2 dead in shooting at university residence hall in Texas
Authorities say two people were killed and a third person wounded in a shooting at a dormitory at a Texas university. A recommendation for students and employees to shelter in place was lifted early Monday afternoon, about an hour and a half after it was announced on Twitter. The university said there were three gunshot victims at its Pride Rock residence hall, and two people were confirmed dead. The third person was taken to a hospital. Classes were canceled for the day. The university has has not said if a suspect is being sought.

Rush Limbaugh says he’s been diagnosed with lung cancer
By LYNN ELBER AP Television Writer
Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh says he’s been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Addressing listeners on his program Monday, Limbaugh said will take some days off for further medical tests and to determine treatment. Limbaugh called himself the “mayor of Realville” in announcing his illness. He’d been experiencing shortness of breath that he initially thought might be heart-related but turned out to be cancer. Limbaugh’s national prominence began in 1988, when his first national radio show launched. Within a few years he was considered a Republican kingmaker, a status that has remained. He now broadcasts primarily from West Palm Beach, Florida.

1 dead, 5 wounded in shooting on Greyhound bus in California
By STEFANIE DAZIO Associated Press
The California Highway Patrol says a gunman opened fire aboard a packed Greyhound bus, killing one passenger and wounding five others before the driver pulled over onto the shoulder and the killer got off.  The suspect was taken into custody without incident, and authorities say the the motive is unknown. The bus was traveling from Los Angeles to San Francisco on Interstate 5 at the time of the shooting early Monday. Two of the victims are hospitalized in serious condition.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — More than 100 supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg have crowded into the backroom of his West Des Moines, Iowa, headquarters before heading out to knock on doors as the hours tick down to Iowa’s caucuses. The former South Bend, Indiana, mayor popped in Monday to thank the precinct-level volunteers. Buttigieg says his campaign and volunteers are exactly where they need to be “to astonish the political world.” Buttigieg is among a pack at the top of the field in Iowa. Anthony Elarth traveled from Seattle to help train Buttigieg’s volunteers in Iowa. Elarth says volunteers engaging voters at their doors “want to have a conversation, not a debate.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Closing arguments in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial are unfolding Monday as much for history as any effort to sway votes. The four hours of arguments provide one final chance to influence public opinion and set the record ahead of expected Senate acquittal. The Senate is expected to take the final impeachment votes on Wednesday. House managers opened with a plea from Democratic Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado, a freshman, who told the chamber: “We cannot and should not leave our common sense at the door.”

UNDATED (AP) — The latest attempt at an HIV vaccine has failed. Researchers announced Monday they’ve stopped giving the experimental shots in a major study in South Africa. That country has one of the world’s highest HIV rates. The study had enrolled more than 5,400 people since 2016, and had started with high hopes. But last month researchers found roughly as many vaccinated people had become infected with HIV as those given dummy shots. The U.S. National Institutes of Health sponsored the study. It said there were no safety concerns but the vaccine clearly didn’t protect people.

Beaver County Radio Continues its look into the new faces of the County Courthouse and this week we land in the office of the recorder of deeds. Matt Drzik has the story. Click on ‘play’ to hear Matt’s report…

 

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty has been cleared of allegations that he assaulted a 13-year-old boy during a photo shoot, police said. Chris Greenwell and his son Brandon met the hairy, googly-eyed mascot at a November event for season ticket holders. Greenwell has said that as Brandon walked away from the mascot, Gritty ran out of his chair and “punched my son as hard as he could.” Greenwell filed a complaint with police Dec. 21. But police announced Monday that their investigation determined that “the actions of the individual portraying the Flyers’ mascot did not constitute physical assault as alleged.”

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A judge has dismissed the charges against one of two men accused of killing five people and an unborn baby at a suburban Pittsburgh cookout almost four years ago. Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Edward Borkowski on Monday granted a defense motion to dismiss the case against 31-year-old Robert Thomas in the March 2016 killings in Pittsburgh’s Wilkinsburg suburb. The defense sought dismissal after prosecutors decided against putting a key witness on the stand. Testimony was expected to begin Monday against 33-year-old Cheron Shelton. Prosecutors say they plan to seek capital punishment in the event of a first-degree murder conviction.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

The city of Beaver Falls announced recently that they will have a question on Pennsylvania’s April primary that asks the following question:

• “Shall a government study commission of seven members be elected to study the existing form of government of the municipality, to consider the advisability of the adoption of a home rule charter and, if advisable, to draft and to recommend a home rule charter?”

In essence, the city council is allowing the people to vote on starting a commission to investigate the possibility of a switch from third class to home rule charter.

Beaver County Radio sat down with Beaver Falls Financial Manager Kevin Kunselman to discuss this possible change, and he said that the city itself has been looking into this change for some time:

 

The city’s initial investigation was spearheaded by a $70,000 state-awarded grant, which the city matched with 10%. With their knowledge, the city decided to make the move to place the ordinance on the April ballot.

Kunselman stated that one of the favorable parts of home-rule charter is the option for the city to shift a portion of the property tax collection towards locally earned income tax. Moving the unfair burden to the lower income earners which is currently disproportional for paying a higher percentage of their income than do higher wage earners.  Kunselman, also said this will alllow for the opening of part-time positions in local departments:

 

The main goal, however, is to perhaps gain the power of home-rule charter in order to avoid the financial distress of Act 47, which Kunselman believes will take away power from the city and cause a fiscal burden for citizens.

As far as how the public can become involved, Kunselman had these dates available:

 

Anyone over the age of 18 and with 50 petition signatures (petitions can be found at the City Building) will be allowed to participate on the commission if it is voted on.