August 9, 2021 4:17 am
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – Active coronavirus cases in West Virginia continue to resurge at an alarming rate as public school students in some counties returned Monday for the start of fall classes. State health figures show the number of active cases statewide has reached at least 4,010, a startling jump since bottoming out at 882 cases on July 9. Gov. Jim Justice has said he won’t consider reinstating an indoor mask mandate. Instead, he continues to push for more people to get vaccines. About 57% of state residents ages 12 and up are fully vaccinated. Classes began Monday in Kanawha County. Many other counties don’t return until later this month.
August 9, 2021 4:10 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – The Pennsylvania prison system is stopping in-person visits for the thousands of inmates who are not vaccinated against COVID-19. The Corrections Department also said Thursday it will begin housing unvaccinated inmates together next week. Corrections Secretary John Wetzel says the policy limits the contact that the unvaccinated have with potential carriers of the coronavirus. The changes won’t affect inmates’ access to classes and programs. Additional terminals will be installed in the unvaccinated units for video visitation. Nearly 8,000 inmates in state prisons are not vaccinated. That’s about one in five. The prison system provides vaccinations to all inmates who want one. It also requires everyone to wear masks indoors.
August 9, 2021 4:09 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – A Pittsburgh man has pleaded guilty to leaving a backpack containing homemade explosive devices in a bush outside of a complex in the city’s downtown area during last year’s protests over the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. Matthew Michanowicz, 53, pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to possession of an unregistered destructive device. Authorities said he was seen on surveillance video placing the military-style backpack near a bike rack under some trees at PNC Plaza on May 31, 2020. Officials said the backpack contained three improvised explosive devices filled with gasoline.
August 9, 2021 4:07 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Democrats see one of their best chances to pick up a Senate seat during next year’s midterms in Pennsylvania. That’s where Republican incumbent Pat Toomey is retiring. But first the party will have to endure a potentially bruising primary where the packed field doesn’t break neatly down along ideological lines. The lineup includes a heavily tattooed lieutenant governor who looks more like a nightclub bouncer than the holder of an advanced degree from Harvard. A young upstart in the Legislature trying to become the state’s first Black and first openly gay senator. An anesthesiologist endorsed by a powerful women’s group. And, as of Friday, a former Marine.
August 8, 2021 8:00 am
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo could face misdemeanor charges if investigators substantiate a criminal complaint accusing the governor of groping an aide last year, the Albany County sheriff said Saturday. Sheriff Craig Apple promised a “very comprehensive” investigation in partnership the Albany County district attorney’s office but said it would be premature to commit to a timeline or say whether Cuomo himself will be questioned. The complaint, filed this week, is the first known instance where a woman has made an official report with a law enforcement agency over alleged misconduct by the Democratic governor. The executive assistant has sat down for an interview set to be televised Monday.
August 8, 2021 7:58 am
GOUVES, Greece (AP) — Pillars of billowing smoke and ash blocked out the sun above Greece’s second-largest island and turned the sky orange as a days-old wildfire devoured pristine forests and triggered more evacuation alerts Sunday, while residents appealed for additional firefighting help. The fire on Evia, an island of forested mountains and canyons laced with small coves of crystalline water, began Aug. 3 and cut across the popular summer destination from coast to coast, burning out of control for five days. Scores of homes and businesses have been destroyed, and thousands of residents and vacationers have been evacuated. The blaze currently is the most severe of dozens that broke out in Greece in the wake of the country’s most protracted and intense heat wave in three decades, which sent temperatures soaring to 45 degrees Celsius (113 F) and created bone-dry conditions.
August 8, 2021 7:57 am
BRUSSELS (AP) — Despite a sluggish start, the European Union’s COVID-19 vaccination drive has caught up to that of the United States, where the slowdown of the country’s once-vaunted campaign has contributed to the virus’s deadly comeback. In mid-February, less than 4% of people living in the 27-nation EU were at least partially vaccinated against the coronavirus, compared with nearly 12% in the U.S, according to Our World in Data, an online science publication connected to the University of Oxford. Now the EU has surpassed the U.S. by that same measure, with some 60% of the bloc’s residents receiving at least one dose, versus less than 58% of Americans. In Italy, where roughly 63% of people 12 and older are fully protected, Premier Mario Draghi took a victory lap this past week.
August 8, 2021 7:56 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators will resume a weekend session toward passage of a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package after running into opposition from a few Republicans who want to drag out final votes on one of President Joe Biden’s top priorities. The measure would provide what Biden has called a “historic investment” in public works programs, from roads and bridges to broadband internet access, drinking water and more. In a rare stroke of bipartisanship, Republicans joined Democrats to advance the measure and more votes are expected Sunday. If approved, the bill would go to the House. Despite the overwhelming support, momentum has dragged as a few Republican senators refused to yield 30 hours of required debate before the next set of procedural votes, which could delay swift passage of the package and result in a dayslong slog.
August 8, 2021 7:53 am
PITTSBURGH — A man was sent to the hospital after being shot in the abdomen near Locust Street in Mt. Oliver. According to Allegheny County 911 officials, the call for a five-round ShotSpotter came in at approximately 10:18 p.m. At this time, police are still investigating and do not have anyone in custody. Officials say the 18-year-old victim is in critical condition. Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the County Police Tip Line 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
August 8, 2021 4:11 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Gov. Tom Wolf is ruling out a mask requirement for Pennsylvania schools as the academic year is about to begin, saying he’ll leave the decision to school districts. The Democratic governor told reporters outside a church in Philadelphia on Friday that the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention aren’t mandating masks and neither is he. Wolf says he might change his mind, but doesn’t see why Pennsylvania ought to do something the CDC isn’t doing. The CDC recommends universal masking in schools. On Friday, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said students, teachers and visitors in schools must wear masks indoors once that state’s academic year begins.
