Media captures unprecedented storming of U.S. Capitol

NEW YORK (AP) — Stunning scenes of President Donald Trump’s supporters storming the U.S. Capitol played out in searing fashion on national television. The pictures were breathtaking: security officers with their guns drawn on the floor of the House of Representatives, rioters smashing windows at the Capitol and climbing in. Anchors and reporters were quick to question why law enforcement wasn’t prepared, given the rally that Trump had spoken at earlier in the day, and some were quick to assign blame on the president for inciting the action. Reporters huddled with politicians inside the Capitol seeking safety from the mob outside.

Kinzinger urges Cabinet to invoke 25th Amendment

WASHINGTON (AP)- Republican Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger is calling on President Donald Trump’s Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove him from office.

Kinzinger made the remarks Thursday in a video posted to Twitter, responding to the violent mob that stormed Congress on Wednesday in an attempt to stop the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s win over Trump.

Kinzinger says, “the president is unfit. And the president is unwell.”

He went on to say Trump “must now relinquish control of the executive branch voluntarily or involuntarily.”

The 25th Amendment allows for the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet to declare the president unfit for office. The vice president then becomes acting president.

 

Capitol police chief calls riot ‘criminal’

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Congress’ confirmation of Joe Biden as winner of the presidential election (all times local):

11:15 a.m.

The chief of the U.S. Capitol Police says the violent mob that stormed the building wielded metal pipes, chemical irritants and other weapons against law enforcement.

Steven Sund issued a statement Thursday saying the rioting protesters “actively attacked” police officers and “were determined to enter into the Capitol Building by causing great damage.”

A Capitol Police officer shot and killed one person, who Sund identified as Ashli Babbitt. Sund did not identify the officer but said they would be placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.

Sund defended his agency’s response from criticism that officers did not stop the incursion. He says his agency “had a robust plan” for what he anticipated would be peaceful protests, but what occurred Wednesday was “criminal riotous behavior.”

He said more than 50 Capitol and Washington police officers were injured and several Capitol Police officers were hospitalized with serious injuries.

After excusing violence, Trump acknowledges Biden transition

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says there will be an “orderly transition on January 20th” now that Congress has concluded the electoral vote count certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Trump issued a statement early Thursday acknowledging his term in office is coming to a close just minutes after Congress certified his loss to Biden. Trump says he totally disagrees with the outcome of the election, and claims falsely that the facts bear him out. The final action of the presidential election comes after Trump appeared to excuse the violent occupation of the U.S. Capitol by his supporters on Wednesday.

Gov. Wolf Condemns Violence in D.C., Disinformation Campaign that Sparked Riots

Harrisburg, Pa. – Today, Governor Tom Wolf condemned the violent riots in Washington, D.C. and the actions of Republican legislators who incited those riots by perpetuating a deliberate disinformation campaign following the 2020 General Election. The governor released the followed statement:

“Today, President Trump’s supporters attempted a coup. This was the direct result of a deliberate disinformation campaign by Republicans from the President down to legislators in Pennsylvania. They lied about the results of the election. They lied about voter fraud. They lied about my administration and other governors. They lied about the administration of the election here in Pennsylvania and across the country. On November 3, we had a remarkably well-run election despite historic challenges.

“Eight of the nine Republican members of Congress from Pennsylvania lied about our election in an attempt to pledge fealty to President Trump.

“Republican legislators enabled this every step of the way. They’ve held show trials to gin up President Trump’s supporters. They’ve intentionally spread disinformation.

“The actions of Republicans in Pennsylvania and across the country have led to violence. It is their fault. There should be no equivocation.

“It is past time for Republicans to stop lying and tell their supporters the truth. President Trump lost. The election was fair. President Trump received fewer votes. That’s it.

“We have had a peaceful transfer of power every election cycle in our nation’s history but because of the actions of Republicans, we can no longer say that. I am disgusted but I will keep fighting to make our democracy stronger.”

Pittsburgh man facing federal charges in thrown explosive device

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Federal prosecutors in western Pennsylvania say a man is facing federal charges in connection with an incendiary device thrown from a moving vehicle into a parked sport utility vehicle over the weekend in Pittsburgh. The U.S. attorney’s office said 33-year-old Charles Baker is charged with illegal possession of an unregistered destructive device and being a felon in possession of such a device. Police said no injuries were reported after the device was thrown from a moving pickup truck into the SUV in the Lawrenceville neighborhood Sunday night. Court documents don’t list an attorney for Baker and a listed phone number for him couldn’t be found Wednesday.

Trump says his term is ending, transition will be orderly

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says there will be an “orderly transition on January 20th” now that Congress has concluded the electoral vote count certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Trump issued a statement early Thursday acknowledging his term in office is coming to a close just minutes after Congress certified his loss to Biden. Trump says he totally disagrees with the outcome of the election, and claims falsely that the facts bear him out. The final action of the presidential election comes after Trump appeared to excuse the violent occupation of the U.S. Capitol by his supporters on Wednesday.

Biden win confirmed after pro-Trump mob storms US Capitol

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress has confirmed Democrat Joe Biden as the presidential election winner, hours after violent protesters loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol. Lawmakers resolved to work almost through the night to uphold the will of the voters. The Capitol was under siege for hours Wednesday, forcing lawmakers into hiding before being evacuated by police. Earlier, at a huge rally near the White House, the president had urged his supporters to march to Capitol Hill to protest his election defeat. Congress eventually resumed after the protest, and lawmakers confirmed Biden won. Trump promised an “orderly transition” on Jan. 20.

Heritage Valley Health System provides update

(Story by Sandy Giordano, Beaver County Radio)

HVHS  reported yesterday afternoon that they continue to average 80 COVID-19  patients  daily  across the 3 hospitals, Heritage Valley Beaver, Heritage Valley  Sewickley, and Heritage Valley  Kennedy. Of the average of 80 patients , 27 ICU beds are occupied out of 49 beds available throughout the system.

The health system reported they have administered more than  2,500  first doses of the vaccine  and several hundred more employees and first responders to have the vaccine administered in the coming weeks. Once more doses are received, administration  of the vaccine   to the community will take place, according to a release from the health system. The administration of the vaccine  will be under the guidance of the CDC and Prevention and the PA DOH.

“Notes on Entertainment” goes Old School at 11:35 a.m. Today

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Tune into 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, 99.3 FM and beavercountyradio.com Today, January 7, 2021, for “Notes on Local Entertainment” with host Scott Tady, Entertainment Editor for the Beaver County Times. Co-host Eddy Crow is off and week’s show goes old school as Scott’s co-host from the shows inception in 2017 thru June of 2020, Frank Sparks will be joining him.

The pair are going to be talking about the bars opening back up after the mandated pause for the holiday season. They will also be talking about live entertainment ramping back up at some of the local bars. Scott will also talk about what will be in his Sunday column in the Times and all of the other happenings in Entertainment.