March 3, 2023 9:49 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Josh Shapiro wants lawmakers to pass a three-year incentive of up to $2,500 a year for newly certified teachers, police officers and nurses in Pennsylvania. Administration officials say the Democrat will formally propose the idea to lawmakers when he unveils his budget plan Tuesday. The incentive is a tax credit to help address complaints from school boards, police departments and hospitals about the difficulty in filling critical positions. Much of Shapiro’s forthcoming budget proposal remains under wraps, and any new tax credit will require legislative approval. Under the proposal, the tax credit would apply to new certifications starting in 2023, and could be included on tax returns starting in 2024.
March 3, 2023 4:17 am
Residents are saying they’re still suffering from illnesses nearly a month after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in Ohio. They confronted the railroad’s operator Thursday at a town forum. Some demanded to know whether they’d be relocated from homes they’re afraid to live in. The railroad announced it was ready to begin moving more contaminated soil from underneath the tracks. But it says buying homes and moving people out of East Palestine hasn’t been discussed. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says it is ordering Norfolk Southern to begin testing for dioxins. The toxic chemical compounds can stay in the environment for long periods of time.
March 3, 2023 4:15 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department says former President Donald Trump can be sued by injured Capitol Police officers and Democratic lawmakers over the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In court papers, the Justice Department told a federal appeals court in Washington on Thursday that it should reject Trump’s argument that he is absolutely immune from the claims and allow the lawsuits to move forward. A Trump spokesperson said that the president “repeatedly called for peace, patriotism, and respect for our men and women of law enforcement” on Jan. 6. The spokesperson said the courts “should rule in favor of President Trump in short order and dismiss these frivolous lawsuits.”
March 3, 2023 4:13 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is visiting the White House on Friday for a private meeting with President Joe Biden. Both allies have become increasingly vocal about their concerns that China may step off the sidelines and supply weapons to Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Such a step could dramatically change the war’s trajectory by allowing Moscow to replenish its depleted stockpiles. China is Germany’s top trading partner, and European nations have generally been more cautious than the United States in taking a hard line with Beijing. However, there are signs that may be shifting as global rivalries grow more tense.
March 3, 2023 4:09 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Federal authorities say a Pennsylvania man admits packing explosive materials, fuses and a lighter into a suitcase he checked for a commercial flight to Florida. A judge on Thursday has denied bail for 40-year-old Marc Muffley of Lansford. Prosecutors say he fled the Lehigh Valley airport on Monday when he heard his name paged and feared being arrested. During a court hearing Thursday held over videoconference, a defense lawyer suggested the one-time construction worker only wanted to set fireworks off on a Florida beach. But the judge says he knew the items were prohibited on the flight.
March 3, 2023 4:04 am
Washington City Council worked through a largely procedural agenda Thursday night. The fire department was highlighted on spending measures. Council authorized the purchase of $2500 worth of replacement furnishings and appliances for the ongoing Tylerdale station renovation. In addition, council authorized fixtures equipment and furniture that qualifies under the 2023 Office of the State Fire Commissioner PEMA grant award. Fire Chief Chris Richer stated that many of the furnishings in Tylerdale are 20-30 years old and need replacement just like items in a home. The PEMA grant purchases will be for office equipment and training. Council also had the first reading of an ordinance amendment that concerns alarm systems in the city. Mayor Scott Putnam said that in a recent meeting with state officials, they recommended that the city move away from the Gamewell fire alarm system. Putnam says that the requirement will be phased out over several years. The measure will be up for a final vote in April.
March 3, 2023 2:38 am
A Bulger man accused of attacking his wife and threatening her with a gun waived his charges to court on Thursday. Brian Barish, 53 will face reckless endangerment and simple assault misdemeanor charges. Barish had felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor terroristic threat charges withdrawn by the district attorney. According to the criminal complaint, police responded to reports of a domestic incident at the Barish home on February 10. Barish’s wife told police that he grabbed her by the neck and threw her to the floor and held a gun to her head. Barish is free on $75,000 bond. He will be arraigned on April 27.
March 2, 2023 4:16 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee is launching an investigation into embattled Republican Rep. George Santos. The committee on Thursday announced the probe of the New York congressman whose lies and embellishments about his resume and personal life have drawn deep scrutiny in Congress. The bipartisan leaders of the committee said the panel voted unanimously to look into the allegations. The investigation appears to be far-reaching. It seeks to determine whether Santos “may have engaged in unlawful activity with respect to his 2022 congressional campaign” and other actions. Santos has already removed himself from congressional committees. (Photo: ABC)
March 2, 2023 12:51 pm
STROUDSBURG, Pa. (AP) — Law enforcement officials have revealed more details regarding items seized from the Pennsylvania home where they arrested a graduate student charged with stabbing four University of Idaho students to death. Additional court documents made public Thursday stated that a knife, a pocketknife, and a Glock 22 handgun with three empty magazines were found at the home of Bryan Kohberger’s parents. The home, Kohberger’s car, the garage and a shed on the property were all searched when he was arrested there Dec. 30. Kohberger, a 28-year-old doctoral student at Washington State University, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and burglary in connection with the stabbing deaths in Moscow, Idaho.
March 2, 2023 12:25 pm
(WPXI) – A woman and a man were shot in McKees Rocks Thursday morning. Police and EMS responded to reports of a shooting in the 100 block of Irwin Street just after 6 a.m., according to Allegheny County police. They found a woman with multiple gunshot wounds. In addition, a man walked into an area hospital with a gunshot wound to the stomach. Both victims are in stable condition. Homicide detectives are investigating. Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the County Police Tip Line 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
