WJPA News

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — More governors are shifting their stances or taking more steps to squeeze data centers, as the midterm elections near and public opinion sours on the energy-hungry behemoths. The backlash to the server warehouses is enveloping races for governor in some of the nation’s biggest states and presidential battlegrounds. On Tuesday, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said his administration would no longer put data center projects at the head of the line when it comes to issuing construction permits or granting tax exemptions if they don’t meet certain standards. Meanwhile in Texas, Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa released a TV ad in rural markets accusing Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of selling out residents to data center executives and companies.

STATE COLLEGE — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that the leader of a cocaine-trafficking ring involving Penn State University students and two student fraternities surrendered Tuesday morning.  Agostino Abbatiello, 24, was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Kelley Gillette-Walker on numerous felonies, including multiple counts of possession with intent to deliver (cocaine), and conspiracy.  The district judge denied bail at arraignment. Abbatiello and 13 other defendants were charged Monday morning. Abbatiello failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment Monday morning.  Thirteen of the charged defendants were Penn State University students at or around the time of the alleged conduct, in 2023 and 2024. According to the investigation and a grand jury presentment, Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson were the main suppliers for the criminal organization, making regular trips to Philadelphia and New York for large quantities of cocaine.  The cocaine was then cut and packaged — primarily at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses — and distributed mainly to Penn State University students.  “We are pleased to report that the most significant members of this cocaine-trafficking organization are accounted for, and will have their fair process in court,” Attorney General Sunday said. “These are very serious charges and the next steps will be preliminary hearings.”  Abbatiello, Robinson, and two others — Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat — are charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and related offenses. A fifth person, Robert Zanolla, is charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility, and related misdemeanors.  The eight other student-aged defendants charged are facing misdemeanor counts of possession and paraphernalia. They are: Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price, and Charles Wiseman.  Paul Robinson — Thomas Robinson’s father — is charged with felony tampering, hindering apprehension for taking steps to conceal evidence, including a safe containing drugs and cash, and obstructing the investigation.

MIDWAY, Pa. — A man now faces charges after police say he set fire to a Midway Borough home shortly after officers handled a domestic dispute at the residence. Michael Higgins, Sr. was taken into custody and charged with felony causing or risking a catastrophe, misdemeanor terroristic threats, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is last reported in the Washington County Jail.  Smith Township Police Department first responded to 111 South Main Street at 10:22 p.m. Sunday for a report of a “loud physical domestic dispute.” Roughly two hours later, at 12:31 a.m. Monday, police were dispatched back to the same address for a fire that had engulfed the home while firefighters worked to tackle the flames.  “We had heavy fire on division one, on two sides,” said Doug Bair, chief of the Midway Volunteer Fire Department. “We had 9 fire departments here to assist just for manpower because of the heat.”  One firefighter was treated on the scene for heat exhaustion.  During the investigation at the scene, a witness reported to Washington County 911 that they saw Higgins set the house on fire and run away down Noblestown Road toward the entrance of Midway Community Park.  Officers with the Mount Pleasant Township Police Department located Higgins near the intersection of Noblestown Road and Johns Avenue.

SPEERS BOROUGH, Pa. — Three people were injured in a crash in Speers Borough Monday afternoon.  The Charleroi Fire Department posted online that the crash happened near the intersection of State Street and Maple Drive just before 4 p.m. Firefighters said all three people were transported from the scene by ambulance.  The crash involved three vehicles, with one sustaining heavy front-end damage.

Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand reopening of its Washington County College Center. It is now located at the Western Area Career and Technology Center (WACTC).  Jeff Kotula, the president of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, believes that having CCBC connected with WACTC will give students more options for education. CCBC is committed to making higher education and workforce training accessible to residents in Washington, Greene, and Fayette counties. Anitre Bell, the Assistant Director of Enrollment Management, says that people in the community can now take classes and feel like they have a space without having to travel far.  Fall 2026 classes begin at the new facility on August 24. Dr. Roger W. Davis, the president of CCBC, says that the best is yet to come, and he wants students to know that the college will help them get through their educational journey.

Gas prices are three cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $4.160 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.  The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is back on the rise after a week of falling prices. Today’s national average of $4.06 is five cents more than last week. Crude oil prices are once again in the $80 per barrel range amid continued uncertainty along the Strait of Hormuz. While gasoline demand is down, crude oil prices are keeping pump prices higher than normal for this time of year. So far, this is the highest August on record when it comes to the national gasoline average.  According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 9.03 million barrels per day to 8.96 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 209.7 million barrels to 208.7 million. Gasoline production also decreased, averaging 9.6 million barrels per day.

Authorities say 13 former or current Penn State University students participated in a cocaine-trafficking ring that involved two fraternities. Authorities say the cocaine was packaged mainly at two off-campus fraternity houses and distributed primarily to students. Pennsylvania’s top prosecutor says fraternity brothers packaged the cocaine and that authorities found a pattern of some pledges being indoctrinated through cutting and bagging cocaine. Penn State University said in a news release that the university is placing Delta Upsilon on interim suspension while the college investigates the incident. Sigma Chi is not recognized and operates outside of Penn State’s oversight.

JERUSALEM (AP) — A marathon meeting between U.S. negotiator Jared Kushner and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left the fate of the Gaza ceasefire unclear. Officials signaled moderate optimism after Monday’s talks but offered no concrete commitment by Israel to the latest US-proposed plan. American negotiators appeared to acquiesce to Israeli demands that Hamas disarmament must come before any reconstruction of the devastated Palestinian enclave. They did not publicly signal that Israel had made any commitments to withdraw its troops from the 60% of Gaza they currently occupy. That’s a major sticking point in the plan.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung says a solid alliance with the United States strengthens foundation of national security. Lee’s comments Tuesday come as many South Koreans remain baffled and concerned about U.S. President Donald Trump’s abrupt order to “substantially reduce” military exercises with South Korea. Trump made the announcement just before U.S. and South Korean soldiers began annual exercises on Monday designed to sharpen readiness against North Korean threats. Trump cited what he said was a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s refusal to join the war against Iran.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Florida voters cast ballots Tuesday for Republican and Democratic nominees for governor, U.S. Senate and several congressional races. The primaries will define a midterm ballot set to test President Donald Trump’s grip on his adopted state. Congressman Byron Donalds is hoping with Trump’s backing to dominate the Republican field and be elected in November as Florida’s first Black governor. Eleven-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is running in a new near-majority Black district under a GOP-led redrawing of congressional districts. And Ashley Moody, the Senate appointee who replaced Marco Rubio when he became secretary of state, is seeking the GOP nod to run for the final two years of the term.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is pitching a plan to help shield local police officers who make immigration arrests from possible financial consequences if they are accused of on-duty misconduct. A planning document released Friday says the agency is proposing to subsidize liability insurance for state and local officers who are trained and deputized to enforce federal immigration laws. ICE’s partnerships with local departments have soared since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last year and may get an additional boost with liability insurance by removing a hurdle that has made some local police departments reluctant to join. The Associated Press is the first to report on this insurance proposal.

Oakland, Calif. (AP) — A pivotal trial for Meta Platforms is set to kick off in a California federal court. Proceedings are expected to begin Tuesday and last six to eight weeks. Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are seeking extensive financial damages plus changes to how the company operates Facebook and Instagram. Twenty-nine states sued the tech giant in 2023 over child safety and privacy. The other 25 will go to trial later. The company also faces lawsuits in state courts. Meta said in a statement that it believes it has a strong case.

SANTA ANA ZIROSTO, Mexico (AP) — Authorities have lifted a U.S. security alert that halted avocado exports from Michoacán, Mexico’s main avocado-producing state. The alert had left around 200,000 workers in limbo while the military set up increased security measures. By the weekend, orchards and packing plants were back in operation, and U.S. inspectors had returned to certify the fruit. Some workers are relieved to have their wages back, while others fear the calm won’t last. The region is plagued by violence and extortion from local cartels. Increased security measures have been deployed, but growers remain cautious, hoping for lasting improvements.

Hayden Panettiere has died at age 36. The actor starred in television series including “Heroes” and “Nashville.” Police in Greenville, South Carolina, say Panettiere was found unresponsive at an apartment complex on Sunday. They say an autopsy found no signs of trauma and her death remains under investigation. Panettiere’s father announced the actor’s death in a statement provided to ABC News. Panettiere had a prolific career dating to 1996. She appeared in “Remember the Titans” and voiced Dot in the Disney animated movie “A Bug’s Life.” Her role as a superpowered cheerleader in “Heroes” propelled her to fame two decades ago.