June 21, 2023 12:04 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Trade Commission is suing Amazon for what it calls a years-long effort to enroll consumers without consent into its Prime program and making it difficult for them to cancel their subscriptions. In a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, the agency accused Amazon of using deceptive designs, known as “dark patterns,” to deceive consumers into enrolling in the program. It also alleged the company’s leadership slowed or rejected changes that made canceling the subscription easier. Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
June 21, 2023 5:07 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden had just six words to offer after his 53-year-old son Hunter pleaded guilty to federal tax offenses in a deal that is also likely to spare him time behind bars on a weapons charge. He said simply: “I’m very proud of my son.” That pride has been accompanied by pain, and for the president’s family, both have been on public display. Republicans have worked to use Hunter Biden’s actions — and his acknowledged struggle with addiction — as an anchor to try to drag down his father.
June 21, 2023 5:05 am
A Canadian military surveillance aircraft has detected underwater noises as a massive search goes on in a remote part of the North Atlantic for a submersible that vanished while taking five people down to the wreck of the Titanic. A statement early Wednesday from the U.S. Coast Guard did not elaborate on what rescuers believed the noises could be. However, it offered a glimmer of hope for those now lost abroad the Titan as estimates suggest as little as a day’s worth of oxygen could be left if the vessel is still functioning. Meanwhile, questions remain on how teams could reach the lost submersible, which could be as deep as about 12,500 feet below the surface near the watery tomb of the historic ocean liner.
June 21, 2023 5:04 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A proposed tax credit to recruit new teachers, nurses and police officers passed through the Pennsylvania House of Representatives with bipartisan support on Tuesday, but the Republican-controlled Senate has said it lacks support in the caucus. The bill would provide a $2,500 annual tax credit for three years for Pennsylvania residents after they become certified, or after they move to Pennsylvania with a state-recognized credential. It’s a key element of Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal to attract more people into Pennsylvania’s ranks of police officers, nurses and teachers amid nationwide shortages.
June 21, 2023 5:02 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — More than a week after a section of Interstate 95 collapsed in Philadelphia, Gov. Josh Shapiro says traffic will be moving on the interstate again this weekend. Shapiro on Tuesday lauded the around-the-clock work of crews on the stretch of the East Coast’s main north-south highway. A section of the northbound lanes of the elevated highway in northeast Philadelphia collapsed early June 11 after a tractor-trailer hauling gasoline flipped over on an off-ramp and caught fire. State transportation officials said the driver, who was killed, lost control around a curve. The resulting damage necessitated demolition of the southbound lanes as well, officials said.
June 21, 2023 5:00 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s Democratic-controlled House of Representatives approved a measure that would raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2026 in a close vote Tuesday, a long-held party campaign plank that has run up against Republican legislative majorities for years. The measure would gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 by changing from $7.25 to $11 in its first year, then to $13 in 2025 and finally to $15 in 2026. The bill ties future increases to inflation, which sponsors say mirrors action taken by 15 other states. It has an uncertain future in the Republican-controlled Senate.
June 21, 2023 4:57 am
BETHEL PARK, Pa. — (WPXI) – Six kids will be facing charges after Bethel Park police said they set off smoke bombs at the South Hills Village Mall. Police said the group threw the smoke bombs inside the Macy’s store about an hour and a half before closing time, setting off the security alarm. Police Chief Timothy O’Connor said it occurred last Thursday, when the five teens and a 10-year-old set off an unknown number of smoke bombs. One witness told our news partners at Channel 11, the group was lighting the bombs and then hurling them in Macy’s garbage cans, filling the entire second floor with smoke. The six kids are now banned from mall property, according to police, and face charges for criminal mischief and disorderly conduct and possibly for theft. Police Chief O’Connor said they plan to file the charges once the investigation is done.
June 21, 2023 4:52 am
Prior to their agenda meeting, North Strabane Township Supervisors held a public hearing to discuss traffic patterns surrounding the intersection of Garden Street with state route 980. Planned expansion of the Greenwood Village development necessitated traffic studies. Multiple traffic studies performed revealed a sight distance deficiency for drivers on Garden Street trying to make a left turn onto 980. This revelation put the township at financial risk if not properly addressed. A communication from PennDot agreed with a recommendation to allow Garden Street to remain a two way street, but only allow right turns onto Rt. 980. Public comment was varied over the logistics of the plan. Some questions from supervisors remain about the PennDot recommendation. It is not clear when supervisors will make a decision. Supervisors will consider a number of property development plans and staffing items at their legislative meeting next Tuesday.
June 21, 2023 2:34 am
The Boards of Directors of both Washington Health System (WHS) and UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) have signed a non-binding letter of intent to negotiate an affiliation agreement between the two entities that would integrate WHS into the UPMC system. The WHS Board of Directors met on June 1, 2023, and unanimously voted to pursue affiliation discussions with UPMC, a clinically integrated and world-renowned nonprofit health care provider and insurer. “Our primary focus is to ensure the residents of Washington and Greene Counties have local access to high-quality health care that is sustainable into the future,” said Brook Ward, President and CEO of WHS. “After careful consideration and analysis, we believe the best path forward is to affiliate with UPMC to achieve that goal. We currently have numerous clinical arrangements and joint ventures with UPMC, which have provided our patients with exceptional care over the years. From our experience working with UPMC and knowing their track record of providing outstanding patient care, it was an obvious choice to select UPMC as our partner going forward.” Officials say the signing of the letter of intent means WHS and UPMC have agreed to conditions of affiliation. Over the next several months, both entities will engage in due diligence, research and discussions to work towards a definitive agreement. This affiliation is subject to customary regulatory filings, and WHS and UPMC leaders hope to complete the affiliation as soon as possible.
June 21, 2023 2:30 am
A Monongahela man pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and simple assault charges. Shawn Greenough, 46 entered his open plea for an incident that occurred in June of 2022. Police were called to a domestic disturbance where Greenough was accused of shoving a woman to the floor. When police arrived, Greenough was said to have head butted an officer and a wall. While trying to get him in the cruiser, Greenough head butted a window, shattering it. Greenough will be sentenced September 12 and could face 9-16 months in jail.
