August 5, 2021 4:12 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says his Republicans will oppose raising the federal debt limit if Democrats pursue their $3.5 trillion plan to strengthen social and environment programs. The Kentucky Republican’s threat was the most explicit he’s been about his desire to force Democrats into either of two unpalatable options. They could either take the politically unpopular step of unilaterally renewing the government’s ability borrowing authority, or to pare back President Joe Biden’s domestic policy agenda. His remarks suggest a showdown between the two parties, with the government’s financial soundness in the balance, may loom.
August 5, 2021 4:11 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Biden administration is taking the first steps toward requiring nearly all foreign visitors to the U.S. to be vaccinated for the coronavirus. That’s according to a White House official who previewed the developing policy. The requirement would come as part of the administration’s phased approach to easing travel restrictions for foreign citizens to the country. No timeline has yet been determined, as interagency working groups study how and when to safely move toward resuming normal travel. Eventually all foreign citizens entering the country, with some limited exceptions, are expected to need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the U.S.
August 5, 2021 4:04 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – Pittsburgh Police detectives are asking for help finding a missing, endangered woman who may be traveling to Greene County. Investigators said Tonya Prevade, 37, is about 5 feet 6 inches tall, 185 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes. She has a distinctive blue face piercing on her right cheek and police said she may be wearing glasses. She was last seen in the Carrick neighborhood around 12:30 a.m. Police said she may be heading to Greene County in a 2019 Toyota Tacoma with Pennsylvania license plate ZKM-7511. If you have any information, you’re asked to call police.
August 5, 2021 3:30 am
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) – Penn State University says it will require students, staff and visitors at all its campuses to wear masks while indoors. Wednesday’s announcement came as the state deals with a surge in coronavirus cases. Pennsylvania is now reporting more than 1,000 cases of COVID-19 per day, nearly tripling over the past two weeks. Penn State officials say the reinstated masking rule will apply to everyone, regardless of vaccination status. The school is also urging students and employees to get vaccinated. Officials say anyone not fully vaccinated by Aug. 9 will be required to undergo virus testing during the fall semester.
August 5, 2021 3:03 am
Washington County President Judge John DiSalle issued an administrative order on Wednesday that mandates the wearing of masks when inside the Washington County Courthouse. DiSalle’s order comes on the heels of Washington County having entered into the “substantial” level of transmission risk for COVID-19. DiSalle’s order states that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask inside of the building. His order also states that judicial officers will have the discretion to limit the number of individuals present in a courtroom or judicial facility in order to allow for social distancing. DiSalle also authorized the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to enforce his orders.
August 5, 2021 2:57 am
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – West Virginia regulators have approved a rate increase request for two American Electric Power subsidiaries. It will allow Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power to upgrade three coal-fired plants to comply with federal environmental regulations. The facilities are the John Amos plant in Winfield, the Mountaineer plant in New Haven and the Mitchell plant in Moundsville. The state Public Service Commission says the move will enable all three plants to remain operational through 2040. The commission approved a surcharge to recover construction costs. Monthly bills for the average residential customer will increase 38 cents starting next month. Regulators in Kentucky and Virginia also must weigh in on the proposal.
August 4, 2021 4:15 am
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – A federal judge has ordered Texas to not allow state troopers to stop vehicles carrying migrants on the grounds that they may spread COVID-19. The temporary restraining order handed down Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone comes as worries and new cases are rising along the U.S.-Mexico border. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott last week had authorized Texas’ growing presence of state troopers along the border to “stop any vehicle upon reasonable suspicion” that it transports migrants. The Biden administration accused Abbott of potentially worsening the spread of COVID-19. It argued that impeding the transfer of migrants would prolong the detention of unaccompanied children in “increasingly crowded” facilities.
August 4, 2021 4:13 am
NEW YORK (AP) – An investigation into New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has found that he sexually harassed multiple current and former state government employees. State Attorney General Letitia James announced the findings Tuesday. The investigation, conducted by two outside lawyers, found that the Cuomo administration was a hostile work environment “rife with fear and intimidation.” Cuomo faced multiple allegations last winter that he inappropriately touched and sexually harassed women who worked with him or who he met at public events. Cuomo remained defiant Tuesday following the investigation’s findings, saying that “the facts are much different than what has been portrayed.” President Joe Biden called for Cuomo’s resignation.
August 4, 2021 4:12 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a new moratorium on evictions that would last until October 3. The Biden administration is trying to quell intensifying criticism that it was allowing vulnerable renters to lose their homes during a pandemic. The new moratorium could help keep millions in their homes as the coronavirus’ delta variant has spread and states have been slow to release federal rental aid. It would temporarily halt evictions in counties with “substantial and high levels” of virus transmissions and would cover areas where 90% of the U.S. population lives.
August 4, 2021 4:11 am
GREENVILLE, Calif. (AP) – Thousands of firefighters are preparing for a tougher fight against California’s largest wildfire as extremely dangerous weather returns, threatening to stoke flames into explosive growth. Authorities say the area could be hot, bone-dry and lashed with 40-mph gusts on Wednesday and Thursday. Fire officials say the Dixie Fire jumped some perimeter lines Tuesday, prompting additional evacuation orders for some 15,000 people. Dozens of fires are burning throughout the drought-stricken West. The Bootleg Fire in Oregon is 84% contained and firefighters are busy strengthening lines as they face the upcoming extreme weather. It is the nation’s largest burning wildfire.
