Candidates Clash In Final NYC Mayoral Debate

October 22, 2025 4:57 am

NEW YORK (AP) — Frontrunner Zohran Mamdani was attacked over his thin resume. Republican Curtis Sliwa strove to prove his seriousness as a candidate. And former Gov. Andrew Cuomo was pressed on the sexual harassment allegations that drove him from office in a contentious final debate in New York City’s mayoral race. They candidates met just days before early voting begins in the country’s largest city. While Mamdani began the debate accusing his rivals of being too consumed by fighting, he quickly joined the fray, including inviting one of Cuomo’s accusers to appear in the studio audience. Cuomo is now running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani.

North Carolina GOP Gives Final Approval To Redrawn Map

October 22, 2025 4:56 am

(AP) – North Carolina lawmakers have given final approval to a new U.S. House map backed by President Donald Trump. The map adopted Wednesday could help Republicans win an additional seat by reshaping a swing district currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Davis. The previous map already helped the GOP win 10 of the 14 House districts in North Carolina, which Trump won with 51% of the vote last year. North Carolina is the latest state to join Trump’s mid-decade redistricting push to avoid losing control of Congress. Texas and Missouri lawmakers already redrew their maps, and California lawmakers countered by asking voters to approve a map to help Democrats.

The Louvre Reopens After Daylight Heist

October 22, 2025 4:55 am

PARIS (AP) — The Louvre has reopened to the public, three days after thieves forced open a window and stole French crown jewels in a daring, daylight raid on the museum. The Apollo Room where the theft occurred remained closed to visitors, while crowds — hundreds deep — waited outside the museum’s glass pyramid entrance. The Louvre is normally closed on Tuesday and had been shut since the theft for investigation. No arrests have been announced, and the stolen jewels remain missing. The Paris prosecutor said Tuesday the stolen crown jewels were worth an estimated $102 million, not including their historical value to France. About 100 investigators are involved in the police pursuit of the suspects and jewels.

Shapiro’s Memoir To Be Released In January

October 22, 2025 4:49 am

NEW YORK (AP) — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s memoir is coming out in January. It touches on his political rise and the trauma of his home being set on fire. HarperCollins announced Tuesday that “Where We Keep the Light: Stories From a Life of Service” will be released Jan. 27. Shapiro was elected governor in 2022 and has become a prominent national Democrat. He was on Kamala Harris’ shortlist as a running mate in last year’s presidential election. A man set fire to his official residence in April. The family was safely evacuated, and the man pleaded guilty and was sentenced last week.

Father Guilty Of Child Endangerment

October 22, 2025 4:46 am

A Monessen man who while living in Cross Creek Township, allegedly severely beat his children pleaded guilty to two felony counts of endangering the welfare of children. Jermaine Lane, 34 was accused of beating his two seven year old sons so severely that hospital officials said that the boys would be in grave danger of severe injury and possibly death if they remained in his care. In 2019, police were alerted to the boys’ danger when an Avella Elementary school teacher found bruises and bite marks on the back of one of the children. He also had a cut on his head. Police interviewed Lane’s step children who said that Lane would only beat his biological children. They said on one occasion, Lane choked them to the point of losing consciousness. Lane will serve two concurrent 3-8 year sentences in state prison for his actions.

Canon Mac Teacher Faces Trial For Sex With Student

October 22, 2025 2:27 am

A Canon-MacMillan high school teacher will face trial on 13 felony counts of Intercourse/Sexual contact with a student and one felony count of criminal use of a communications device. Justin White, 48 of North Strabane Township waived his case to common pleas court without a hearing at his preliminary hearing. According to the criminal complaint, The victim was interviewed by police and she said that she and White had inappropriate student/teacher communications via email and text as early as October 2023, the victim’s junior year of high school. The communications escalated into visits in a North Strabane Township parking lot. On the victim’s 18th birthday in January 2025, White presented the victim books. The visits became more sexually intense and progressed to sexual relations, with some visits taking place in White’s classroom. Police were able to uncover more than 14,000 emails between the parties beginning in October 2023. White is free on $150,000 bond. He will be formally arraigned on November 20.

American Chess Grand-Master Dies At 29

October 21, 2025 5:45 pm

(AP) – A chess grand-master who started as a child prodigy and quickly became one of the most influential American voices in the sport has died at age 29. Daniel Naroditsky became a grand-master at the age of 18. That’s the highest title in chess aside from World Champion. The Charlotte Chess Center in North Carolina announced Naroditsky’s death Monday on social media. The cause of death was not immediately known. Fellow grand-masters credited Naroditsky with introducing the sport to a wider audience by live-streaming many of his matches. Other elite chess players took to social media to express their shock and sadness.

Crown Jewel Heist A Race Against Time

October 21, 2025 5:43 pm

PARIS (AP) — Experts say France’s royal jewels may be gone forever after a daring heist at the Louvre. On Sunday, thieves stole eight pieces, including crowns and necklaces, in just four minutes. These jewels, dating back to the 16th century, were significant symbols of France’s wealth and power. Experts believe the gems are likely being dismantled and sold off. The theft has left the French government scrambling to address security concerns at the museum. The heist is being called “the heist of the decade” and has sparked a race against time for authorities to recover the treasures.

“Batman” Visits Pittsburgh For Walk Of Fame Opening

October 21, 2025 1:50 pm

The inaugural group of innovators and celebrities were inducted into Pittsburgh’s Walk of Fame in the Strip District Monday morning. Ten movers and shakers from the region were honored. Industrialist Andrew Carnegie, journalist Nelly Bly, scientists Jonas Salk and Rachel Carson, playwright August Wilson, artist Andy Warhol, Roberto Clemente, Mr. Rogers, and living inductees George Benson and Michael Keaton. Hundreds of people attended the ceremony, which saw library officials, family members and Keaton himself unveil their new “Stars.” George Benson appeared via video clip. Fred Rogers’s son, John, honored his father by asking those in attendance to take a moment to think about loved ones who have helped them in their lives. And Keaton said a taxi cab driver told him that everyone from Pittsburgh says they are proud to be from Pittsburgh. Afterwards, Keaton was swarmed by fans who wanted a chance to get a selfie with Batman.

Trump; Federal Government Owes Him ‘A Lot Of Money’

October 21, 2025 5:00 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says the federal government owes him “a lot of money” for prior Justice Department investigations into his actions and insists that any decision on a payout would “have to go across my desk.” Trump’s comments Tuesday to reporters at the White House came in response to questions about a New York Times story that said he had filed administrative claims seeking roughly $230 million in damages related to the FBI’s search of his Mar-a-Lago property for classified documents in 2022 and for a separate investigation into potential ties between Russia and his 2016 presidential campaign.