Man Dies In South Park Twp House Fire

March 1, 2023 4:05 am

SOUTH PARK TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI) – A man was killed in a fire in South Park Township on Tuesday night. According to a news release, first responders were called to a house fire in the 5800 block of Curry Road at 9:44 p.m. One man did not make it out of the residence. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Homicide detectives and the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating. Anyone with information on this fire is asked to call Allegheny County police at 1-833-ALL-TIPS.

Pa. Lawmakers Elect First Woman As Speaker Of The House

March 1, 2023 2:43 am

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Philadelphia state Rep. Joanna McClinton is the first woman to serve as speaker of the Pennsylvania House. She ascended to the chamber’s top position Tuesday on the strength of a fresh one-vote Democratic majority. The leadership reshuffling came nearly two months after Rep. Mark Rozzi, a Berks County Democrat, became the surprise choice for speaker. Democrats flipped a net of 12 seats in November to retake majority control after more than a decade, but their margin didn’t become effective until their candidates won three special elections earlier this month. Rozzi stepped down shortly before the 102-to-99 vote for McClinton. The 40-year-old McClinton grew up in southwest Philadelphia, where she still lives.

Nissan Issues Massive Recall

February 28, 2023 1:56 pm

(AP) – Nissan has issued a massive recall involving more than 809,000 small SUVs in the U.S. and Canada. The Associated Press reported that jackknife keys may not stay open and if the vehicles are driven while the key is partially folded, the driver could bump the fob and turn off the engine accidentally. If that happens, the SUV will lose power brakes and the air bags may not inflate in a crash. The recall affects selected 2014 to 2020 Rogues and 2017 to 2022 Rogue Sports, the AP reported. All of the recalled vehicles have “S” Grade trim, the NHTSA said. Rogue Sports made after June 10, 2022, and Rogues made after Aug. 14, 2020, are not affected because the style of key was no longer made. Owners will be notified next month about the issue with instructions to not hang anything on the fob. They’ll get a second letter instructing them when they can take the vehicles in for repairs. If drivers are currently having issues with the keys, they are being told to contact a Nissan dealer.

Teenager Kidnapped During Home Invasion In Cranberry

February 28, 2023 11:58 am

(WPXI) – A 17-year-old was bound and kidnapped during a home invasion in Cranberry overnight. Police say they were called to Stockton Ridge, a gated community, for a reported kidnapping around 1:30. A 39-year-old woman told police that two men with weapons entered her home and bound her and her 17-year-old son and ransacked the home. The men left with the woman’s son at gunpoint. They fled in the victim’s vehicle, abandoning it a short distance away, where police believe another vehicle was waiting. Then, police say, Beaver County 911 received a call around 5 this morning from the 17-year-old. He was calling from a convenience store in Rochester and has since been reunited with his mother. Authorities say they believe the robbery was not random and that the family was targeted for unknown reasons.

Peters Township Police Warn Of Break-Ins

February 28, 2023 5:52 am

PETERS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI)- Peters Township Police are warning people about a recent string of home break-ins. On Monday, Peters Township Police shared a post on Facebook alerting homeowners to the potential threat. Recently, according to the police chief, there have been three home break-ins. They are believed to be connected to a “South American Theft Group,” the Facebook post claims. The break-ins, according to police, have taken place between noon and 9 p.m. and have not been in just one specific part of the township. Investigators say the crimes are similar to an incident that led to multiple arrests back in August. Police are encouraging homeowners to remain vigilant. They say do not post vacation plans or photos of expensive belongings online, lock up valuables, request police check on your home if you’re out of town for multiple days, and use a security alarm system and cameras. Police have not released specifics about the recent break-ins, including information about what was stolen. Investigators have not publicly named any suspects or announced any arrests.

Demise Of ‘Dilbert’ No Surprise To Those Watching

February 28, 2023 4:21 am

NEW YORK (AP) – The comic strip “Dilbert” disappeared with lightning speed following racist remarks by creator Scott Adams, but it shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone who has followed them both. Adams, who is white, was an outspoken presence on social media long before describing Black people as a “hate group” on YouTube. To some observers, “Dilbert” had strayed from its roots as a chronicler of office culture. áAn expert said the strip had started to reflect Adams’ political ideas. Adams said his distributor had been given little choice but to cut ties with him. He said his book publisher and agent had “canceled” him.

Ukraine’s Northeastern Front To Decide New Battle Lines

February 28, 2023 4:18 am

KUPIANSK, Ukraine (AP) – Ukrainian tanks and soldiers train every day on the country’s northeastern front. They throw grenades and fire machine guns at mock targets. It’s only a drill. But the sounds of the real war rumbling just a short distance away underscore the high stakes in this part of Ukraine. Military officials say a much-anticipated Russian offensive has already started with fighting that could determine the next phase of the war. Time is of the essence, so speed and cohesion is the goal of the exercises. Grueling artillery battles have stepped up in recent weeks in the vicinity of Kupiansk. The strategic town is on the eastern edge of Kharkiv province by the banks of the Oskil River.

Murdoch; Some Fox Hosts ‘Endorsed’ False Election Claims

February 28, 2023 4:17 am

DOVER, Del. (AP) – Court documents say Fox Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch acknowledged that some Fox News commentators endorsed false allegations of a stolen 2020 presidential election. Those allegations are at the heart of a defamation lawsuit against the cable news giant by Dominion Voting Systems. In court filings released Monday referencing Murdoch’s deposition, Dominion says he acknowledged that Fox commentators Lou Dobbs, Maria Bartiromo, Jeanine Pirro and Sean Hannity (pictured) endorsed the false notion of a stolen election. Attorneys for Fox Corp. note that Murdoch testified he never discussed Dominion or voter fraud with any of the accused hosts.

From California To NY, Storms Ravage U.S.

February 28, 2023 4:14 am

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The Northeast is gearing up for what could be very heavy snow. Parts of the region that have seen little snow were under a winter storm warning early Tuesday. Tornadoes and other powerful winds have swept through parts of the Southern Plains, with emergency officials saying at least one person was killed in a tornado in western Oklahoma. In Michigan, residents had faced a sixth consecutive day without power on Monday following last week’s ice storm. In California, weather officials said winter storms will continue moving into the state through Wednesday after residents got a brief break from severe weather.

SCOTUS Seems Likely To Reject Biden’s Student Loan Plan

February 28, 2023 4:13 am

WASHINGTON (AP) – Conservative justices in the Supreme Court’s majority seem likely to sink President Joe Biden’s plan to wipe away or reduce student loans held by millions of Americans. Chief Justice John Roberts led his conservative colleagues Tuesday in questioning the administration’s authority to broadly cancel federal student loans because of the COVID-19 emergency. The plan has so far been blocked by Republican-appointed judges on lower courts. The Biden administration says 26 million people have applied and 16 million have been approved to have up to $20,000 in federal student loans forgiven. The program is estimated to cost $400 billion over 30 years.