April 4, 2026 6:47 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Yesterday, Iran shot down a US fighter jet, the two crew members ejecting from the F-15. One of them was rescued, though a search is ongoing for the second. This is the first time Iran has downed a manned US aircraft in the war. Reports indicate that Iran has also shot down an A-10 fighter supporting the search, however the pilot is safe. Iran shooting down two American military aircraft marks an exceedingly rare assault for the U.S. that has not happened in more than 20 years. It shows the Islamic Republic has a continued ability to hit back despite President Donald Trump asserting the country has been “completely decimated.” The last time a U.S. fighter jet was shot down in combat was during the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. Experts suggest a shoulder-fired missile likely was used. Some analysts say the attacks reflect how Iran is “weak but still lethal.”
April 4, 2026 6:50 am
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The Artemis II astronauts have captured Earth’s brilliant blue beauty as they zoom ever closer to the moon. NASA released the crew’s first downlinked images Friday, 1 1/2 days into the first astronaut moonshot in more than half a century. The first photo taken by commander Reid Wiseman shows a curved slice of Earth in one of the capsule’s windows. The second shows the entire globe with the oceans topped by swirling white tendrils of clouds. It even includes a pale green aurora. As of midday Friday, the crew was 100,000 miles from Earth and quickly gaining on the moon.
April 4, 2026 9:15 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian drone strikes on Ukraine have killed five people and wounded 30 more, according to Ukrainian officials. The attacks occurred as Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Istanbul for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia fired 286 drones overnight, with 260 being downed. In Nikopol, three women and two men were killed and 19 others, including a 14-year-old girl, were wounded. In Sumy, a strike injured 11 people, including a 15-year-old. In Russia, officials said Ukrainian drone strikes overnight killed one person and wounded five others.
April 4, 2026 6:43 am
Students across Pennsylvania are encouraged to participate in contests created by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Historical Commission to mark our nation’s 250th birthday. The contests celebrate our state’s and nation’s history, while encouraging students to learn about the work and role of the courts. Winners will be notified May 8 and recognized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court at the May 18 oral argument session at the Capitol in Harrisburg. The first is a coloring contest open to students ages 5-11 and gives young students the opportunity to create their own judge. The second is an essay contest open to students in grades 3-12. The essays are being judged on creativity and overall quality when answering the following questions: “Why is the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania important?” (Grades 3-5) and “Which Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice inspires you and why?” (Grades 6-12). Students and parents are encouraged to submit photo entries on Instagram by tagging @pennsylvaniacourts or essay entries can be submitted by email to CommunicationsOffice@pacourts.us or mail to: AOPC Communications, c/o Stacey Witalec, 601 Commonwealth Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17106. The deadline for entries is April 24.
April 4, 2026 6:21 am
PITTSBURGH, PA (WPXI) — A Tesla caught fire inside a Giant Eagle Market District parking garage in Pittsburgh late last night. Allegheny County dispatchers said emergency crews were called to the 5500 block of Centre Avenue in Shadyside at 7:58 p.m. According to a Pittsburgh Public Information Officer, the vehicle’s battery caught on fire as it was charging. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the flames. Neither the building nor other vehicles sustained damage, and no injuries were reported. A Giant Eagle spokesperson said the store has been evacuated out of an abundance of caution and will be closed for the rest of the night. It is expected to reopen and operate under normal hours on later today.
April 4, 2026 8:24 am
MARSHALL COUNTY, WV — A worker Friday morning died after being crushed at a coal mine in Marshall County, prompting a multi-agency emergency response. Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s office identified the miner as Darin Reece, as Morrisey gave his condolences, “We extend our condolences to his family, his fellow miners, and all those who knew him. He served as a Continuous Miner Section Supervisor and was part of a workforce that takes on difficult and dangerous work every day.” According to authorities, Marshall County 911 received a call just after 10:30 Friday morning requesting EMS for Reece at the Ohio County Mine Golden Ridge Portal who had been crushed and suffered head and neck injuries. Dallas EMS, Marshall County EMS, Ohio County EMS, Stone Church VFD, West Finley VFD, and air medical were all requested for aid.
April 4, 2026 4:00 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is releasing details of President Donald Trump’s 2027 budget, including a $1.5 trillion defense spending request. That’s the largest of its kind in decades. The Republican president had indicated even before the war against Iran that he wanted to increase defense spending to modernize the military. He’s also calling for a 10% cut in non-defense discretionary spending. The president’s annual budget does not carry the force of law. Instead, it reflects an administration’s priorities and provides a road map to Congress, which handles spending issues. But Congress is free to reject it and often does.
April 3, 2026 1:52 pm
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A U.S. and Israeli official say one crew member was rescued Friday after an American aircraft was shot down in Iran. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity to describe sensitive ongoing military operations. The rescue occurred as the U.S. military was conducting a search and rescue operation, according to three people familiar who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitivity of the situation. Israel is helping the United States with the operation. According to an email from the Pentagon obtained by The Associated Press, the U.S. military said that it received notification of “an aircraft being shot down” in the Middle East. The email did not provide more details.
