushing the measure dubbed the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023, which includes spending cuts despite opposition from Democrats and the White House. The bill would repeal some green energy tax credits and rescind unused COVID-19 relief funds. It would also prevent student debt cancelation and expand work requirements for Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Temporary Cash Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). On Tuesday, Democrats on the House floor slammed McCarthy’s proposal, arguing it will take away food assistance for people in need. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre released a statement saying McCarthy’s bill would “cut the American economy off at the knees.” “The way to have a real negotiation on the budget is for House Republicans to take threats of default when it comes to the economy and what it could potentially do to the economy off the table,” said Jean-Pierre.
April 26, 2023 4:24 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Barbie has introduced its first doll representing a person with Down syndrome. Mattel worked with the National Down Syndrome Society to create the Barbie, which is part of the toy company’s 2023 Fashionistas line aimed at increasing diversity and inclusion. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 6,000 babies are born in the U.S. each year with Down syndrome.
April 26, 2023 4:20 am
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana Republican leaders will vote on censuring or expelling a transgender state lawmaker who has been silenced in the House for comments against a bill to ban gender-affirming medical care for children. On Tuesday night, Democratic, Rep. Zooey Zephyr tweeted a letter she received from House leaders informing her of the plan to consider disciplinary action against against her on Wednesday. She says she will be given a chance to speak. A protest against Zephyr being silenced disrupted the House floor session on Monday and she stood defiantly on the floor with her microphone raised. The House won’t be disrupted on Wednesday because the gallery will be closed.
April 26, 2023 4:17 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say the Taliban have killed the Islamic State group militant who spearheaded the suicide bombing at the Kabul airport that left 13 U.S. service members and about 170 Afghans dead during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. Initially, neither the U.S. — nor apparently the Taliban — were aware that the mastermind was dead. Officials say he was killed during a series of battles early this month in southern Afghanistan between the Taliban and the Islamic State group’s affiliate. But in the past few days, U.S. intelligence confirmed “with high confidence” that the Islamic State leader had been killed.
April 26, 2023 4:14 am
WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — (WPXI) – An arrest warrant has been issued for the person suspected of stealing $9,500 from a man at a Westmoreland County casino. According to Pennsylvania State Police, the theft happened early in the morning on Monday, April 17 at a casino in Hempfield Township. When police responded, the victim said he sat his funds on the counter of a machine and walked away. When the man came back, his money was gone. Surveillance video showed the suspect taking the money from the machine and leaving the casino. Police said the casino was able to provide identification for the suspect. A warrant has been issued for their arrest. Police did not identify the suspect.
April 26, 2023 4:11 am
UPPER ST. CLAIR, Pa. — (WPXI) – The Upper St. Clair School District is planning to push school start times back starting in the 2023-24 school year. The motivation stems from research that shows students, specifically in high school, do better with later start times. The start time will be pushed back thirty minutes. High school students will now start at 8 a.m., elementary students at 8:35 a.m. and middle school students at 8:55 a.m. The plans were laid out in detail during the school districts meeting Monday night. Tuesday, parents across the district found out about the planned change when the superintendent sent out an email. The district has asked parents for input via an online form. The final recommendation for the change to school start times will be presented for approval at the May school board meeting.
April 26, 2023 4:07 am
A Canton Township man pleaded guilty on Tuesday to misdemeanor charges surrounding a scene where he was found to be firing a rifle. Richard Bedillion, 49 was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to simple assault and reckless endangerment charges. Back in December, Bedillion’s girlfriend called county 9-1-1 to report that Bedillion was armed with an AR-style rifle and was threatening her son. Pennsylvania State Police arrived and heard gunshots and found Bedillion in his back yard with the AR-style rifle pointed to the sky. Bedillion agreed to two probation terms and will spend the next four years on probation.
