PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he is not ruling out witnesses in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial _ but indicated he was in no hurry to seek new testimony either. Lawmakers on Monday remain at an “impasse” over the form of the trial by the GOP-controlled Senate after the House voted Wednesday to impeach Trump. Democrats want a commitment that they can call witnesses. But McConnell says he wants the Senate to adopt rules like those used in the 1999 Clinton impeachment trial, in which a few witnesses were only called after both sides presented their cases. In an interview with “Fox and Friends” the GOP leader says: “We haven’t ruled out witnesses. We’ve said let’s handle this case just like we did with President Clinton. Fair is fair.”

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump will hold his first rally of 2020 in Ohio next month, potentially coinciding with the beginnings of the Senate impeachment trial. The Trump campaign announced Monday that he will speak at the “Keep America Great” rally in Toledo on Jan. 9. The Senate impeachment trial is expected to start that week, though it may be delayed as lawmakers argue over whether to call new witnesses. Ohio was once an extremely competitive swing state but has trended more Republican in recent years. Trump won by 8 percentage points in 2016 and a repeat victory is vital to his hopes for reelection in November.

UNDATED (AP) — Joe Biden’s presidential campaign is getting a boost from one of the leading Latinos in Congress. Rep. Tony Cárdenas of California endorsed the former vice president Monday as Democrats’ best hope to defeat President Donald Trump. Cárdenas chairs Bold PAC, the political arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Cárdenas’ announcement follows presidential candidate Bernie Sanders campaigning this weekend with progressive icon and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The dueling surrogates highlight Biden’s and Sanders’ fierce battle for the Hispanic vote and their starkly differing approaches to the larger nominating fight. Biden is leaning heavily on his establishment connections and perceived strength against President Donald Trump. Sanders promises a political revolution.

AARP is advising consumers to be aware of increased fraud, scams and theft that mark the holiday season. Andrea Sears reports…

The EPA’s evaluation of Phase III Watershed Implementation Plans for cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay does not hold Pennsylvania accountable for a plan that will not achieve the state’s pollution reduction goals by the 2025 deadline. Andrea Sears reports…

More than one-million dollars is being earmarked to help Beaver County’s youth transition from the justice system to the workforce. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano reports…

The Vietnam veterans of America Christmas Vigil will be held from 1:00pm Christmas eve to 1:00pm Christmas day in Beaver. All members of the community are welcome to attend. Beaver County radio news intern Alex D’Itri has more…

WILKINSBURG, Pa. (AP) — Police say an officer shot and killed a man after officials say he opened fire with a gun during a foot pursuit near Pittsburgh. Allegheny County police say Wilkinsburg officers were dispatched to an intersection just after 1 a.m. Sunday after a report of a man threatening another person with a gun. They say the man fled, but after a brief pursuit he turned and fired a handgun at one of the officers. Police say the officer returned fire, striking the suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The name of the man wasn’t immediately released. Allegheny County police are investigating.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 23RD, 2019

 

TODAY – PLENTIFUL SUNSHINE. HIGH – 52.

TONIGHT – MOSTLY CLEAR. LOW – 29.

CHRISTMAS EVE – CLOUDY IN THE MORNING. SUNSHINE
EXPECTED IN THE AFTERNOON.
HIGH – 44.

CHRISTMAS DAY – PARTLY SUNNY. HIGH – 51.