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.

(Aliquippa, Pa.) PA State Troopers arrested two men Tuesday night   when their vehicle was stopped  at the intersection of Main and Knoll Streets According to the report, the   2 men Joseph Doughty, 42 of Aliquippa, and Anthony Sellers 29, of Ashtabula Ohio  had active arrest warrants  and were transported to the Beaver County Jail.  The vehicle’s operator was  found to be in possession of a controlled substance. Charges against the 2 men were filed in District Justice Janet Swihart’s office.

A Wintersville , Ohio man was arrested  on I-376 in Center Township  at 3 p.m. Tuesday for summary traffic violations . When state police approached the vehicle the odor of marijuana was evident. Thomas Keys, 40 of Wintersville , Ohio  was found to be impired and in possession of marijuana  and was arrested.  Charges are pending and will be filed in  District Justice Joseph Schafer’s office.

Harrisburg, Pa. – Today, Governor Tom Wolf condemned the Trump campaign for filing a lawsuit to stop the counting of ballots in Pennsylvania. The governor released the following statement:

“Pennsylvania is going to count every vote and make sure that everyone has their voice heard. Pennsylvania is going to fight every single attempt to disenfranchise voters and continue to administer a free and fair election. Our election officials at the state and local level should be free to do their jobs without intimidation or attacks. These attempts to subvert the democratic process are disgraceful.

“In Philadelphia, officials are administering the election with the highest degree of transparency. There has been a livestream of the ballot-counting process available throughout the count, and all parties have canvass observers.

“Pennsylvania will fight every attempt to undermine the election. We will count every vote.”