Legislation has been introduced that sponsors say will open up the process of appointing judges to more input and transparency. Don Rooney has the details…
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Majority Republicans in the state House are taking the first step to amend the Pennsylvanian Constitution so that appeals court judges would be elected by district rather than statewide. The House voted 102 to 95 on Wednesday for the proposal that would have lawmakers draw the district lines for Supreme, Superior and Commonwealth courts. In order to be enacted, it must still pass the Senate, then be approved by both chambers in the next session, before going to voters as a referendum. All Democrats voted no, joined by four Republicans.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled Senate is confirming Gov. Tom Wolf’s nomination of a former state attorney general to fill a state court vacancy. Wednesday’s vote confirms Bruce Beemer to replace a retired judge on the Allegheny County Court. He’ll serve until a successor is picked in 2021’s election. As Wolf’s inspector general since 2016, Beemer ran an office that investigates complaints about fraud, waste and misconduct in state agencies. Beemer stepped in as Wolf’s nominee to the attorney general’s post for five months in 2016 to finish the elected term of his former boss, Kathleen Kane. She had resigned after she was convicted.
Project leaders of a Pittsburgh hyperloop that would cost $25 billion say it can be built without taxpayer money. The hyperloop would get people from Pittsburgh to Chicago in less than an hour. Construction of the hyperloop would create hundreds of thousands of jobs and could bring resources to small towns across the region. Hyperloop Transportation Technologies is one of a handful of companies developing hyperloop technology. Another proposed hyperloop, Hyperloop One, would connect Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Chicago.
The Pittsburgh International Airport is set to undergo a billion-dollar renovation in 2020, and officials said it is on schedule to open in about three years. The massive renovation will include a brand-new terminal with an emphasis on greenspace and natural lighting. The new design will also include a new parking garage and rental car space, along with outdoor observation decks with designated areas for meeting and greeting passengers.
Aliquippa Council has approved the 2020 budget…and it includes no increase in taxes. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has more. Click on play to hear Sandy’s report…
(AP) A section of Interstate 80 remains closed in central Pennsylvania hours after a multi-vehicle wreck in snow squalls left two people dead and dozens injured. Westbound traffic is being diverted Thursday while tow trucks remove 15 to 20 cars and trucks. State transportation officials say the crash was reported at about 1 p.m. Wednesday on I-80 in White Deer Township as blinding snow made the highway slick. Union County’s coroner confirmed a fatality and the Montour County coroner said a second person died at a hospital. The interstate was closed for 34 miles in both directions until eastbound lanes reopened five hours later.
WEATHER FORECAST FOR THURSDAY, DEC. 19TH, 2019
TODAY – SUNNY. HIGH NEAR 30.
TONIGHT – MOSTLY CLEAR. LOW – 19.
FRIDAY – MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH – 38.
SATURDAY – PARTLY SUNNY. HIGH – 45.
SUNDAY – MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH – 47.
The House of Representatives has passed legislation proposed by State Rep. Aaron Bernstine that would keep violent criminals off parole after serving just their minimum sentence. Beaver County radio news intern Alex D’Itri has more…
Trump impeached by US House on charge of abuse of power
By LISA MASCARO and MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press
The U.S. House has impeached President Donald Trump on a charge he abused the power of his office to investigate a political rival ahead of the 2020 election. Trump becomes the third president in U.S. history to be impeached. The House is also expected to approve the second charge, obstruction of Congress, as voting continues Wednesday evening. Democrats control the House, and the voting was mostly along party lines. The charges against Trump will next go to the Republican-controlled Senate for a trial in January. Trump, who says he’s done nothing wrong, would almost certainly be acquitted there.