January 15, 2025 5:05 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has used his farewell address to the nation to warn of an “oligarchy” of the ultra-wealthy taking root in the country and of a “tech-industrial complex” that is infringing on Americans’ rights and the future of democracy. Speaking Wednesday from the Oval Office as he prepares to hand over power to President-elect Donald Trump, Biden spotlighted the accumulation of power and wealth in the U.S. among just a small few. The president warned Americans to be on guard for their freedoms and their institutions during a turbulent era of rapid technological and economic change. Biden also called for a constitutional amendment to end immunity for sitting presidents.
January 16, 2025 5:06 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — One by one, President-elect Donald Trump’s hoped-for Cabinet is falling into place. Defense Secretary pick Pete Hegseth was back on track after a fiery Senate confirmation hearing that probed his drinking, allegations of sexual assault and qualifications to lead the U.S. military. And Trump’s other nominees pushed Wednesday through a gauntlet of confirmation hearings. Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming predicted the Senate will begin start voting on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, to confirm some of Trump’s picks. But Trump’s more controversial choices of Kash Patel, Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., have yet to come before senators and face more uncertainty ahead.
January 16, 2025 5:08 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Rudy Giuliani has settled with two Georgia elections workers in a deal they say let him keep his homes and personal belongings in return for compensation and a promise to never defame them again. The agreement announced Thursday came after the women were awarded a $148 million judgment against Giuliani. It came just as the 80-year-old former New York City mayor was supposed to testify in Manhattan federal court at the start of a trial to decide if he could keep his Florida condominium and three World Series rings. It’s unknown how much he agreed to pay the women, how he’s footing the bill or whether anyone is helping him.
January 16, 2025 3:29 pm
LOS ANGELES (AP) — David Lynch has died at 78. The filmmaker was celebrated for his uniquely dark vision in such movies as “Blue Velvet” and “Mulholland Drive” and the TV series “Twin Peaks.” His family announced the death in a Facebook post on Thursday. The cause of death and location was not immediately available, but Lynch had been public about the effect emphysema had had on his life. Lynch was a onetime artist who broke through in the 1970s with the surreal “Eraserhead” and rarely failed to startle and inspire audiences and peers in the following decades. (Photo: AP)
January 16, 2025 11:46 am
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Bob Uecker, the voice of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers who after a short playing career earned the moniker “Mr. Baseball” and honors from the Hall of Fame, has died. He was 90. In a statement released Thursday by the Brewers, Uecker’s family said he had battled small cell lung cancer since early 2023. Uecker, who was born and raised in Milwaukee, signed his first pro contract with the Milwaukee Braves in 1956 and reached the majors in 1962. He lasted six seasons in the big leagues. He then spent over 50 years broadcasting the Brewers, becoming synonymous with baseball in Wisconsin and beyond.
January 15, 2025 12:57 pm
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Mediators announced that Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal, pausing a devastating 15-month war in the Gaza Strip and raising the possibility of winding down the deadliest and most destructive fighting between the bitter enemies. The deal, coming after weeks of painstaking negotiations in the Qatari capital, promises the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas in phases, the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel and would allow hundreds of thousands of displaced people in Gaza to return to what remains of their homes. It also would flood badly needed humanitarian aid into a devastated territory. The agreement is expected to go into effect in the coming days.
January 15, 2025 5:40 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Pam Bondi, Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general, has sought to reassure Democratic senators that her Justice Department would not prosecute anyone for political purposes. But at her confirmation hearing Wednesday, she also refused to rule out the potential for investigations into adversaries of the Republican president-elect. The often-testy hearing centered on concerns that Trump would seek to use the Justice Department’s law enforcement powers to exact retribution against opponents, including investigators who investigated him. Democrats pressed her on whether she could maintain the department’s independence from the White House and say no to the president if asked to do something unethical. (Photo: AP)
January 15, 2025 10:21 am
(AP) – U.S. regulators are banning the dye called Red 3 from the food supply. The move comes nearly 35 years after the dye was barred from cosmetics such as lipsticks because of potential cancer risk. Food and Drug Administration officials on Wednesday granted a 2022 petition filed by consumer advocates. The groups argued that some studies found the dye causes cancer in laboratory rats. FDA officials cited a statute known as the Delaney Clause, which requires FDA to ban any additive found to cause cancer in people or rats. Officials say the cancer risk has not been documented in people.
January 15, 2025 6:16 am
Washington County Controller Heather Sheatler has announced that she will seek the Republican nomination for the office in the May Primary election. Sheatler has worked in the Controller’s office for nearly 22 years and was appointed Controller back in October after Controller April Sloane resigned as part of a plea agreement related to charges that were filed against her in connection with the death of her dog. Sheatler says she “brings a wealth of experience and an unwavering commitment to fiscal responsibility. ” Since stepping into the role, “her number one focus has been to protect county taxpayers. ” “As someone who has spent my entire career serving the taxpayers of Washington County, I am excited to bring my proven leadership and dedication to this role in the years ahead,” said Sheatler. “My priority has always been to protect public resources and ensure that taxpayer dollars are managed with accountability and care.” Sheatler is a graduate of McGuffey High School and Penn Commercial Business school. She resides in Blaine Township with her husband and two teenage sons.
January 15, 2025 2:11 am
A Washington native and a former Washington High School basketball player has been arrested in Las Vegas in connection with an illegal betting scheme involving Jontay Porter, a former Toronto Raptors player who admitted to manipulating his performance for gambling purposes and who was banned from the NBA. Authorities say 39-year-old Shane Hennen was arrested Sunday morning at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. They allege that Hennen received information about the scheme from conspirators who were in contact with Porter, distributed the tips to other gamblers and placed bets thru proxies.
