Biden on cusp of presidency after gains in Pennsylvania
By JONATHAN LEMIRE, ZEKE MILLER, JILL COLVIN and WILL WEISSERT Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrat Joe Biden has overtaken President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania and Georgia. That puts Biden on the cusp of winning the presidency since the election hinges on the outcome of tight contests in those battleground states. The new results Friday come as Trump is trying to undermine confidence in this week’s election. With his pathway to reelection appearing to shrink, Trump advanced unsupported accusations of voter fraud Thursday to falsely argue Biden was trying to seize power. It amounted to an extraordinary effort by a sitting American president to sow doubt about the democratic process. Trump’s remarks also prompted a rebuke from some fellow Republicans, particularly those looking to steer the party in a different direction in a post-Trump era.

(ALIQUIPPA, Pa.) Pa State police in Beaver are asking for help with a  shooting death that occurred near Aliquippa High School in the early morning hours of October 3, 2020.

Jamere Scott, was shot in the hip and was transported via helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital. Investigators said the bullet was lodged near his spine.

Investigators said Scott was standing on the sidewalk in front of 1010 Main Street, where there was a large gathering. An unknown man crossing the street fired a shot into the crowd, hitting Scott, before taking off in a maroon Buick sedan.

Anyone with information is asked to call PSP Beaver at 724-773-7400. A cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest or the solving of the case.

Fed signals readiness to do more for economy as virus rages
By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate at a record low near zero Thursday and signaled its readiness to do more if needed to support an economy under threat from a worsening coronavirus pandemic. The Fed announced no new actions after its latest policy meeting but left the door open to provide further assistance in the coming months. The central bank again pledged to use its “full range of tools to support the U.S. economy in this challenging time.” The economy in recent weeks has weakened after mounting a tentative recovery from the deep pandemic recession in early spring.

Pennsylvania: Still 100s of thousands of ballots to count
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania is reporting it still has hundreds of thousands of ballots left to count as Democrat Joe Biden and President Donald Trump fought to the end for the White House. Some of the state’s most populous locales reported finishing their tallies Thursday. The Trump campaign and the Republican Party have mounted several legal challenges to aspects of the vote count. Trump scored one legal victory as a state appeals court granted more access to party and candidate observers in Philadelphia. The city filed appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. It cited concerns over worker safety and the potential for intimidation.

Judge rejects moving trial of ex-officers in Floyd’s death
By STEVE KARNOWSKI and AMY FORLITI Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota judge has rejected defense requests to move the trial of four former Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd’s death, and also ordered that all four will be tried together. Judge Peter Cahill ruled Thursday after defense attorneys argued that pretrial publicity had made it impossible to get a fair trial in Minneapolis. They had also cited a hearing in which the men and their attorneys were confronted by angry protesters outside the courthouse. But Cahill says he’s unpersuaded that moving the trial would improve security, and that he believes the jury can be shielded from outside influences.

Arizona Dems want to join lawsuit over Sharpie

Technology stocks lead Wall Street higher, extending rally
Stocks continued to push higher at the opening of trading on Wall Street Thursday, putting the S&P 500 on track for its biggest weekly gain since April. The benchmark index was up 1.7% in the early going and is up more than 7% so far this week. Technology companies were again helping lead the way higher, as they have throughout the pandemic and for years before that. Apple and Microsoft each rose more than 2%. The prospects of more political division as election results continue to trickle in is easing investors’ worries that a Democratic-controlled Washington could have gone after Big Tech more aggressively.