WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s legal team is preparing to wrap up arguments in his impeachment trial as Sen. Mitch McConnell and other Republicans wrestle with whether to allow witnesses. The arguments from defense lawyers have jostled for public attention against revelations from a forthcoming book by former national security adviser John Bolton. He says Trump wanted to withhold military aid from Ukraine until it committed to helping with investigations into Democratic rival Joe Biden. That assertion matters because Trump and his lawyers have repeatedly insisted that he never tied the suspension of security aid to political investigations.

Lyin’, nervous and dumb as a rock. As his impeachment defense continues, President Donald Trump hit Twitter with a stream of insults aimed at Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other top Democrats. Trump made reference to – quote “Our case against lyin’ cheatin’ Adam “Shifty” Schiff, Crying’ Chuck Schumer, Nervous Nancy Pelosi, their leader, dumb as a rock AOC”. Trump also urged his supporters to continue to watch the proceedings on his favored news sources: Fox News and the right-wing One America News Network. He trashed CNN as “Fake News” and suggested that MSNBC is a front for Democrats.

(Photo courtesy of the Beaver Falls Fire Department)

Tom Mallory – the owner of Murphil Cleaners, which is next door to the Beaver Falls home that burned down yesterday – initially indicated that wasn’t sure if he’d even be able to open today because his business has water and smoke damage inside. But this morning, Mallory told Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak that it’s business as usual today…

We asked Mallory about the extent of damage to his business…

Mallory says his business opened at its regular time this morning.

(All pictures courtesy of the Beaver Falls Fire Department)

Four people were transported to a hospital following a Monday evening fire in Beaver Falls. Fire Chief Mark Stowe tells Beaver County Radio newsman that the two-alarm blaze broke out in a two-story frame house shortly before 5:30 p.m. in the 24-hundred block of Eighth Ave…

Chief Stowe says two firefighters partially fell through the floor…but weren’t hurt:

Chief Stowe says the home is a total loss…

Chief Stowe says the cause of the fire is under investigation…

Fire officials say the four victims were treated for smoke inhalation and all are expected to recover.

Residents have raised concerns…after a coyote had been sighted several times in a densely populated residential area in Hopewell Township. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has more. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

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Parents in the Hopewell School District last night heard an update on the feasibility study that was conducted to transition fourth graders into the junior high school. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has more…

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A Pittsburgh-area police officer is under fire after controversial posts on Facebook. It started with the officer from the Monessen Police Department taking to social media to ask, “Who was Kobe Bryant?” The comments and images that followed – including multiple images of fiery explosions and officers dancing – are being called inappropriate and insensitive. The police chief said he is aware of the posts and the officer’s union is involved, but no disciplinary action has been taken at this time.

UNDATED (AP) — Jerry Sandusky’s legal effort to have his decadeslong child molestation sentence reduced is going before a county judge again. Sandusky’s defense lawyers and state prosecutors are expected to argue on Tuesday about whether Judge Maureen Skerda should reconsider his 30- to 60-year term for sexual abuse of 10 boys. A Pennsylvania appeals court ordered him resentenced last year, resulting in Skerda’s decision in November to impose the same sentence Sandusky had received after his 2012 trial. The former Penn State assistant football coach was convicted of 45 counts and has lost a string of appeals decisions, although he maintains he was wrongly convicted.

A new report out today shows other states with similar and even more conservative political landscapes are investing more in high-quality pre-kindergarten education. Andrea Sears reports…

A nationwide survey is confirming what many in Western P-A already believe: Pittsburgh is the best city in the nation when it comes to football fans. For the second year in a row, a WalletHub survey ranked Pittsburgh number one on the list, based on its college and pro teams, ticket prices, stadium accessibility, and fan friendliness and engagement. The survey ranked Pittsburgh significantly ahead of A-F-C North foes Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Cleveland.