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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An estimated $785 million Mega Millions jackpot will give lottery players a chance to start the new year with a lucrative bang. The big prize up for grabs Tuesday night is the sixth-largest jackpot in U.S. history and has grown so large because no one has matched all six of the game’s numbers for more than two months. There have been 22 straight drawings without a winner. The jackpot-winning drought isn’t surprising given the miserable odds of one in 302.6 million of winning the top prize. The $785 million jackpot is for a winner who chooses to be paid through an annuity over 29 years. Nearly all winners opt for a cash payout, which would be an estimated $395 million.

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., arrives for a closed-door meeting with the GOP Conference ahead as he pursues the speaker of the House role when the 118th Congress convenes, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The new Congress opens with House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy grasping for his political survival. House Republicans are meeting privately Tuesday behind closed doors at the Capitol amid a party stand off. McCarthy could become the first nominee for speaker in 100 years to fail to win support from his own colleagues in the first round of voting. The showdown could very well devolve into a prolonged floor fight. Some Republicans worry about a spectacle that divides the party. It’s in stark contrast with the other side of the Capitol, where Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell is set to become the longest-serving party leader.

FILE – The Pennsylvania state Capitol is seen on Dec. 14, 2020, in Harrisburg, Pa. Pennsylvania’s statewide elections agency said in a court filing Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, that it is moving ahead with plans for special elections to fill three House vacancies in early February unless a court orders otherwise. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Partisan control of the state House of Representatives is hanging in the balance as Pennsylvania lawmakers, their families and supporters arrive at the state Capitol to start a new two-year legislative session. In addition to taking their oaths of office on Tuesday, state representatives must elect a speaker to serve as their chamber’s presiding officer. The November election was so close that what is normally a highly scripted event is instead a moment of drama and uncertainty. Democrats flipped a net of 12 seats in November. That’s the minimum amount needed to take over the chamber, but one member died and two others have resigned.

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published January 3, 2023 10:48 A.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) AEDC Director Cindy Gormley announced on Monday that Mackin Engineers will be in the city on Monday, January  23, 2023 at 4 p.m. to discuss where new signs should be  located and what they should direct drivers or walkers to. Residents interested in providing their input should attend the meeting, Ms. Gormley said. There will be a second meeting  to discuss the  outcome from suggestions at a later date.

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Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published January 3, 2023. Published 8:00 A.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) Aliquippa firefighters were called to the scene of a fire in an unoccupied brick home after 2 a.m. Tuesday morning at Hill Street and Monaca Road. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and were assisted by Ambridge, Hopewell and Center Township Fire Departments. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published January 3, 2023 7:58 A.M.

(Aliquippa, PA) Aliquippa’s AEDC Director Cindy Gormley  received  notification that the city received Purple Heart City designation by the national organization last week. Ms. Gprmley said she spoke to  the national director and the city will be on its website soon.

FILE – Former President Donald Trump points to the crowd as he arrives to speak at a rally July 22, 2022, in Prescott, Ariz. Trump is returning to Washington for the first time since leaving office to deliver a policy speech Tuesday night, July 26 before allies who have been crafting an agenda for a possible second term. Trump will address the America First Policy Institute’s two-day America First Agenda Summit. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Jan. 6 committee is shutting down. The panel has completed a whirlwind 18-month investigation of the 2021 Capitol insurrection and has sent its work to the Justice Department along with a recommendation for prosecuting former President Donald Trump. The committee’s time officially ends Tuesday at noon when the new Republican-led House is sworn in. With many of the committee’s staff already departed, remaining aides have spent the last two weeks releasing many of the panel’s materials. They include the committee’s 814-page final report, about 200 transcripts of witness interviews, and documents used to support its final conclusions.

This photo provided by Monroe County (Pa.) Correctional Facility shows Bryan Kohberger. Arrest paperwork filed by Pennsylvania State Police in Monroe County Court, Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, said Kohberger, 28, was being held for extradition in a criminal homicide investigation in the killings of four University of Idaho students, based on an active arrest warrant for first degree murder issued by the Moscow Police Department and Latah County Prosecutor’s Office. (Monroe County (Pa.) Correctional Facility via AP)

STROUDSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A man facing first-degree murder charges in the slayings of four University of Idaho students is not expected to fight extradition at a hearing Tuesday in Pennsylvania. Twenty-eight-year-old Bryan Kohberger was taken into custody early Friday by state police at his parents’ home in eastern Pennsylvania. His attorney said his client is eager to be exonerated and should be presumed innocent and “not tried in the court of public opinion.” Kohberger’s family expressed sympathy for the victims’ families but vowed to support him and promote “his presumption of innocence.”

BRACKENRIDGE, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say the man suspected of fatally shooting a Pennsylvania police chief and wounding another officer in confrontations near Pittsburgh was killed by police after a chase. The officers were shot blocks apart Monday during a foot pursuit in Brackenridge, an Allegheny County town northeast of Pittsburgh. Police say the gunman carjacked a vehicle, crashed it after a chase, fled into some woods and eventually fired at detectives, who returned fire and killed him Monday evening. Governor-elect Josh Shapiro identified the slain officer as Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire. Police say the second officer was wounded in the leg and is expected to survive.