In Harrisburg, a prosecutor says authorities are still investigating the motives of an armed man who shot at police in several locations before dying in a shootout. Dauphin County District Attorney Ed Marsico gave no new information yesterday about Ahmed El-Mofty. The 51-year-old naturalized citizen fired at a Capitol police officer Friday afternoon and later at a state trooper, wounding her. El-Mofty was later killed in a confrontation with police.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which have long lured foreign workers with the promise of a tax free lifestyle, plan to impose a five percent tax next year on most goods and services to boost revenue after oil prices collapsed three years ago. The value-added tax, or VAT, has raised concerns among some residents who say the cost of living is already high.

It was a White Christmas for much of the Northeast and Midwest. Here in Beaver County, a dusting of snow blanketed the area. A blizzard swept into parts of New England and bitter cold enveloped much of the West. Forecasters expected up to 10 inches of snow for parts of Maine and New Hampshire with wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour.

Authorities have released the name of a man killed in what investigators believe was a home invasion attack that also critically wounded a woman in Churchill, near Pittsburgh. The Allegheny County medical examiner’s office says 67 year old Jeffrey Weiss died a a gunshot wound to the trunk. No arrests have been made.

The handgun that Shaneen Allen was carrying when she was pulled over on a New Jersey highway could have sent her to prison for years if not for a pardon from Governor Chris Christie. Now, the legal saga that kept the Pennsylvania mother in jail for 48 days could change handgun laws throughout the United States. In Harrisburg, the Republican led house passed legislation that would allow gun owners with state issued concealed-carry permit to carry a handgun in any state that allows them. The measure faces longer odds in the senate.

The kids did their part, but Mother Nature had the final say in scuttling the annual Christmas Day trip across the Delaware River by George Washington and his troops. Organizers said high winds yesterday prompted cancellation of the reenactment, which usually draws thousands of spectators. Low water levels originally threatened the trip. A non profit organization that teaches boat building to skills to students provided rowboats that could have made it across, but the winds were just too much to stage the event.

The menu for President Donald Trump’s Christmas Day dinner didn’t skimp on the goodies.

The five desserts to choose from were Pina Colada Creme Brulee, Brilliant Cheesecake,  Black Forest Trifle Martini, Bread Pudding and Trump Chocolate Cake.

The first family is celebrating Christmas at the president’s south Florida estate and golf club, Mar-a-Lago.