November 27, 2021 7:47 am
CINCINNATI, Ohio — The Procter & Gamble Co. on Tuesday voluntarily recalled select Old Spice and Secret brand aerosol spray antiperspirants after low levels of benzene, a known human carcinogen, were detected. Per the recall notice, the affected lots carry expiration dates through September 2023. The affected Old Spice and Secret lots were found to contain benzene, which can result in cancers – including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow, as well as certain life-threatening blood disorders – if inhaled, consumed orally or absorbed through the skin. The recalled products were distributed nationwide through retail outlets and online, the notice stated. Old Spice and Secret will also offer reimbursement for consumers who have purchased products impacted by this recall. Consumers are advised to stop using the affected products immediately and to appropriately discard the affected aerosol spray products. Consumers with questions regarding the recall can seek more information via P&G’s consumer care team at 888-339-7689, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST; or online at www.oldspice.com. (story: WPXI, photo: AP)
November 27, 2021 5:25 am
U.S. health officials say Merck’s experimental COVID-19 pill is effective but they raised questions about its safety during pregnancy. The Food and Drug Administration posted its review Friday ahead of a public meeting next week where outside experts will debate the drug’s benefits and risks. If FDA authorizes the drug it would be the first pill for U.S. patients infected with the virus. All FDA-authorized drugs currently used against coronavirus require an IV or injection. The FDA will ask its experts whether the drug’s benefits outweigh its risks for various patient groups, including pregnant women.
November 27, 2021 5:21 am
TACOMA, Wash. (AP) – Authorities say shots were fired near a food court at a shopping mall in Tacoma, Washington. Pierce County Sheriff’s Sgt. Darren Moss said at least one person was struck and injured at the Tacoma Mall. People called 911 just after 7 p.m. Friday to say multiple shots were fired. The Tacoma Police said the victim was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. Hundreds of shoppers sheltered in place or hid inside stores, which immediately went into lockdown. More than 60 law enforcement officers from Tacoma, Pierce County, Lakewood and other agencies went to the scene. No suspects were in custody. The Tacoma Mall is the city’s largest shopping mall, with more than 100 stores.
November 27, 2021 5:16 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. – Deer hunters here in Pennsylvania have more opportunities to get in the woods, as Saturday is the opening day of rifle deer season, something that usually lands on the Monday after Thanksgiving. In addition, one day of Sunday hunting, November 28th, has been added. And this year, both antlered and antlerless deer are legal game for the entire two-week season. The PA Game Commission says the season runs through December 11th.
November 27, 2021 5:13 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – The Republican field of candidates aiming to capture Pennsylvania’s open U.S. Senate seat is churning. Out is Sean Parnell, the candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Parnell’s exit is reshuffling the race. Getting in might be a couple guys who are relative unknowns to many party figures. First, there’s Mehmet Oz, the cardiac surgeon and host of TV’s “Dr. Oz Show.” He’s a longtime New Jersey resident. The other is David McCormick, a Connecticut resident who runs one of the world’s largest hedge funds, but grew up in Pennsylvania. The campaign could determine Senate control in next year’s election.
November 27, 2021 4:57 am
Pittsburgh (WPXI) – Pittsburgh Police responded to a “Shotspotter” notification of multiple rounds fired in the area of South 17th and East Carson streets at about 1:40 a.m. Friday. According to our news partners at WPXI, Officers found shell casings and learned that a woman showed up at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to the back. She is in stable condition. A man who suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the chest is in critical condition. Both victims arrived at the hospital by private vehicle. Pittsburgh Violent Crime Unit detectives are investigating.
November 27, 2021 4:11 am
LONDON (AP) – South African scientists identified a new version of the coronavirus this week that they say is behind a recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Gauteng, the country’s most populous province. It’s unclear where the new variant emerged, but scientists in South Africa first alerted the World Health Organization and it has also been seen in Botswana and travelers to Hong Kong, Belgium, Israel and elsewhere. Health minister Joe Phaahla said the variant was linked to an “exponential rise” of cases in the last few days, although experts are still trying to determine if the new variant is actually responsible. In a statement on Friday, the WHO designated it as a “variant of concern,” naming it “omicron.”
November 27, 2021 4:06 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Gov. Tom Wolf is releasing priorities for drawing Pennsylvania’s new congressional districts given to him by the panel he picked, with an emphasis on openness, fairness and reflecting statewide voter preferences. In theory, the principles given to Wolf and released Wednesday will guide the Democrat in his dealings with a Republican-controlled Legislature, less than four years after a divided state Supreme Court redrew the map. Pennsylvania’s task is complicated by the need to draw 17 districts to replace its 18 districts. If Wolf and the Legislature cannot agree on a map, it could be left to the state Supreme Court to draw districts again.
November 27, 2021 4:05 am
GROVE CITY, Pa. (AP) – A small plane crashed near a landfill in western Pennsylvania, killing one person and injuring another. The Federal Aviation Administration says the single-engine Cessna 210 went down around 5:45 p.m. Wednesday in a wooded area near the Grove City airport in Mercer County. Authorities haven’t said if the plane had departed from the airport or if it was trying to land when the crash occurred. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the FAA and state police. The names of the two people aboard the plane have not been released. The injured person was being treated at a hospital for burns and related injuries, but further details on their condition were not disclosed.
November 26, 2021 4:15 am
MOSCOW (AP) – Russian officials say 52 miners and rescuers have died after a devastating blast in a Siberian coal mine about 250 meters (820 feet) underground. Hours after a methane gas explosion and fire filled the mine with toxic fumes, rescuers found 14 bodies but then were forced to halt the search for 38 others because of a buildup of methane and a high concentration of carbon monoxide gas. The state Tass and RIA-Novosti news agencies cited emergency officials as saying that there was no chance of finding any more survivors. The Interfax news agency cited a representative of the regional administration who also put the death toll from Thursday’s fire at 52, while 239 were rescued.
