Western PA News

Biden extends protections for homeowners. What you need to know

Struggling homeowners received some welcome news Tuesday, with the Biden administration announcing it will extend forbearance and foreclosure relief.

Source: Biden extends protections for homeowners. What you need to know

In Athens, rare snow blankets Acropolis, halts vaccinations

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Heavy snowfall blanketed the Acropolis and other ancient monuments in Athens, caused power cuts and halted COVID-19 vaccinations in the Greek capital on Tuesday as the weather brought many services across the country to a standstill.

While western Europe got some respite from winter weather, temperatures plunged in the southeast of the continent and storms also battered Turkey.

The snow, an unusual sight in the Greek capital of more than 3 million residents, also stopped most public transport services. Hundreds of toppled trees downed power cables, causing blackouts in several suburbs.

Source: In Athens, rare snow blankets Acropolis, halts vaccinations

National Guard troops could remain in DC until Fall 2021

The National Guard could stay in Washington, D.C. for the next several months, with an internal email indicating troops could be on the ground in the U.S. capital until Fall 2021, according to a recent report.

An internal communication obtained by local affiliate FOX 5 DC shows the National Security Council has asked the Department of Defense (DoD) to coordinate plans with the U.S. Capitol Police for continued deployment beyond the previously set March date.

Senior defense officials told Fox New’s Jennifer Griffin on Monday the email was part of “internal deliberations” and “no decisions have been made.”

Source: National Guard troops could remain in DC until Fall 2021

What McDonald’s Shows About The Minimum Wage

McDonald’s is one of the nation’s largest employers of low-wage workers. And because it’s everywhere, it’s a great place to test the effects of minimum wage laws.

Source: What McDonald’s Shows About The Minimum Wage

Police: Johnstown man charged after shooting out vehicle window with gun | WJAC

LOWER YODER TWP, Pa. (WJAC) — Police say a Johnstown man has been charged with reckless endangerment after firing a gun at a vehicle near several homes.

According to the West Hills Regional Police Department, officers were called Friday to the 100 block of Norton Road after neighbors reported hearing a gunshot.

The neighbors reported that 31-year-old Randy Spicher was inside the home and intoxicated, according to police.

Police say they announced more than 30 times for the home to be evacuated and for Spicher to come to the front door with his hands in the air.

Spicher is being lodged in the Cambria County Prison in lieu of $30,000 bail.

Source: Police: Johnstown man charged after shooting out vehicle window with gun | WJAC

Shares of CVS Health Corp. CVS, +0.83% were little changed in premarket trading Tuesday, after the drugstore and health benefits company reported fourth-quarter profit and revenue that beat expectations. Net income fell to $973 million, or 74 cents a share, from $1.75 billion, or $1.34 a share, in the year-ago period. Excluding nonrecurring items, adjusted earnings per share declined to $1.30 from $1.73, but beat the FactSet consensus of $1.24. Total revenue rose 4.0% to $69.55 billion, above the FactSet consensus of $68.73 billion. Among CVS’s business segments, all beat expectations, with pharmacy services revenue falling 1.9% to $36.36 billion amid continued price compression, retail/long-term-care revenue rising 6.6% to $24.06 billion and health care benefits revenue climbing 11.4% to $19.10 billion. For 2021, CVS expects adjusted EPS of $7.39 to $7.55, compared with the FactSet consensus of $7.54. The company said it has administered more than 3 million COVID-19 vaccines in over 40,000 long-term care facilities. The stock has gained 1.0% over the past three months, while the S&P 500 SPX, +0.47% has advanced 8.5%.Source: CVS Health beats profit, revenue expectations, as it has administered more than 3 million COVID-19 vaccines – MarketWatch

CVS Health beats profit, revenue expectations, as it has administered more than 3 million COVID-19 vaccines – MarketWatch

Source: Doctors push back against new Pa. Health Department COVID-19 vaccine policy | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Doctors push back against new Pa. Health Department COVID-19 vaccine policy | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

KRIS B. MAMULA

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

kmamula@post-gazette.com

Pushback among doctors and pharmacists is mounting to a state Department of Health pivot in vaccine strategy that aims to boost the number of COVID-19 inoculations by favoring bigger hospitals over smaller physician practices and clinics.

Within hours of the Health Department’s announcement Friday that it will shrink the number of providers administering COVID-19 vaccines by eliminating the smallest ones, three physician groups lodged their objections — calling the new policy a “misguided allocation change” and a “woeful mistake.”

“We urge acting secretary Alison Beam and Gov. Tom Wolf to immediately rescind the order to avoid further problems in the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine,” their statement said. It was signed by the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Physicians and Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association.

Judicial Watch Continues Fight to Open Biden’s Hidden Senate Records | KMJ-AF1

What was President Joe Biden doing as a senator that he now wants to keep secret?

Judicial Watch is trying to find that out.

We filed a notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of Delaware, asking for access to records about President Biden’s senatorial papers held by the University of Delaware.

These papers include more than 1,850 boxes of archival records from his senate career.

This appeal seeks a reversal of the opinion of the Superior Court of Delaware, which is blocking a state Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

It comes in the lawsuit we filed with the Daily Caller News Foundation after a Delaware Attorney General’s opinion denied access to the records (Daily Caller News Foundation v. University of Delaware (No. N20A-07-001)).

The Delaware FOIA lawsuit was filed in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware on July 2, 2020.

Source: Judicial Watch Continues Fight to Open Biden’s Hidden Senate Records | KMJ-AF1

Former NFL player Vincent Jackson found dead in Florida hotel: report | Fox News

Former NFL wide receiver Vincent Jackson was found dead on Monday at the Homewood Suites in Brandon, Florida, according to a report by WFLA. He was 38 years old.

Source: Former NFL player Vincent Jackson found dead in Florida hotel: report | Fox News

Source: The Polar Vortex Is Proving Exactly Why Green Energy Is a Disaster for America’s Power Grid

The Polar Vortex Is Proving Exactly Why Green Energy Is a Disaster for America’s Power Grid

Robert Alexander / Getty ImagesAutomobiles travel along Interstate 10 as wind turbines generate electricity at the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm near Palm Springs, California. (Robert Alexander / Getty Images)

By Christine Favocci

In the name of environmentalism, many on the left have proposed switching the nation’s energy from reliable fossil fuels to new green energy sources that rely on the good fortune of clear skies and proper wind velocity to power America.

As if that weren’t enough cause to hesitate to indulge in such wishful thinking, another vulnerability has become painfully apparent as a third of the contiguous U.S. was plunged into subzero temperatures Monday due to a polar vortex weather pattern, according to CNN.

Not only have freezing temperatures created an excessive draw on the power grid as residents struggle to keep warm, but generating electricity has also become a major issue for areas that rely on sources such as solar and wind power.

Trump greeted by hundreds of cheering fans on Presidents Day

Former President Donald Trump on Monday waved to hundreds of cheering fans who rallied to support him on Presidents Day.

The show of support followed the Senate vote Saturday to acquit Trump of inciting the Jan. 6 Capitol riot that disrupted certification of President Biden’s victory.

Trump supporters staged the rally along a road near his near Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Fla.

Trump aide Dan Scavino tweeted the view from inside Trump’s motorcade, writing: “This is unbelievable! 45 returns to Mar-a-Lago this afternoon, after an awesome day out on the links….to this….”

Trump has been virtually silent since the riot that left five dead and has been banned from Twitter, which was his preferred communications platform.

But in a post-acquittal message, Trump said, “Our historic, patriotic and beautiful movement to Make America Great Again has only just begun. In the months ahead I have much to share with you.”

Because he was acquitted, Trump is eligible to run for president again in 2024.

Source: Trump greeted by hundreds of cheering fans on Presidents Day

1 killed, 5 Americans injured in rockets strike near U.S. base in Iraq – POLITICO

BAGHDAD — Fourteen rockets struck outside Irbil international airport near where U.S. forces are based in northern Iraq late Monday, killing one non-US civilian contractor and wounding five Americans, according to U.S. defense officials.

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the attack, which sparked fears of a new escalation in the region, according to a White House official.

More than a dozen 107mm rockets hit areas between the civilian airport in the semi-autonomous Kurdish-run region and the nearby base hosting U.S. troops at 9:30 p.m on Monday. No one immediately claimed responsibility, but a U.S. defense official said the attack was launched by a Shia militia group.

It is too soon to say whether Iran directed the attack, the person said, but previous attacks by militia groups on U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq have been linked to Tehran.

In total, five Americans were injured in the attack: four civilian contractors and one service member, according to two defense officials. In addition, one non-U.S. contractor were killed and two non-U.S. contractors were injured.

Source: 1 killed, 5 Americans injured in rockets strike near U.S. base in Iraq – POLITICO

Georgia Sen. Warnock Under Investigation For Voter Registration Misconduct

Warnock worked with a group founded by Stacey Abrams that is now under investigation.

Warnock served as chairman of the board for the New Georgia Project in 2019, which is when election officials claim misconduct took place.

Under Georgia election rules, voting registration organizations like the New Georgia Project have to submit completed voter applications within ten days after they are received from the voter.

But officials allege that during a 2019 registration effort, some 1,268 applications were submitted to the Gwinnett County elections office after the ten-day deadline.

Source: Georgia Sen. Warnock Under Investigation For Voter Registration Misconduct

Parler app back online after month-long gap – BBC News

Controversial social-media app Parler has come back online after more than a month without service.

The Twitter-like app was a favourite among supporters of former US President Donald Trump and right-wing conservatives.

It was banned from Google and Apple’s app stores and Amazon’s web-hosting service, after an armed mob broke into the US Capitol building on 6 January.

But now, the self-styled free-speech platform says it is “here to stay”.

Source: Parler app back online after month-long gap – BBC News

State Police Locate 82-Year-Old Nila Ross

By: KDKA-TV News Staff

COGAN HOUSE TOWNSHIP (KDKA) — State police have located a missing and endangered 82-year-old woman from Lycoming County.

RELATED:From Snow To Ice: Changing Weather Conditions Have Public Works Crews On High Alert

Investigators say 82-year-old Nila Ross has been located Monday.

RELATED:Thanks To A Random Act Of Kindness, Pittsburgh Woman Leaves Store With Gift She’ll Never Forget

Missing Endangered Person Advisory UPDATE: Nila Ross was located. The MEPA is canceled. Thank you for the RTs

— PA State Police (@PAStatePolice) February 15, 2021

MORE:Bethel Park Police Arrest Serial Shoplifters After One Was Found Passed Out In A Vehicle

Source: State Police Locate 82-Year-Old Nila Ross

Source: Celebrity salute to Andrew Cuomo at Emmy ceremony draws mockery: ‘How embarrassing’ | Fox News

Celebrity salute to Andrew Cuomo at Emmy ceremony draws mockery: ‘How embarrassing’ | Fox News

The montage of celebrities gushing over New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D., as he received an Emmy award in November sparked a new wave of conservative mockery on Monday.

Cuomo rode high in 2020 for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic in spite of his state leading the nation in deaths, but he is now under fire from both parties over his administration’s suspected cover-up of nursing home fatalities from the virus.

Cuomo received the Founders Award “in recognition of his leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic and his masterful use of television to inform and calm people around the world” at the International Emmy Awards ceremony on Nov. 23, and liberal celebrities like Ben Stiller, Spike Lee, and Robert de Niro heaped praise upon him in a pre-recorded video.

TWITTER USERS TRASH SNL FOR IGNORING CUOMO’S NURSING HOME SCANDAL: ‘WAS IT TOO EASY?’

The briefings “gave us hope, gave us clarity, gave us the truth, and gave us something we were not getting from Washington: leadership,” comedian Billy Crystal said. “You are the epitome of New York tough.”

Stiller said “I look up to you” and mentioned he reached out to Cuomo’s younger brother, CNN host Chris Cuomo, for advice on what good-natured jokes to make about him.

“You are the man,” actress Rosie Perez said. “We were all in a crisis, in a panic, and every single day you came on the airwaves, and you offered your strength, your leadership, your direction, and your caring, and your heart.”

Source: Meena Harris latest Biden, Harris family member to face scrutiny over business ventures | Fox News

Meena Harris latest Biden, Harris family member to face scrutiny over business ventures | Fox News

The White House has come out and stated that Vice President Kamala Harris ‘ name will not be permitted to be used in conjunction with any commercial endeavors that could be seen as having her support, after a report said lawyers told her niece Meena Harris to stop using her name to help her brand.

Meena Harris has leveraged her relationship with the vice president in the past, including for her children’s book, “Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea.” Days before the inauguration, she appeared on “The Today Show” and promoted her new book, “Ambitious Girl,” as images of her and her aunt were shown on television.

INDIANS BURN IMAGES OF KAMALA HARRIS’ NIECE AFTER SHE BACKS FARM PROTESTS

The White House now says that this will not be allowed.

“The Vice President and her family will uphold the highest ethical standards and it’s the White House’s policy that the Vice President’s name should not be used in connection with any commercial activities that could reasonably be understood to imply an endorsement or support,” Sabrina Singh, Deputy press secretary for the vice president told Fox News.

According to the Los Angeles Times, a White House officials said that after November’s election transition team ethics lawyers told Meena Harris not to use Kamala Harris’ name or likeness, she still marketed items inspired by her.

Winter storm’s 2nd wave to arrive later today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh region is on track for a one-two punch of snow and ice Monday and Tuesday with 3 to 6 inches forecast by the time this major storm has moved through.

A winter storm warning went remains in place until 1 p.m. Tuesday for Allegheny and surrounding counties, according to the National Weather Service in Moon.

The first wave of freezing rain arrived by 8 a.m. Monday before changing over to all snow for several hours. The region is experiencing a brief reprieve before the next round of snow arrives later today and continues into Tuesday.

“Roughly 1 to 3 inches of snow and ice is expected in a second wave around 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday night. Though snow later in the evening is likely to be mostly ice, which is what makes conditions dangerous for the roads,” said Jason Frazier, a meteorologist with the weather service.

Source: Winter storm’s 2nd wave to arrive later today in Pittsburgh

Guinea Declares Ebola Outbreak : NPR

At least three people have died and four more are confirmed infected with the Ebola virus. The government declared an outbreak in a rural community.

Source: Guinea Declares Ebola Outbreak : NPR

Source: Minneapolis push to defund police backfires after residents complain of slow response times, increase in crime | Fox News

Minneapolis push to defund police backfires after residents complain of slow response times, increase in crime | Fox News

Minneapolis on Friday backtracked on its original push to defund the city’s police department in the wake of George Floyd’s police custody death after residents begged the city to hire more officers, citing longer response times and increased violent crime.

The City Council on Friday voted unanimously to approve $6.4 million in additional funding that police had requested.

FILE: Demonstrators are taken into custody after curfew in Minneapolis, as protests continued following the death of George Floyd, who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day. (AP)

The department says it only has 638 officers available to work — roughly 200 fewer than usual. An unprecedented number of officers quit or went on extended medical leave after Floyd’s death and the unrest that followed.

With new recruit classes, the city anticipates it will have 674 officers available at the end of the year, with another 28 in the hiring process, the Star Tribune reported

NYPD MAKE ARREST IN SUBWAY STABBING SPREE THAT UPPED PATROLS BY 500 OFFICERS

Days before the City Council vote, Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Medaria Arradondo promised to update the application process for police recruits to include questions about whether they have lived in Minneapolis, have degrees in criminology, social work, psychology or counseling, and whether they volunteer or participate in programs such as the Police Activities League.

Meanwhile, three City Council members have proposed replacing the police department with a public safety department that would include law enforcement and other services. Yes 4 Minneapolis, a coalition of local community groups, is also collecting signatures to try to get a similar proposal on the November ballot.

The Star Tribune reported the Yes 4 Minneapolis committee is being fueled by a half-million dollar grant from the Washington, D.C.-based group Open Society Policy Center, linked to billionaire George Soros.

Source: Biden calls on Congress to ‘enact commonsense gun law reforms’ on third anniversary of Parkland shooting – CNNPolitics

Biden calls on Congress to ‘enact commonsense gun law reforms’ on third anniversary of Parkland shooting – CNNPolitics

President Joe Biden on Sunday called on Congress to institute “commonsense gun law reforms,” including widespread firearm sales background checks and a ban on assault weapons — highlighting an “epidemic of gun violence” in the US on the third anniversary of the deadly Parkland school shooting.

Op-Ed: 1 Month in and Biden Has Essentially Canceled the 1964 Civil Rights Act

By Quisha King
The Biden-Harris administration has decided the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is irrelevant and we do in fact need to discriminate on the basis of race, color and religion.

The act states, “All persons shall be entitled to be free, at any establishment or place, from discrimination or segregation of any kind on the ground of race, color, religion, or national origin.”

It goes on to say, “No person shall (a) withhold, deny, or attempt to withhold or deny, or deprive or attempt to deprive, any person of any right or privilege secured by section 201 or 202.”

‘Skin color and gender are about as relevant to my skills and contributions to society as my having black hair.’

Source: Op-Ed: 1 Month in and Biden Has Essentially Canceled the 1964 Civil Rights Act

Source: “Bachelor” host Chris Harrison is temporarily “stepping aside” after “excusing historical racism” – CBS News

“Bachelor” host Chris Harrison is temporarily “stepping aside” after “excusing historical racism” – CBS News

“By excusing historical racism, I defended it,” Harrison wrote, announcing he will not host the “After the Final Rose” live special.

Pittsburgh Police Cruiser Crashes Into North Side Home – CBS Pittsburgh

By: KDKA-TV News Staff

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A Pittsburgh Police officer was taken to the hospital following his cruiser crashing into a home on Pittsburgh’s North Side.

RELATED:City Of Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co. Public Works Crews Preparing For Coming Winter Storm

The crash happened along Milroy Street around 6:30 a.m. when the officer was responding to a collision in Zone 1.

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Source: Pittsburgh Police Cruiser Crashes Into North Side Home – CBS Pittsburgh

Source: Winter Weather: One-Two Punch Storm System To Bring Heavy Snowfall, Ice Accumulation To Pittsburgh Area – CBS Pittsburgh

Winter Weather: One-Two Punch Storm System To Bring Heavy Snowfall, Ice Accumulation To Pittsburgh Area – CBS Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Dry air moves in today, so it’ll be a quiet, cloudy day before some big snow totals for the start of the week arrive.

The several waves of snow we are seeing arrive overnight and will last through Tuesday morning!

RELATED:Local Churches Changing Ash Wednesday Plans, Procedures Due To Coronavirus Pandemic

Winter Storm Watches are in effect starting at 1:00 a.m. Monday morning and will be in effect until 1:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Post-Impeachment Live Updates: Fallout Begins for Republicans Who Voted to Convict Trump

The blowback against the seven Republican senators who supported former President Donald J. Trump’s conviction in his impeachment trial has begun.

In Louisiana, the state Republican Party’s executive committee voted unanimously on Saturday to censure Senator Bill Cassidy, who was just re-elected in November and was among those who voted to find Mr. Trump guilty. The state’s Republican attorney general, Jeff Landry, said Mr. Cassidy had “fallen into the trap laid by Democrats to have Republicans attack Republicans.”

Two of the Republicans who voted for conviction, Senators Richard M. Burr of North Carolina and Patrick J. Toomey of Pennsylvania, are not seeking re-election next year, giving them more political freedom than many of their colleagues. But they still faced rebukes at home.

Lawrence Tabas, the chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican Party, called the trial “an unconstitutional theft of time and energy that did absolutely nothing to unify or help the American people,” adding, “I share the disappointment of many of our grass-roots leaders and volunteers over Senator Toomey’s vote today.”

In North Carolina, the chairman of the state Republican Party, Michael Whatley, said Mr. Burr’s vote was “shocking and disappointing.” Representative Dan Bishop, Republican of North Carolina, expressed support for censuring him.

“Wrong vote, Sen. Burr,” former Representative Mark Walker, a Republican who is seeking his party’s nomination for Senate next year, wrote on Twitter. “I am running to replace Richard Burr because North Carolina needs a true conservative champion as their next senator.”

Of the seven Republicans who voted to convict Mr. Trump, only one of them, Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, will be on the ballot in 2022. But she is a uniquely formidable candidate in her state, having once won re-election as a write-in candidate after losing a primary.

The Republican senators who broke with their party during the former president’s trial joined 10 House Republicans who voted last month to impeach him, triggering an earlier backlash within the G.O.P.

Source: Post-Impeachment Live Updates: Fallout Begins for Republicans Who Voted to Convict Trump