Month: April 2020

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A 10th Port Authority employee has tested positive for coronavirus.

The Port Authority said on Friday that a sixth maintenance worker at the West Mifflin garage has tested positive for COVID-19.

The employee was last at work on Tuesday and is now in self-quarantine.

“The entire West Mifflin garage was deep cleaned and sanitized by Service Master of Greater Pittsburgh today after consultation with union leadership as there has been a cluster of positive COVID-19 cases among maintenance personnel at this facility,” the Port Authority said in a release.

Employees at the West Mifflin garage will have their temperatures taken before their shift and be sent home with pay if they have a fever. The number of maintenance employees is also being reduced at the facility.

“We wish this employee a speedy recovery and our thoughts go out to all of our employees affected by the virus,” said Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman in a release. “Our team is focused on this cluster of cases at West Mifflin and we have been working with union leadership to address this. We are doing everything we can to balance the safety of our employees and maintaining critical transit services that operate out of this garage.”

More information on the Coronavirus pandemic:

• CDC Coronavirus Information
• CDC Global Map of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
• Pennsylvania Department of Health Information
• Allegheny County Health Department Information

Source: Coronavirus In Pittsburgh: 10th Port Authority Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19 – CBS Pittsburgh

New York (CNN Business)Nintendo revealed on Friday that 160,000 accounts were breached since the beginning of April, by hackers using others’ Nintendo Network IDs without permission. The company announced users will no longer need to use these IDs to log into their accounts, and that passwords on accounts that may have been breached will be reset.

Over the past month, users on social media were complaining of missing funds from their Nintendo accounts and, in some cases, seeing their money being used to buy Fortnite’s virtual currency, V-Bucks.

In addition to logging in to potentially play other users’ games, the hackers were also able to see individuals’ date of birth, country or region and email addresses. They could also access payment services linked to these accounts, including PayPal accounts or credit cards to buy items on Nintendo’s platform.

“We sincerely apologize to our customers and related parties for any inconvenience and concern. In the future, we will make further efforts to strengthen security and ensure safety so that similar events do not occur,” said Nintendo in an announcement originally written in Japanese.

Source: Nintendo reveals 160,000 accounts were hacked – CNN

Kim Jong Un is rumored to be dead, according to a Hong Kong broadcast network, while a Japanese magazine is reporting that North Korea’s rocket man is in a “vegetative state” after he underwent heart surgery earlier this month.

A vice director of HKSTV Hong Kong Satellite Television, a Beijing-backed broadcast network in Hong Kong, claimed that Kim was dead, citing a “very solid source.” Her post on the Chinese messaging app Weibo has been shared widely on social media, according to a report in the International Business Times.

Other unconfirmed reports, attributed to senior party sources in Beijing, said an operation to insert a stent went wrong because the surgeon’s hands were shaking so badly.

Source: North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un rumored to be dead

While most of the city slept, a life was saved. Zone 6 Police officers responded to a report of a suicidal male on…Posted by Pittsburgh Bureau of Police on Thursday, April 23, 2020

PITTSBURGH — A Pittsburgh police officer talked with a man holding a knife to his neck for an hour in order to keep the man from killing himself early Friday.

Police said Sgt. Lee Myers responded to a call for the suicidal man around 1:30 a.m. Sgt. Myers talked with the man until he trusted the officer enough to drop the knife.

You can customize your WPXI News App to receive alerts to Allegheny County news. CLICK HERE to find out how.

Source: Pittsburgh police officer talks with suicidal man for an hour to save his life

Looking for something sweet? These Pittsburgh bakeries open for takeout and delivery have cookies, special occasion cakes, bread and more.

BreadWorks Bakery: BreadWorks Bakery is open for curbside pickup, offering a bakery bread list that includes baguettes, ciabatta, rustic raisin bread, and many other options. To place an order, call 412-231-7555 or order online with the time you will be picking up.

Brother Tom’s Bakery: Brother Tom’s Bakery in Sharpsburg is open for pickup only right now, daily from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pick up fresh bread, pies, cookies, cakes, and assorted pastries and sweets. Call 412-781-2253 to order. (808 Main Street)

Butterwood Bake Consortium: You can order slices of regular cake, vegan cake, chocolate tea cakes, Blondies, Brownies, gingerbread, olive oil cakes, lavender almond olive oil bread, sweet potato pie and whole custom cakes (vegan cakes available) from Lawrenceville’s Butterwood Bake Consortium. They’re currently open Wednesdays through Sundays from noon to 6:00 p.m. for take out, and they’re also offering delivery. Order online.

ConfectionsPGH: Pastry superstar Casey Renee launched her own pastry business, ConfectionsPGH, last year, offering custom cakes for purchase through her website. Orders are currently open for pickup in Swissvale and delivery, and seasonal cake flavors include Rhubarb Red Velvet, Chocolate Tuxedo Cake, and German Chocolate Cake, along with standard flavors, too.

Five Points Artisan Bakeshop: Five Points Artisan Bakeshop in Squirrel Hill is open for regular business hours for to-go orders. Pre-ordering is not required, but they offer it over the phone (412-521-2253) or through email. They also offer curbside pick-up. Menu items include croissants, breads, cinnamon buns, and cookies. (6524 Wilkins Avenue)

Gaby et Jules: Gaby et Jules is open in Squirrel Hill for in-store and curbside pickup from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and they also offer free local delivery for purchases of $50 or more within a 15-minute driving radius of the shop. The French bakery sells macarons, pastries, bread and confections, and nationwide shipping of their macarons, cannelés and caramels is also available. The East Liberty location will re-open on May 1. Order online, or by calling 412-682-1966.

Grandview Bakery: Mt. Washington’s Grandview Bakery is open for business from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sundays. They have all kinds of baked goods, including cupcakes, whoopie pies, Buckeyes and pies. (225 Shiloh Street)

Jean-Marc Chatellier’s French Bakery: One of our favorite bakeries, Jean-March Chatellier in Millvale, is open for advanced orders for curbside pick up on Tuesdays through Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Available items include cakes, Key Lime pie, chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons, French macarons, nut rolls and Breton Shortbread. During the weekend, you can also pick up croissants, apple strudel, cookies, bread and Quiche Lorraine. Call 412-821-8533 to place your order. (213 North Avenue)

Source: Pittsburgh Bakeries Open For Takeout (And Some Have Delivery)

Frontier Railroad will install new welded rails along the first four miles of the system that runs from behind the Walmart store in Hempfield’s Greengate Centre plaza to Youngwood. The rehabilitation work is expected to be completed in September.

Source: Westmoreland to upgrade another 4 miles of freight rail lines | TribLIVE.com

President Trump on Friday signed the nearly $500 billion “Phase 3.5” emergency interim coronavirus relief package into law after Congress passed legislation this week replenishing the fund for small businesses and adding billions of dollars in aid to hospitals across the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an Oval Office ceremony, the president touted the bill as being “great for small businesses” and “great for the workers,” adding that the bill will “extend relief to thousands of African-American and Hispanic American business owners.”

The new interim emergency relief package, which provides $484 billion in additional funding, passed the House on Thursday and the Senate earlier this week.

Source: Trump signs $484B small business coronavirus relief bill into law | Fox News

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Gov. Tom Wolf announced the phased color-coded plan that will be used to reopen the state region by region.

It’s broken down into three phases: red, yellow and green.

Right now, all of Pennsylvania is listed as red. Moving to yellow would mean some restrictions would be lifted, like the stay-at-home orders.

And green would mean businesses could reopen while following CDC and state health department guidelines.

Tonight, I’m announcing our plan to slowly reopen Pennsylvania.

We will use a measured, scientific approach. We will not just be flipping a switch to go from closed to open.

And, ultimately, #COVID19 will set the timeline.

There will be three phases: red, yellow, and green. pic.twitter.com/NahiYrKovo

— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) April 22, 2020

The governor’s plan for opening Pa. details specifically what is and isn’t allowed in each of the three phases. For example, in the yellow phase in-person retail is available, with delivery and curbside preferred.

Most stores on Pittsburgh’s South Side have been closed for at least a month, as the city works to slow the spread of COVID-19. With a sagging economy, Governor Tom Wolf announced May 8 as a target to start reopening the Commonwealth.

“They need to come up with a fair balance for the economy and the health of the people, because both are important. Health is really important,” said Stacy Rodgers from the North Hills.

Several factors will be determined when moving a county or region from one phase to another, including the number of COVID-19 cases in a two-week period.

Source: Coronavirus In Pennsylvania: Gov. Tom Wolf Unveils Color-Coded Plan For Reopening The State, Region By Region – CBS Pittsburgh

The House on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to pass legislation providing roughly $484 billion in coronavirus relief for small businesses, hospitals and expanded medical testing, capping weeks of contentious negotiations that had stalled Washington’s latest round of emergency aid.

The vote was 388-5-1, with four conservative Republicans breaking with GOP leaders to oppose the measure, citing its effect on federal deficit. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) also voted against the measure, while Rep. Justin Amash (I-Mich.) voted present.

The four Republicans who voted “no” were House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Biggs (Ariz.) and Reps. Ken Buck (Colo.), Jody Hice (Ga.) and Thomas Massie (Ky.).

Source: House passes $484B coronavirus relief package | TheHill

Washington (CNN)The House of Representatives will vote on Thursday on a roughly $480 billion coronavirus relief package to deliver aid to small businesses and hospitals and expand Covid-19 testing, in the latest attempt by lawmakers to blunt the devastating impact of the pandemic.

The measure passed the Senate on Tuesday and will go to President Donald Trump for his signature after it is approved by the House. Trump has expressed support for the legislation and indicated that he will sign it.

The total price tag of the bill is approximately $484 billion. It will add to the already historic levels of spending to deal with the pandemic by authorizing an additional $310 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, which was set up to help small businesses struggling from the economic deep freeze triggered by coronavirus. Funding for the program ran dry earlier this month, prompting an outcry from the business community.

In addition, the legislation provides $75 billion for hospitals and health care providers to address coronavirus expenses and lost revenue and $25 billion to facilitate and expand Covid-19 testing. The increased funding for testing comes at a time when there is widespread recognition that testing capacity must increase and improve as states consider when to reopen businesses and lift lockdowns.

The House is expected to hold a recorded roll call vote on the package, forcing many lawmakers to return to Washington from their home states and districts during the pandemic.

Source: House to vote on $480 billion relief package to help small businesses and hospitals, expand Covid-19 testing – CNNPolitics

If you feel confused about whether people should wear masks and why and what kind, you’re not alone. COVID-19 is a novel disease and we’re learning new things about it every day. However, much of the confusion around masks stems from the conflation of two very different functions of masks.

Masks can be worn to protect the wearer from getting infected or masks can be worn to protect others from being infected by the wearer. Protecting the wearer is difficult: It requires medical-grade respirator masks, a proper fit, and careful putting on and taking off. But masks can also be worn to prevent transmission to others, and this is their most important use for society. If we lower the likelihood of one person’s infecting another, the impact is exponential, so even a small reduction in those odds results in a huge decrease in deaths. Luckily, blocking transmission outward at the source is much easier. It can be accomplished with something as simple as a cloth mask.

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A key transmission route of COVID-19 is via droplets that fly out of our mouths—that includes when we speak, not just when we cough or sneeze. A portion of these droplets quickly evaporate, becoming tiny particles whose inhalation by those nearby is hard to prevent. This is especially relevant for doctors and nurses who work with sick people all day. Medical workers are also at risk from procedures such as intubation, which generate very tiny particles that can float around possibly for hours. That’s why their gear is called “personal protective equipment,” or PPE, and has stringent requirements for fit in order to stop ingress—the term for the transmission of these outside particles to the wearer. Until now, most scientific research and discussion about masks has been directed at protecting medical workers from ingress.

Source: Don’t Wear a Mask for Yourself – The Atlantic

It was business as usual Wednesday for North Korean state media, which reported about Kim Jong Un’s achievements and undated musings on the economy — without mentioning the despot’s health or whereabouts.

Speculation about the leader’s condition first arose when he didn’t show up for the anniversary celebration of the birthday of the hermit kingdom’s founding father and Kim’s grandfather, Kim Il Sung, on April 15.

The top headlines from the state news agency KCNA on Wednesday included pieces on sports equipment, mulberry picking and a meeting in Bangladesh to study the rogue regime’s “juche,” or self-reliance ideology, Reuters reported.

The official Rodong Sinmun newspaper published older or undated comments attributed to Kim about the economy, the textile industry and city development, among other topics.

Source: North Korean media silent on Kim Jong Un’s health, whereabouts

The head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday clarified comments he made to The Washington Post earlier this week about a potential second wave of the coronavirus later this year.

“I didn’t say that this was going to be worse, I said it was going to be more difficult and potentially complicated because we’ll have flu and coronavirus circulating at the same time,” CDC Director Robert Redfield said during Wednesday’s White House briefing.

“It doesn’t mean it’s going to be more impossible, doesn’t mean it’s going to be worse, it means it’s going to be more difficult because we’re going to have to distinguish between the two [viruses],” he continued.

While President Donald Trump repeatedly insisted the Post had “misquoted” Redfield, the CDC chief said he was only clarifying the story’s headline.

In its report Tuesday, titled “CDC director warns second wave of coronavirus is likely to be even more devastating,” the Post quoted Redfield as saying there’s “a possibility that the assault of the virus on our nation next winter will actually be even more difficult than the one we just went through.”

Source: CDC director clarifies concerns over potential second wave of coronavirus – AOL News

Port Authority has deep-cleaned its West Mifflin garage, put maintenance workers on a reduced schedule and will soon begin taking temperatures of employees when they show up for work after three employees tested positive for the COVID-19 virus in four days.

Authority spokesman Adam Brandolph said Tuesday the deep cleaning occurred after the first positive test and the others who tested positive already were not reporting to work because they had symptoms. An outside company on Saturday cleaned and sanitized not only the maintenance area but also the other facilities at the West Mifflin garage.

For the next two weeks, maintenance employees will work on reduced schedules and those who do work will have their schedules spread throughout the day so less are working at any one time.

Source: Port Authority limits workers, plans to take employees’ temperatures | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Noor was launched by a three-stage rocket and, according to Iran officials, had reached a 425 km high orbit

Source: Iran reportedly launches first military satellite as Trump makes threats | World news | The Guardian

Dow Jones futures: The coronavirus stock market rally had a strong day, pushing Apple, Intel and Tesla stock near buy points. But earnings loom.

Apple stock, AMD stock, Tesla stock, Microsoft stock and Intel stock are all near buy points or about to have new entries. ButApple (AAPL), Advanced Micro Devices(AMD), Tesla (TSLA), Microsoft (MSFT) andIntel (INTC) all have earnings on tap. Buying a stock just before earnings can be highly risky, with coronavirus shutdowns adding to uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Domino’s Pizza (DPZ), Eli Lilly (LLY) and Citrix Systems (CTXS) all report earnings early Thursday. Domino’s stock, LLY stock and CTXS stock are all slightly extended from recent breakouts.

AMD stock, Microsoft stock and Domino’s stock are all on IBD Leaderboard. MSFT stock and Domino’s stock are on IBD Long-Term Leaders list. Microsoft stock and AMD stock also are on the IBD 50. Apple stock has been added to SwingTrader.

Source: Dow Jones Futures: Coronavirus Stock Market Rally Powers Back; Apple, Tesla, Intel Near Buy Points, But Watch Out For This | Investor’s Business Daily

(Reuters) – Canadian police had yet to determine a motive for the country’s worst mass shooting, as the death toll from the carnage in Nova Scotia over the weekend climbed to 23 from 19, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said on Tuesday.

The shooting rampage has rattled rural communities in the Atlantic province, as investigators seek answers to questions such as how the gunman obtained an authentic police uniform and secured a police look-alike cruiser, both of which aided his easy movement during his 13-hour spree.

Memorials cropped up all over the province of fewer than a million people, featuring Canadian flags, flowers and illustrations of broken hearts. The Canadian Broadcasting Corp said the death toll included the suspect.

The incident started at a home in Portapique, a rural seaside community of about 100 residents in the winter, increasing to some 250 residents in the summer.

The RCMP said in a statement it was investigating the 16 crime scenes that were part of the murder spree, several of which included burnt-out homes. Police said there were also injuries in the attack, but did not say whether the death toll would rise further.

Source: Death Toll In Nova Scotia Mass Shooting Climbs To 23 | HuffPost

UPDATE:Fire crews were called to the scene of a fire that broke out Tuesday morning in Somerset County. The fire is on 107 West 3rd Street. Dispatchers said the call came in around 4:15 a. m. Tuesday. According to Jennerstown Deputy Fire Chief Mike Novak, three people were home at the time of the fire, and two jumped from the second story of the home when they couldn’t get to the stairwell to escape. Novak told 6 News one of those people was taken to Conemaugh with a leg injury.

Source: Crews battle house fire in Somerset County | WJAC

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The Allegheny County Health Department is reporting 12 new Coronavirus-related deaths across the county Tuesday, in addition to 17 more confirmed or probable cases of the fast-spreading virus.

The county death toll now stands at 67, with a countywide case count of 1,059. According to the county, the number of cases includes 1,034 confirmed and 25 probable cases.

Of reported deaths, county health officials say 55 are confirmed, meaning their COVID-19 test came back positive, and 12 are probable. A probable death is one where COVID-19 is listed on the deceased’s death certificate, but the person never had a positive test for the virus, according to county officials.

County health officials say most of the patients who have died have been older in age, but now there is one exception. They are reporting today that one of the victims was 42-years-old. No other details have been released on that person.

According to the county, 188 patients have been or are hospitalized. Seventy-six have needed treatment in the ICU, and 46 patients have needed a ventilator.

There are still more cases in women than in men. The Health Department says nearly 54 percent of the patients are female, and 46 percent of them are male.

The highest number of cases still remains in the 25-49 age range, with the 50-64 age range and the 65 and over age range tied.

Source: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 1,059 Coronavirus Cases, Death Toll Rises To 67

PITTSBURGH, PA – Now you can get bread and milk with your Smiley Cookies. Eat’n Park announced Wednesday that it is launching a temporary grocery program to provide access to everyday staples such as bread, mil, ketchup, toilet paper, Eat’n Park singe serve coffee pods and more.

The full list of available items for purchase can be found online at www.eatnpark.com/order.

“Everyone is trying to limit the frequency of their trips to the grocery store,” Kevin O’Connell, the restaurant chain’s chief marketing officer, said in a release. “So we’ve added a few key items to our takeout menu to help carry people over to their next grocery run.”

Additional items, such as quarts of Eat’n Park’s ranch dressing and Turner’s cottage cheese, are also available for purchase. All items can be purchased online or by phone and can be picked up through Eat’n Park’s convenient pickup windows or contactless grab and go lobby shelves.

Source: Eat’n Park Now Selling Grocery Items | Pittsburgh, PA Patch

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has temporarily sidelined a push to allow proxy voting in the House after Republicans slammed the Democrat-crafted plan — which was designed to mitigate health risks during the coronavirus pandemic but would mark a significant change in how Congress does business.

The plan had been slated for a vote Thursday.

But Pelosi announced she pulled the plug on a leadership call Wednesday, saying that she and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., would instead set up a group of bipartisan lawmakers to study remote voting and proxy voting as part of a way to reopen the House.

The change of plans happened after House Minority Whip Steve Scalise advised GOP members to vote “no” on the proposal they’ve dubbed the “Pelosi Proxy Voting Scheme” in the previously scheduled Thursday vote.

Source: Pelosi sidelines plan for proxy voting amid coronavirus, after GOP backlash | Fox News

The last time America’s states were in the throes of a crippling fiscal crisis, an idea was floated in Washington to help them swiftly bring it to an end: let them file for bankruptcy and escape from the trillions of dollars owed to bondholders and retired public employees.

It was immediately condemned by Wall Street investors, public employee unions and Republican and Democratic governors, who said it was unnecessary and would saddle them with rising interest rates by spooking the bond market. The discussion was dropped after a single hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives.

But on Wednesday, with the nation’s state capitals again facing massive budget shortfalls because of the stalled economy, the idea resurfaced when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell voiced support for it during a radio interview.

“I would certainly be in favor of allowing states to use the bankruptcy route,” McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, said during an interview on the Hugh Hewitt show. “It saves some cities. And there’s no good reason for it not to be available.”

Source: Bid to Let States Go Bankrupt Met Rapid Demise a Decade Ago – Bloomberg

BioNTech soared, and Pfizer led the Dow Jones today on vaccine news, as oil prices sought equilibrium amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Source: Dow Jones Today Rebounds As Oil Prices Swing Wild; Netflix Slips, Facebook Takes A Stake In India | Investor’s Business Daily