WJPA News

A recent alleged sextortion case involving a Peters Township High School student prompted the Pastor of St. John XXIII to look into educating his parish about child safety on the internet. Father Bob Miller says that “digital technology is part of everything today” and he felt that it was necessary to help parents, grandparents and caregivers understand the dangers of the internet and what can be done if someone they love has been victimized. They contacted the U. S. Department of Homeland Security. Their Homeland Security Investigations unit put on a 90 minute presentation that covered human trafficking, catfishing and sextortion. Agents explained the grooming process that could lead into slave labor and sex trafficking. They described how predators may gain access to children and teens through online games, social media sites and communications apps. Agents outlined steps to protect young children from being taken advantage of while playing games or posting on social media. They also went into how to deal with an issue if someone falls victim to a predator. The most important step is to make sure law enforcement is notified immediately so that no further exploitation occurs. Additionally, care is taken to not make the victim feel guilty and not come forward with information. The discussion on artificial intelligence drove home the point that one just does not know who they may be communicating with while playing online games or partaking in social media. The Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations unit says that if you or a loved one suspects that you have been victimized, call their tipline at 1-866-347-2423.

Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania is investing more than $10.2 million to purchase development rights for 2,645 acres on 31 farms in 20 counties, including Washington County, protecting them from future residential or commercial development and continuing the Administration’s support of one of Pennsylvania’s key industries.  In February, Governor Josh Shapiro announced an investment of nearly $7.1 million to preserve 25 new farms and 1,905 acres. In 2025, Pennsylvania preserved 167 farms and 14,147 prime acres of farmland across the state, investing more than $50.1 million. These joint investments by state and local governments ensure that Pennsylvania farmers will have the prime-quality land they need to continue supporting families, communities, and jobs.  Shapiro says this is possible through Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program, in which the state partners with local governments and nonprofits to purchase development rights to preserve farmland, ensuring a strong future for farming and food security. By selling development rights, farm owners ensure their farms remain in agricultural production and are never sold to developers.  In Washington County, the total investment – $300,251; state – $199,284; county – $100,967 –  will go to Brownsheepfarm, a 95-acre sheep and goat farm in South Franklin Township.

As demand for new data centers surges across Pennsylvania, lawmakers are responding to concerns about rising utility costs. A bill is now being considered by a Senate committee in which data centers would have to contribute to an enhancement fund for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. In Pennsylvania, about 300,000 households rely on the program each year to help cover heating costs. Jennifer Quinn, legislative and political director for the Pennsylvania chapter of the Sierra Club, said oversight is overdue. She says data centers use large amounts of electricity, water and land, and communities are worried. She stressed the measure would shield consumers from the extra costs associated with new proposals.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Negotiators from Iran and the United States prepared Friday for high-level talks planned to start a day later in Islamabad, seeking to steady a ceasefire teetering over Israel and Hezbollah exchanging fire and Tehran’s chokehold over the Strait of Hormuz. Vice President JD Vance was set to take off from Washington, with Iran still remaining mum over its team as it tried to pressure Washington to halt Israeli attacks in Lebanon. The semiofficial Tasnim news agency, close to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, claimed that talks would “remain suspended” otherwise. Meanwhile, Kuwait said it faced a drone attack Thursday night it blamed on Iran and its militia allies in the region. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard denies launching any assault.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s efforts to exit the war in Iran are causing tension within the Republican Party. His approach, marked by threats followed by a shaky ceasefire, has sparked criticism from some conservatives. Laura Loomer, a conservative activist, opposes negotiating with Iran, while former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has called for Trump’s removal. Despite social media backlash, Republican leaders in Congress remain mostly silent. The GOP faces uncertainty as midterm elections approach, with concerns about Trump’s handling of the situation and its impact on voters. Rising gas prices and potential military involvement add to the challenges.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that the Defense Department is violating his earlier order to restore access to the Pentagon for reporters. U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman sided with The New York Times earlier this month in deciding that the Pentagon’s new credential policy violated journalists’ constitutional rights to free speech and due process. He sided again with the Times in saying that the Pentagon had tried to evade his ruling by putting in new rules that expel all reporters from the building unless guided by escorts. Friedman had ordered Pentagon officials to reinstate the press credentials of seven Times reporters and stressed that his decision applies to “all regulated parties.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady Melania Trump has delivered a statement at White House denying ties to Jeffrey Epstein and knowledge of his crimes. In an extraordinary statement on Thursday, the first lady denied any association with Epstein and called the online accusations that she was involved in Epstein’s crimes “baseless lies.” The extraordinary and seemingly out-of-the-blue message came as her husband, President Donald Trump, and his administration had finally seemed to move past more than a year of controversy surrounding Epstein, especially as the Iran war had become all-consuming in Washington. The first lady asserted that she was not friends with Epstein or his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, but that they were in overlapping social circles.  (Photo:  AP)