WJPA News

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pennsylvania health officials report that two unvaccinated residents have died from measles. They are the first measles-related deaths in the U.S. this year, following three last year. The U.S. is experiencing its worst measles year since 1991, with 2,777 cases reported as of Thursday. In November, international health officials will assess if the U.S. and Mexico have lost their measles-free status. Vaccination rates have dropped below the 95% needed to prevent outbreaks, with exemptions rising to an all-time high among kindergartners. State officials aren’t giving any more details about the two people, except that they lived in Lancaster County.  (Photo:  AP)

Lancaster, PA – Governor Josh Shapiro, on Tuesday, outlined his administration’s aggressive statewide strategy to protect Pennsylvanians from the highly-contagious measles virus, following the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH)’s announcement of two measles-associated deaths in Lancaster County.  Since the April outbreak began, the Shapiro Administration has expanded access to the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine in affected communities – administering more than 4,100 vaccinations at pop-up clinics thus far – and equipped school nurses and health care providers with important clinical guidance as many have never handled a case of measles before. Together with health care providers, more than 35,000 Pennsylvanians received an MMR vaccine in July 2026 – 10,000 more vaccine doses than a typical month.  Shapiro said measles does not care about your county, your faith, or your social circle. It’s vital for every parent to know that if you or your kids are unvaccinated, you are at an increased risk for contracting this highly-contagious virus.  As the new school year begins, DOH and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) are ramping up proactive outreach to school administrators and nurses to prevent the spread of measles.

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry today proposed that any data center moratorium legislation should include a No Technology Pledge amendment, a commonsense accountability measure for anyone seeking to block the development of data centers while continuing to rely on the digital tools, platforms, and services those facilities make possible.  “The pledge is simple,” PA Chamber Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Jon Anzur said. “If you support stopping data center development, you should also agree to stop using the technologies that depend on data centers. Pennsylvania has a choice: We can lead in energy, innovation, and infrastructure to drive meaningful investments and job growth in communities across Pennsylvania, or we can tell the next generation of employers to create those opportunities somewhere else. What we cannot do is demand instant access to every digital convenience while opposing the infrastructure that makes those conveniences possible. Data centers are not a fit for every community, but there are many that would benefit from hosting this critical infrastructure.”

BRADDOCK, Pa. — A body was pulled from the Monongahela River in Braddock.  A 911 call came in about a man’s body in the river at 3:28 p.m. Sunday, according to the Allegheny County Police Department.  Police say the body shows no clear signs of trauma.  The investigation is ongoing. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner will identify the person and determine the cause and manner of death.  Anyone with information is asked to call the County Police Tip Line 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can be anonymous.

(AP) – Dolly Parton, the beloved music and film star known for her vibrant personality and poignant songwriting, has died. She was 80 years old. Her career spanned decades, with hits like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.” Born in Tennessee, she rose from humble beginnings to become a country music icon. Her partnership with Porter Wagoner helped launch her career, and she later became a successful actor and businesswoman. Parton was also a philanthropist, founding her Imagination Library to promote children’s literacy. Her charm and humor made her a beloved figure across generations and political divides.  (Photo:  AP)

TORONTO (AP) — Canada struck back at the United States with retaliatory tariffs on about $20 billion worth of American goods, including steel, dairy products, appliances and farm equipment. The announcement happened Tuesday as the trade war between the once-friendly neighbors escalated sharply. The tension threatened one of the world’s largest trading relationships. The new tariffs extended well beyond industrial goods, hitting everyday purchases such as seafood, cheese, clothing, cosmetics and toilet paper, with some facing duties as high as 50%. Canada’s retaliation came after the Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs over the weekend on Canadian goods following the collapse of trade negotiations.

The Supreme Court’s decision clearing one obstacle to the enactment of President Donald Trump’s order on mail voting may not mean the order ultimately takes effect for November’s elections. But it is increasing the risk of chaos for the midterms. That’s because the decision will kick off a compressed legal fight over the constitutionality of the order. It would require states to follow uniform standards in formatting mail ballots and share information about who sends them with the federal government or those ballots wouldn’t get delivered. Election officials say there’s no way to implement that before November if courts don’t stop it.

RENO, Nevada (AP) — Crews have started to contain a wildfire in the Sierra Nevada foothills that destroyed more than 30 homes as it spread perilously close to neighborhoods in Reno, Nevada. Containment reached 27% and there was no new growth of the blaze, which has held steady at about 23 square miles since Sunday. Officials said Monday afternoon that the number of residents under evacuation orders and warnings was reduced to about 63,000, down from more than 90,000 people over the weekend. There’s still concern that winds could push the flames through dry brush into newly developed and densely packed neighborhoods in Nevada’s largest city outside of metro Las Vegas.