WJPA News

Flooding is the topic of conversation these days, after multiple residents and businesses in the Washington County area were flooded – again – after heavy rains over the past few weeks continued to flood the same areas.  A meeting was held today with Republican State Senator Camera Bartolotta and Washington Mayor JoJo Burgess, along with an engineer and other local leaders, to address those concerns.  All who attended say they want to find solutions to the issues and are working toward taking action sooner, rather than later.  Bart0lotta says many times, their plans must be dictated by studies, then reviewed and then, hopefully, approved.  She says this could take a long time and they are trying to make small improvements now, that don’t require state approval, to help alleviate some of the issues now.

The Mariana Outdoorsmen Association (a non-profit) has initiated a lawsuit against the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and PennDOT, in an effort to protect and preserve recreational opportunities in the state.   The suit alleges that PennDOT’S roadway stabilization project along the streambank of Ten Mile Creek was ill-conceived and unpermitted.  The suit claims their actions resulted in a significant redirection of streamflow and decimation of the streambank, resulting in a portion of the water that supported recreational activities being useable.

An attorney for former NFL star wide receiver Antonio Brown says he plans to accept a plea deal on an attempted murder charge in Miami that avoids prison. Brown is scheduled to appear in court next Wednesday to make the deal final. He could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted of the current attempted murder charge. Brown is accused of grabbing a handgun from a security staffer after a celebrity boxing match in Miami in May 2025 and firing two shots at a man he had gotten into a fistfight with earlier, according to an arrest warrant. Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu told investigators that one of the bullets grazed his neck.

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s move to ban three news outlets from the White House grounds and said CNN, MS NOW and Politico must have their access restored. The ruling released early Thursday is the latest development in an escalating showdown between President Donald Trump and media outlets whose coverage he dislikes. Trump announced he was banning the outlets Friday, assailing what he called “fake news.” The outlets argued they were singled out because of the content of their coverage and called the ban a “blatant violation” of the First Amendment. The judge’s temporary restraining order is to be in effect for 14 days.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have a packed agenda for their talks at the White House. The leaders on Thursday are tackling issues like trade irritants, artificial intelligence safeguards, and the war in Iran. Trump wants China to use its influence with Iran, while Xi seeks a halt to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. A fragile trade truce had been set to expire in November, but the two countries agreed Wednesday to extend it for two months. Trump faces midterm elections, and Xi is dealing with a sluggish economy. Despite tensions, both leaders aim to avoid conflict. Any big breakthroughs in the relationship seem unlikely, but both sides are keen to maintain stability.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Southwestern Mexico is bracing for heavy rain and mudslides after Polo became a major hurricane in the Pacific. Forecasters also warned Wednesday that another system heading toward Hawaii could cause catastrophic flooding later in the week. Hurricane Polo is expected to skirt Mexico’s Guerrero state, submerging coastal areas with up to 6 inches of rain through Thursday. Guerrero has been repeatedly pummeled by hurricanes in recent years. Tropical Storm Nolo was expected to approach the Big Island as early as Friday. Nolo is projected to drop up to 20 inches of rain, raising the possibility of flooding and mudslides.