September 27, 2023 5:04 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is starkly divided over very different paths to preventing a federal shutdown. The Senate is charging ahead with a bipartisan package to temporarily fund the government and bolster Ukraine aid and U.S. disaster funds. Meanwhile, the House is slogging through a longshot effort to pass various funding bills with no real chance of finishing by Saturday’s deadline. With days remaining before a federal closure, the stakes are rising. A shutdown would furlough millions of federal employees, leave the military without pay, disrupt air travel and cut off vital safety net services. The White House says it’s up to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to keep the budget deal he made with President Joe Biden.
September 27, 2023 5:02 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The strike by Hollywood screenwriters is over. Leaders of the writers union declared their nearly five-month-old strike over Tuesday after board members approved a contract agreement with studios. The governing boards of the eastern and western branches of the Writers Guild of America both voted to accept the deal, and afterward declared that the strike would be over and writers would be free to work starting at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. The vote came after numerous writers joined striking actors on picket lines. The writers deal brought renewed optimism to the pickets. There are currently no negotiations set between the actors and the alliance of studios, streaming services and producers.
September 27, 2023 5:02 am
NEW YORK (AP) — A judge has ruled that Donald Trump committed fraud for years while building the real estate empire that catapulted him to fame and the White House. Judge Arthur Engoron, ruling in a civil lawsuit brought by New York’s attorney general, found that the former president and his company deceived banks, insurers and others by massively overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing. Engoron’s ruling resolves the key claim in Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit, but six others remain. James is seeking $250 million in penalties and a ban on Trump doing business in New York, his home state.
September 27, 2023 5:00 am
DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling nearly 3.4 million vehicles in the U.S. and telling owners to park them outside due to the risk of engine compartment fires. The recalls cover multiple models from the 2010 through 2019 model years including Hyundai’s Santa Fe SUV and Kia’s Sorrento SUV. Documents posted Wednesday by U.S. safety regulators say the anti-lock brake control module can leak fluid and cause an electrical short. That can touch off a fire while the vehicles are parked or being driven. Dealers will replace the anti-lock brake fuse at no cost to owners, but owners won’t be notified by mail until November.
September 27, 2023 4:57 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Police and witnesses say groups of teenagers swarmed into stores in Philadelphia’s Central City on Tuesday night, stuffing plastic bags with merchandise and fleeing, although police made several arrests. Police say an Apple store was one of those hit, but fleeing teenagers dropped iPhones and a pile of iPads. Eyewitness video and news reports showed mobs of masked youngster in hoodies at that store, Lululemon and Foot Locker, where a guard reportedly was assaulted. Police say some arrests were made. No injuries were immediately reported.
September 27, 2023 4:55 am
Township Supervisors in North Strabane township had seven different development applications and plans up for approval Tuesday night. Two of them took time to work through. The Brownlee Farms conditional use application was narrowly approved 3-2 after lengthy discussion over structures and other improvements being prohibited in a green space area. A preliminary and final simple subdivision application in the Laurel Landings development was tabled due to questions of lot size of one lot in the proposed subdivision. Supervisors did approve two stop signs in the Greenwood Village development. One sign will be at the 90 degree bend on Greenwood Drive and the other at the intersection of Greenwood Drive and Victoria Court. Supervisors also scheduled Halloween for October 31 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.
September 27, 2023 4:54 am
North Franklin Township Supervisors held a special meeting Tuesday to appoint an interim supervisor. The appointment was necessary due to the untimely death of 42 year old Josh Polan on September 6. Supervisors appointed Ben Johnson to serve until January 1, 2024. Johnson is serving until the end of the year and has entered his name on the Republican ballot for supervisor in this year’s November election. Whoever wins the seat in November, they will serve the remaining four years of Polan’s term. According to Chairman Bob Sabot, that is the procedure spelled out by state law for a township identified as a second class township. Sabot calls the appointment a “generational change” in the board with Johnson being in his late twenties. Johnson says he is honored to be selected and looks forward to serving his community that he has served since he became a fireman at age 16. Johnson’s first official meeting will be on October 10.
September 27, 2023 2:49 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s 2023 tour will be postponed until 2024, citing doctor’s advice. The Boss, who last week celebrated his 74th birthday, is “steadily recovering” from peptic ulcer disease, a press release read. “Out of an abundance of caution,” the remainder of this year’s tour has been pushed to next year. Earlier this month, Springsteen announced he would be postponing all September 2023 dates while he was treated for symptoms related to the disease, which causes ulcers to form in the stomach or small intestine that can cause heartburn, nausea and stomach pain. Newly postponed shows include Canadian dates and a West Coast run of Phoenix, San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco. (Photo: AP)
September 27, 2023 2:48 am
If your pets need a little “Heavenly Help,” you can bring them to the Blessing of Animals on Saturday, September 30th in Eighty Four. St. James Parish is holding the Blessing of Pets for the Feast Day of Saint Francis, the Patron Saint of Animals. It will be held from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Wendy’s Pavilion at 1360, Route 519. You can register by visiting the St. James Parish website at catholicpartnerparishes.org. You can also register by calling the parish office at 724-225-1425. All pets are welcome, not just dogs and cats. Father Ed Yuhas, who is the Pastor at St. James and Katherine Drexel Parishes, says in his many years of blessing pets, he’s seen just about everything, from dogs and cats, to birds, cattle and horses. Father Yuhas says the Blessing of the Pets is not just for Catholics, but for all denominations and for everyone who has a pet and loves them. In addition to the Blessing of the Pets, there will also be a food truck and a pet vendor. (Photo: ABC)
September 27, 2023 2:30 am
A Houston man pleaded guilty to an indecent assault charge on Tuesday. Daniel Libert, 68 will serve three years probation for his assault of a fellow patient in May. Libert was a patient at Peters Township Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center when a staff member witnessed him touch another patient inappropriately. The victim told police that Libert exposed himself to her on multiple occasions earlier in the month. In addition to the probation, Libert will have to register with state police as a sex offender for the next 25 years.
