November 2, 2022 4:17 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Reserve pumped up its benchmark interest rate by three-quarters of a point for a fourth straight time but hinted that it could soon reduce the size of its rate hikes. It was the Fed’s sixth rate hike this year – a streak that has made mortgages and other loans increasingly expensive and heightened the risk of a recession. The persistence of inflated prices and higher borrowing costs has undercut the ability of Democrats to campaign on the health of the job market as they try to maintain control of Congress. Republican candidates have hammered Democrats on the punishing impact of inflation in the run-up to the midterm elections that will end Tuesday.
November 2, 2022 4:16 am
NEW YORK (AP) – Days after taking over Twitter and a week before the U.S. midterm elections, billionaire Elon Musk has positioned himself as moderator-in-chief of one of the most important social media platforms in American politics. Musk has said he won’t make major decisions about content or restoring banned accounts before setting up a “content moderation council” with diverse viewpoints. But his own behavior as a prolific tweeter has signaled otherwise. He’s engaged directly with figures on the political right who are appealing for looser restrictions. Those include a Republican candidate for Arizona secretary of state who credits Musk for enabling him to begin tweeting again after his account was briefly suspended Monday.
November 2, 2022 2:51 am
Washington City Police are reminding motorists of potential major delays on Jefferson Avenue. PennDOT announced earlier this month that ongoing single-lane restrictions will be taking place on Jefferson Avenue between the intersections of Oakland Avenue and Route 844 in the city and major delays could be possible. Crews are working on milling and paving and single-lane restrictions will be on-going as necessary, through the end of November. Police say one of the major intersections experiencing heavy delays is the intersection of Wiley and Jefferson Avenues.
November 2, 2022 2:42 am
Democratic candidates for Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis held a rally in Donora on Wednesday. Approximately 100 supporters gathered at the American Croation Club to greet them as they delivered their message to voters as to why they should be elected and not their Republican counterparts. Austin Davis stated that he is a native of McKeesport and his wife is a Donora native and that he would champion the needs of the working class. Shapiro stated that he would continue the rights of a woman’s right to choose abortion, support trades and raise the minimum wage and rework the education system so that students that do not want to attend college have better opportunities to access trade skills that are vital to Pennsylvania. Shapiro drew a contrast between him and his opponent Doug Mastriano stating that “if you do not look like him, think like him, worship like him or vote like him” you are not a person he wants in Pennsylvania. Shapiro states that he believes Pennsylvania is a place for everyone.
November 2, 2022 2:42 am
HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania officials cannot count votes from mail-in or absentee ballots that lack accurate, handwritten dates on their return envelopes, the state Supreme Court ruled unanimously Tuesday, a week before tabulation will begin in races for governor, the U.S. Senate and the state Legislature. The court directed county boards of elections to “segregate and preserve” those ballots. The justices split 3-3 on whether making the envelope dates mandatory under state law would violate provisions of the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964, which states that immaterial errors or omissions should not be used to prevent voting. (Photo: AP)
November 1, 2022 9:21 am
CHICAGO (AP) – Chicago police say as many as 15 people, including three children, were injured in a drive-by shooting Halloween night. The shooting happened about 9:30 p.m. in the city’s Garfield Park neighborhood. Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown says the victims include a 3-year-old, an 11-year-old and a 13-year-old, as well as nearly a dozen adults. He said some are in critical condition. The shooting was over in a matter of seconds and was captured on police surveillance video. Police have no one in custody, no immediate motive, and lack a description of the car or suspects. They’re hoping victims will help once they’ve been treated in the hospital.
November 1, 2022 4:23 am
HOUSTON (AP) – A representative confirms that rapper Takeoff is dead after a shooting outside of a Houston bowling alley. Kirsnick Khari Ball was known as Takeoff and part of Migos along with Quavo and Offset. He was 28. Houston police say officers responded shortly after 2:30 a.m. to reports of a shooting at 810 Billiards & Bowling. No arrests have been announced. Police say security guards who were in the area heard the shooting but didn’t see who did it. Last month, Takeoff and Quavo released their debut as a duo “Only Built for Infinity Links.” (Photo: ABC News)
November 1, 2022 4:19 am
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Federal prosecutors say the man accused of attacking Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, told police he wanted to hold the speaker hostage and “break her kneecaps.” David DePape has been charged with two federal crimes and a state count of attempted murder. Police say DePape broke into the Pelosis’ home in San Francisco and struck the Democratic leader’s 82-year-old husband in the head with a hammer. Pelosi was seriously injured in the attack. San Francisco’s district attorney announced additional state charges as well against DePape. He was arrested Friday on suspicion of attempted murder, elder abuse and burglary.
November 1, 2022 4:17 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Rolling blackouts are increasing across Ukraine as the government rushes to stabilize the energy grid and repair the system ahead of winter. Yet the unpredictable power cuts are adding another layer of angst and uncertainty to a population already struggling to cope with the stress of nearly nine months of war. Moscow has openly declared its intention to strike power stations and drive the country into the cold. Ukraine’s government said approximately 40% of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been destroyed, impacting 16 regions. The damage could be restored within weeks, say energy experts, if it wasn’t for Russia’s incessant shelling and the lack of equipment, much of which must be imported.
November 1, 2022 4:13 am
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Powerball jackpot has rolled over again after no ticket matched all six numbers in Monday night’s Halloween drawing. The estimated top prize for Wednesday’s drawing is $1.2 billion, making it the second-largest Powerball jackpot and the fourth-largest U.S. lottery jackpot in history, the lottery said in a news release early Tuesday. The winning numbers drawn Monday were 13, 19, 36, 39, 59 and Powerball 13, with an optional Power Play of 3x.
