WJPA News

“The dedicated healthcare workers of Washington Hospital are deeply concerned that UPMC’s job cuts break the corporation’s original vow to invest in our local community, and have upended the lives of valued coworkers. When UPMC first took over our hospital almost exactly two years ago, they made a clear, emphatic promise of “preserving jobs of our talented health care workers”, and to “invest a minimum of $300 million” in our hospital, “invest in its employees”,  and “uphold and protect a healthy future for this community.” The slashing of 200 current jobs and 300 open positions throughout the health system – many of which are vital roles at Washington – comes at a time when we need more investment, not less. As we’re already understaffed, the cuts have created a feeling of distrust, uncertainty and fear of not knowing what our future holds. There’s been a lack of transparency and communication from UPMC, and we’re still not clear on the full scope of the cuts.“UPMC should use its massive resources – $261 million in profits for the first quarter of this year alone – to increase, rather than reduce, our staff. Every staff person at Washington has an essential role in making our hospital run. When UPMC cuts workers, those duties often then fall on remaining staff when we already do not have enough time with our patients to provide the level of care we believe in, and are struggling with exhausting workloads. Meanwhile, our patients are older, sicker and need more care from us than ever before. UPMC cannot continue to prioritize branding, expansion and executive compensation over investing in frontline staff. We call on executives and the hospital board to meet with us to discuss the challenges still facing our facility, and how they can live up to their promise to invest in workers, so that we can ensure the highest quality care.” Charissa Ruth, Care Partner on behalf of the 300 UPMC Washington Hospital workers in SEIU Healthcare PA.

Weather forecasters are predicting scattered storms this afternoon and into the evening. Not everyone is expected to see storms today; however, Washington and surrounding areas are included in a large storm watch map. According to our news partners at Channel 11, the area likely to see storms stretches south of Morgantown, north to New York state, and west to New Martinsville. Rain is expected to start between 3 and 4 this afternoon. The Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 8 p.m. And while there is a cold front expected Friday afternoon, there could be another round of showers and a few storms.

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. — State police are asking for the public’s help in finding a missing Fayette County man.  On Tuesday at 6:20 p.m., troopers were called to Yogi Bear Campground at 839 Mill Run Road, Springfield Township.  Campground management reported that employee Jared Matthew Callahan, 43, of Ohiopyle, was missing after his maintenance cart was found at the far end of the campground.  State police began a large-scale search due to concerns for his welfare and known medical issues.  The search involved multiple volunteer fire departments, UTVs, drones and bloodhounds, as well as an aerial search by Trooper 4. However, Callahn still couldn’t be found.  Callahan is described as about 6 feet tall, weighing 170 pounds and having brown hair and green eyes. Police shared a photo of Callahan taken the day he was reported missing.  Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call PSP Uniontown Station at 724-439-7111 and reference incident No. PA26-753223.

Multiple Fire Departments were called out overnightg for a fire at RPM Industries at 1660 Jefferson Avenue in Canton Township.  Washington County 911 says there were no injuries and the fire was brought under control quickly.  The cause of the blaze is under investigation

One person was taken to a hospital following an accident early Thursday morning on Murtland Avenue near Budd Baer.  Washington County 911 says a vehicle slammed into a pole and severely damaged it.  They say the driver was a woman and was transported from the scene, but there was no word on her identity or the nature of her injuries.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he has called off new military strikes on Iran, hours after threatening to escalate the war. Trump had threatened major strikes on Iran and to seize control of its oil and gas industries as escalating attacks between the countries pushed the Middle East closer to full-scale war. The threats to seize Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminal came after the U.S and Iran traded strikes for a second straight day. Trump told Fox News that while he would prefer to take over Kharg Island, he’s not sure that “America has the stomach for it.” Iran’s parliamentary speaker warned on social media that an “endless quagmire” could result.

Iran’s Kharg Island is home to a terminal through which the country exports most of its oil. The Persian Gulf island has emerged as a focus of the war launched by the United States and Israel. Strikes on oil infrastructure on Kharg — or a ground invasion — would severely curb Iran’s oil exports, a key source of revenue for the Islamic Republic. An assault would also mark a major escalation that could provoke even heavier retaliatory attacks on Gulf infrastructure. That would further drive up oil prices that already threaten the world economy.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A man who assassinated the top Democrat in the Minnesota House and her husband has pleaded guilty so that federal prosecutors would not seek the death penalty. Vance Boelter fatally shot Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. He is also charged in the nonfatal shootings of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman. He came to their doors in the early hours of June 14, 2025, disguised as a police officer and driving a fake police vehicle. The attacks reverberated far beyond Minnesota, as elected officials across the country feared that escalating threats and polarization could lead to more violence.

(AP) – President Donald Trump said the U.S. would hit Iran “VERY HARD TONIGHT,” threatening in a social media post to “assume total control” of Iran’s oil and gas industries, including the key Kharg Island, in the “not too distant future.” The U.S and Iran traded strikes for a second day, pushing the Middle East closer to the resumption of a full-scale war. It was the third time this week that back-and-forth strikes have rattled the Middle East. The first involved attacks between Iran and Israel, followed by the two rounds of fire between the U.S. and Iran, which hit countries in the region that host American bases.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has a surprising take on a new report that shows inflation spiking to its highest level in three years. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday that “I love the inflation.” Ahead of the November midterm elections, voters have ranked the economy as a top concern — and have given Trump low marks on that issue. The problem has intensified as the Iran war has pushed oil prices higher. Within minutes of his on-camera comment, Democrats quickly rushed to promote it on social media. On Capitol Hill, Representative Emilia Sykes — a Democrat from Ohio — asked Energy Secretary Chris Wright if he, too, loved inflation. Wright said he’d prefer lower inflation, but praised Trump’s work on curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

(AP) – Damaging storms are sweeping through the Midwest, disrupting flights at Chicago airports and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of customers. The National Weather Service said it received more than a dozen reports of tornadoes Wednesday across northern Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Illinois. The storms moved into the Chicago area in the afternoon, causing downed trees and some building damage. Elsewhere, barns collapsed in Wisconsin, buildings were crushed in rural northern Missouri and some large trees and power lines were downed in other areas across the Midwest. More severe weather is expected Thursday, along with potentially dangerous heat and humidity along the East Coast.