September 13, 2026 7:55 am
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, has called for a renewed commitment to peace as he marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks in the U.S. Speaking from St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, he offered prayers for victims and those still affected by the tragedy. He urged everyone to pray for peace amid ongoing global conflicts. On September 11, 2001, Leo, then Robert Prevost, was in Rome, and days later was elected superior of his religious order. Vatican News republished excerpts from his first homily after that, where he reflected on the violence and its roots in poverty and injustice.
September 13, 2026 7:57 am
FOREST CITY, Mo. (AP) — The price of diesel is hitting record highs just as many U.S. farmers are harvesting two of the nation’s largest commodities, soybeans and corn. That means they’ll need countless gallons of the fuel for combines, tractors and trucks. Diesel hit a record price in the U.S. last week, soaring to an average of $5.85 a gallon for the first time as the six-month war with Iran disrupted the world’s flow of fuel. On Friday, it was at $6.05. The diesel spike adds to an already tough year for many farmers, who also faced higher costs for fertilizer, seeds and equipment.
September 13, 2026 7:54 am
CAIRO (AP) — State-run media in Iran say an Iranian commercial vessel has been struck off Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, with one person killed and four wounded. Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations monitor reported a vessel was hit early Sunday by a projectile while transiting the strait, with no details. There was no immediate statement from the U.S. military, which has previously struck Iranian-flagged vessels as part of its blockade of Iranian ports. The attack came a day before Tehran seeks to brief regional countries on its contested efforts to manage shipping traffic on the strait.
September 13, 2026 7:56 am
NEW YORK (AP) — The McClatchy newspaper chain has made significant layoffs at The Miami Herald and other papers, cutting over 90 unionized journalists across 17 publications. This accounts for about 30 percent of McClatchy’s unionized workforce. The Miami Herald lost 32 jobs, including the entire writing staff of its Spanish-language publication, El Nuevo Herald. McClatchy cites declining consumer revenue as the reason for these cuts. Other news organizations, like USA Today Co. and The Associated Press, have also made recent layoffs. These changes reflect the industry’s struggle with shifting audience behaviors and revenue challenges.
September 13, 2026 7:00 am
Washington Mayor JoJo Burgess has declared a State of Emergency within the city limits, after a severe storm made its way through Washington County Saturday afternoon and evening, bringing with it, heavy downpours and flash flooding. The state of emergency allows emergency powers to be in full force for the next five days. Multiple roads were either closed briefly or shutdown completely. Authorities were out most of the afternoon, answering calls regarding flooded roadways and basements, downed trees and vehicles stuck in rising flood waters. Once again, Park Avenue in the city of Washington and W&J College field were underwater. There were also reports of a retainer wall falling near a home in the nine-hundred block of Donnan Avenue. We have had no reports of any major injuries. (Photo: Park Avenue outside Cameron Stadium)
September 12, 2026 11:13 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian strikes have killed five civilians and wounded dozens in Ukraine, according to local officials. President Vladimir Putin has warned that sending European troops into Ukraine would mean direct conflict with Russia. Ukraine faces mounting pressure from Russia’s intensified air campaign. Moscow’s attacks target Ukraine’s power grid ahead of winter, aiming to demoralize civilians. Putin, speaking at the BRICS summit in India, denied that Russia poses any threat to Europe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he would meet Putin if both leaders were invited to the Group of 20 summit in December in Miami.
September 12, 2026 4:52 am
A couple of kitchen fires overnight kept local firefighters busy. According to Washington County 9-1-1, the first was in the 1300 block of St. Route 18 in Hanover Township around 11 last night. And then another in North Charleroi on Liberty Avenue at 2:00 a.m. Local fire departments quickly responded to both incidents. No one was injured in either fire, no evacuations and everything was reportedly under control.
September 13, 2026 7:00 am
On Friday, the City of Washington Police Department says they have arrest and taken into custody, Karl Kevin Sullivan II. They say Sullivan was found in Virginia during the late evening hours of September 10th, following a standoff with authorities. Sullivan was wanted in connection with the October 11, 2025, homicide of Jullian Lassic, which occurred in the 100 block of North Main Street in the City of Washington. This arrest is the result of an agency-wide effort involving the dedicated work of the department’s patrol officers and investigators. The City of Washington Police Department also acknowledges the assistance of the Virginia authorities involved in taking Sullivan into custody. Because criminal proceedings remain pending, no additional information will be released at this time.
September 13, 2026 7:49 am
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Pa. — A Pennsylvania coroner has confirmed a measles-related death. Coroner Greg Furlong said a 40-year-old woman is the first person to die from measles-related complications in Jefferson County. The woman died on Saturday. Furlong said no further information will be released about the woman at this time. The coroner’s office also stressed urgency in recognizing the measles outbreak as a serious public health priority. “While cases of severe illness remain uncommon, this tragedy highlights that measles should not be taken lightly. Public health measures, early recognition of symptoms, and consultation with healthcare providers are important tools in protecting our community,” Public Relations Officer Jason Stiver said. Stiver encourages residents to stay up-to-date on the best health practices available at this time. “Measles is highly contagious and can result in serious respiratory illness, hospitalization, and in rare cases like this, death. We encourage residents to stay informed, follow guidance from public health officials, and take appropriate steps to protect themselves and their families.” Two infants from Pennsylvania died from measles-related complications last month. That marked the first measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania for the first time in 35 years. (Photo: AP)
September 12, 2026 4:42 am
The 2026 Washington County Prayer Gathering will be held at the Washington County Fairgrounds tomorrow, from 1:00-6:00 p.m. The event, which will be hosted by various partners, will feature a meal, guest speakers, live musica and public baptisms. There will be congregations and ministries from across the region. Pat O’Brien, the President of Men of Honor Ministries, explains that the day will be full of great fellowship and community, while also offering time for worship, prayer and testimony. O’Brien says he appreciates the support of the community and the Washington County Commissioners, who made a proclamation naming September 13 as the Washington County Day of Prayer. The event is open to the public and admission is free. More information can be found at www.PrayerGathering.com.
