It Could Be An Expensive Winter

October 13, 2021 12:48 pm

NEW YORK (AP) – With prices surging worldwide for heating oil, natural gas and other fuels, the U.S. government said Wednesday it expects households to see jumps of up to 54% for their heating bills from last winter. The sharpest increases are likely for homes that use propane, but others are also likely to see big increases. Homes that use natural gas, which make up nearly half of all U.S. households, may spend $746 this winter, 30% more than a year ago. A forecast for a colder winter means people will likely be burning more fuel to keep warm, on top of paying more for each bit of it.

Social Security COLA Largest In Decades

October 13, 2021 9:22 am

WASHINGTON (AP) – Millions of retirees on Social Security will get a 5.9% boost in benefits for 2022. The biggest cost-of-living adjustment in 39 years follows a burst in inflation as the economy struggles to shake off the drag of the coronavirus pandemic. The COLA increase amounts to $92 a month for the average retired worker, according to estimates released Wednesday by the Social Security Administration. The increase affects household budgets for about 1 in 5 Americans, nearly 70 million people, including Social Security recipients, disabled veterans and federal retirees. Policymakers say it’s a safeguard to protect benefits against a loss of purchasing power, and not a pay raise for retirees.

“Captain Kirk” Returns From Space Journey

October 13, 2021 4:12 am

VAN HORN, Texas (AP) – Hollywood’s Captain Kirk, 90-year-old William Shatner, has blasted into space and safely returned to Earth in a convergence of science fiction and science reality. He set out Wednesday morning for the final frontier aboard a ship built by Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin company. The “Star Trek” hero becomes the oldest person to ride a rocket. The fully automatic spacecraft reached an altitude of 66.5 miles over the West Texas desert. The up-and-down flight lasted about 10 minutes, with Shatner and his three fellow passengers parachuting back to Earth in the capsule.  (Photo:  CNN)

Pilot In Deadly California Crash Warned To Climb

October 13, 2021 4:11 am

A recording shows that the pilot of a twin-engine plane was repeatedly warned to fly straight and to climb before he crashed into a San Diego suburb, killing himself and someone on the ground. An air traffic controller repeated warnings more than a dozen times to Dr. Sugata Das before the plane plowed into a neighborhood in Santee on Monday, burning and damaging several homes. The crash also killed 61-year-old Steve Krueger, a UPS driver who was nearing retirement. The crash is under federal investigation. But some experts say the pilot may have been distracted by something or may have become disoriented in cloudy weather.

Hollywood On Strike?

October 13, 2021 4:10 am

LOS ANGELES (AP) – The union representing film and television crews says its 60,000 members will begin a nationwide strike on Monday if it does not reach a deal that satisfies demands for fair and safe working conditions. A strike would bring a halt to filming on a broad swath of film and television productions and extend well beyond Hollywood, affecting productions in Georgia, New Mexico and other North American shoots. International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees International President Matthew Loeb said Wednesday that the strike would begin at 12:01 a.m. Monday unless an agreement is reached on rest and meal periods and pay for its lowest-paid workers.

Boeing Tells Workers They Must Get COVID Vaccine

October 13, 2021 4:08 am

SEATTLE (AP) – The Boeing Co. has told employees they must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or possibly be fired. The Seattle Times reports the deadline for workers at the aerospace giant is Dec. 8. Employees can request exemptions “due to a disability or sincerely held religious belief.” The policy will apply to roughly 125,000 US-based employees company-wide, with about 57,000 of those in Washington state. Boeing may face more resistance to the new policy in some Republican-controlled states. On Monday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order barring private companies or any other entity from requiring vaccines. Boeing has more than 5,000 employees in Texas. It has about 32,000 more at facilities in Alabama, Arizona, Missouri, Oklahoma and South Carolina.

U.S. To Reopen Borders For Fully Vaccinated

October 13, 2021 4:08 am

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Biden administration says the United States will reopen its land borders to nonessential travel next month, ending a 19-month freeze due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All international visitors will need to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. Vehicle, rail and ferry travel between the U.S. and Canada and Mexico has been largely restricted to essential travel, such as trade, since the earliest days of the pandemic. The new rules to be announced Wednesday will allow fully vaccinated foreign nationals entry to the U.S. regardless of the reason for travel. That starts in early November, when a similar easing of restrictions is set to kick in for air travel.

House Sends Debt Limit Hike To Biden

October 13, 2021 4:06 am

WASHINGTON (AP) – Members of the House have approved a short-term hike to the nation’s debt limit. The vote Tuesday evening ensures the federal government can continue fully paying its bills into December. The legislation next goes to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law. A default would have had immense fallout on global financial markets, and routine government payments to Social Security beneficiaries, disabled veterans and others would have been called into question. But the relief provided will only be temporary, forcing Congress to revisit the issue in December, with Republicans promising that Democrats will have to lift the cap without their assistance.

County Democrats Host Shapiro At Annual Banquet

October 13, 2021 3:59 am

The Washington County Democratic Committee held their annual banquet to kick off the election season on Tuesday night. Democratic candidates for office from around the commonwealth attended the event. Christina Proctor, Chair of the Washington County Democratic Committee stated that the event was important because democrats need to get their voters out to vote. She also indicated that this is an important election because democrats are needed in office to keep a check on the republicans already in office to make sure oversight is in place. Echoing Proctor’s comments was the keynote speaker of the night, Attorney General Josh Shapiro. In a ten minute speech he urged the crowd to make sure that they and their friends and neighbors get out and vote to prevent the lies that republicans keep repeating do not become law. He stated that all of the elections this year are important in an effort to save democracy in Pennsylvania.

Arrest Made After Lockdown At Macy’s In Bethel Park

October 13, 2021 2:58 am

Police in Bethel Park say one person is in custody after reportedly making threats at South Hills Village Mall around two o’clock Tuesday afternoon.  Authorities say the man had a black or green duffel bag which they thought may contain a weapon.  They say Macy’s was on lockdown because at one point, he was inside of the department store, but the rest of the mall was not affected.  Police say he fled on foot in the parking lot near the food court and was eventually captured behind the liquor store at Village Square Mall.  They say the mall quickly resumed normal operations and no one was injured.  The Bethel Park Police Chief said the man may have mental health issues.