January 22, 2026 5:52 pm
ATLANTA (AP) — A massive winter storm is barreling toward the eastern U.S., threatening to bring severe ice and snow from Texas to Boston. Forecasters warn the storm could rival a hurricane in damage to power lines and trees, especially in areas with heavy ice. The storm is expected to start Friday in New Mexico and Texas, moving east through the South and then up the coast into New England. Bitterly cold air could follow, with wind chills dropping to minus-50 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of Minnesota and North Dakota. Utility workers are on alert and supplies like bread and salt are flying off shelves. (Photo: AP)
January 22, 2026 5:47 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith has defended his investigations of Donald Trump at a public congressional hearing. Smith insisted Thursday he acted without regard to politics and had no second thoughts about the criminal charges he brought. Smith says no one should be above the law and the law required Trump “be held to account.” Smith’s criminal investigations in Washington, D.C., and Florida shadowed Trump during his 2024 Republican presidential campaign. Smith testified behind closed doors last month but returned to the House Judiciary Committee for the public hearing. Republican lawmakers looked to undermine Smith while Democrats hoped to elicit damaging testimony about Trump’s conduct. Trump says Smith has “destroyed many lives.”
January 22, 2026 4:51 am
It looks like there is no getting away from this one. A Winter Storm Watch will be in effect for all of Southwestern Pennsylvania from 7 p.m. Saturday to 1 p.m. Monday as we await the arrival of significant amounts of snow. National Weather Service Meteorologist Bill Modzelewski in Pittsburgh, tells WJPA that although there’s a slim chance the track could change – they are pretty sure they nailed the expected snow totals of between eight and twelve inches, with Washington County likely see the higher amounts of snowfall. On the up side, however, Modzelewski says this storm will bring the white fluffy snow, as opposed to the heavier snow that can often feel like cement. Periods of snow will develop late Saturday night and continue into Sunday, where there is potential for heavy snow of at least six inches, especially east and south of Pittsburgh. Some areas could get even more than that, particularly by Sunday evening. Tune to WJPA 95.3FM/1450AM or wjpa.com for the very latest storm information.
January 22, 2026 5:45 pm
Washington Mayor JoJo Burgess tells WJPA that they are ready and waiting for the snow to arrive this weekend. He says crews are ready to hit the roads as soon as it begins to snow and will work as needed to keep them clear. He says it will likely involve overtime, but he says it really doesn’t matter, as the safety of residents come first, not the city budget. Burgess says they have a plan to attack the snowfall, starting with the well-traveled roads and working their way down to side streets and alleyways. However, he says if someone finds themselves with a snow issue, they should call and crews will be sent out. As for salt, Burgess says they are well-stocked, having received a shipment earlier and were still working with a supply from last year because it was such a mild winter. As for travel, Burgess is echoing most other officials across the state: Stay home and don’t go out unless you absolutely have to do so. Washington County is readying for the storm as well. Officials say they are bringing in extra staff to man the 911 center over the weekend and will have other information tomorrow, as the storm gets closer.
January 22, 2026 3:46 pm
Attorney General Dave Sunday says a Washington County man pleaded guilty to rape and other sexual abuse of a 12-year-old child. Miguel Pedrosa, 63, pleaded guilty Thursday to rape of a child and numerous other felonies. In accordance with a plea agreement, Pedrosa was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison. The abuse happened over a period of months, and an incident was recorded in January, when the child’s mother installed a video camera inside her home. Pedrosa was a close acquaintance of the victim. “This heinous conduct has no place in society, and the plea resolution is effectively a life sentence for the defendant who is already in his sixties,” Attorney General Sunday said. “I commend the Pennsylvania State Police for a sound investigation that led to very serious charges, this conviction, and, we hope, a measure of justice for the victim and their family.” In all, Pedrosa pleaded guilty to rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, corruption of minors, aggravated indecent assault of a child, indecent assault, and endangering the welfare of a child — all felonies.
January 22, 2026 5:02 am
The driver of a tractor trailer was injured in a crash early Thursday morning along Interstate 70 westbound in Fallowfield Township. Washington County 9-1-1 says it happened just after 1:30 a.m. near mile-marker 35.5. Dispatchers say the truck went over an embankment. The driver was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. There is no word on his identity or condition. Officials say the plan to remove the truck later today.
January 22, 2026 4:42 am
MONONGAHELA, Pa. — HAZMAT crews were called to the Monongahela Sewage Plant on Wednesday. The Monongahela Fire Department said crews were called to the plant at 1:30 p.m. for a chlorine tank leak. Washington County HAZMAT units followed to take care of that leak. Firefighters said there were no evacuation or shelter-in-place orders given at any point. The situation was wrapped up and the plant returned to normal operations at around 5 p.m.
January 22, 2026 4:57 am
A modified lockdown was initiated at all buildings in the Bentworth School District Wednesday. Superintendent Scott Martin says a phone call was “perceived as a threat to a staff member”. Operations inside the schools continued as normal but visitors were not permitted in and students were not allowed to go outside. Police were called to the scene to investigate. According to the Observer-Reporter, Martin says the investigation determined that the matter will not be pursued any further. The district returned to normal operations about 2:30 p.m.
January 22, 2026 5:06 am
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Denmark’s prime minister is saying after U.S. President Donald Trump announced he agreed to a “framework of a future deal” on Arctic security with the head of NATO that her country can’t negotiate on its sovereignty and she has been “informed that this has not been the case.” Trump on Wednesday abruptly scrapped the tariffs he had threatened to impose on eight European nations to press for U.S. control over Greenland, a semi autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark. Trump offered few details, saying they were still being worked out. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Thursday that she had spoken with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte “on an ongoing basis,” including before and after he met Trump in Davos.
January 21, 2026 5:09 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court seems inclined to keep Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook in her job. The justices are casting doubt on President Donald Trump’s bid to wrest control of the nation’s central bank. They heard arguments Wednesday over Trump’s effort to fire Cook based on allegations she committed mortgage fraud. She denies any wrongdoing. No president has ever fired a sitting governor. Trump’s critics say his true motivation for trying to oust Cook is the Republican president’s desire to exert control over interest rate policy. The case presented the court with one of the more extraordinary efforts by Trump to expand presidential power. A decision is expected by early summer.
