DOJ Says Election Monitors Will Be In Four Counties

October 25, 2026 7:43 am

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. — The U.S. Department of Justice alerted the PA Department of State Secretary Al Schmidt that there will be election monitors in four Pennsylvania counties on November 3rd.  According to the DOJ letter to the PA DOS, election monitors will be in Philadelphia, Allegheny, Luzerne and Lehigh counties.  The DOJ says that these monitors only observe and take notes. They do not intrude or interfere in the voting process.  The PA DOS says that they expect everyone working in, voting in and observing polling places to follow all applicable state and federal laws.

Duplicate Ballots Sent To Voters In Westmoreland County

October 25, 2026 7:46 am

WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — Over 150 duplicate ballots were sent out to voters in Westmoreland County by the county’s election bureau.  According to the Department of State, they initially learned about the issue on Thursday and that this is not a systematic issue.  DOS and the county have since resolved the problem.  The statewide voter registration system has safeguards in place that will not allow more than one vote to be counted for a single voter, even if a voter sent back both ballots. Only one ballot will be counted.  Westmoreland County Commissioner Doug Chew says that said voters with the double ballots were contacted.  Chew also shared that the duplicate ballots have the exact same identification numbers and that will stop them from being counted more than once.  “Whichever ballot comes in first, the next ballot can never, ever be recorded,” Chew said.  The Department of State says that they are not aware of this happening in any other county in the state.

Citing Protest, Paris Shuts Down NFL House

October 24, 2026 8:36 am

The NFL has closed its “NFL House” in Paris as the city braces for street protests with a heavy police presence and storefronts boarded up. The league announced the closure to fans on Saturday morning through its “OnePass” app and it came a day after it closed its pop-up NFL shop — in both cases citing “potential accessibility issues.” Security concerns have overshadowed the NFL’s debut in Paris. The New Orleans Saints will play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at Stade de France in the league’s first-ever regular-season game in France. New Orleans also announced that “Saints House has been postponed until Sunday.”

Area Football Coach Dies After Game

October 25, 2026 7:00 am

CORAOPOLIS, Pa. — A high school football coach has died after suffering a medical emergency during a game Friday night. According to our news partners at Channel 11, Cornell High School Superintendent Dr. Aaron Thomas said head football coach Ed Dawson was taken to a local hospital after suffering a medical emergency during the team’s game at Rochester High School in Beaver County. He later died. “This is an extremely difficult situation. To say Coach Dawson was an integral part of Cornell School District would be an understatement. It is hard to put into words what Coach Dawson means to Cornell and we are all heartbroken, crushed, and in shock,” Thomas said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Coach Dawson and his family. We have difficult days ahead and we will lean on each other to get through them the best we can. We love you, Coach Dawson.” School officials say resources will be made available to students and staff. The School was previously scheduled to have an in-service day on Monday. Following the news of Dawson’s passing, community leaders, family and friends began sharing posts of condolences on social media.

‘Dark in the Park’ Returns This Weekend

October 24, 2026 4:34 am

Washington Park continues with its 6th Annual “Dark in the Park” Haunted Hayride and Walk Thru. The event takes place tonight from 6:45-10:00 PM. Park Director DeAnna Martin said that while Friday night was geared more towards a younger crowd–or those who want less fright–Saturday is dedicated to a full scare experience. There will be a maze, bonfire, movie screening, and concessions. 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. Tickets are only $5 each.

Paris Shutters Museums, Police Increased Across France

October 24, 2026 3:58 am

PARIS (AP) — Major museums in Paris are closed as authorities deploy a large police force for new protests across France. The government aims to prevent a repeat of last week’s violent unrest, which included looting and attacks on public buildings. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez says 70,000 officers will be deployed nationwide. Major museums like the Louvre and Orsay are closed Saturday. Some protests have been banned in cities like Lyon and Nice. President Emmanuel Macron says measures are needed to protect city centers and businesses. Demonstrations began over staff shortages in schools and have grown into larger protests over living costs.

Drinking Water Dwindles In Besieged Yemen City

October 24, 2026 4:05 am

Taiz, a city in southwestern Yemen, faces a severe water crisis as Houthi rebels backed by Iran tighten their encirclement. The city has struggled with water issues for over a decade, but the situation has worsened in recent weeks. Humanitarian groups say available supplies meet less than 10% of the needs of Taiz’s more than one million residents. Families pay up to 75% more for water, often on credit. Amnesty International has urged the Houthis to open roads into the city, warning of a looming humanitarian disaster. The siege also restricts food, fuel and medicine supplies, worsening the crisis.

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un Visits China

October 24, 2026 3:59 am

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has visited China in his first visit to the country in a year, South Korea’s government said Saturday. Kim appears to have arrived in the Chinese border city of Dandong after crossing a newly opened bridge linking the two countries, according to South Korean officials. North Korean and Chinese state media haven’t commented. Kim’s visit follows Chinese President Xi Jinping’s trip to Pyongyang in June, where they discussed expanding cooperation. Kim has been focusing on strengthening ties with China, the North’s main ally, after prioritizing Russia in recent years.

Drilling Work On Rt. 22 Begins Monday

October 24, 2026 3:50 am

Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is announcing drilling work along Route 22 in Robinson Township, Washington County and North Fayette Township, Allegheny County will begin Monday, October 26 weather permitting. Drilling work requiring single-lane restrictions in both directions of Route 22 between Potato Garden Road in Allegheny County and the Candor Road overpass in Washington County will occur from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM each day, as needed, through Friday, October 30.

PennDOT Updates Washington Co. Maintenance Schedule

October 24, 2026 3:51 am

Uniontown, PA – Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Washington County Maintenance Manager Brian Malik has announced bridge replacement continues on Route 3009 (Old Scales Road) and Route 3014 (Van Neal Drive) in South Franklin Township. The road is closed between State Route 18 and Route 221 with a detour from Route 3014 (Van Neal Drive) to Route 221, Route 3008 (Jolly School Road) to Route 18. There will be crack sealing ramp work throughout the County. There will be Ditch/drain repair on Route 88 (Fourth Street) in Fallowfield Township, pipe replacement on Route 4023 (Strope Road) in Jefferson Township and Route 4029 (Crosscreek Road) in Crosscreek Township. Crews will pick litter, replace downed signs, update existing signs, and address work orders on various state routes throughout the county.