WJPA News

The Washington School District is considering a major, multi-million dollar upgrade to its football stadium. According to the Observer-Reporter, a representative from HHSDR Architects Engineers’ Pittsburgh presented three options that range from $7.1 million to $8.9 million. The first option would renovate and expand the current field house along Tyler Avenue. The second would replace the current building, and the third would construct a new field house on the opposite side of the football field from the current structure. The first option would cost approximately $7.1 million, the second is $8.1 million and the third would be just over $8.9 million. There are also options to replace the track at the stadium and add more than 120 new parking spaces. Track replacement would add another $3.5 million and parking expansion another $1 million. The entire project would reportedly take about one year to complete. School District Business Manager Emily DiNardo says funding would come from a combination of existing capital reserves and a bond issue. The school board is further discuss the project when they meet again on June 15.

PITTSBURGH — Members of law enforcement joined community members and advocates for a forum on Downtown Pittsburgh safety on Tuesday. The forum was pre-planned, but it came just a day after a 19-year-old was shot and killed near the Chipotle in Market Square. Market Square itself has been the topic of controversy. Since reopening following a $15 million renovation, a new chaperone policy has been in place. Teens under 18 are required to have an adult over 21 with them Thursday through Sunday. That policy was the subject of criticism by some at the forum. “Where are they supposed to go? What fun activities do we have throughout Pittsburgh where my kid can leave my home and feel comfortable?” a mother of teenagers said. Leaders spoke about the need for it. “It’s a known fact that we have increased activity in and around Market Square,” Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Sheldon Williams said. “Because some of the behavior we see is with juveniles, there is an added level of complexity.” They also asked for clarity regarding the chaperone policy and argued that Pittsburgh is criminalizing all youth for the actions of some.

EAST HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A man is dead after a crash involving a motorcycle in East Huntingdon Township. Westmoreland County Coroner John A. Ackerman said his office was called to the intersection of Porter Avenue and Cedar Drive at 2:41 p.m. on Tuesday. Ackerman said Mark F. Hixon, of Scottsdale, was traveling north on Porter Avenue on a Honda motorcycle when he crashed into the back of a Volkswagen SUV. Hixon was pronounced dead at 3:32 p.m. Ackerman said Hixon was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Pennsylvania State Police are continuing to investigate.

BEIJING (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump is set to land in Beijing on Wednesday for a highly-anticipated summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Trump told reporters that trade will be the main focus of their discussions. The Trump administration hopes to establish a “Board of Trade” with China to address differences and prevent further trade conflicts. The visit comes at a delicate moment for Trump, with his popularity affected by the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran and rising inflation. Trump also plans to discuss Taiwan and an $11 billion weapons package. He expressed optimism about future relations with China.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Kuwait has accused Iran of launching a failed attack earlier this month on an island where China is helping build a port in the Gulf Arab nation. Tuesday’s accusation came just before U.S. President Donald Trump was to depart for Beijing for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a high-stakes visit over the war and other issues. Kuwait said a team of six armed members of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard tried to infiltrate Bubiyan Island to carry out “hostile acts.” Kuwait said that it detained four of the men while two escaped. Iran didn’t immediately acknowledge the allegation by Kuwait. With ceasefire negotiations between Iran and the U.S. at a standstill, ongoing attacks threaten to reignite open warfare.

Americans paid more for their groceries in April, but high gas prices were only one of the reasons why. Government figures released on Tuesday showed prices for food eaten at home rose 2.9% last month compared to a year earlier. That was the highest year-over-year inflation for the category since August 2023. Rising fuel prices were a factor. But tariffs and extreme weather also have weighed on U.S. food prices. Two Purdue University economists say the costs to produce, process, store and transport food can take up to six months to show up on supermarket shelves. That means the full impact of rising energy costs on food likely hasn’t hit retail grocery prices yet.

President Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape U.S. House districts have seen mixed outcomes. South Carolina senators defied his push Tuesday, while Missouri’s top court upheld a new map backed by Trump that could benefit Republicans in the midterm elections. The national redistricting battle has been raging for 10 months. But it became more intense after the U.S. Supreme Court recently weakened the federal Voting Rights Act. The ruling has led Republicans in states such as Louisiana, Tennessee and Alabama to push for new districts. South Carolina senators expressed concerns that redistricting could backfire, resulting in losses to Democrats.