Cheryl Geidner figured council members in Volant, a tiny borough north of Pittsburgh, would adopt a preliminary year-end budget despite no discussions at public meetings on the proposed financials. She never figured they’d raise property taxes by 57%. “There had never been a mention of that,” said Geidner, a property...
Southwest Airlines Reaches $140 Million Settlement Over Holiday Flight-Canceling Meltdown Last Year
DALLAS — Southwest Airlines will pay a $35 million fine as part of a $140 million settlement to resolve a federal investigation into a debacle in December 2022 when the airline canceled thousands of flights and stranded more than 2 million travelers over the holidays. Most of the settlement will...
Senate Border Security Talks Grind on as Trump Invokes Nazi-Era ‘Blood’ Rhetoric Against Immigrants
WASHINGTON — Time slipping, White House and Senate negotiators struggled Sunday to reach a U.S. border security deal that would unlock President Joe Biden’s request for billions of dollars worth of military aid for Ukraine and other national security needs before senators leave town for the holiday recess. The Biden administration, which is...
In Israel’s Killing of 3 Hostages, Some See the Same Excessive Force Directed at Palestinians
TEL AVIV, Israel — Israelis were left stunned and speechless when three hostages held by Hamas were killed by Israeli forces in the middle of an active war zone after they waved a white flag and screamed out in Hebrew to show they did not pose a threat. For some, the...
A Common Abortion Pill Will Come Before the US Supreme Court. Here’s How Mifepristone Works.
Medication abortion is the preferred method of ending pregnancy in the U.S., and one of the two drugs used — mifepristone — will now go in front of the U.S. Supreme Court next year. Demand for the abortion pills mifepristone and misoprostol has grown as states have imposed bans or restrictions or...
Matthew Perry Died From Effects of the Drug Ketamine: Autopsy
LOS ANGELES — Matthew Perry died from the acute effects of the anesthetic ketamine, according to the results of an autopsy on the 54-year-old “Friends” actor released Friday. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner said in the autopsy report that Perry also drowned in “the heated end of his...
US Homelessness Up 12% to Highest Reported Level as Rents Soar and Coronavirus Pandemic Aid Lapses
WASHINGTON — The United States experienced a dramatic 12% increase in homelessness to its highest reported level as soaring rents and a decline in coronavirus pandemic assistance combined to put housing out of reach for more Americans, federal officials said Friday. About 653,000 people were homeless, the most since the country began using the...
Declared Missing as a Child, British Teenager Lives Off-Grid for 6 Years, Then Pops Up in France
Le Pecq, France — The vehicle's headlights silhouetted the exhausted teenager walking alone in the rain in deepest rural France, with a skateboard tucked under his arm. “I said to myself, ‘That’s strange. It’s 3 am in the morning, it’s raining, he’s all by himself on the road between two...
Israeli Military Mistakenly Kills 3 Hostages in Gaza
The Israeli military on Friday mistakenly killed three Israeli hostages during its ground operation in the Gaza Strip, military officials said. The army’s chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said Israeli troops found the hostages and erroneously identified them as a threat. He said it was not clear if they...
Bulldogs, Despite Lopsided Series Record, are Bowl Underdogs vs Aggies Saturday
Isleta New Mexico Bowl: New Mexico State (10-4) vs. Fresno State (8-4), Saturday, 2:45 p.m. Pacific (ESPN) FanDuel Sportsbook College Line: New Mexico State by 3½ Series record: Fresno State leads 18-1 In its sixth bowl game in program history, the Aggies are looking to improve to 5-0-1 in those games,...