WJPA News

PITTSBURGH — Be alert for severe weather on Wednesday with several rounds of storms bringing the threat of damaging winds, heavy downpours, frequent lighting and isolated tornadoes. Scattered showers and a few more storms will develop through the early afternoon with a stronger line of storms possible after sunset. Severe watches and warnings could be issued with the storms. Colder air returns into Thursday morning following the front with the chance of a few snow showers in the area. Highs on Thursday will only be in the low 40s, which is near average for this time of year, with wind chills in the 20s and 30s.

No injuries were reported after a fire overnight in Somerset Township.  It broke out around midnight along Piney Lane and involved a double-wide trailer.  According to reports, one side of the trailer suffered heavy damage.  No one was home at the time.  The State Police Fire Marshall is investigating.

North Franklin Township Supervisors authorized their solicitor to advertise amendments to their zoning code. They wish to establish definitions and regulations that govern the development of data centers and cryptocurrency mining centers, and fossil fueled power plants that energize those establishments. Supervisors then set a date for a public hearing to allow public testimony on the amendments. The public hearing will take place prior to the next supervisors regular meeting. The time will be 4:30 pm on April 14. Supervisor Chairman Bob Sabot says that residents will be able to weigh in on items such as property line setbacks, height and numbers of buildings associated with a data center and other regulations. The draft ordinance is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the township’s municipal offices.

NEW YORK (AP) — The FBI found explosive residue in a Pennsylvania storage unit after two men were charged with bringing homemade bombs to a protest outside the home of New York City’s mayor. The police department in Middletown Township, Pennsylvania, said Tuesday that the FBI conducted controlled detonations after finding the materials at a public storage facility in Langhorne. Eighteen-year-old Emir Balat and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi were arrested Saturday near Gracie Mansion in Manhattan. According to investigators, they said they were inspired by the Islamic State group. Balat and Kayumi remain jailed after an initial court appearance Monday. They were not required to enter a plea.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Inflation stayed stubbornly elevated last month as gas prices rose in a snapshot of what consumer prices looked like before the Iran war sent energy costs soaring. Wednesday’s data has been overtaken by the conflict that began when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, which has caused wild gyrations in oil prices as shipping lanes through the Persian Gulf have suffered a rare shutdown. Gas prices have already jumped and are expected to push inflation much higher when inflation data for this month is released in early April.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A projectile has hit a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, setting the vessel ablaze after the United States targeted Iranian mine-laying vessels that could target the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, run by the British military, said the vessel had been hit Wednesday just north of Oman in the strait. It said the crew was evacuating. Iran did not claim the attack though it has been targeting ships in and around the strait vital to the global oil and natural gas trade. The UKMTO earlier reported on another attack targeting a vessel off Ras al-Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is visiting Ohio and Kentucky as he tries to steady voters’ concerns about the economy and to derail the reelection bid of a Republican rival. Trump is set to visit on Wednesday a pharmaceutical company in Cincinnati and talk up his administration’s efforts to lower prescription drug prices. Next, he’ll be in the district of Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie, who he is seeking to be defeated in the GOP primary next month. The trip comes as the war in Iran has shaken markets and spiked gas prices at a time when polls showed voters were already wary of Trump’s economic policies.

DORAL, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump insisted he had the answer for Republicans anxious about losing their congressional majority this year. He encouraged the party to build on an already strict national voter identification law to ban mail ballots and restrict transgender rights. But House Republican leaders have their own priorities. And the voting bill isn’t high on the list. It’s a sign of an emerging election year disconnect. Just a few seats shy of losing their majority, senior Republicans are eager to emphasize the party’s work to lower costs, none of which is easy to accomplish with only a few votes to spare, while Trump is often focused elsewhere.

GENEVA (AP) — Swiss police are investigating whether a deadly bus fire in Kerzers was set on purpose. Police say the bus caught fire on Tuesday evening. At least six people died and five others were injured. A police spokesperson says a “voluntary act” may have caused the blaze. Another police official says reports claimed someone poured flammable liquid on themselves. Officials say they are still verifying that claim. Police say they see no sign of terrorism. Rescue teams found the bus fully engulfed by flames. Crews flew three badly hurt people to hospitals by helicopter. Authorities say victim identification may take days.