WJPA News

The woman allegedly causing a man’s death on the Mon-Fayette Expressway by driving the wrong way will face trial. Maciola Newman, 72 of Pickerington, Ohio waived her charges to common pleas court. According to the criminal complaint, Pennsylvania State Police were called to mile marker 37 of the Mon-Fayette Expressway, just north of its intersection with Interstate 70 at 4:30 AM on July 14. There they found that Newman’s car was driving north in the southbound lanes before colliding head on with a car driven by 24 year old Jacob Huber of Ruffs Dale, PA. Huber was pronounced dead at the scene. Newman and her passenger, 38 year old Charles Newman were extricated from their car with serious injuries and flown to a Pittsburgh hospital. Newman has been charged with felony homicide by vehicle, misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment along with several summary offenses. Newman is free on $50,000 bail. She will be formally arraigned on December 3.

A Ringgold teacher faces charges after police say she had a marijuana vape while at school.  According to the criminal complaint, school administration discovered Tami Marie White, 58, had the vape around midday last Wednesday at Ringgold Elementary School South.  Police say a field test showed positive results for marijuana.  It was turned over to the State Police Crime Lab for additional testing. White is charged with possession of marijuana. Superintendent Randall Skrinjorich shared this statement Wednesday afternoon: “The District is aware of the reported allegations involving an employee who was allegedly in possession of a prohibited substance on school grounds. The District does not permit or condone the alleged conduct reported with regard to any employee.  “The District takes these matters very seriously and is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and appropriate environment for all students and staff. The District will follow all applicable policies, procedures, and protocols in addressing this matter.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) has announced that 1,317 measles cases have been confirmed across 43 counties in Pennsylvania so far in 2026, including Washington County.  The DOH continues to lead Pennsylvania’s robust response to the ongoing measles outbreak and is making the most up-to-date information on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths available on our measles dashboard.  While daily numbers fluctuate, tracking these trends provides Pennsylvanians and health care providers with visibility into community transmission across the Commonwealth and helps inform DOH’s ongoing response.  Statewide, health care providers have also seen a surge of interest from residents seeking MMR vaccinations. In a typical month, Pennsylvania health care providers administer approximately 25,000 doses of the MMR vaccine. In September, more than 56,000 doses were administered. So far in the first three weeks of October, more than 39,000 MMR vaccines have been administered.  (Photo:  AP)

The Washington Park is hosting the 6th Annual Dark in the Park Haunted Hayride and Walk Thru. The event will be Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24 from 6:45-10:00 PM. DeAnna Martin, the park director, explains that Friday is geared towards a younger crowd, or those who want less fright, whereas Saturday is dedicated to a full scare. There will be a maze, bonfire, movie screening, and concessions both nights. Martin is grateful to have plenty of volunteers who make the event possible. She says the ultimate goal is to give the community a fun experience at a reasonable price. The ticket booth will open at 6:00 each night, and tickets are only $5 each.

Allegheny County Council has passed a groundbreaking policy granting up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Officials say the policy is the first of its kind in the U.S. It applies to businesses with 15 or more employees and goes into effect one year after County Executive Sara Innamorato signs the bill. The decision follows months of debate between business groups on one side and healthcare workers and parents on the other. Innamorato advocated for the policy and says it shows a commitment to protecting workers and families. Critics argue it may increase costs for families. The policy covers birthing parents, spouses, adoptive parents and those experiencing stillbirth.

Uniontown, PA – Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 12 is announcing the exit ramp of northbound Interstate 79 at Exit 19 (Ruff Creek/Jefferson) in Washington Township, Greene County is scheduled to close on Saturday, October 24 from 7:00 AM until 5:00 PM. All work depends on weather and operations.  The posted detour will direct northbound I-79 traffic to continue past Exit 19 (Ruff Creek/Jefferson) to Exit 23 (Marianna/Prosperity). From Exit 23 drivers will re-enter southbound I-79 and travel to southbound Exit 19 (Ruff Creek/Jefferson).  The ramp closure will allow crews from Lindy Paving to complete paving.  Monday, October 26, will serve as a weather make-up day, if needed.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. unemployment claims fell to 194,000 last week, the fewest in three months and another sign that layoffs remain low and most Americans enjoy extraordinary job security. The Labor Department reported that claims were down from 200,000 the week before. Applications for jobless benefits are a proxy for layoffs, and economists watch them closely because they can provide signs of where the job market is headed. So far this year, claims have remained at historically low levels, never topping 230,000 in a single week. The four-week average of claims, which strips out week-to-week ups and downs, dipped to 197,750.

MIAMI (AP) — A federal judge has ordered President Donald Trump to sit for a deposition in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC by Dec. 11. The order Thursday from U.S. Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett came as the BBC’s lawyers complained that Trump had delayed his appearance. Lett said Trump must sit for a deposition by Dec. 11 or face sanctions up to dismissal of his lawsuit unless the discovery period is extended past Dec. 18. The judge also ordered the Department of Justice to respond to former special counsel Jack Smith about whether he has permission to be deposed in the case.

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Virginia’s Democratic governor is questioning the timing of the Justice Department’s indictment of a powerful Democratic state senator. Abigail Spanberger said Thursday that the indictment of Sen. L. Louise Lucas so close to the midterm election would “further erode” public trust in the department. Lucas herself is not on the ballot this year. She’s charged with leading what authorities allege was a criminal enterprise that acquired and distributed large quantities of marijuana and laundered the proceeds. She’s expected in court later Thursday. Lucas said she “will not be bullied” by the indictment.

NEW YORK (AP) — The latest shudder for AI stocks pulled markets lower around the world. The S&P 500 fell 1.2% Thursday for its worst day since July, while the Nasdaq composite tumbled 2.6%. The weakness for tech stocks was so overwhelming that it masked strength for the rest of the market, where the majority of U.S. stocks actually rose. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up less than 0.1%. AI stocks have been swinging on worries that their boom may be under threat because of high interest rates. Nervousness in the market helped pull Treasury yields sharply lower. Oil prices jumped on worries about the war with Iran.

Iran’s state television reports that seven oil tankers have been damaged in the Strait of Hormuz. This happened overnight Thursday, possibly marking the largest single-day incident since the Iran war began on February 28. Four tankers caught fire after being targeted, while three others were immobilized by naval mines. The report warns that the Revolutionary Guard may target U.S. bases if the U.S. tries to allow tankers to transit through other parts of the strait. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Defense Ministry warns that Houthi rallies could be targeted, and Saudi Arabia reports two deaths from an attack on King Fahd International Airport.

World shares and U.S. futures have retreated after oil prices jumped more than 2%. European markets opened lower Thursday and benchmarks in Seoul and Hong Kong fell more than 3%. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 2.7%. The price of Brent crude oil was hovering near $112 per barrel after Iran’s state television reported that seven oil tankers caught fire after being targeted or striking naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. On Wednesday, the S&P 500 added 0.6% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.7%. The Nasdaq composite climbed 1.1%. A much better profit report from SpaceX than analysts expected boosted AI-related stocks, along with Elon Musk’s other publicly traded company, Tesla.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian authorities say that Russian attacks on Kyiv with ballistic missiles and drones have killed one person and injured 22. The strikes overnight into Thursday came hours after the Kremlin agreed to restart U.S.-brokered talks aimed at ending the war. The attack damaged homes, transport infrastructure and other civilian sites in several districts of the capital. Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed “in principle” on Wednesday to resume three-way negotiations involving Russia, the United States and Ukraine after Nov. 10. Putin had met with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg.

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar says she will move out of her Washington, D.C., home that federal agents searched last week. The Minnesota Democrat told MS NOW that the attention brought on by the raid has made her feel unsafe there. Federal authorities are investigating potential fraud in her family’s immigration paperwork. That’s according to a person briefed on the investigation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation. Omar was born in Somalia and is a naturalized U.S. citizen. She said Wednesday in her first interview since the search that she is “confident in the fact that I didn’t do anything wrong.”