November 28, 2025 2:29 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — The charges against the man who authorities say shot two National Guard members have been upgraded to first-degree murder after one of the soldiers died. Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, announced the new charge Friday. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe were critically injured in Wednesday’s shooting in the nation’s capital. President Donald Trump announced Thursday evening that Beckstrom had died. Authorities say Rahmanullah Lakanwal drove across the country to carry out an “ambush-style” attack. Pirro mentioned it’s too soon to determine the suspect’s motives.
November 28, 2025 2:25 pm
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has met Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks at the Kremlin. This marks a rare step from a European leader as Russia’s war continues in Ukraine. Orbán, considered Putin’s closest EU partner, said the focus is Hungary’s continued access to “cheap Russian oil and gas.” Hungary remains one of the few EU countries still importing large quantities of Russian fossil fuels. Orbán has opposed EU efforts to reduce reliance on Russian energy. He argues that Russian energy imports are crucial for Hungary’s economy, despite criticism from some quarters.
November 28, 2025 2:23 pm
A small but vocal crowd gathered in front of U-S Representative of the 14th District Guy Reschenthaler’s office on Friday. They held a “Where’s Guy” rally drawing attention to his absence in the district. Rally participant Patrick Herford simply wants to meet with Reschenthaler in a Town Hall gathering. Rally organizer Sharon Laffey says that in the six years that Reschenthaler has represented the 14th district, he has never held a Town Hall meeting. Washington County Democratic Committee Chairperson Christina Proctor calls Reschenthaler an absentee congressman. WJPA reached out to Representative Reschenthaler’s office by phone and email and have not had a response.
November 28, 2025 2:27 am
The Washington County Coroners Office has identified the person killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 79 in South Strabane Township Thursday. Coroner Timothy Warco says 64-year old Jamie Wiles of Wheeling, West Virginia was a front seat passenger and was pronounced dead at the scene. 13 vehicles were involved in the crash. It happened just after 5:30 p.m. South Strabane Fire Chief Jordan Cramer says first responders arrived to find a “complex crash” involving multiple vehicles, including a semi. Warco says the driver and another passenger were taken to area hospitals and are last reported in critical condition. A mass casualty incident was declared and the interstate was closed. At the same time, there was a crash involving two vehicles at the north junction of I-79 and I-70. Interstate 70 was closed between Taylorstown and Jefferson Avenue but did reopen by 9 p.m. PennDOT says a snow band moved through the area and Cramer says the incidents occurred due to iced-over roadways. (Photo courtesy of South Strabane Fire Department)
November 28, 2025 2:05 am
Washington Police are investigating another shooting along Main Street. Officers were called to the Community Club in the 100-block early Thursday. They found a man with non-life-threatening gun shot wounds. The unidentified man was transported to a Pittsburgh hospital. Police say the shooting occurred after an individual had been removed from the club. Anyone with information to call the City of Washington Police Department confidential tip line at 724-223-4108. Just last month, 20 year old Julian Lassic was shot and killed in that same area.
November 28, 2025 2:44 am
There was a garage fire in Marianna this morning. Fire crews reported to the detached garage on Fulton Street in just before 8 a.m. Thursday morning on Fulton Street. No one was reportedly injured. According to 9-1-1 Dispatch, the Fire Marshall was called to the scene to investigate.
November 28, 2025 5:13 am
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (AP) — President Donald Trump said that one of the two West Virginia National Guard members shot by an Afghan national near the White House had died, calling the shooter who had worked with the CIA in his native country a “savage monster.” As part of his Thanksgiving call to U.S. troops, Trump said that he had just learned that Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, had died, while Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, was “fighting for his life.” The suspect who is in custody also was shot and had wounds that were not believed to be life-threatening. Officials say the 29-year-old suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome.
November 28, 2025 5:14 am
The man accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington is one of about 76,000 Afghans brought to the U.S. after the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. The program, called Operation Allies Welcome, was created in 2021. Then-President Joe Biden said the U.S. owed it to those who opposed the Taliban to provide a safe haven. Critics argued the resettlement process was poorly planned. The accused shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, worked with the CIA in Afghanistan. Resettlement groups emphasize that one individual’s actions shouldn’t reflect on all Afghan refugees.
November 28, 2025 5:17 am
UPS Airlines says a fleet of planes grounded after a deadly crash is expected to miss the peak holiday season due to inspections and possible repairs. An internal memo said Wednesday the airline predicts it will be several months before its McDonnell Douglas MD-11 fleet returns to service as it works to meet Federal Aviation Administration guidelines. The process was previously expected to take weeks. UPS intends to rely on contingency plans to deliver for customers throughout the peak season. Boeing took over as the manufacturer of MD-11s in 1997 and is working to help operators meet FAA requirements. An MD-11 plane crashed Nov. 4 in Louisville, Kentucky, killing 14 people.
November 28, 2025 5:16 am
HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong firefighters have found dozens more bodies during an intensive search of a high-rise complex after a massive fire engulfed seven of its eight buildings. The death toll has risen to at least 128 people, making it one of the city’s deadliest blazes. Crews prioritized apartments from which they received calls for assistance during the blaze. The fire started midafternoon Wednesday and took firefighters about 24 hours to control. Authorities suspect some materials on the exterior walls did not meet fire resistance standards. Three men have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
