WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress opened the impeachment of President Donald Trump on Thursday, with House Democrats reading the formal charges from the well of the U.S. Senate. Later Chief Justice John Roberts, who is to preside at the trial, will administer the oath to senators who will serve as jurors and swear to deliver “impartial justice.” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said new evidence reinforces the need for senators to call witnesses. She warned them not to become “all the president’s henchmen.” The full trial will begin next week.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has overwhelmingly approved a new North American trade pact that rewrites the rules of trade with Canada and Mexico. Passage of the measure gives President Donald Trump a major policy victory before senators turns their full attention to his impeachment trial. The measure goes to Trump for his signature. It would replace the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, known as NAFTA. It tore down most trade barriers and triggered a surge in trade. But Trump and other critics blamed NAFTA for encouraging U.S. companies to move their manufacturing plants south of the border to take advantage of low-wage Mexican laborers.

Elizabeth Warren accused Bernie Sanders of calling her a liar before a national television audience during a tense, post-debate exchange in which she refused to shake his outstretched hand. That’s according to audio released Wednesday by CNN, which aired the debate. The two have been feuding since Monday, when Warren said that, during a private meeting in 2018, he disagreed with her that a woman could win the presidency. They clashed during Tuesday’s debate in Iowa, and Warren refused to shake Sanders’ hand afterward. Audio reveals Warren said, “I think you called me a liar on national TV,” and Sanders responded, “Let’s not do it right now.”

BREAKING NEWS:  The Beaver County annual Snow Shovel Riding Contest has been cancelled for 2020. The event was re-scheduled for this Saturday, January 18th after being postponed from last Saturday due to unfavorable weather conditions, but alas, it just was not meant to be this year. Beaver County’s Director of Recreation, Tim Ishman, says they’ll be aiming for the first two weekends in February in 2021 and are hoping for better conditions next year.

(Photo of Elementary Assistant Principal Robert Motte taken by Sandy Giordano)

The Aliquippa School Board has accepted a staff members’ resignation, and heard some positive news on the Quips’ Positive Behavior Program. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano was there. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

Pennsylvania is one step closer to banning drivers from using hand-held devices while they drive. In a Wednesday vote, state representatives moved forward a bill that would not only ban texting while driving, but would prohibit any hand-held device from being used. Police wouldn’t be able to stop driver for the reason alone, however. State Representative Aaron Bernstine explains to Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak why he voted for the bill..

 

The measure is now off to the state Senate.

The Ambridge Zoning Hearing Board has voted ‘No’ on a request from Beemac Trucking to build a new facility in the borough. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has more. Click on ‘play’ to hear Sandy’s report…

Legislation sponsored by State Representative Aaron Bernstine that would amend the Sunshine Act to require a public agency to post public meeting agendas no later than 24 hours prior to the start of a meeting…has passed the House. House Bill 1069 would also porhibit an agency from taking official action on items not on the meeting agenda unless added by a majority vote. Bernstine told Beaver County Radio newsman Pat Septak this morning that he’s excited about this legislation…

 

Bernstine says the bill would require the agenda to be posted at the location of the meeting, on the agency’s public website and copies be made available to those in attendance…

 

House Bill 1069 is heading to the Senate for consideration…

 

….State Representative Aaron Bernstine.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Michael Bloomberg’s presidential campaign has begun hiring staff in Pennsylvania, a late primary state where his chief competitors for the Democratic Party’s nomination have some inroads. Campaign officials said Wednesday that it has hired about 35 staffers in Pennsylvania and has a goal of hiring more than 90 staffers and opening a dozen campaign offices. Pennsylvania is seen as particularly friendly territory to former Vice President Joe Biden. The hiring is part of Bloomberg’s focus on premier general-election battleground states, while other candidates spar in early primary states. Pennsylvania’s primary election is April 28. It has the fifth-most delegates in the Democratic primary.

State Health Department officials say there have been eleven more flu-related deaths this season. Statewide, that brings the total to 24 with more than 32-thousand confirmed flu cases since the end of October. That number may be even higher since most people who come down with the flu may not be tested. Last year, 133 people died from flu, with most over the age of 65.