June 20, 2026 9:34 am
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s joint military command says the Strait of Hormuz has been closed again, citing Israeli attacks in Lebanon and U.S. “bad faith” and “its clear breach of its commitments” by failing to end the war. The statement on state television on Saturday also warned that “if the aggression continues, subsequent steps have been planned.” Ships had begun transiting the strait after the interim U.S.-Iran agreement was signed earlier in the week. Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday killed at least 16 people, including two children, hours after reports emerged of a ceasefire agreement
June 20, 2026 8:14 am
TYRE, Lebanon (AP) — Lebanese state media say the latest Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon killed at least 16 people, including two children, hours after reports emerged of a ceasefire agreement. The persistent fighting threatens an interim deal between the United States and Iran to end their war. Lebanon’s National News Agency said the strikes on Saturday hit the southern Lebanese town of Nabatiyeh and nearby villages. The reports say at least seven people are trapped under the rubble. Mediators are scrambling to halt the fighting between Israel and the Lebanese militant Hezbollah group, after a heavy exchange killed at least 47 people in Lebanon and four Israeli soldiers on Friday.
June 20, 2026 8:11 am
A division of a German manufacturing company is moving its domestic corporate headquarters to Fallowfield Township just west of Charleroi in the Monongahela Valley. Spaleck USA LLC, an American subsidiary of Spaleck GmbH & Co. KG debuted its new 15,000-square-foot facility in Alta Vista Business Park during a Wednesday morning ribbon cutting, promising a “commitment” to sustained investment in the region. Spaleck USA specializes in both stationary and mobile conveying and separation systems for use in recycling plants, metals reclamation and other industries. The new facility, which cost just under $4 million, will house the company’s domestic headquarters and maintenance division. The new facility has created seven full-time jobs so far, with three additional positions waiting for qualified applicants.
Washington County Commissioner Chair Nick Sherman said investments like this are crucial to the overall economic development of a region, saying that “this is a shining example of partnerships between the alliance, local elected officials and a German company that could have gone anywhere in the world, but they chose to put its flag down in Washington County.”
June 20, 2026 4:38 am
Nicole Lane, a Canonsburg native, is suing the Washington County jail and its healthcare contractor claiming she was denied proper medical care when she was incarcerated while pregnant two years ago, and was later shackled to a hospital bed while going through labor. Attorneys for Nicole Lane filed the federal lawsuit in Pittsburgh on Wednesday accusing the Washington County Correctional Facility, healthcare provider PrimeCare and several jail workers and county sheriff’s deputies of alleged neglect that nearly caused her to lose the baby and her life. Lane is seeking damages for allegedly depriving her of her Eighth and 14th amendment rights, along with violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, Pennsylvania’s Healthy Birth for Incarcerated Women Act and Pennsylvania tort law. According to the lawsuit, the state’s Healthy Birth for Incarcerated Women Act restricts the use of restraints on pregnant women and has been in effect since 2010, and it was expanded in 2023. Washington County solicitor Gary Sweat said Thursday that he was unaware of the lawsuit and could not comment. Representatives with Harrisburg-based PrimeCare Inc. could not be reached for comment Friday.
June 20, 2026 4:28 am
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — A large fire has almost completely destroyed a luxury resort in the Dominican Republic, forcing the evacuation of almost 1,700 tourists. Local media reported an Italian tourist died in the fire and several other tourists required medical assistance. The Viva Dominicus Beach by Wyndham resort is located in Bayahibe, a popular destination for U.S. and international tourists on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic. Authorities reported about 1,690 tourists had to be evacuated from the resort to other hotels and nearby housing facilities because of the massive blaze.
June 20, 2026 4:26 am
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group agreed to halt the heavy fighting in southern Lebanon that had threatened to unravel an interim peace agreement between the United States and Iran. That’s according to officials who spoke Friday to The Associated Press. Neither Israel nor Hezbollah immediately confirmed the truce. It came after a heavy exchange of fire killed 47 people in Lebanon and four Israeli soldiers. Hezbollah and Israel went to war shortly after the outbreak of the wider conflict, with Hezbollah firing rockets and drones at civilian communities in northern Israel and Israel seizing large swaths of southern Lebanon.
June 20, 2026 8:18 am
ROME (AP) — The head of Latin America’s top development bank has made a case to Pope Leo XIV about the potential of rare earth mining. Ilan Goldfajn, head of the Inter-American Development Bank, argues it could benefit Latin America if done responsibly. Goldfajn met with the pope on Friday, acknowledging the Vatican’s opposition to multinational mining corporations. The Vatican has long supported Indigenous peoples affected by mining. Goldfajn believes the region can benefit from mining if proper standards and conditions are met. The Inter-American Development Bank has a $4 billion pipeline of mineral projects, mostly in Chile, Argentina, and Brazil.
June 20, 2026 4:00 am
The Hanover Township Board of Supervisors hosted a public hearing on the Conditional Use Permit for the construction of a data center in Starpointe Business Park. Developer Prime Data Centers LLC, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, presented the project and their plans to comply with an ordinance amended by Hanover Township in March. Following the presentation, township residents had the opportunity to ask the developers questions and voice their opinions. The hearing was standing room only, with many residents raising concerns regarding water usage, noise, and light pollution. Charlie Daum, head of development, says that the developers are ensuring that they meet all of the standards required by the ordinance. One resident, Kerri Hageter, believes that the ordinance went through very quickly, and that there are a lot of changes that need to be made. Only one hour was allotted for this hearing, and it will continue at a later date, but William Michael, the assistant superintendent for the township, was pleased with the turnout.
June 19, 2026 12:28 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal regulators have ordered regional grid operators to help large energy users connect more quickly to the nation’s inefficient and aging electric transmission system. They’re saying it’s a step needed to accommodate surging demand from power-hungry artificial intelligence data centers. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said its order leaves states in control of retail electric rates, terms and conditions. The commission’s actions come as a backlash grows against data centers over concerns about the massive amounts of energy and water they use and fears about noise and air pollution, water shortages and a loss of open space or farmland.
June 18, 2026 2:42 am
The Washington County Food Bank and Food Helpers programs will once again see Washington County funding. Commissioners voted 2-0-1, with Commissioner Electra Janis abstaining, to direct approximately $325,000 in state and federal funding to the Washington County Food Bank. In 2020, commissioners Diana Irey-Vaughan and Nick Sherman directed funding to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank believing they would be a better service provider during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, Ken Kulak, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Washington Community Food Bank says that they have totally reorganized with a stronger staff and board to serve Washington County. Kathy Kennedy spoke on behalf of the From The Heart Community Food Pantry and 12 other food pantries. She said her group feels that it would be a mistake to move. They are considering keeping their affiliation with Greater Pittsburgh. She said product selection would diminish as would funding programs. Commissioner Janis, who sits on the board of directors of the Washington County Food Bank, says that any pantry with concerns should contact the commissioners or the food bank directly as they want to make sure the transition back to Washington County is as smooth as possible. Commissioner Chairman Nick Sherman said that he is confident in the new leadership of the Washington County Food Bank. Commissioner Larry Maggi opposed the move in 2020. He says that he is pleased that the 2020 decision has been reversed to allow the Washington County Food Bank to serve local citizens.
