FILE – The New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks rose in choppy trading on Wall Street Wednesday after another strong signal on the job market. The government reported that the number of job openings in November was higher than expected, but that also keeps pressure on the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates high to fight inflation. The S&P 500 was up 1.2%, the Dow was up 0.7% and the Nasdaq rose 1%. The Fed releases minutes from its latest policy meeting later Wednesday. Salesforce rose after becoming the latest tech coimpany to announce staffing cuts. Crude oil prices fell.

Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro speaks with the press. Governor Tom Wolf joined Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor- Elect Austin Davis to announce the first steps in the transition to the Shapiro-Davis Administration. NOVEMBER 16, 2022 – HARRISBURG, PA

HARRISBURG, PA – Today, Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro announced the appointment of Akbar Hossain, a Norristown native who currently serves as Executive Director of the Shapiro-Davis Transition and who served as Policy Director on Shapiro’s gubernatorial campaign, as Secretary of Policy and Planning. The Governor-Elect also appointed former State Representative Mike Vereb, who currently serves as Director of Government Affairs for the Office Attorney General, as Secretary of Legislative Affairs. Both trusted aides to Governor-Elect Shapiro, Hossain and Vereb will serve in key roles as they assist in advancing the Governor-Elect’s top priorities.

These impressive and highly qualified appointees underscore Governor-Elect Shapiro’s commitment to bringing Pennsylvanians together and delivering results for our Commonwealth. Serving in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2006 to 2016, Vereb brings a record of working across the aisle with both Democrats and Republicans to get things done. As Executive Director of the Shapiro-Davis Transition, Hossain is building a hard-working, capable Administration that represents all corners of our Commonwealth and is ready to get to work on day one.

“Akbar Hossain and Mike Vereb have decades of public service experience between them, and they will be critical to crafting a policy agenda that meets Pennsylvanians’ needs and building a broad coalition in support of that vision,” said Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro. “Akbar is one of the brightest minds on policy in Pennsylvania, and he will help us improve our kids’ schools, create an economy that lifts everyone up, and make communities across Pennsylvania safer. I’ve known Mike Vereb since we served together in the Legislature – he is an accomplished public servant who knows how to bring people together and fight for all Pennsylvanians. Both Akbar and Mike bring deep expertise in their fields and a strong commitment to public service, and I am confident in their abilities to help our Administration move our Commonwealth forward.”

“It is an honor to serve Governor-Elect Shapiro as Policy Secretary and help him fulfill his promise to deliver real results for all Pennsylvanians,” said Akbar Hossain. “There are people across Pennsylvania who are still looking for the same shot I was given, and it’s our responsibility to serve them. Governor-Elect Shapiro is working toward growing an economy that works for all people – because at the end of the day, that’s what helped my family – and ensuring that every child receives a quality education, because I wouldn’t be here without that opportunity. I look forward to advancing his bold, positive vision for the Commonwealth and serving the people of Pennsylvania.”

“I am humbled that Governor-Elect Shapiro has entrusted me with this great responsibility – a responsibility to bring people together, restore civility, and get things done in Harrisburg,” said Mike Vereb. “I’ve spent my career building relationships with people on both sides of the aisle, and I look forward to building a broad coalition to pass Governor-Elect Shapiro’s agenda into law and make a real difference for the people of Pennsylvania.”

Legislators of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are sworn-in, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa. The ceremony marks the convening of the 2023-2024 legislative session of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Matt Smith)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Democrat who promised to govern as an independent was elected speaker of the narrowly divided Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Tuesday on the strength of every Democrat and more than a dozen GOP votes. The chamber voted 115 to 85 on Tuesday to make Rep. Mark Rozzi of Berks County its speaker after Republicans were unable to convert their narrow majority into a vote to retain the post. Rozzi overcame the rival candidacy of a rival Republican. But Rozzi’s election leaves questions about how the chamber will operate in the short term and whether he will remain a Democrat.

FILE – Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin (3) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. Hamlin was in critical condition early Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, after the Bills say his heart stopped following a tackle during the Monday Night Football game, which was indefinitely postponed. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper, File)

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The marketing representative for Damar Hamlin says the Buffalo Bills safety’s recovery is moving in “a positive direction” two days after he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest during a game against Cincinnati. Jordon Rooney says the family remains optimistic but that he was unable to go into further detail on Hamlin’s status. On Tuesday, the Bills said Hamlin was under sedation and listed in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. The Bills are scheduled to hold team meetings and a walkthrough practice without any media availability on Wednesday.

This handgun was detected in a traveler’s carry-on bag at Pittsburgh International Airport on Jan. 2. (TSA photo)
Information provided by Transportation Security Administration

PITTSBURGH –Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Pittsburgh International Airport detected a loaded handgun inside an Ohio woman’s make-up bag, which was tucked inside a backpack that she carried to the security checkpoint on Monday, Jan. 2. The loaded .380 caliber handgun was loaded with six bullets and was detected when the backpack entered the checkpoint X-ray machine.

When the gun was spotted, TSA officers notified the Allegheny County Police, who confiscated the gun. The woman told officials that she did not realize that she had her gun with her and thought that the gun was at home.

When a traveler brings a gun to the airport checkpoint, the U.S. States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania requests local county sheriffs to rescind a resident’s firearm concealed carry license due to negligence.

“Forgetting that you are carrying a loaded handgun is irresponsible,” said Karen Keys-Turner, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “If you own a firearm, you need to take responsibility for knowing where it is at all times. This individual has gotten off to a very poor start to the new year. Even if someone has a permit to carry, they still are not permitted to bring a gun onto a flight. This woman now faces a stiff financial civil penalty—a penalty that was recently increased to up to $15,000 for a weapons violation at an airport.”

FILE – In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo rioters loyal to President Donald Trump storm the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Arguments begin Tuesday, Feb. 9, in the impeachment trial of Donald Trump on allegations that he incited the violent mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

WASHINGTON — A Pennsylvania man pled guilty today to the felony charge of assaulting a law enforcement officer during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

 Mikhail Edward Slye, (32?), of Meadville, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to the charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers, a felony which carries a statutory maximum sentence of up to eight years in prison. U.S. District Court Judge James E. Boasberg scheduled sentencing for April 4, 2023.

 Slye was arrested on September 30, 2022, in Meadville, PA.

 According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Slye used a bike rack barricade to intentionally trip an officer with the U.S. Capitol Police. The officer and his team were attempting to rescue another officer caught in the crowd on the North Side of the Capitol. As a result of being tripped, the officer fell down the stairs and suffered injuries to his hand, wrist, and lower body.

 Additionally, Slye illegally entered the Capitol twice – once, at 2:56 p.m., remaining for three minutes, and again at 3:05, exiting at 3:35. While in the Capitol, he moved throughout the Crypt area and other locations.

 This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

 The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office and its Erie Resident Agency, and the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the nearly 24 months since Jan. 6, 2021, close to 900 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 275 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. 

 Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

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(Beaver Falls, PA) (WBVP) State Police in beaver are reporting that drug possession charges were filed against a Beaver Falls man on New Years Day. 33 year old Antonio Retana was stopped on Interstate 376 near Hopewell and was found to have a THC Vape Pen and other paraphernalia. Charges were filed through the magistrates office.

The featured image above shows police outside the Monaca Walmart after the November shooting.
Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio News Director. Published January 4, 2023 10:51 A.M.

(Beaver County, PA) (WBVP-WMBA) Attorney Joel Sansone spoke with Mike Romigh Wednesday morning during “Live Mic with Mike Romigh” on Beaver County Radio.  Sansone represents the family of Ken Vinyard, who died while helping a shooting victim at the Monaca Walmart in November.  The attorney states that Vinyard was trying to be a good Samaritan when an off duty police officer forcibly used a leg sweep on him, causing Vinyard to hit his head off the ground. Vinyard died shortly after. Sansone said the name of the officer is “a gentleman named John Hawk, as I understand it”.  The attorney also stated that the family of the shooting victim is appreciative of the actions of Vinyard.  The investigation is ongoing.

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Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published January 4, 2023 7:47 A.M.

(Hopewell Township, PA) (WBVP) Hopewell School District Superintendent Dr. Jeff Beltz sent a letter to parents on Monday detailing the testing of the water by the Creswell Heights Water Authority, CMA Environmental Laboratory, and PSI Intertek Intertek samples were analyzed by U.S. Micro-Solutions. No  sewage related bacteria were found in the samples.  Creswell confirmed, according to  the report , acceptable chlorine levels are present and the  results returned on December 31, 2022 revealed the water is acceptable for consumption. The district is awaiting a PSI resampling  report from December 29, 2022.

Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students, is escorted to an extradition hearing at the Monroe County Courthouse in Stroudsburg, Pa., Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, Pool)

STROUDSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A criminology graduate student accused of the November slayings of four University of Idaho students agreed Tuesday to be extradited from Pennsylvania, where he was arrested last week, to face charges in Idaho. Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old doctoral student at Washington State University — a short drive from the murder scene in the neighboring state — will be transported to Idaho within 10 days. Wearing a red jumpsuit with his hands shackled in front of him, Kohberger showed little emotion during Tuesday’s brief hearing in a Pennsylvania courtroom in which he acknowledged facing four counts of first-degree murder and a burglary charge. He waived his right to fight extradition. His attorney says Kohberger is eager to be exonerated and should be presumed innocent.