Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh: Cycling group calls for change
After three fatalities in the last week, including a woman who was killed in a bicycle-car accident in the Oakland area, Bike Pittsburgh is petitioning for immediate safety changes. The group is asking for adjustments such as speed bumps, educational programs and traffic enforcement so bikers and motorists can better share the road.
Pittsburgh: Public schools partner with Wilkinsburg
The Pittsburgh Public School board voted 7-2 Wednesday to allow middle and high school students from Wilkinsburg, where enrollment has been declining, to attend George Westinghouse Academy.
Lycoming County: Army blimp lands in Muncy
An unmanned Army surveillance blimp hovered over central Pennsylvania, hitting power lines and causing outages before finally going down in Muncy. Police used shotguns to deflate the blimp that broke away from a Maryland military facility on Wednesday.
Pittsburgh: Pirates receive record ratings on Root Sports
Although the post-season ended almost as soon as it started for the Pittsburgh Pirates, telecasts hit a record high for Root Sports, which holds the regional rights to broadcast the games, in 2015. An average of 250,000 people were watching each game, according to Nielsen Media Research data, and their household ratings were the third-highest among all Major League Baseball teams.
Allentown: Businesses to assist police officers buying homes in center city
Allentown’s Live Near Your Work program is expanding, now applying to its police officers. Nine businesses that are part of the Downtown Allentown Community Development Initiative offer workers money toward closing costs and other expenses if they buy property within central city limits. The movement is meant to develop better relationships with residents in the community.
National
FDA cracks down on stores’ illegal tobacco sales
The Food and Drug Administration shut down tobacco sales at eight stores that have repeatedly sold products to kids under the age of 18. The stores in New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Maryland and Missouri all have 30 days to stop selling tobacco products or appeal the decision.
Paul Ryan elected speaker
After weeks of uncertainty, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) was elected Thursday as the 54th Speaker of the House.
EMT suspended for unauthorized stop
Qwasie Reid, A New York City Emergency Medical Technician, was suspended without pay after he left his ambulance that was transporting a nursing home patient to rescue a 7-year-old girl who was choking. Despite his efforts, the girl is on life support. It is against the ambulance company’s policy for drivers to make unauthorized stops.
World
China’s one-child policy is no more
China announced it would abandon its “one-child policy” and allow couples to have two children. The decision stemmed from concerns about labor shortages and the rise in the elderly population, which could strain the economy.
In Other News
Makeup artist applies cosmetics without the use of hands
Makeup artist Jessica Ruiz applies makeup to clients by using her mouth to hold the brushes. Because of a congenital birth defect, she has limited use of her hands. But Ruiz can apply foundation, blush and eyeliner by biting down on her tools.
The Daily Report was compiled by Christine Manganas, a PublicSource intern. You can reach her with questions or suggestions at cmanganas@publicsource.org
