'Becoming Bedford County:' Old Bedford Village hosting 250th anniversary event

 Posted on June 16, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  78 words  |  Merlyn Hunt

BEDFORD CO, Pa (WJAC) — This weekend, Old Bedford Village will be hosting “Becoming Bedford County.” The event is geared towards showing what life was like in the era of the county’s establishment. The event is part of Bedford County’s 250th anniversary celebration. The living history site will be focusing on life during the 1770’s. Bedford County was established when Fort Bedford was constructed in the 1750’s, which eventually allowed for the expansion westward in the state. [Read More]

'Outrageous' teacher union members 'bully' lawmakers for more money

 Posted on June 16, 2024  |  4 minutes  |  783 words  |  Merlyn Hunt

(TCS) — Starting their Wednesday off with doughnuts and red T-shirts, members of the Chicago Teachers Union rolled their way into Springfield to demand more state taxpayer funding. Only two of every 10 Black students can read at grade level, according to Chicago Public Schools data. During a news conference at the Illinois State Capitol, CTU members were asked if they were doing anything to improve reading and math proficiencies. They told The Center Square to ask CPS. [Read More]

5 planets will align in the sky this month

 Posted on June 16, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  409 words  |  Brenda Moya

WASHINGTON (TND) — If they are lucky, some stargazers in America will reportedly be able to see a rare treat: Five planets in Earth's solar system will be aligned in the night sky this month. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will align, in that order, all in a row, in the predawn skies of the southeastern United States beginning on June 3, according to Sky & Telescope. The planets will be located starting in the low eastern sky and then stretch to the upper southern sky, according to materials provided by the publication. [Read More]

Family Clothesline Teams up with PSU with Limited Edition T-Shirt

 Posted on June 16, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  256 words  |  Delta Gatti

STATE COLLEGE, Pa — One popular downtown State College store is teaming up with Penn State during the pandemic. The Family Clothesline launched a limited edition Penn State t-shirt with a portion of sales going to help students in financial crisis. “We knew that hope is a really important thing at this point. We wanted to create hope that there’s going to be a light at the end of the tunnel. [Read More]

Judge issues filing extension in Centre County mail-in ballot challenge

 Posted on June 16, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  323 words  |  Merlyn Hunt

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Centre County's "ballot battle" moved into court on Thursday, with attorneys on both sides saying it’s an issue "with a sizeable potential impact" as we head into the November general election. In Thursday’s court hearing, it’s evident that election laws, especially those pertaining to mail-in ballots, are open to interpretation. The case centers on 95 mail-in ballots, from the recent primary election, that have been challenged as to whether they're valid ballots due to problems with how they were dated. [Read More]

Deadly explosion caused by cut gas line thought to be turned off, Ohio investigators say

 Posted on June 15, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  382 words  |  Barrett Giampaolo

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) — A crew working in the basement area of an Ohio building intentionally cut a gas line not knowing it was pressurized before a deadly explosion this week, the National Transportation Safety Board said Friday. NTSB board member Tom Chapman said preliminary investigation shows workers were in the basement to clear out piping and other outdated infrastructure and debris from the basement and vault area — which extends underneath the sidewalk next to the building — in anticipation of a city project to fill in the area and replace the sidewalks. [Read More]

Funeral to be held for oldest victim of synagogue attack

 Posted on June 15, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  143 words  |  Barrett Giampaolo

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A 97-year-old woman who was the oldest victim of the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre will be laid to rest Friday at the end of a wrenching, series of funerals. Rose Mallinger was among 11 victims gunned down in the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history. Her daughter was wounded in the attack at Tree of Life synagogue. The Jewish community began burying its dead Tuesday as thousands of mourners attended services for a beloved doctor and two brothers. [Read More]

Historians recall Hitler's foiled attack on Altoona

 Posted on June 15, 2024  |  3 minutes  |  486 words  |  Delta Gatti

ALTOONA, Pa. (WJAC) – When the United States entered World War II in late 1941, Altoona became an important part of the war efforts. It was so important, one of the most infamous historical figures plotted against the city. "To strike at the Pennsylvania railroad and specifically, whether it be the Juniata Shops or the Horseshoe Curve, really would have hindered America's ability to move troops, move materials, and natural resources that were necessary,” said Jared Frederick, a local historian. [Read More]

North Star students return to class; law enforcement investigating 'mysterious' incident

 Posted on June 15, 2024  |  2 minutes  |  332 words  |  Delta Gatti

UPDATE |SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Monday marked the first day back on campus for many students and staff at North Star high school following Thursday morning’s “mysterious” situation where 41 students went to the hospital and were treated for symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Superintendent Louis Lepley says attendance was at a normal rate. Officials say the school is considered safe following an investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency. [Read More]

Steelers sign WR Denzel Mims to practice squad

 Posted on June 15, 2024  |  1 minutes  |  84 words  |  Merlyn Hunt

Pittsburgh (WJAC) — The Pittsburgh Steelersannounced Tuesday that they have signed wide-receiver Denzel Mims to their practice squad. Mims was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He recently spent time with the Detroit Lions organization but did not see any playing time after suffering an ankle injury during training camp. Mims appeared in 33 games with the Jets, from 2020 to 2022, where he caught 42 total passes for 676 yards and no touchdowns. [Read More]