Democratic-Led House Expected to Give Trump Big Win on Trade

WASHINGTON (AP) — One day after impeaching President Donald Trump, the Democratic-led House is expected to overwhelmingly pass one of his signature priorities. The House began debate Thursday on a bill implementing terms of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her colleagues won key concessions from an administration anxious to pass the trade deal before next year’s election season makes that task more difficult. The agreement is projected to have only a modest impact on the economy. But it gives lawmakers from both parties the chance to support an agreement that is attractive to farmers, ranchers and business owners.

Senate Passes Anti-Robocalls Bill, Sending it to Trump

UNDATED (AP) — The Senate has passed a bill that cracks down on robocalls, a persistent and costly problem for Americans. It goes to President Donald Trump for his signature. The bill requires phone companies to offer free call-blocking apps and verify that the number calling you is real. That’s an issue since fraudsters fake numbers to look as though they’re coming from the IRS or others to trick you. The bill also strengthens enforcement tools against robocallers. It’s one of several measures that federal and state government and the telecom industry are taking to protect Americans from scam calls.

Mayor of Salem, MA Calls Out President Trump

The mayor of Salem, Massachusetts is calling the president out for a remark he made in a recent letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Mayor Kim Driscoll says President Trump needs to “learn some history” after he claimed those accused in the city’s infamous 17th century witch trials received more due process than he has as he faced impeachment.

PA Department of Health Reminds You To Wash Your Hands

The Pennsylvania department of health is reminding residents to wash their hands often this flu season. Beaver County radio news intern Alex D’Itri has more…

Pittsburgh Ranks Among Best Cities for Christmas Celebrations

Pittsburgh has been ranked among the best cities in the country to celebrate Christmas. WalletHub looked at traditions, shopping, generosity, costs and other factors when determining the 100 best cities for a festive and affordable Christmas. Pittsburgh came in at No. 4 on the list. The top three spots went to Atlanta, Orlando and New York.

PA House votes to amend constitution to pick judges by district

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.

Ex-Pennsylvania Attorney General Confirmed for Judicial Post

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.

$25 billion Pittsburgh Hyperloop Could Be Built Without Taxpayer Money, Officials Say

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.