January 2, 2023 1:02 am
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A suspect arrested in connection with the slayings of four University of Idaho students plans to waive his extradition hearing so he can be quickly brought to Idaho to face murder charges. That is according to his defense attorney. Authorities in eastern Pennsylvania arrested Bryan Christopher Kohberger, a 28-year-old Ph.D. student at Washington State University, on Friday. Kohberger defense attorney Jason LaBar said Saturday that Kohberger is eager to be exonerated, and said people should wait to pass judgment until after a fair trial. Moscow Police Captain Anthony Dahlinger said Saturday that investigators believe Kohberger is the person responsible for all four of the killings. Dahlinger says more information will be released once Kohberger is returned to Idaho.
January 1, 2023 8:17 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Officials say at least one person has been killed and 14 others hospitalized as multiple blasts rocked Kyiv. But some Ukrainians defied the danger to return to the country Saturday to reunite with families for the holiday. Ukrainian officials claimed Russia is deliberately targeting civilians and seeking to create a climate of fear to see out a grim 2022 and usher in a bloody new year. First lady Olena Zelenska expressed outrage that such massive missile attacks could come just before New Year’s Eve celebrations. She added that “ruining lives of others is a disgusting habit of our neighbors.”
January 1, 2023 8:16 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Chief Justice John Roberts is praising programs that protect judges, saying that “we must support judges by ensuring their safety.” Roberts’ comments in an annual, year-end report about the federal judiciary follow recent security threats to the justices. Roberts and other conservative Supreme Court justices were the subject of protests, some at their homes, after the May leak of the court’s decision that ultimately stripped away constitutional protections for abortion. Justice Samuel Alito has said that the leak made conservative justices “targets for assassination.” Polls following the abortion decision show public trust in the court is at historic lows.
January 1, 2023 8:15 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Revelers are celebrating the traditional ball drop in New York City’s Times Square, ushering in 2023 in the largest New Year’s celebration in the United States. Thousands gathered in and around the iconic landmark to ring in the new year as millions more celebrated throughout the globe. The dazzling Saturday night spectacle anchored celebrations across the U.S. and the world. With countdowns and fireworks, people marked an end to a year that brought war in Europe, a new chapter in the British monarchy and global worries over inflation. For many, thoughts focused on possibilities, even elusive ones like world peace. But Russian attacks continued to target Ukrainian power supplies, leaving millions without electricity. There were no big celebrations in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.
January 1, 2023 8:14 am
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to “exponentially” increase the production of his country’s nuclear warheads. State media reported Sunday that Kim called for drastically boosting the country’s military power as the U.S. and allies apply more military pressure on North Korea. The official Korean Central News Agency said Kim also ordered the manufacturing of a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile with a swift, retaliatory attack capability. He also reportedly said North Korea will launch its first military spy satellite in the near future. Experts say Kim’s push to produce more nuclear and other weapons signals his intention to continue a run of weapons tests and ultimately solidify his future negotiating power and win greater outside concessions.
January 1, 2023 8:13 am
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has marked the New Year by presiding over Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica and praying for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a day after his retired predecessor’s death. The huge basilica will host Benedict’s coffin starting on Monday, when faithful can file past. Benedict, 95, died Saturday morning in the Vatican where he had lived since retirement. He was the first pope in centuries to retire, citing increasing frailty. Francis looked tired as the Mass began on the first day of the year, an occasion the Catholic church dedicates to the theme of peace.
January 1, 2023 8:06 am
PITTSBURGH (WPXI) — The family members of Roberto Clemente held a memorial to honor the former Pittsburgh Pirate 50 years after his death. Clemente died on Dec. 31, 1972, when his plane crashed off the coast of Puerto Rico. He was on a mission to help earthquake victims in Nicaragua and was 38 years old. The memorial was held at Clemente’s statue on Federal Street in Pittsburgh’s North Shore. A moment of silence was held. Family members placed the first sentiment at his statue.Any tributes left at the statue will be left to view on Sunday.
January 1, 2023 8:03 am
GREENSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A western Pennsylvania prosecutor has ruled that state troopers were justified in shooting and killing a driver after a high-speed pursuit through three counties ended in an exchange of gunfire last month. Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said she reviewed videos, reports, witness interviews and evidence from the scene before making her determination in the Nov. 3 death of 35-year-old Krysten Pretlor of Johnstown. Authorities said Pretlor was wanted in a domestic case but fled when police in Cambria County’s Richland Township tried to serve a warrant, and he then led them on a 45-mile chase into Indiana and Westmoreland counties that reached speeds topping 100 mph.
January 1, 2023 1:51 am
A woman who alleges Bill Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted her in 1986 has sued the comedian-actor, NBCUniversal and other companies in New York, where five other women filed a similar lawsuit earlier this month. Stacey Pinkerton says she was a 21-year-old flight attendant and model that year when she claims Cosby drugged her at a restaurant in Illinois and sexually assaulted her in a hotel room in Chicago. Pinkerton filed her lawsuit Friday. A spokesperson for Cosby denied the allegations and says the accusers are out for money. The lawsuit comes more than a year after Cosby left prison after his 2018 sexual assault conviction in Pennsylvania was overturned.
January 1, 2023 1:10 am
PITTSBURGH (WPXI) — Excitement spanned 14 blocks through Pittsburgh’s Cultural District for Highmark First Night, the 29th year for the event. From two rounds of fireworks to plenty of activities for children, including an ice maze and New Year’s Eve parade, there was something for everyone. The parade started at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, turning onto Stanwix Street and towards the Allegheny River. People from all over the country had their reasons for wanting to ring in the New Year downtown. Plenty of performers took several outdoor stages throughout the night, with thousands of people projected to attend, most of whom waited patiently until 11:59 for the “Future of Pittsburgh” ball to drop.
