January 14, 2023 3:59 am
ATLANTA (AP) – During the 2022 midterm campaign, President Joe Biden steered clear of Georgia as Sen. Raphael Warnock, like other battleground-state Democrats, sought to distance himself from the White House amid an inflationary economy and the president’s lagging approval ratings. Now, with Warnock having secured his first full term and Biden buoyed by Democrats’ better-than-expected election results, the senator is welcoming the president back to Georgia and to America’s most famous Black church. The president is set to speak Sunday at Ebenezer Baptist Church as part of Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.
January 14, 2023 3:57 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – A series of explosions has rocked Kyiv and minutes later air raid sirens started to wail as an apparent missile attack on the Ukrainian capital was underway. The deputy head of Ukraine’s presidential office said on Telegram that a missile attack on critical infrastructure in the capital was taking place on Saturday morning. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said that “explosions were heard in Dniprovskyi district, left bank of Kyiv.” It wasn’t immediately clear whether the explosions were caused by the strikes or by air defense systems operating. The Ukrainian capital hasn’t been attacked since New Year’s night.
January 14, 2023 3:56 am
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) – Palestinian medics say Israeli troops have shot and killed two Palestinian men during a military raid in the occupied West Bank, while a third man has died from wounds sustained in an earlier raid. The bloodshed raised the number of Palestinians killed this year in fighting with Israel to 11. The military says the troops opened fire after gunmen fired at them from a passing vehicle and that an automatic rifle was confiscated from the car. The bloodshed signals no slowdown in fighting that made 2022 the deadliest year in the West Bank and east Jerusalem since 2004. Israel says most of the dead have been militants, but stone-throwers and people not involved in violence have also died.
January 14, 2023 3:55 am
(AP) – As Russian troops wage a ferocious fight for control of strongholds in eastern Ukraine, a parallel battle is unfolding in the top echelons of military power in Moscow. President Vladimir Putin has reshuffled his generals while rival camps try to win his favor. Fighting for the Ukrainian town of Soledar and the nearby city of Bakhmut has highlighted a rift between the Russian Defense Ministry leadership and a millionaire whose private military force known as the Wagner Group has played an increasingly visible role in Ukraine. Putin’s shakeup of the military brass was seen as a bid to show that the Defense Ministry still has his support as the troubled conflict nears the 11-month mark.
January 14, 2023 3:53 am
(WPXI) – Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh was temporarily closed Friday after water began leaking onto the gaming floor. Casino officials say the water was coming from a cracked refrigeration pipe. The water began to spray inside the building Friday afternoon. Repairs were made and crews worked to clean up to allow for reopening at 8pm Friday night.
January 14, 2023 3:48 am
Incoming Governor Josh Shapiro and Lt. Governor Austin Davis announced the talent lineup for their Inaugural Celebration. The event will be held at Rock Lititz, an entertainment complex in Lancaster County, and will feature Motown artist and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Smokey Robinson, Pittsburgh rapper Wiz Khalifa, and Philadelphia natives Mt. Joy. Although a Detroit native, Robinson has strong business and personal ties to Pittsburgh, where he does business, owns property, and spends time. “We are honored and excited to have such top level talent, representing our Commonwealth’s great diversity, performing at the Inaugural Celebration,” said Shapiro-Davis Inaugural Committee Executive Director Amanda Warren. “As we seek to create a dynamic, interactive, and accessible event for all Pennsylvanians, we have chosen artists who provide something for everyone and we are honored they’ll join us. We look forward to showcasing the very best of Pennsylvania and celebrating the inauguration of our 48th Governor on Tuesday evening.” (Photo: AP)
January 13, 2023 3:31 pm
NEW YORK (AP) – Donald Trump’s company has been fined $1.6 million as punishment for a scheme in which some of his executives dodged personal income taxes on lavish job perks. The fine imposed Friday was the only penalty a judge could impose on the Trump Organization. The company was convicted of 17 tax crimes, including conspiracy and falsifying business records. The amount imposed by Judge Juan Manuel Merchan was equal to double the amount of taxes a small group of executives avoided on benefits including rent-free apartments, luxury cars and private school tuition. Trump himself was not on trial. He denied any knowledge of executives evading taxes illegally.
January 13, 2023 2:57 pm
NEW YORK (AP) – Robbie Bachman, the drummer for the Canadian hard rock band Bachman-Turner Overdrive that was known for such 1970s hits as “Takin’ Care of Business” and “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet,” has died at age 69. His death was announced on social media Thursday by his brother and bandmate, Randy Bachman, who did not give a cause. Bachman-Turner Overdrive sold millions of records with its blend of grinding guitar riffs and catchy melodies. “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet” topped the charts. The band’s other hits included “Hey You” and “Roll On Down the Highway.” Randy Bachman left the group in the mid-1970s, and the popularity of BTO soon faded. (Photo: Legacy.com)
January 13, 2023 2:53 pm
LAS VEGAS (AP) – Robbie Knievel, an American stunt motorcycle performer and son of thrill-seeking father Evel Knievel, has died. Knievel’s older brother tells The Associated Press that Robbie Knievel died early Friday at a hospice in Reno, Nevada, after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 60. Knievel set a number of daredevil stunt records and completed a 1989 jump over fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, where his father famously nearly died in a crash in 1967. Also known as “Kaptain Robbie Knievel,” he completed a motorcycle leap over a chasm at an Indian reservation outside Grand Canyon National Park in 1999. He’ll be buried with family members in Butte, Montana. (Photo: ABC)
January 13, 2023 4:25 am
A sixteen year old from South Strabane Township will face trial for allegedly shooting his step father in front of a business on Murtland Avenue back in December. Samuel Hoy, a juvenile being charged as an adult, was scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Thursday. Prior to the hearing prosecution and defense attorneys agreed to have all charges held for court without a hearing. Hoy faces felony charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, receiving stolen property and a misdemeanor charge of possession of a firearm by a minor. Hoy will be formally arraigned on February 23. He is being held in the Washington County Jail on $2 million bond.
