WJPA News

Environmental advocates have discovered what they feel are extremely high levels of radium on a stretch of the Montour Trail in Cecil Township. According to our news partner Channel 11 who worked with Rolling Stone Magazine, normal radiation levels are determined to be 5 picocuries per liter of air. Independent testing with specialized equipment found levels to be 3500 picocuries per liter of air near a stretch of the trail on the Westland branch. Near the elevated levels is a company called 5D Field Services. They provide equipment for the oil and gas industry and process waste from oil and gas operations. When notified, the Pennsylvania DEP tested the area, using specialized radiation detection equipment and found no concerns. They acknowledged that the highest levels were around loose pipe scale from pipes stored on the 5D Field Services site. Because they say there are no concerns, the DEP will not be testing soil samples.

The Whiskey Rebellion is back – and according to organizers – bigger and better than ever!  Tracie Liberatore is the festivals program manager, and she says this year is bigger and better than ever and she believes it has everything to do with America250.  She says the focus on history has increased the number of participants this year and they are excited to be a part of it.  The Whiskey Rebellion Festival honors the significant period of America’s early days through historical re-enactments, history and heritage displays, street theater performances, children’s activities, music, food and libations. The festival has a full slate of activities through Saturday, ending with a performance of the Clarks.  Main Street will be closed from Wheeling to Maiden Street Saturday morning starting at nine.

 Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is announcing a 25-day closure on I-376 (Parkway East) in Edgewood Borough and the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, will occur July 10 through August 3 weather permitting.  A full closure of I-376 in each direction between the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and the Edgewood/Swissvale (Exit 77) interchange will occur around-the-clock from 9:00 p.m. Friday, July 10 through 5:00 a.m. Monday, August 3 as crews demolish and replace the I-376 Commercial Street Bridge. Traffic will be detoured.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened Iran after the funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saw open calls for his killing. The comments by Trump, made on his Truth Social website, likely will again turn up tensions in the Middle East. There had been multiple days of U.S. airstrikes targeting Iran, as well as Iranian retaliatory fire targeting nations across the region. Trump wrote: “1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands of more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat.

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Graham Platner has submitted his paperwork to formally withdraw from Maine’s U.S. Senate race, officially ending an upstart yet troubled campaign whose dissolution threatens Democrats’ pursuit of chamber control. The Maine Democratic Party announced later Friday it will hold a nominating convention on July 25 to choose his replacement on the November ballot. Platner’s paperwork was received Friday by the Maine secretary of state’s office. Maine is considered a key state for control of the narrowly divided Senate, and Democrats were desperate for a candidate capable of defeating Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has issued subpoenas to several New York Times journalists after the paper reported security concerns with the new Air Force One. The NYT said the subpoenas aim to force the reporters to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan on Wednesday. The report could not be independently confirmed and there was no immediate response from the White House or the Department of Justice. The new jet, gifted by Qatar, recently entered service. The paper reported the switch had come at the urging of the Secret Service and that the newer plane lacked some of the advanced security features of the older aircraft, a claim Trump denied at the time.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Crews are draining the Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool again as President Donald Trump’s problem-plagued effort to renovate the site pushes past his initial July 4 deadline. The president initially suggested his renovations would last a century. But, within weeks of the project originally reaching completion last month, the water was beset by an algae bloom and pieces of the new coating appeared to be peeling off the bottom. Trump has blamed the peeling on vandals, though critics allege it’s from shoddy repair work. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told a conservative podcaster that the draining was planned and that the water might still contain debris from the Independence Day fireworks display over the National Mall.