WJPA News

Representatives from some two dozen coal, gas and energy companies and groups filled a room at the North Strabane Firehall No. 2 on Thursday for the chance to speak directly with sympathetic federal officials. “The goal is to listen to small businesses,” said James “Jim” Spencer III, regional administrator for the Small Business Administration’s Mid-Atlantic Region. “What are the problems that they’re having? For example, what are some burdensome regulations … that might need to be changed or corrected or done away with?” More than 258,000 people in Pennsylvania work in the energy sector, accounting for 4.2% of all jobs in the state, according to the Department of Environmental Protection. Spencer said representatives from the DEP were invited but did not attend the meeting. An official from the Clean Air Council in Philadelphia who was in attendance could not be reached for comment. The meeting was publicized through a press release, but organizers asked our WPJA reporter to leave, citing concerns that people would not feel comfortable speaking candidly with media present.

A Greene County man wanted for a series of thefts throughout Western Pennsylvania has been arrested. Keith Dille, 29, is charged with retail thefts in Rice’s Landing, South Strabane, South Union Township, and West Mifflin. In addition, he and two others are charged in a May 8th incident where a man was beaten and his car stolen in Grindstone, Redstone Township in Fayette County. Dille is currently being held in the Fayette County jail on thirty-thousand-dollars bond.  He’s facing multiple charges, including felony retail theft and robbery of a motor vehicle.  His preliminary hearing is set for May 21st.

Two patients at the Pittsburgh VA Hospital in Oakland recently tested positive for Legionella. According to the CDC, Legionella is a type of bacteria that can cause illness in infected people.  In a statement, the VA confirmed that two patients at the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center tested positive for the bacteria.The facility along University Drive reportedly treated, flushed and tested its water lines as a precaution. The VA says Legionella is found naturally in this region’s freshwater, and the Pittsburgh VAMC’s water hasn’t tested positive for the bacteria in several years.

Close to 3,000 acres of land once owned by George Washington is being recognized with a historical plaque along the Montour Trail Thursday.The plaque dedication was a collaborative effort between five organizations as part of the celebration of America’s upcoming 250th birthday. The organizations involved included the Montour Trail Council, Montour Railroad Historical Society, Historic Fort Cherry Association, Rails to Trails Conservancy, and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.The idea for the plaque came after a member of the Montour Trail Council discovered that part of the trail runs through land once owned by Washington, something many within the council were unaware of. Organizers decided to use the opportunity to commemorate the historical connection with a permanent marker.Vice Chair of the Washington County Board of Commissioners, Electra Janis, along with other community members, gathered at the trail to learn about the history of the land and witness the unveiling of the plaque. Washington received the land in 1774 in recognition of his service to the British during the French and Indian War. You can find the plaque at mile marker 20.5 on the trail in Mount Pleasant Township and near the intersection of Southview Road and Antil Road.

ARDMORE, Pa. (AP) — Parents across the country who are worried about excessive screen time in schools are lobbying educators to go back to pencils and paper. In places like Pennsylvania’s Lower Merion School District, some families are taking it even further. Over 600 people have signed a petition asking to preserve parents’ ability to opt their children out of digital devices, setting off a clash with the school district. At a meeting Monday night, school board members said it’s not feasible to let hundreds of students opt out of technology that is essential to the curriculum.

BEIJING (AP) — President Donald Trump has called Chinese President Xi Jinping a friend, but his warm words were in stark contrast to Xi, who opened a bilateral meeting cautioning about potential conflict between the U.S. and China. The meeting unfolded behind closed, doors, but the Chinese government said Xi also used it to warn Trump that not handling Taiwan correctly could lead to “conflicts.” The leaders met for about two hours on Thursday, though Trump’s three-day visit is expected to feature more symbolism than major breakthroughs on top issues like trade and the war in Iran as well as on Washington’s relations with Taiwan. Trump nonetheless praised Xi, while China’s leader said that the U.S. and China should be partners rather than rivals.

(AP) – The head of U.S. Border Patrol has announced his resignation. Michael Banks’ decision is the latest leadership shake-up of officials implementing President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. His move also and comes as the Trump administration appears to be recalibrating its approach. Banks tells Fox News that he feels he’s stabilized an agency that’s heavily involved in President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement. The White House hasn’t commented on the resignation. Banks’ departure coincides with leadership changes at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons is also leaving.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is expanding its fraud-busting initiative in federal health programs. Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday announced a $1.3 billion deferral of Medicaid funding to California, which is said to be the largest-ever deferral. The press office of California’s governor is disputing the administration’s suspicions of fraud. The administration is also imposing a six-month freeze on some new Medicare enrollments and warning states to investigate Medicaid fraud or risk losing funding. The new efforts are part of Vance’s anti-fraud task force. Several alleged fraud schemes have been prosecuted in federal health programs, and states have acknowledged it’s a legitimate concern. But some have pushed back on the administration’s aggressive tactics.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The British military says a ship anchored off the east coast of the United Arab Emirates has been seized and is heading toward Iranian territorial waters. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said it received reports that the vessel was taken by unauthorized personnel while anchored northeast of the UAE port of Fujairah, near the Strait of Hormuz. UKMTO did not name the ship and said it is investigating. Fujairah is an important oil export terminal and the UAE’s main port outside of the Persian Gulf. It has been repeatedly attacked during the war with Iran.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The U.S. Postal Service is releasing special edition stamps featuring the bald eagle for America’s 250th birthday. The stamps issued Thursday depict the eagle across five life stages, from hatchling to adult. The eagle has long symbolized American values like strength, freedom and independence, but the bird is also considered a major conservation success story. In the mid-1900s, eagles nearly vanished due to pesticide poisoning. A 1972 ban on the chemical helped their recovery. The artist behind the collection spent nearly a year on the illustrations and hopes the stamps inspire appreciation for the natural world.  (Photo:  AP)