April 1, 2022 5:18 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it’s ending a policy that limited asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The government says it’s already making plans to erect tents and take other steps to prepare for an expected influx of migrants. The continued use of public health powers had been widely criticized by Democrats and immigration advocates as an excuse for the United States to shirk its obligations to provide haven to people fleeing persecution. The policy went into effect under President Donald Trump in March 2020. Since then, migrants trying to enter the U.S. have been expelled more than 1.7 million times.
April 1, 2022 4:49 pm
NEW YORK (AP) – Amazon workers in Staten Island, New York, have voted to unionize, marking the first successful U.S. organizing effort in the retail giant’s history. Warehouse workers cast 2,654 votes in favor of a union, giving the fledgling Amazon Labor Union enough support to pull off a victory. According to the National Labor Relations Board, which is overseeing the process, 2,131 workers rejected the union bid. The 67 ballots that were challenged by either Amazon or the ALU were not enough to sway the outcome. The victory was an uphill battle for the ALU, made up of former and current workers who lacked official backing from an established union and were out-gunned by the deep-pocketed retail giant.
April 1, 2022 2:16 pm
(WPXI) – The Food and Drug Administration has announced the recall of two types of Suave antiperspirants because of high levels of a potential cancer-causing chemical. Unilever has voluntarily recalled Suave 24-hour Protection Aerosol Antiperspirant powder and fresh scents – because of unexpected levels of benzene in the propellant that sprays the antiperspirant out of the can. Benzene is considered a human carcinogen and exposure can happen by inhalation, orally or through the skin. It can cause cancers such as leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow. It can also cause other blood disorders, the FDA reported. Benzene is also found in the environment and people are exposed to it daily. The amount found in the recalled products is not expected to cause adverse health issues.
April 1, 2022 8:41 am
America’s employers extended a streak of robust hiring in March, adding 431,000 jobs in a sign of the economy’s resilience in the face of a still-destructive pandemic and the highest inflation in 40 years. The Labor Department’s report showed that last month’s job growth helped reduce the unemployment rate to 3.6%, the lowest level since the pandemic erupted two years ago. Despite the inflation surge, persistent supply bottlenecks, the damaging effects of COVID-19 and now a war in Europe, employers have added at least 400,000 jobs for 11 straight months.
April 1, 2022 4:12 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The House has approved a bill decriminalizing marijuana and letting states set their own policies on pot. The bill faces an uphill climb in the Senate and is unlikely to become law. But Friday’s vote gave lawmakers the chance to show their views on the legalization trend spreading across the country. Thirty-seven states and District of Columbia allow the medical use of cannabis products while 18 states and the District of Columbia allow for recreational marijuana. Democrats said the federal prohibition on marijuana has had particularly devastating consequences for minority communities. Republicans mostly opposed the bill and called it a distraction from more pressing issues.
April 1, 2022 4:10 am
DETROIT (AP) – General Motors is recalling nearly 682,000 small SUVs because the windshield wipers can fail. The recall covers the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain from the 2014 and 2015 model years. Ball joints in the wiper module can rust, causing one or both wipers to fail, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will inspect the module and repair or replace it. Owners will be notified by letter starting May 2nd. Ford is issuing two recalls covering over 737,000 vehicles to fix oil leaks and trailer braking systems that won’t work. The oil leak recall includes the 2020 through 2022 Ford Escape SUV and the 2021 and 2022 Bronco Sport SUV with 1.5-Liter engines. A housing can crack and oil can leak onto engine parts, possibly causing fires. The trailer brake recall includes F-150 pickups from 2021 and 2022, as well as the 2022 F-250, 350, 450 and 550. Also covered are the 2022 Maverick pickup, and Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs. A software error can stop trailers from braking.
April 1, 2022 4:08 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Russian troops have left the heavily contaminated Chernobyl nuclear site. Ukrainian authorities say the soldiers departed early Friday after returning control to Ukraine. Meanwhile, eastern parts of the country braced for renewed attacks and Russians blocked another aid mission to the besieged port city of Mariupol. The governor of the Russian border region of Belgorod accused Ukraine of flying helicopter gunships into Russian territory and striking an oil depot Friday morning. The depot is run by Russian energy giant Roseneft about 21 miles from the border. The governor says it was set ablaze by the attack that left two people injured. If confirmed, it would be the first attack of its kind by Ukrainian forces inside Russia.
April 1, 2022 4:05 am
UNDATED (AP) – Authorities say a police lieutenant killed on duty in Pennsylvania was one month away from retirement when a man suspected of breaking into a family member’s home opened fire on responding officers. The Lebanon County district attorney says Lebanon City Police Lt. William Lebo and three other uniformed officers were met with immediate gunfire when they entered the home Thursday afternoon. Two other officers were injured and remain hospitalized. The suspect is 34-year-old Travis Shaud of Lebanon, who also was killed.
April 1, 2022 2:23 am
Multiple emergency responders were called out around eleven-thirty to a fire at a popular Washington County Tavern. Heavy fire and smoke was seen coming from the Elrama Tavern on Route 837 in Union Township when firefighters arrived. The State Police Fire Marshal has reportedly been called to the scene – but the fire chief says they believe the blaze started when embers flew into the basement from boxes being burned behind the building. The owners of the tavern have posted on their Facebook page that the building appears to be a total loss, but there were no serious injuries. (Photo: Facebook)
March 31, 2022 5:00 pm
NEW YORK (AP) – Fox News Media says it has hired Caitlyn Jenner as a contributor. The failed Republican candidate for California governor was scheduled to make her first appearance as a Fox employee on Sean Hannity’s prime time show Thursday night, and Fox says she will offer commentary across a variety of Fox platforms. An Olympic gold medal winner in 1976 in the decathlon, Jenner came out as transgender and identifies as female. Suzanne Scott, Fox News Media CEO, called Jenner a trailblazer who “is an inspiration to us all.” Jenner unsuccessfully sought the GOP nomination for California governor last year. (Photo: AP)
