The Senate voted 60-40 to end the government shutdown Monday night. Eight Democrats crossed the aisle to support a Republican-backed measure. Pennsylvania's John Fetterman was one of them and says he did it for those who had forgone their paychecks and went without federal aid. "It wasn't worth the kind of chaos and trauma to our nation because I do believe there's a sincere conversation to be had to discuss those tax credits," Fetterman said. Fetterman says he believes Republicans can come to an agreement on Democrat demands.
A judge is denying a former school resource officer's request to withdraw his guilty plea in a sexual assault case. Northampton County officials say the motion made on behalf of Costas Alestas was recently rejected. Alestas pleaded guilty in April to charges stemming from a relationship with a female student at East Hills Middle School, where he worked as a school resource officer. He reportedly received a ten-year sentence in a plea deal.
One person was taken to the hospital yesterday after a deck collapsed in Northampton County. Authorities said a second-floor deck collapsed at a home in Lower Saucon Township. The person's condition remains unknown. The cause of the collapse is under investigation.
A 19-year-old Allentown man has been identified as the victim of a weekend murder in Catasauqua. Ti'Shaun Singleton was shot to death at a home in the 200 block of Edward Lane late Saturday afternoon. Authorities are investigating the killing. There is no word of any arrests or what may have prompted the murder.
A 27-year-old Monroe County man is dead after a crash late Saturday night in Stroud Township. Michael Burns died at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono just before 11 p.m. after a one-vehicle crash on Mill Creek Road. Stroud Area Regional Police are investigating the crash.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission says drivers who fail to pay tolls may now have their fees reported to the state Attorney General's office. Turnpike CEO Mark Compton explains why they've decided enough is enough. "First of all, it's fairness. There's an accountability to pay your bills, pay your tolls, just like you would with any other utility," Compton says. Compton says toll collection traditionally has been handled at three levels. First, invoices are sent to the registered owner's address. If unpaid, the individual is handed over to a collection agency. If payment is still not made, vehicle registration could be suspended by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Now, Compton says if you owe more than $250 in unpaid tolls, you'll be hearing from the Attorney General's office via a letter.
A driver accused in the deadly southern New Jersey crash that killed NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother last year has lost his battle to keep his confessions to police out of his trial. Sean Higgins' defense team had sought to suppress initial statements made to police, arguing his Miranda rights were violated. A New Jersey State Police Sergeant testified that Higgins told him, "I hit them" when he responded to the scene of the accident in August of last year in Oldsmans Township. Judge Michael Silvanio ruled his confession would be admissible in court. Higgins is charged with multiple counts, including reckless vehicular homicide and aggravated manslaughter, and faces up to 70 years in prison if convicted. He's due back in court next month.
The Eagles are 7-2 after a tight 10-7 win over the Packers Monday night in Green Bay. Running back Saquon Barkley says playing close games is a reminder that every play matters. "It can go in a direction where a lot of negative stuff is happening and then two plays it could be good and seven points. Sometimes it can be going really good and you're driving and just one play can knock it off, so you've gotta stay with it," Barkley says. The Eagles are now tied with Seattle and the Rams for the best record in the NFC.