WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic House prosecutors are launching their final arguments on obstruction charges at Donald Trump’s impeachment trial. They argued Thursday that he abused his presidential power in his Ukraine dealings and should be convicted because “right matters.” Now they’re addressing the second article of impeachment, which says Trump improperly blocked Congress’ investigation of his actions. The president’s legal team is preparing its defense, expected to start Saturday. Trump bemoaned the schedule in a morning tweet, saying it “looks like my lawyers will be forced to start on Saturday, which is called Death Valley in T.V.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump called it his “profound honor” on Friday to be the first president to attend the annual anti-abortion gathering in Washington called the March for Life. He used his speech to attack Democrats as embracing “radical and extreme positions” on abortion. He praised those attending the event, saying “unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House.” Trump once declared in a 1999 interview that he is “pro-choice in every respect.” Now, as he heads into the 2020 election, Trump continues to reach out to the white evangelical voters who have proven to be among his most loyal backers.

A man who had been watching the impeachment trial of President Trump on Tuesday allegedly choked and punched his girlfriend in a Pennsylvania motel room…when she wanted to watch something else. The woman told police that 53-year-old Lonnie Clark, who lives at the northern York County motel, had been drinking alcohol all day while watching the impeachment trial and became upset when she wanted to change the channel. She was eventually able to get away and called 9-1-1. Clark faces charges of strangulation, simple assault and harassment.

Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., is reportedly considering an endorsement of Joe Biden, The New York Times reported Thursday. The move could boost the former vice president’s campaign — and even boost Harris’s chances of becoming vice president, The Times reported, citing unnamed sources. According to The Times, Harris and Biden — who famously clashed over race relations during a Democrats’ debate last year — have stayed in contact since she dropped out of the race for the White House. Asked if he would consider her as his running mate, Biden told The Times, “Of course I would.”

The Doomsday Clock that tracks humanity’s threat to survival was moved 20 seconds closer to midnight – its closest point in its 73-year existence. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which formed after the creation of the atomic bomb during World War II, moved the clock Thursday from two minutes to midnight to 100 seconds to midnight. The group decided to make the advance because of nuclear and climate dangers that are compounded by cyberthreats. The clock last moved in 2018 when it advanced 30 seconds from 2 1/2 minutes to midnight to two minutes to midnight.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration is developing a plan to help deal with aging school buildings plagued by environmental health problems, including lead paint and asbestos insulation. Wolf’s office said the Democrat is committed to putting significant resources into protecting children and will propose a new comprehensive plan soon. Wolf must deliver a budget proposal to the Legislature on Feb. 4, and lawmakers pressing for state aid say lead and asbestos in deteriorating school buildings is a massive and growing problem. Pennsylvania shut down a roughly $300 million-a-year school construction program five years ago, leaving districts to pay for improvement projects themselves.

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — NFL free agent Antonio Brown was released on bail Friday after spending the night in a Florida jail. The wide receiver had to pay a bond of $110,000, surrender his passport, wear a monitor, and agree to a mental health evaluation and random drug tests. He also can’t have guns. Brown is accused of attacking the driver of a moving truck that carried some of his possessions from California. Hollywood police say Brown didn’t want to pay the $4,000 bill. Brown played nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers before being traded. Off-the-field incidents derailed his attempts to play for the Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots.

(All photos courtesy of the Beaver Falls Fire Department)

A fire that heavily damaged a Beaver Falls house is under investigation this morning. Fire Chief Mark Stowe tells Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak that the blaze broke out yesterday afternoon in a home in the 800 block of 7th Street…

Chief Stowe says that the house was in the process of being remodeled at the time of the fire…

Chief Stowe says it’s still too early to determine the cause of the fire…

Chief Stowe says there were no injuries in the blaze.

 

(Photo taken by Sandy Giordano)

We have an update on that accident that occurred in front of Aliquippa Elementary School yesterday afternoon. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has the update. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

An overnight accident that occurred on Route 65 in Baden is under invvestigation. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has details. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…