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Senate bill aims to address unconstitutional life sentences

Local News

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation creating a pathway for inmates to seek release from prison in the wake of a state Supreme Court ruling that found the state’s use of life sentences without possibility of parole for second-degree murder convictions was unconstitutional. Under Senate Bill 1400, inmates convicted of second-degree murder would be eligible for release after serving at least 35 years in prison. Those over age 70 who have served at least 20 years behind bars would be eligible for parole, as well. Individuals convicted of second-degree murder are typically ...

Trump visits battleground Pa. ahead of midterms

Local News

MACUNGIE — President Donald Trump visited a Mack Trucks facility in battleground Pennsylvania on Tuesday, attempting to shift attention to the U.S. economy in his first major public event outside the nation’s capital since he signed an interim agreement to end the Iran war. The trip to ...

Pa. House panel votes to expand market for EVs

Local News

The market for electric vehicle sales in Pennsylvania expands under legislation approved Monday by a House committee. The Commerce Committee voted 14-12 along party lines for House Bill 2013 sponsored by Rep. Gregg Scott, D-Montgomery. HB2013 enables other EV manufacturers besides Tesla to sell vehicles directly to customers. Democrats supported the bill while Republicans opposed it. HB2013 removes a restriction in a 2014 state law requiring a manufacturer to have been in business the previous 12 months to sell directly. Tesla is the only EV manufacturer to fit that description. The ...

Ticker: Top auto regulator opens special probe

Local Business

The top U.S. auto regulator has opened an investigation after a Tesla using an automated driving feature slammed into a Texas home at high speed and killed a 76-year-old woman standing inside. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday it was opening a special investigation into the Tesla Model 3 crash, a significant probe since it involves technology that Elon Musk considers key to Tesla’s future. The Tesla CEO is rolling out robotaxis using automated software in several U.S. cities this year. Tesla did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Quieter ...

Mexico’s president seeks to restart oil shipments to Cuba

International News

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday that her country seeks to restart oil shipments to Cuba soon, a move that could provide much-needed relief as the island’s crises deepen given a lack of petroleum. Sheinbaum said her administration would seek to send the oil via commercial and privately owned firms instead of state-owned companies as it has done in the past. Mexico became a key fuel supplier to Cuba after the U.S. attacked Venezuela in early January and halted critical oil shipments. But those shipments, which had already been reduced, were ...

Senate passes housing bill aimed to lower prices

Local Business

WASHINGTON — The Senate passed a bipartisan housing bill on Monday that aims to reduce federal regulations and expand local control, one of the most sweeping efforts in recent decades to increase supply and bring down prices. The bill, which passed 85-5 and now heads to the House, has been ...