Skiing accident at Pennsylvania resort kills Virginia man
MACUNGIE — A skiing accident at an eastern Pennsylvania resort claimed the life of a Virginia man, authorities said. Matthew Rosenstein, 23, of Arlington, Va., died Monday of multiple blunt force injuries, the Lehigh County coroner’s office said Wednesday. The coroner’s office said he struck snowblowing equipment while skiing at...
GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski ‘disturbed’ by McConnell impeachment remark
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, said she was disturbed to hear Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell say there would be “total coordination” between the White House and the Senate over the upcoming presidential impeachment trial. “And in fairness, when I heard that I was...
Remains of soldier killed in Afghanistan returned to U.S.
DOVER, Del. — The remains of a 33-year-old American soldier killed in combat in Afghanistan have been returned to the United States, arriving at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Goble of Washington Township, New Jersey, was killed Monday in a roadside bombing in northern...
Man robs Colorado bank, throws cash, says ‘Merry Christmas’
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A 65-year-old Colorado man is jailed after witnesses say he robbed a bank in Colorado Springs, walked outside and threw money out of the bag and then said “Merry Christmas.” The man walked to the coffee shop next door, “sat down and waited for the cops,”...
Man killed, woman wounded after car ambushed in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A man was killed and a woman wounded when almost two dozen shots were fired at a car in southwest Philadelphia on Christmas Eve, police said. Chief Inspector Scott Small told The Philadelphia Inquirer that two gunmen ambushed the car just after 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Elmwood...
ESPN college football reporter Edward Aschoff dies at 34
BRISTOL, Conn. — ESPN college football reporter Edward Aschoff, known for his outgoing and friendly personality, dapper dress and great love of sports, has died. He was 34. The sports network announced Aschoff died Tuesday after a brief illness. “We are very sorry to have to share the devastating news...
Notre Dame rector: Fragile cathedral might not be savedVideo
PARIS — The rector of Notre Dame Cathedral says the Paris landmark is still so fragile that there’s a “50% chance” the structure might not be saved, because scaffolding installed before this year’s fire is threatening the vaults of the Gothic monument. Monsignor Patrick Chauvet said restoration work isn’t likely...
Police: 3 dead in apparent murder-suicide in Florida; 4 children safe
LAKELAND, Fla. — Three adults were killed in an apparent murder-suicide on Christmas Eve while four young children were inside the home, authorities in Florida said. The children were safely removed from the home after the shooting Tuesday night, Lakeland Police Capt. Ed Cain told reporters. The three dead adults...
Lifelong nurse enjoyed travels, modeling
Although nursing defined much of Leilah Potthoff’s life, her interests extended to everything from modeling to volunteering, and traveling to sewing. “If my mom wasn’t a nurse, she probably would have been an actress,” said her daughter, Robbie Potthoff. “My mother liked to keep busy.” Mrs. Potthoff never really retired...
Trumps attend music-filled church service on Christmas Eve
PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attended a music-filled Christmas Eve service at a Southern Baptist Convention-affiliated church before celebrating the holiday with dinner in the ballroom of his private club. The pastor of Family Church in West Palm Beach, Florida, Jimmy Scroggins, and...
Officer creates Christmas ‘investigation’ for neighbor, 3
OXFORD, Miss. — A Mississippi police officer created a Christmas caper for her preschool neighbor to investigate. Oxford police Officer Rachel Ratcliffe knew Bailey Stacey’s family had had a rough year. The 3-year-old and his parents had stayed in her house when their house next door flooded and the Staceys...
Pope marks joyful Christmas Eve after less-than-joyful year
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis assured the faithful on Christmas Eve that God loves everyone — “even the worst of us” — as he celebrated the joyous birth of Christ after a less-than-joyful year of scandals and opposition. With a choir singing the classic Christmas hymn “The First Noel,” Francis...
Pothole Christmas tree inspires Mississippi pastor to write holiday song
McCOMB, Miss. — A scraggly metal Christmas tree planted in a pothole has inspired a Mississippi minister to pen a holiday song. One bit asks, “If a man can take a pothole and bring the whole world together, the question is what are you doing to spread the Christmas joy?”...
Bankruptcy judge thrust into spotlight in Purdue Pharma case
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — The judge overseeing the bankruptcy of OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma warns that real-life court cases don’t unfold like “Perry Mason.” But he’s afraid this one might come to resemble “Dr. Strangelove.” U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain of White Plains, N.Y., has a reputation for thorough preparation,...
PennDOT: 6.6 million expected to travel Pa. Turnpike this holiday season
If you’re traveling the Pennsylvania Turnpike, while reading this on Christmas Eve — hopefully while sitting in the passenger’s seat — you’re among millions of motorists doing so this holiday season. PennDOT officials estimated about 6.6 million drivers will travel the turnpike through the first day of 2020. “We have...
Pa. official confirms that, despite that red nose, Santa’s reindeer are ready to fly
Santa’s reindeer have been cleared for entry into Pennsylvania for temporary toy delivery duty, according to Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. The nine reindeer were recently given a clean bill of health by Dr. Robert Gerlach, Alaska’s state veterinarian, and inspected by Pennsylvania state officials during a quick stop at Hersheypark...
Santa slammed, shoppers hurt in crush for mall freebiesVideo
Several shoppers were injured when a crowd struggled to catch prizes inside an Australian shopping mall. Balloons containing vouchers for trivial gifts, such as free coffee and parking, were released Tuesday above a crowd of about 150 people at the Westfield Parramatta shopping center in Sydney, reports news.com.au. Video shows...
Teen shot, killed in Missouri in apparent fight over shoes
GRANDVIEW, Mo. — A 20-year-old man was shot and killed in an apparent fight over shoes in suburban Kansas City, police said. Grandview police said an officer responded Sunday night to a reported shooting and found Jaylen Blackmon, of Kansas City, dead on a sidewalk. Witnesses told police that the...
Former Uber CEO Kalanick severs ties with ride-hailing giant
NEW YORK — Former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick is resigning from the board of directors, severing ties with the ride-hailing company that he co-founded a decade ago and ran until a series of scandals led to his downfall. The departure, announced Tuesday, did not come as a surprise. Kalanick recently...
Trump lashes out as impeachment trial stuck in limbo
PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump lashed out Tuesday as his Senate impeachment trial remains at an impasse, with Republican and Democratic leaders at odds over its format and whether witnesses should be called. Speaking at his private club in Palm Beach, Florida, after a teleconference call with troops...
Trump calls troops ahead of Christmas holiday
PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump is calling members of the military stationed across the world to share greetings ahead of the Christmas holiday. Trump is speaking by video conference with service members from all five branches from his private club in Florida, where is he is on a...
Pittsburgh nonprofit hosts essay contest, scholarship for ‘ambassador’ camp
Tired of incivility, social media fights and partisan divisions? A Pittsburgh-based nonprofit is doing its part to promote respect and civility by sponsoring the ninth annual Luminari scholarship for “I Want to be an Ambassador!” camp. The 2020 Luminari Award essay competition is open to all Pittsburgh-area students currently in...
Wisconsin city mulls dumping old ban on throwing snowballsVideo
WAUSAU, Wis. — For decades, those who have participated in snowball fights in one Wisconsin city have risked getting in trouble with the law. But that may be about to change. A 1962 ban on throwing projectiles in Wausau lumps snowballs into the same category as rocks and other items...
Chicago fog delays and cancels hundreds of flights on Christmas Eve
CHICAGO — Fog led to hundreds of flight delays and cancellations Tuesday morning, launching a chain reaction that delayed travelers at the city’s two airports as the clock ticked away hours that were to have been spent with loved ones on Christmas Eve. About 5:30 a.m. Central time, as a...
Gov. Tom Wolf, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman mark Festivus by reading mean tweetsVideo
In the spirit of Festivus, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman read some mean tweets by the citizens of the state. Think of it as a sort of airing of grievances. Wolf and Fetterman seem to enjoy reading the tweets in the video posted Monday on social...
