WJPA News

South Strabane Township Supervisors are nearing the end of their journey to
develop a data center ordinance and other ordinances that would be closely
affiliated with that ordinance. Supervisors authorized a motion to have their
solicitor advertise an ordinance governing fossil fuel generating facilities. This is
vital as plans for data centers may hinge on the ability to burn natural gas and
other combustibles as a means to generate sufficient electricity. Supervisors
tabled a measure that would have updated their noise and dust ordinance. Public
comment during the meeting stated some inconsistencies in contractor operating
times exist. Supervisors scheduled a vote on the ordinance in conjunction with
their vote on the actual data center ordinance. As far as the actual approval of the
data center ordinance, supervisors scheduled a public hearing on the ordinance
for June 9 at 6:30 pm. in the municipal building. Immediately following that
meeting, supervisors will hold a vote on the ordinance. In conjunction with that,
supervisors will vote on their updated noise and dust ordinance.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Warrant Unit has announced the arrest of 35 year old Mason Smith of Washington.  He was wanted on an outstanding Washington County Adult Probation warrant.  Smith was also wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant out of Allegheny County on a multitude of charges including 4 felony counts stemming from a sexual assault. He also faced two arrest warrants out of Washington County for PFA violations.  A month-long investigation determined that Smith was staying at a motel in Oakdale and set up surveillance in the area and were able to positively identify him and took him into custody without incident.  He is last reported in the Washington Countu Jail.

Gas prices are seven cents lower this week here in Western Pennsylvania.  AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report puts the average this week at $4.69 per gallon.  The national average is down four cents to an average of $4.49.  Even though the average is lower than last week, gas prices are still the highest they have been in four years.  With gas demand on the rise and prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, pump prices are likely to remain elevated as the summer travel season gets underway.  This weeks national average is 40-cents more than one-month ago and $1.32 higher than one-year ago.

PLANO, Texas (AP) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. He defeated four-term Sen. John Cornyn. Paxton was endorsed by President Donald Trump last week. His victory in Tuesday’s runoff makes Cornyn the first Republican senator from Texas to lose the party’s nomination for reelection. Trump endorsed Paxton as part of his effort to dislodge GOP officeholders he views as less than devout in their support of him. Cornyn said in 2023 as Trump was running to return to the White House that his time “has passed him by.” Paxton will run against state Rep. James Talarico in November.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Win or lose, billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer will leave a mark in the history books in his bid to become California’s next governor. He’s running the most expensive political advertising campaign in the country this year. Data from ad tracker AdImpact shows Steyer has spent or booked over $195 million in ads for broadcast TV, cable and radio, with the tally still growing. The lavish spending has lifted the former hedge fund manager turned liberal activist into contention in the crowded race. But he’s not breaking away from the field. Still, the cash advantage could give him an edge in the race’s final days.

LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — Authorities have confirmed that one person died and 9 others remain unaccounted for after a chemical tank imploded at a pulp and paper mill in Washington state. They say there is no hope to rescue those missing. Nine others were injured in Tuesday morning’s spill, some severely. Emergency responders plan to resume recovery efforts at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Longview on Wednesday morning. Authorities say those efforts are being hampered by the danger posed by 90,000 gallons of the dangerous liquid that remain in the unstable tank.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees are taking their own lives at a pace that’s unprecedented in the agency’s two-decade history, highlighting what experts call failures in care and oversight. An Associated Press investigation finds that at least 10 ICE detainees have died by suicide since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025 and ordered ICE to increase arrests and deportations. That includes seven deaths since October, already the most in one fiscal year with several months remaining. The increased pace of suicides exceeds the growth in ICE’s detainee population. The deaths happened at detention facilities operated by private contractors and local jails run by sheriffs. All were men, and most were Hispanic.