Dems push $25B for electric school buses, a Biden priority
By HOPE YEN Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic lawmakers have unveiled legislation that would invest $25 billion to convert the nation’s fleet of gasoline- and diesel-powered school buses to electric vehicles. It’s a component of President Joe Biden’s $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan geared toward improving children’s health. The legislation unveiled Wednesday would authorize federal money over 10 years to cover the expense of purchasing electric school buses, building charging stations and providing workforce training. School buses make up 90% of the nation’s bus fleet and typically carry 25 million children each day. Emissions from diesel engines may contribute to respiratory illnesses in children and have been linked to poor academic performance.

McCloskeys want grand jury to take a new look at their case
By JIM SALTER Associated Press
A St. Louis husband and wife facing criminal charges for waving guns at racial injustice protesters last summer are asking a judge to send their case back to the grand jury, citing concerns about Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner’s handling of it. Attorney Joel Schwartz, in an email Wednesday, says that “bias” from Gardner’s office tainted the grand jury process.” A hearing on the motion to remand is scheduled for April 30. Mark and Patricia McCloskey emerged as celebrities in conservative circles after the charges were filed and even spoke on video at the Republican National Convention last year.

Records: Superintendent lied to jury investigating massacre
By TERRY SPENCER Associated Press
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The superintendent of the Florida school district where 17 students and staff died in a 2018 high school massacre has been arrested on a charge that he lied to a grand jury. Broward County Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie was arrested Wednesday by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. An indictment says Runcie lied while testifying three weeks ago before a grand jury investigating circumstances surrounding the Feb. 14, 2018, shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Runcie was released on his own recognizance. It’s not known if he has an attorney. He did not respond to a message left with a family member. The school district didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Lawmakers move closer to letting child sex abuse victims sue
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — For the first time, prominent Republican state senators are putting their support behind legislation in Pennsylvania to change the law to allow now-adult victims of child sexual abuse to sue their perpetrators or institutions that didn’t prevent it. Wednesday’s vote, 11-3, in the Senate Judiciary Committee comes after years of damning investigations into child sexual abuse by clergy in Pennsylvania’s Roman Catholic dioceses. It also signals that the legislation may have enough Republican support to pass the full state Senate. Similar legislation passed the House earlier this month. Many childhood victims of sexual assault lost the right to sue in Pennsylvania when they turned 18 or were young adults.

Grant funding of $750,000 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority will help bring safer, smoother travel for Aliquippa residents and new recreational options for Ambridge families, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today.

Matzie said the funding includes a $500,000 grant under the CFA’s Multimodal Transportation Fund for major upgrades to Fifth Avenue in Aliquippa.

“Securing this funding will fix the road and intersection along Fifth Avenue between Jefferson Street and Sheffield Avenue,” Matzie said. “There will be new sidewalks and ADA-accessible curb ramps, and other upgrades will improve stormwater management.

“Aliquippa was recently recognized with a Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence. Working in partnership with the city’s leaders – specifically Mayor Dwan Walker and Councilman Donald Walker – was crucial in securing this funding.”

The total project cost is estimated at $1.5 million, and the city is requesting a waiver of the local matching requirement.

Matzie said a second grant of $250,000 to the Borough of Ambridge under CFA’s Greenway, Trails and Recreation program will provide the remaining funding for a unique new playground.

“The funding for Ambridge builds on last year’s money I secured from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources,” Matzie said. “We’re getting new play equipment and picnic, restroom and concession facilities. Plus, the new Henning Street Playground will have a splash pad so families can beat the heat this summer.

“This section of the town has lacked recreational opportunities for quite some time. Working in conjunction with council member and head of Parks and Recreation, Tina Iorfido-Miller, Council President Mike Mikulich and the rest of the board, the vision of a beautiful, fun park for the community will be fully realized.”

Matzie said the project will include construction of a parking area, fencing and paths, and that with the new grant funding, the estimated total project cost of $631,055 is fully committed.

Columbus police fatally shoots Black teen swinging knife
By FARNOUSH AMIRI Report for America/Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Body camera video shows a Columbus officer fatally shoot a Black teenage girl who swung at two other people with a knife. A black-handled blade resembling a kitchen knife or steak knife appeared to be lying on the sidewalk next to her immediately after she was shot and fell. The girl was identified as 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant, according to Franklin County Children Services, which said in a release that she was under the care of the agency at the time of her death. Police say Bryant was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. It’s unclear if anyone else was injured. The quick release of the footage is a departure from police protocol but comes amid heightened tension between Columbus police and the community they serve.

Man pumping gas at convenience store killed, shooter dead
UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. (AP) — Authorities say a gunman took his own life after fatally shooting a man who was pumping gas and wounding another person at a convenience store in eastern Pennsylvania. Officials were trying to determine a motive for the shooting on Wednesday at the Wawa store in Upper Macungie Township. Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin says a man fatally shot a truck driver pumping gas, and shot and wounded the driver of a Jeep. Martin says the gunman then killed himself. The same man shot at the vehicle of another woman before opening fire outside the Wawa. She was not injured.

UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. (AP) — People on a morning run to a convenience store in Pennsylvania on Wednesday encountered a series of seemingly random shootings that left one dead, one wounded and a gunman taking his own life, officials said.
A man shot and killed a truck driver who was pumping gas at a Wawa store in Upper Macungie Township, a suburb of Allentown. He also shot and wounded a man in a Jeep in the parking lot, Lehigh District Attorney James Martin said on Wednesday.
The same man shot at the vehicle of another woman before opening fire outside the Wawa, Martin said. She was not injured.
The district attorney said the shooter fled on foot and then took his own life.
Authorities were trying to determine a motive and Martin said the preliminary investigation indicated the shootings were “indiscriminate” and unrelated.
The shootings drew a large police presence and the search for the gunman extended to a day care center several miles away. Nearby businesses and a school closed.
The injuries to the man in the Jeep who was wounded were not considered life-threatening, Martin said.
Authorities did not release the names of the victims or shooter.
Officials said a Wawa employee took several customers to safety.
Arthur Sanchez, a security guard for a nearby business, told The Morning Call that he parked next to a car that had bullet holes and shattered windows on its passenger side. He had stopped at the Wawa before work.

HARRRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) has added to his responsibilities for the 2021-22 session by being appointed to the Subcommittee on Small Business under House Commerce Committee Chairman Brad Roae (R-Crawford/Erie).

The subcommittee will be looking at ways to better enhance opportunities for employers and small businesses.

“When I first took office in early 2017, the economy was growing stronger, and we were looking forward to a more prosperous future in Western Pennsylvania,” said Bernstine. “Then came COVID-19 and many of our gains in recent years were wiped out with a shutdown that has lasted far too long. To help us bounce back, I am continuing to focus my efforts on improving the economy by helping our small businesses and creating much-needed jobs.”

The House Commerce Committee is responsible for originating legislation and overseeing implementation of programs which affect Pennsylvania companies. The committee has primary jurisdiction over corporate governance through the business corporation law, as well as regulation of offers of sale and credit through such statutes as the Goods and Services Installment Sales Act, the Unfair Sales Act, and the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act.

“During the first few months of the new session, I have prioritized economic growth and supported several bills to not only reignite our economy but to allow Pennsylvania’s businesses to do what they do best – expand their products and services and create family-sustaining jobs,” said Bernstine. “The coronavirus continues to present many challenges for us. The unfair shutdowns have wreaked havoc on businesses across the Commonwealth, which has negatively impacted our hard-working employees. It is time to pick up the pieces and work toward building a better, more prosperous Pennsylvania.”