WJPA News

Beloved music legend Donnie Iris has died at the age of 83.  Long-time concert promoter Rich Engler and several reports confirmed Iris died on Monday.  Iris was the beloved frontman of Donnie Iris and the Cruisers.  He was born in New Castle on Feb. 28, 1943.  Just a few weeks ago, Iris announced he was retiring from performing live, citing “recent health issues.”  His final show was held right here in Pittsburgh for the grand opening of Citizens Live at the Wylie on Sept. 28.  Around 1978, Iris joined the band Wild Cherry, famous for the song “Play That Funky Music.”  He may be best known for his work with the Jaggerz and their hit song “The Rapper.” Other beloved hits include “Ah! Leah!,” “Love Is Like a Rock” and “My Girl.”  In June 2023, he canceled a Youngstown concert with REO Speedwagon after being diagnosed with cancer. He returned to the stage in March 2024 following chemotherapy.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has signed SB 1014 into law, requiring schools in the state to adopt and implement a policy to prohibit the use of cell phones during the school day beginning next school year.  Shapiro signed the legislation at Lenape Middle School in Bucks County with legislators, educators, parents, and students on hand.  “As educators, teachers, and caregivers, we understand the challenges of raising and educating young people in a digital world. For years, schools have been striving to address the distraction that comes with student cell phones,” said Dr. Joanna Wexler, Superintendent, Central Bucks School District. “Now, we will continue to work with students, staff, and parents to engage in conversations and dialogue around this issue, knowing our students and staff will rise to the occasion and meet these new expectations, continue to excel, achieve, and make us proud in countless ways.”

A major announcement Monday morning from both EQT Corporation and Range Resources.  Officials say they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which EQT will acquire Range Resources in an all-stock transaction with a value of more than $50 billion. In a news release, EQT President and CEO Toby Z. Rice stated, “This transaction brings together two of the highest-quality, longest-duration asset bases in North America and creates a company uniquely positioned for the next era of natural gas”.  According to the release, terms of the agreement were approved by the Board of Directors of both companies.  The transaction is expected to close during the first-quarter of 2027 and is subject to regulatory approvals.  Officials say the combined company will keep its headquarters in Canonsburg.

In a legal déjà vu moment, a North Strabane man put to rest six child sex assault cases that he was facing. Leo McIntyre, 31, was charged in 2022 of assaulting at least six juveniles in his home dating back to 2012. He was facing charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault and corruption of minors. During a pre-trial conference being held before his November trial, McIntyre agreed to a negotiated plea deal that will have him serve 14 ½ -30 years in state prison. Back in December, McIntyre was set to accept a negotiated plea deal of 10-30 years in prison, before Judge Traci McDonald rejected the plea deal and sentenced McIntyre to 32-64 years in prison. At that point, McIntyre withdrew his guilty plea and opted for a jury trial. The cases were split into three separate trials. With the global plea deal all six cases have now been put to rest. McIntyre was given the opportunity to present an allocution statement, but he declined to address victim families or the court. In addition to the 14 ½ to 30 years in jail, McIntyre will also serve 30 years of probation. He was found to be a sexually violent predator and will have to register as a sex offender with state police for the rest of his life.

Gas prices are two cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $4.679 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.  The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is a penny cheaper this week at $4.28. The drop is fueled by the transition to winter-blend gasoline which is cheaper to produce and costs less for consumers. But high crude oil prices are preventing steep declines at the pump. Currently, the price for a barrel of crude oil is over $100 per barrel amid instability in the Strait of Hormuz. This month is poised to set a record as the most expensive October ever for gas prices following similar records set in August and September of this year.  According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand increased last week from 8.40 million barrels per day to 8.98 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 208.3 million barrels to 205.3 million. Gasoline production increased from 9.23 million barrels per day to 9.75 million barrels.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has agreed to extend an order blocking the Trump administration’s renovation plans for a century-old public golf course in the nation’s capital. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued a preliminary injunction that halts tree-cutting and other work at the East Potomac Golf Course. On Oct. 18, President Donald Trump announced plans on social media to close the golf course for 15 months and redevelop it despite a court challenge. Reyes previously ordered the administration to suspend work on the project until at least Oct. 26.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is attempting to prosecute James Comey for what it calls a decade-old leak of classified information. The former FBI director’s lawyers immediately dismissed the effort as invalid and outside the time limit for when the Justice Department can file a case. The allegations from the Justice Department came in documents unsealed Monday in federal court in Washington. Prosecutors are trying to bring what would be the third criminal case against Comey, a longtime critic and foe of President Donald Trump, since the Republican returned to the White House last year. Comey says, “It would almost be funny if it weren’t such an appalling abuse of the Department of Justice.”

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israelis are voting in a pivotal election as the country grapples with unfinished wars and divisions over its future. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a strong challenge from former military chief Gadi Eisenkot. Polls show neither candidate’s party is likely to garner enough support for a parliamentary majority, leading to possible weeks of negotiations over forming a winning coalition. The election is Israel’s first national vote since the Oct. 7 attacks and serves as a referendum on Netanyahu’s leadership. The outcome could shape Israel’s identity as either more nationalist and religious or liberal democratic.