Western PA News

Source: Hunter Biden ‘tax affairs’ under federal investigation; links to China funds emerge, sources say | Fox News

Hunter Biden ‘tax affairs’ under federal investigation; links to China funds emerge, sources say | Fox News

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Delaware is investigating Hunter Biden’s “tax affairs,” President-elect Joe Biden’s son confirmed on Wednesday, saying he is taking the matter “very seriously” and is “confident” he handled his affairs “legally and appropriately.”

December 10, 2020December 10, 2020

The Chris Salcedo Show 12/09/2020

Newsmax got higher ratings than Fox News Channel for the first time.

Source: The Chris Salcedo Show 12/09/2020

States tell Supreme Court they support Texas bid to reverse Biden win

Seventeen states told the Supreme Court that they support an effort by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to sue to effectively reverse President-elect Joe Biden’s projected win in the Electoral College.

The filing came a day after Paxton asked the Supreme Court for permission to sue Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin over their election results, which Biden won in all instances.

Source: States tell Supreme Court they support Texas bid to reverse Biden win

Source: NFL Week 14 Power Rankings: Chiefs replace Steelers at the top, Browns up to No. 6, Titans take biggest fall – CBSSports.com

NFL Week 14 Power Rankings: Chiefs replace Steelers at the top, Browns up to No. 6, Titans take biggest fall – CBSSports.com

Pete Prisco wonders if anybody is all that good, while a pair of NFC East teams rise the most

Is any NFL team really that good this season?

That is said in all sincerity. The Kansas City Chiefs are the new No. 1 team in my Power Rankings this week, but they were pushed to the limit in two of their last three games, including Sunday night against a so-so Denver Broncos team. At home, no less.

The Pittsburgh Steelers came into Monday undefeated at 11-0 and left with a bad home loss to the Washington Football Team. That’s two straight bad showings for the Steelers.

We also had the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans with bad homes losses last week, meaning three of the top 10 teams in my Power Rankings heading into the weekend lost.

Even the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers, the two top teams in the NFC, found themselves in games late after early leads on Sunday.

December 10, 2020December 10, 2020

House passes temporary funding bill to prevent government shutdown

The House of Representatives passed a one-week temporary funding bill on Wednesday that will prevent a partial government shutdown.

Source: House passes temporary funding bill to prevent government shutdown

Newsmax TV scores a ratings win over Fox News for the first time ever – CNN

Newsmax’s win, fueled by conservative viewers who are disappointed by the election results, happened Monday evening.

Source: Newsmax TV scores a ratings win over Fox News for the first time ever – CNN

Source: With city nearing end of budget season, activists still asking to defund Pittsburgh police

With city nearing end of budget season, activists still asking to defund Pittsburgh police

Will defunding of police happen in Pittsburgh?

December 10, 2020December 11, 2020

Proposed $3 Amazon fee for MTA is tax on working class, AOC says

A state legislator’s pie-in-the-sky pitch to slap a $3 tax on nearly all New York City orders from Amazon and other online retailers touched off a Twitter war with fellow progressive AOC.

Source: Proposed $3 Amazon fee for MTA is tax on working class, AOC says

How a flu virus shut down the US economy in 1872 – by infecting horses

In 1872 the U.S. economy was growing as the young nation industrialized and expanded westward. Then in the autumn, a sudden shock paralyzed social and economic life. It was an energy crisis of sorts, but not a shortage of fossil fuels. Rather, the cause was a virus that spread among horses and mules from Canada to Central America.

For centuries horses had provided essential energy to build and operate cities. Now the equine flu made clear just how important that partnership was. When infected horses stopped working, nothing worked without them. The pandemic triggered a social and economic paralysis comparable to what would happen today if gas pumps ran dry or the electric grid went down.

The equine influenza first appeared in late September in horses pastured outside of Toronto. Within days most animals in the city’s crowded stables caught the virus. The U.S. government tried to ban Canadian horses, but acted too late. Within a month border towns were infected, and the “Canadian horse disease” became a North American epidemic.

Conductors and passengers pulling a streetcar in Boston during the equine influenza outbreak. Getty Images

By December the virus reached the U.S. Gulf Coast, and in early 1873 outbreaks occurred in West Coast cities.The flu’s symptoms were unmistakable. Horses developed a rasping cough and fever; ears drooping, they staggered and sometimes dropped from exhaustion. By one estimate, it killed 2% of an estimated 8 million horses in North America. Many more animals suffered symptoms that took weeks to clear.

Source: How a flu virus shut down the US economy in 1872 – by infecting horses

SpaceX Starship rocket SN8 explodes after high-altitude test flight

SpaceX launched its latest Starship prototype on a flight test to about 40,000 feet altitude on Wednesday.

SpaceX launched its latest Starship prototype on a flight to about 40,000 feet altitude on Wednesday.

The test was successful until the very last moment, when the Starship rocket exploded on impact as it attempted to land.

Despite the explosive ending, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk quickly shared his enthusiasm for the overall results of the flight test: “Successful ascent, switchover to header tanks & precise flap control to landing point!”

Source: SpaceX Starship rocket SN8 explodes after high-altitude test flight

Source: 16 area bars, restaurants cited by state for breaking COVID rules | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Gov. Wolf Tests Positive for COVID-19

Governor Tom Wolf announced today that he tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday and is in isolation at home.

The governor released the following statement:

“During a routine test yesterday, I tested positive for COVID-19. I have no symptoms and am feeling well. I am following CDC and Department of Health guidelines. Frances has been tested and, as we await the result, is quarantining at home with me.

“I am continuing to serve the commonwealth and performing all of my duties remotely, as many are doing during the pandemic.

“As this virus rages, my positive test is a reminder that no one is immune from COVID, that following all precautions as I have done is not a guarantee, but it is what we know to be vital to stopping the spread of the disease and so I ask all Pennsylvanians to wear a mask, stay home as much as possible, socially distance yourself from those not in your household, and, most of all, take care of each other and stay safe.”

Source: Gov. Wolf Tests Positive for COVID-19

December 9, 2020

16 area bars, restaurants cited by state for breaking COVID rules | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The violation letters — which typically are only issued after a business has received multiple warnings — went to 10 restaurant/bars in Allegheny County, five in Westmoreland County and one in Washington County, according to the monthly enforcement report.

Some of the establishments in Allegheny County cited for COVID-19 problems included Redstone Tavern on Foster Avenue in Crafton, 941 Saloon on Liberty Avenue, Downtown, and Numbers Lounge on Frankstown Road in Penn Hills.

Redstone Tavern and Numbers Lounge were cited for not requiring face masks, serving drinks at the bar and serving alcohol without meals, while 941 Saloon was cited for not requiring face masks, serving at the bar and serving drinks after 11 p.m.

December 9, 2020

Some residents seek 50% cut to Pittsburgh police budget; city council members say that’s illegal | TribLIVE.com

Pittsburgh City Council members listened for about two hours Tuesday as some three dozen speakers criticized the city’s 2021 budget proposal, asked for a 50% cut in the police department’s budget and wanted to see increased spending on social service programs.

Most of the 45 people who signed up to speak during Tuesday’s meeting said they were associated with a “Stop the Station” movement that has railed against relocating a police station from Washington Boulevard to East Liberty. The return of the Zone 5 station to East Liberty has been in the works since 2019.

The plan to move the station was the subject of one of a multitude of protests this summer.

Source: Some residents seek 50% cut to Pittsburgh police budget; city council members say that’s illegal | TribLIVE.com

December 9, 2020

Police officers render aid to man shot on Pittsburgh’s North Side

Victim was taken to the hospital

Source: Police officers render aid to man shot on Pittsburgh’s North Side

Greensburg man cited after outburst in store over mask, social distancing | TribLIVE.com

A Greensburg man who became enraged after being told by a store clerk to leave for failing to wear a mask and social distance is accused by city police of making threats against employees and knocking over merchandise as he departed.

Greensburg police charged Derek P. Hart Jr., 21, on Tuesday with multiple counts of disorderly conduct and harassment and single counts of criminal mischief and violating state health orders for failing to wear a mask. The incident took place Friday afternoon at the Family Dollar store on West Pittsburgh Street.

Police reported in court documents that Hart entered the store with a woman and picked up multiple items of merchandise and headed to the cash register.

Officer Henry Fontana said an employee was checking out “an elderly female customer” ahead of Hart and noticed Hart and his companion standing close behind the other customer. The employee asked the pair to move back to the designated social distancing mark 6 feet away on the floor.

Police allege that Hart began yelling obscenities toward the employee and refused to move.

“(Hart) stated ‘(expletive) you, I’m a grown (expletive) man’,” Fontana stated in court documents.

Fontana said a manager then noticed that Hart was not wearing a face covering and asked him to leave the store. All customers are required to wear masks.

Source: Greensburg man cited after outburst in store over mask, social distancing | TribLIVE.com

Man shot, found lying in the road in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH —Pittsburgh police are investigating after a man was found shot and lying in the street in Pittsburgh’s Beltzhoover neighborhood.

The incident happened around 2:45 a.m. Tuesday near the intersection of Gearing Avenue and Chalfont Street.

Police initially got a call about a possible hit-and-run, but paramedics who took the man to the hospital discovered he had a gunshot wound to the leg.

Police said the victim also had injuries to his face.

No arrests have been announced.

Source: Man shot, found lying in the road in Pittsburgh

December 8, 2020December 8, 2020

Biden Policies Will Strengthen Terrorist Groups | Newsmax.com

Counterterrorism experts say ISIS and other fundamentalist terrorist groups are likely to strengthen and pose a greater threat under a Biden administration because of his policies. If Biden rolls out relaxed immigration policies, takes a weaker stance on Iran, and diverts attention to focus on the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. will face a grave threat.

President Donald Trump declared victory over the Islamic State, a radical organization that took control over parts of Iraq and Syria.

Source: Biden Policies Will Strengthen Terrorist Groups | Newsmax.com

GOP leadership rejects resolution acknowledging Biden as President-elect – CNNPolitics

Congressional Republican leaders rejected a resolution that asserted that Joe Biden is president-elect, the latest effort by the Hill GOP to refuse to accept the election results even though it’s been clear for weeks that President Donald Trump lost.

Source: GOP leadership rejects resolution acknowledging Biden as President-elect – CNNPolitics

The Impact Of Democratic Ballot Stuffing – Dick Morris TV: Lunch Alert!

Stop Dems From Stealing Georgia…Again! – DickMorris.com at DickMorris.com

On January 5th, Georgia will hold a runoff election for two Republican-held seats in the U.S. Senate. If they flip these seats, it will give them control of the Senate. That must not happen!

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View Dick’s most recent videos in case you missed them!

Did China Steal The Election? – Dick Morris TV: Lunch Alert!

Don’t Let Them Steal Georgia…Again – Dick Morris TV: Lunch Alert!

Dems Seek To Sell Trump Voters On Election Results – Dick Morris TV: Lunch Alert!

Things Are Looking Up In GA, AZ & PA – Dick Morris TV: Lunch Alert!

Source: Stop Dems From Stealing Georgia…Again! – DickMorris.com at DickMorris.com

‘Nobody knows’: Experts baffled by mystery illness in India – ABC News

The illness was first detected Saturday evening in Eluru, an ancient city famous for its hand-woven products. People started convulsing without any warning, said Geeta Prasadini, the director of public health.

Since then, symptoms ranging from nausea and anxiety to loss of consciousness have been reported in 546 patients admitted to hospitals. Many have recovered and returned home, while 148 are still being treated, said Dasari Nagarjuna, a government spokesperson.

Teams of experts have arrived at the city from India’s top scientific institutes. Different theories have been suggested and are being tested. The most recent hypothesis is contamination of food by pesticides.

“But nobody knows,” Prasadini admitted.

What is confounding experts is that there doesn’t seem to be any common link among the hundreds of people who have fallen sick. All of the patients have tested negative for COVID-19 and other viral diseases such as dengue, chikungunya or herpes. They aren’t related to each other. They don’t all live in the same area. They’re from different age groups, including about 70 children, but very few are elderly.

Source: ‘Nobody knows’: Experts baffled by mystery illness in India – ABC News

Source: Army punishes 14 senior officers after murder and other deaths at Fort Hood – CNNPolitics

Army punishes 14 senior officers after murder and other deaths at Fort Hood – CNNPolitics

Washington (CNN)The Army announced Tuesday that 14 senior officers will be punished following a probe that was initiated after the murder of a soldier and several other deaths at the Army’s Fort Hood base in Texas this year.

The issues at Fort Hood are “directly related to leadership failures,” Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said.

“I directed the relief and or suspension of commanders and other leaders from the corps to the squad level,” he said, saying 14 senior officers “have been relieved of suspended from their positions.”

The independent review was ordered after the death of Vanessa Guillen, a 20-year-old soldier, whose remains were discovered in a shallow grave in late June, months after her disappearance in April. It was later determined she had been bludgeoned to death with a hammer in the armory where she worked and her body was moved by her killer who then killed himself before he could be apprehended.

Trish Intel Podcast – TopPodcast.com

Trish Regan is an award winning financial journalist, an American television talk show host and author who interprets political events through an economic lens.

Dec 7 – Get Ready America! We Could Be “Back to Normal By Spring”
Dec 07, 2020

Can we just take a minute to be proud of ourselves? Proud of our country, our government, and our great capitalist engine?

Dec 4 – THIS is what the American Revolution was about! 1776 — Welcome to 2020.
Dec 04, 2020

They want to turn us all into serfs — fighting for survival while they dine at fancy French restaurants?! THIS is the kind of stuff that the American Revolution was fought over!

Dec 3 – THE TRUTH MUST BE HEARD – let’s send PA to the Supreme Court!
Dec 03, 2020

Our freedom, the integrity of our entire country, is at stake. TRUTH must be heard. Join me as we examine the next steps in determining what really happened in PA, and what’s real.

Listen To Source: Trish Intel Podcast – TopPodcast.com

Georgia secretary of state recertifies election results after recount | TheHill

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) recertified the results of the state’s presidential election on Monday after a recount completed last week reaffirmed President-elect Joe Biden’s victory.

“It’s been 34 days since the election on Nov. 3,” Raffensperger said at a news conference at the Georgia Capitol earlier in the day. “We have now counted legally cast ballots three times and the results remain unchanged.”

The recertification of the results amounted to a major blow to President Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the presidential race. Trump has repeatedly refused to acknowledge his loss to Biden and has falsely claimed that the election outcome was marred by widespread voter fraud and systemic irregularities.

Source: Georgia secretary of state recertifies election results after recount | TheHill

Pearl Harbor Day: What to know about Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Hawaii

On Monday, America commemorates the 79th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Here are the facts surrounding that fateful day—and how to pay tribute.

“December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy,” President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously proclaimed.

Americans on Monday will honor the 79th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

The surprise raid on the major U.S. Navy base near Honolulu killed more than 2,400 Americans and left another 1,100 injured. In short, the strike signaled the entry of the United States into World War II.

According to the National Park Service, Congress designated Dec. 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in August 1994. This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, a small, intimate gathering of veterans will be held at Pearl Harbor Visitor Center — though it is closed to the public.

Here are some facts surrounding that fateful day in U.S. history:

What happened during the attack on Pearl Harbor?

Just before 8 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, hundreds of Japanese planes made the surprise raid on Pearl Harbor. During the attack, which was launched from aircraft carriers, nearly 20 American naval vessels, including eight battleships, were damaged or destroyed, as well as more than 300 aircraft, according to the History Channel.

How many were killed at Pearl Harbor?

The official American death toll was 2,403, according to the Pearl Harbor Visitors Bureau, including 2,008 Navy personnel, 109 Marines, 218 Army service members and 68 civilians. Of the dead, 1,177 were from the USS Arizona, the wreckage of which now serves as the main memorial to the incident. Fifty-five Japanese soldiers also were killed.

Source: Pearl Harbor Day: What to know about Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Hawaii

Website highlights drug and alcohol treatment options | News | lancasteronline.com

Dec. 7—A new website launched by the Cambria County Drug & Alcohol Program is designated to increase awareness among county residents of the drug- and alcohol-related treatment options available to them through the program, officials said.

The website, www.cambriadrugandalcohol.com, was described on Thursday by Fred Oliveros, program administrator, as “part of our ongoing efforts to make residents aware that drug and alcohol treatment is available at no cost.”

“Online searches are often a first step for individuals seeking information,” Oliveros said.

ARE YOU READY TO GET HELP?

(814) 536-5388

Central Park Complex110 Franklin Street, Suite 300,Johnstown, PA 15901

Source: Website highlights drug and alcohol treatment options | News | lancasteronline.com

Source: Seven Springs prepping for ‘mid-December’ opening amid new covid restrictions | TribLIVE.com

Seven Springs prepping for ‘mid-December’ opening amid new covid restrictions | TribLIVE.com

Despite 10 inches of natural snow falling on the slopes last week, Seven Springs Mountain Resort is not quite ready to open for skiing.

“It’s too bad, but we feel we don’t have enough snow to open yet. With social distancing, we’re not comfortable opening with just two lifts and three trails … we need more available skiing terrain,” said resort marketing director Alex Moser.

Specific opening dates are not set for Seven Springs or nearby Hidden Valley — both in Somerset County — or Laurel Mountain in Westmoreland County. Moser said Seven Springs and Hidden Valley are expected to open “in mid-December.”

Snow guns were active at both of those resorts Tuesday and Wednesday.

Although temperatures were in the 40s Friday, they dipped back into the 30s over the weekend and the snow guns will again be activated.

Source: Chairman of Smartmatic’s parent company to become president of George Soros’s ‘Open Society Foundations’ | One America News Network

Chairman of Smartmatic’s parent company to become president of George Soros’s ‘Open Society Foundations’ | One America News Network

Billionaire George Soros has appointed the chairman of Smartmatic voting system’s parent company as president of his far-left global organization.

Over the weekend, Open Society Foundations announced Lord Mark Malloch-Brown is set to take over the position next month.

I applaud Patrick Gaspard’s leadership of the Open Society Foundations in a world beset by illiberalism. Mark Malloch-Brown will be Open Society’s new president. He is deeply familiar with its work and shares my vision of philanthropy. https://t.co/DdJk1z3Cq2

— George Soros (@georgesoros) December 4, 2020

Liz Peek: Biden and China – 4 reasons he can’t be trusted to protect US from Beijing

China just landed a spaceship on the moon – the same China that Joe Biden, as recently as May, claimed represents “no competition for us.”

Robert Gates, secretary of Defense under President Barack Obama, has written that Biden has been “wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades.”

Add underestimating China to the list.

LIBERTY VITTERT: BIDEN SHOULD HALT SALES TO CHINA OF US TECH USED TO PERSECUTE AND ENSLAVE UIGHUR MUSLIMS

While senator or vice president, Biden’s bad impulses – like opposing the raid that killed Osama bin Laden – had little impact. But, assuming he becomes president, his wrongheaded instincts will put our nation at risk, especially when it comes to dealing with China.

Biden’s inability to rein in an increasingly belligerent China starts with his naïve confidence in the United Nations, which has done exactly nothing to punish Beijing for its military aggressions, its widespread theft of Western know-how or its illegal crackdown in Hong Kong.

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Retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal warned Biden in a recent briefing that China may well move to take back Taiwan, using its increased military capacity to shower “Taiwan with rockets.” He asked, “Are you really prepared to fight for Taiwan?”

Source: Liz Peek: Biden and China – 4 reasons he can’t be trusted to protect US from Beijing