DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Democrat Cory Booker has dropped out of the presidential race after failing to qualify for the December primary debate. Booker announced Monday that he was ending a campaign whose message of unity and love failed to gain traction in a political era marked by chaos and anxiety. The U.S. senator from New Jersey had struggled in polling and fundraising since launching his bid last February. Booker was unable to hit 5% support in a single qualifying poll required to make it on the January debate stage. Booker’s departure leaves a field that was once the most diverse in history with just one remaining African American candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.

NEW YORK (AP) — No female directing nominees. Only one acting nominee of color. The 2020 Oscar nominations reflects previous troubling trends of a lack of diversity and inclusion. It was also a difficult day for pop stars: Jennifer Lopez was denied a hoped-for supporting actress nod, and Beyonce wasn’t feeling any love for her “Lion King” song. In the animated feature category, “Frozen 2” was iced out despite the love of little girls everywhere (it got an original song nod.) And Robert De Niro was not feeling the luck of “The Irishman.” He was left out of his movie’s haul.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A former librarian and a bookseller have pleaded guilty in the theft of rare books from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in a years-long scheme. Sixty-three-year-old Gregory Priore, former manager of the rare books room, pleaded guilty Monday to theft and receiving stolen property. Fifty-six-year-old John Schulman, the owner of Caliban Book Shop, pleaded guilty to theft by deception, receiving stolen property and forgery. Allegheny County prosecutors said some charges were withdrawn in exchange for the pleas, but the deal contains no agreement on sentencing, which is scheduled for April 17 for both defendants.

BALDWIN, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say a man who tried to commit a home invasion at a western Pennsylvania apartment was shot and killed by a man who lives in the unit. Joshua Long was allegedly armed with a handgun when he went to the apartment in Baldwin around 7 p.m. Sunday. Authorities say the West Mifflin man was soon confronted by a 25-year-old man, who got his handgun and shot Long, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The apartment resident’s 24-year-old fiance and their 10-month-old child were in the apartment but were not injured. It’s not yet known if any charges will be filed.

Aliquippa officials are clamping down on individuals who are caught dumping in the city. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has more. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

We now know what prompted the brief evacuation of Beaver Falls Area High School this morning. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has the story. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

Environmentalists and Allegheny County residents are insisting that the county Health Department take action to hold U.S. Steel Accountable for on-going air pollution and update emission regulations. Andrea Sears reports…

(The photo of the site of the former Tuxedo shop was taken by Sandy Giordano)

The borough of Ambridge is seeking a community block grant for a building demolition. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has more. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…