By MICHAEL BALSAMO Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has been released from a federal prison on furlough, while he awaits potential placement to home confinement. That’s according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke with The Associated Press on Tuesday. Silver was serving his more than six-year sentence at a federal prison in Otisville, New York, in a corruption case. The person says he’s been released on furlough while awaiting potential placement to home confinement to serve his sentence at home. The 77-year-old began serving his sentence in August after years of fending off going behind bars. He has a projected release date from federal custody in 2026.

By ROGELIO V. SOLIS Associated Press
YAZOO CITY, Miss. (AP) — Forecasters say much of the South could see more severe weather Tuesday. Tornadoes struck parts of the region Sunday night and Monday, causing heavy damage in Mississippi and flipping trucks on a Texas interstate. The national Storm Prediction Center says the worst weather could hit parts of Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. That zone is home to more than 11 million people. One death was reported Tuesday in Tennessee when a tree fell on a mobile home. Besides tornadoes, threats include wind gusts of up to 70 mph and hail the size of golf balls. Authorities have recorded two weather-related deaths, both in Georgia.

By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA (AP) — Carmelo Anthony looked like he was done just a couple of seasons ago. Now, he’s part of a truly exclusive club in the NBA. Welcome to the Top 10, Melo. Anthony scored 14 points in Portland’s 123-114 loss to Atlanta to move past Elvin Hayes for 10th place on the career scoring list with 27,318. Anthony reached the milestone early in the second quarter Monday night when hitting a 3-pointer while getting fouled and completing a 4-point play. Unlike some other milestones, Anthony calls this a truly special moment that he doesn’t plan to take for granted.

By E. EDUARDO CASTILLO and FABIOLA SÁNCHEZ Associated Press
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Officials say an elevated section of Mexico City’s metro collapsed and at least 23 people have been killed. Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said four bodies were still inside the train, which plunged toward a busy boulevard late Monday night. It was one of the deadliest episodes in the history of the subway system, which is among the busiest in the world. One subway car was left dangling with bodies inside, and a crane was brought in to lower it to the ground. Officials say 77 people were hospitalized. Sheinbaum said one of the concrete beams collapsed as the train passed over it.

By ZEKE MILLER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration will begin shifting how it allocates COVID-19 shots to states, moving doses from states with lower demand to those with stronger interest in vaccines. The change away from a strict by-population allocation comes as demand for the coronavirus vaccines have dropped nationwide, with some states turning down part or all of their weekly dose allotments. The federal government will now shift some of those doses to areas with higher demand, in an effort to speed shots in those areas. An administration official confirmed the shift ahead of an expected public announcement.

LAMB INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN BILL TO COMBAT

OPIOID EPIDEMIC IN RURAL AREAS

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) and Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04) along with original cosponsors Representatives Abigail Spanberger (VA-7) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02), introduced the Rural Area Opioid Prevention Pilot Program Act.  This bipartisan legislation will fully authorize the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) pilot program, the Rural Responses to the Opioid Epidemic Initiative, providing the agency with the resources it needs to implement community response programs in rural areas with a focus on reducing opioid overdose deaths and providing alternatives to incarceration.

“Like many states, Pennsylvania has seen an increase in opioid deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Lamb.  “While Congress has rightfully been focused on the pandemic, several reports indicate that COVID-19 has exacerbated issues with opioid use.  This smart, commonsense legislation will immediately help the communities that need it the most.”

“I am honored to lead this bipartisan effort with Rep. Lamb.  The promising pilot programs included in this bill are a critical step forward as we work to curb the opioid epidemic, taking a targeted approach and ensuring rural Americans suffering from addiction have the resources they need to recover and get a second chance.  The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened opioid abuse, and it is important that we work to tackle this issue immediately,” said Feenstra.

“Rural America has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic for years, and Iowa is no exception.  The COVID-19 pandemic only made things worse, and we need to be doing more to help those fighting addiction,” said Miller-Meeks.  “The Rural Area Opioid Prevention Pilot Program Act is a step in the right direction to help rural communities combat this crisis.  Helping Americans take on opioid abuse and addiction is a bipartisan issue, and I am proud to partner with my colleagues to find solutions to this problem.”

“During the pandemic, our nation witnessed a record number of overdose deaths — and here in Virginia, experts project that overdose deaths increased by more than 40 percent from the previous year.  Behind these statistics are personal, heartbreaking stories of parents who have lost their children to the agonizing loss of overdose.  As we focus on our recovery from this pandemic, I’m keeping their pleas to help other families avoid this loss in the forefront of my mind,” said Spanberger. “This bipartisan legislation makes sure the Department of Justice has the resources and support it needs to help build a pathway towards healing and recovery, especially throughout rural America, which has been particularly impacted by the substance abuse crisis.  I’m proud to help introduce the Rural Area Opioid Prevention Pilot Program Act, and I am committed to building new ways for communities in Central Virginia and across the country to combat skyrocketing rates of overdose deaths.”

Co-funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State Justice Institute (SJI), the Rural Responses to the Opioid Epidemic Initiative is a DOJ pilot program that integrates public safety and public health approaches and blends interagency expertise and funding to address the epidemic.  The Greater Communities Act will authorize and codify this program by providing the federal funding to continue building on its early successes.

Since early 2020, 21 rural American communities that have borne the brunt of the opioid epidemic have received millions in federal funding to develop tailored and innovative responses to gaps in prevention, treatment and/or recovery services for individuals involved in the criminal justice system.  The funds enable rural areas to implement evidence-based solutions and promising practices in a way that utilizes the unique assets of their communities.  The goal of the program is to reduce opioid overdose deaths in high-risk rural communities while supporting and promoting a shared understanding of the patterns and characteristics of local opioid use.

Click here for more information on the Rural Area Opioid Prevention Pilot Program Act.

(Photo Courtesy of The Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa)

(Aliquippa, Pa.) The Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa will be conducting routine hydrant flushing for the next two weeks. Customers might notice a slight discoloration and odor along with low water pressure or no water service at that time.  For more information on the routine flushing, you can visit the water authority online by clicking on the logo below.

 

Nearly 200 angry parents and students gathered outside the Pine-Richland School Board meeting last night. The crowd booed school board members who were escorted into the meeting by Pine-Richland Police.

The parents and students continue to be angry over the firing of Pine-Richland’s Football Coach, Eric Kasperowicz. Last month the school board announced that Kasperowicz and his entire staff’s contracts would not be renewed.

The school board gave the reasoning that there was an investigation and it revealed that there were years of hazing and bullying within the program.

Kasperowicz and the student-athletes have said that the allegations are not true.

Kasperowicz won four WPIAL titles, two state championships.

The board has acknowledged the frustration and anger, but they stand by their decision.