LONDON (AP) — A key researcher at the University of Oxford says scientists expect to report results from the late-stage trials of their COVID-19 vaccine by Christmas. Dr. Andrew Pollard, an expert in pediatric infection and immunity at Oxford, said Thursday that research was slowed by low infection rates over the summer but the Phase III trials are now accumulating the data needed to report results. He told the BBC “I think we’re getting close, and it’s definitely going to be before Christmas based on the progress.”  Pollard discussed progress in the late-stage trials as Oxford released a study based on earlier research that found the vaccine was well tolerated and produced a strong immune response in people over 70.

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — The coronavirus pandemic means Groundhog Day won’t be the same in a Pennsylvania town long associated with a prognosticating rodent. Organizers say Punxsutawney Phil will predict whether spring will come early or winter will last longer in 2021 without the usual crowds who gather at Gobbler’s Knob, a tiny hill just outside Punxsutawney. Organizers say Phil and his inner circle on Feb. 2 will deliver the prediction virtually by means of a live internet steam and website. Spectators will not be permitted because “the potential Covid risks to overcome are too great.” Records dating back to 1887 show Phil has predicted a longer winter more than 100 times.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid rose last week to 742,000,  the first increase in five weeks and a sign that the resurgent viral outbreak is likely slowing the economy and forcing more companies to cut jobs. The Labor Department’s report Thursday showed that applications for benefits rose from 711,000 in the previous week. Claims had soared to 6.9 million in March when the pandemic first intensified. Before the pandemic, applications typically hovered about 225,000 a week. The economy’s modest recovery is increasingly at risk, with newly confirmed daily infections in the United States having exploded 80% over the past two weeks to the highest levels on record.

Dr. Rachel Levine announced orders on out of state travel.
Anyone visiting from other states are required to have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of entering the state. If they are unable to or decline to get a test, or they’re still waiting on results, they have to quarantine for 14 days.

The same goes for Pennsylvanians that visit other states. They’re required to get a test 72 hours prior to returning or they have to quarantine for 14 days.

This order does not apply to people who commute to and from another state for work. It will go into effect on Friday, Nov. 20.

Kazan, Monaca Police Department’s k9 was laid to  rest at 11 a.m. this  morning in the METCON parking lot,. The lot , located at  1817 Pennsylvania Avenue is where officers and friends said farewell to the faithful k-9…Monaca Police and his handler Sgt. Gregory M.. Nicol made the joint announcement submitted by Police Chief David C.  Piuri,.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has admitted violating the Clean Water Act when workers illegally pumped sludge into the Allegheny River between 2010 and 2017.
The authority on Wednesday pleaded guilty to federal charges, including falsifying written reports to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Under terms of a plea agreement, the authority has agreed to pay $500,000 into a self-funded compliance program and must submit annual reports and face audits while on probation for three years, U.S. Attorney Scott Brady said.
The authority also is barred from raising rates to pay the fine.
“We are not allowing PWSA to pass on the cost of their failures to the city of Pittsburgh,” Brady said.
In a statement, the authority said the actions did not threaten the city’s water quality.
“Both compliance issues raised in the investigation have been rectified and had no impact on the quality or safety of the drinking water. The authority has altered the treatment plant to make these discharges to the river physically impossible.”

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Aliquippa City Council met on Zoom for its  work session meeting Wednesday night and approved a resolution for the Tax and Revenue Anticipation Note, Mayor Dwan B. Walker will sign for it.

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced a $3 million settlement with Apple Inc. regarding battery failures and unexpected shutdowns of iPhones. The company is accused of secretly throttling consumers’ iPhone speeds in 2017 to address poor battery performance.

The lawsuit, submitted as part of the settlement, says Apple knew battery issues were leading to phone shutdowns. In an effort to hide the problem from consumers, Apple released a software update in January 2017 that reduced iPhone performance and slowed devices to prevent shutdowns from the existing batteries.

“Apple knew some of its iPhones had battery issues and instead of disclosing the problem to consumers, it chose to slow down the performance of the devices,” Attorney General Shapiro said. “I called on Apple to make it right and provide transparency to Pennsylvania consumers. This settlement will deliver more accurate information to those who buy and depend on Apple products.”

The $3 million will go to the Office of Attorney General, upon court approval, to reimburse it for its investigative efforts and to invest in future public protection and education measures. Apple also must provide truthful information to consumers about iPhone battery health, performance and power management. It must acknowledge this information on its website, in update installation notes, and in the iPhone user interface itself.

In addition to its battery replacement program implemented in late 2017, Apple recently entered into a proposed settlement of class action litigation related to the same conduct, and, under that proposed settlement, Apple will pay up to $500 million nationwide in consumer restitution. The average consumer could receive up to $25 per claim.

This settlement, in the form of a Consent Petition, is being filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County and requires Court approval.