>>NTSB Expects Preliminary Report On PA Bridge Collapse In 10 Days
(Pittsburgh, PA) -- The National Transportation Safety Board expects to have a preliminary report on the Pittsburgh bridge collapse in the next ten days. Investigators spent Saturday at the scene of the collapse that left three people hospitalized the day earlier. NTSB chairwoman Jennifer Homendy says she anticipates the agency's investigation to be "long" and "technical." Homendy adds the agency's mission isn't just to figure out why the bridge collapsed, but "to prevent it from happening again."
>> PA To Appeal Friday's Court Decision Nixing Pennsylvania's Election Law
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Authorities are appealing Friday's state court decision that struck down Pennsylvania's election law as unconstitutional. In the three-to-two decision, the court overturned Act 77, which reportedly permitted "no-excuse" absentee voting, created a permanent list of mail-in voters, extended the voter-registration deadline and provided almost 100-million-dollars in upgrades to the state's elections infrastructure. In its majority opinion, the court ruled that voting "requires the physical presence of the elector," and ruled that any changes to state election law must be reflected by amendments to the state constitution.
>>Dauphin County Court Appoints New Harrisburg Schools Receiver
(Harrisburg, PA) -- A new court receiver has been appointed for the Harrisburg School District. Effective Friday, Doctor Lori A. Suski has been appointed by the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas to serve as the new receiver for the court. Suski has been serving in the role of the chief recovery officer (CRO) for the district since September 13, 2021. That followed her retirement as Superintendent of Schools for Middletown Area School District a couple of weeks before. Suski has more than 32 years of experience in public education. She replaces Janet C. Samuels, who announced her resignation from the role.
>>Fire Damages Historic Building in Cumberland County
(South Middletown Township, PA) -- Eleven people are now looking for a new place to live after a fire damaged an historic building in Cumberland County Saturday night. Crews were called to the 100 block of Bucher Hill Road in South Middleton Township around 11 p.m. The former mill housed seven apartment units. Fire Chief Tim Yingst says a resident on the fourth floor was alerted to the fire by a smoke detector and that all 11 residents got out safely. The fourth floor and roof sustained extensive fire damage and the three lower floors have water damage. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
>>All PA Counties Have Now Signed On To Global Opioid Settlement
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Attorney General Josh Shapiro says all 67 counties in Pennsylvania have now signed on to join a global opioid settlement. It will provide up to $232 million this year to help people find treatment from substance abuse. Pennsylvania has been one of the lead states in negotiating the $26-billion global settlement with Cardinal, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen-the nation's three major pharmaceutical distributors-and Johnson & Johnson. The settlement requires significant industry changes that will help prevent a future opioid crisis, in addition to the funds.
>>Relief for COVID-Strapped Homeowners On the Way
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Relief is coming for eligible homeowners in the Commonwealth who are struggling with their mortgage payments or other housing expenses because of COVID-19 pandemic-related financial hardships. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency says Tuesday will mark the statewide launch of the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund. The $350-million comes from the American Rescue Plan Act funds through the U.S. Department of the Treasure. The money can be used for eligible households to prevent or ease delinquent mortgages, defaults, foreclosures, and utility disconnection More information can be found online at pahaf.org.
>>Package Of Bills On Prison Reform Introduced In State Legislature
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Democratic lawmakers have been joined by one Republican in announcing a series of measures that deal with prison reform. One includes offering parole to elderly and terminally ill inmates; others deal with support for veterans and other prisoners who are re-entering society. The bills also offer alternatives to prison, particularly for minor offenses. Lawmakers say four of the bills have bipartisan support.
>>"Making A Masterpiece" Highlights Art of State Capitol Building
(Harrisburg, PA) -- The Senate Library in the Pennsylvania State House is currently showcasing an exhibit that shows the beauty and history of the historic building. "Making a Masterpiece" highlights the artwork of the state capitol in several areas. Much of the display focuses on the current building designed by architect Joseph Huston and dedicated by President Teddy Roosevelt in 1906, including the dome inspired by St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and the staircase modeled after the Paris Opera House. The free exhibit runs until February 18th.
>>Flyers End 13-Game Losing Streak
(Philadelphia, PA) -- The Philadelphia Flyers have broken their 13-game losing streak. The team won for the first time in 14 games, defeating the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 in overtime at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Saturday. The Flyers had been 0-10-3 since December 29th, the longest stretch without a win in their history. The Flyers return to the ice Tuesday night when they host the Winnipeg Jets.
>>Reading Fire Chief Announces Retirement
(Reading, PA) -- Reading's city fire chief will be stepping down to retire soon. Mayor Eddie Morán acknowledged the retirement of Fire Chief William Stoudt Junior at his State of the City address Friday. Moran said Stoudt will be retiring at the end of April. The Mayor also commended Stoudt on a job well done throughout his nearly 40 years of service overall. Stoudt took over as chief in Reading in 2014. There's no word yet on the city's process to find his replacement.
>>Patty Pagoda Getting Ready to Prognosticate for Six Weeks Ahead
(Reading, PA) -- Berks County's own furry forecaster, Patty Pagoda, is ready to make her prediction for whether or not we'll have six more weeks of winter. The 17th annual Patty Pagoda Groundhog Day event will take place Wednesday, February 2, 2022, 7 a.m., at the Pagoda in Reading at 98 Duryea Drive. The Pagoda is closed for renovations, so the festivities will take place outside, at the Tori Gate area. The event will also be streamed live at berksweekly.com/live, and on the Berks Weekly Facebook page.
>>January 6th Committee Subpoenas Lehigh Valley Business Owner In Fake Trump Elector Investigation
(Washington, DC) -- The House committee investigating the January 6th Capitol attack has subpoenaed a Lehigh Valley business owner and 13 other people who it says falsely claimed to be electors for President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. Bill Bachenberg is one of two Pennsylvanians on the list. He is listed as the chairperson of the electors. Lisa Patton is the other and is listed as the secretary. The panel is demanding information and testimony from 14 people who it says allegedly met and submitted false Electoral College certificates declaring Trump the winner of Pennsylvania voting, as well as seven other states, when President Biden actually won them.
>>PA Dems Decide Endorsements for Gov., Lt. Gov. but Not For U.S. Senate
(Swatara Township, PA) -- The Pennsylvania Democratic Committee has met and come away with endorsements for just two of three statewide races: governor and lieutenant governor. The Democrats were unable to endorse a candidate for U.S. Senate after two rounds of voting as none of the candidates reached the two-thirds vote threshold necessary for endorsement. U.S. congressman Conor Lamb fell just a few votes short at 60 percent. Lt. Governor John Fetterman finished second, with less than a quarter of the vote, and State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta finished third. In the other two positions, the Dems endorsed A.G. Josh Shapiro for governor and State Rep. Austin Davis for lieutenant governor. Austin Davis is the first Black candidate to be endorsed for the role.
>>More Than 150 People Evacuated From Ski Lift
(Williamsport, PA) -- Some skiers are breathing a sigh of relief after being stuck on a ski lift at Elk Mountain in Susquehanna County Sunday afternoon. Officials at the resort say there was an issue with Lift 6, causing them to evacuate 170 people from it. Later, an issue was found with the gear box on the lift and repairs will be made on Monday. No one was injured in the stoppage or evacuation.
>>Sixers Fan Not Allowed Back at Wells Fargo Center
(Philadelphia, PA) -- The Philadelphia 76ers have banned a fan indefinitely from the Wells Fargo Center after his indecent comments towards an opposing player. It's all stemming from the game last Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers when the fan repeatedly called Lakers star Carmelo Anthony a 'boy.' Tensions began to boil over for Anthony as he approached the fan and had to be held back by the referees and other security personnel. The fan was escorted out of the game and ESPN reports the man is not a season ticket holder. The man has not been identified but he won't be back in the arena anytime soon.