August 8, 2026 4:33 am
Iran’s leaders believe that sooner or later the United States will have to accede to their control over the Strait of Hormuz. That would mark a victory in the five-month war, as the critical waterway carries a fifth of the world’s traded oil and gas in peacetime. But Iran’s strategy also carries major risks. A prolonged conflict could inflict further damage on Iran’s economy and infrastructure, potentially triggering another wave of internal unrest. In the meantime, the conflict over the strait makes it difficult to wind down the wider war, much less resume negotiations over Iran’s disputed nuclear program.
August 8, 2026 4:30 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is moving ahead with its efforts to fire Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, two months after the Supreme Court allowed her to retain her job while she fights the president’s effort to terminate her over mortgage fraud allegations that she has denied. The justices, in a 5-4 decision in June, said Cook, who was nominated to the Fed’s Board of Governors by President Joe Biden, could remain in her post at least as long as her lawsuit challenging her firing goes on. The Trump administration is appealing a lower-court ruling in Cook’s favor. A letter this week from the White House to Cook said President Donald Trump was “considering” firing Cook but wanted to give her an opportunity to challenge the effort.
August 8, 2026 4:28 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump’s administration must stop construction of the $400 million White House ballroom because Congress has not approved the project. Trump blasted the decision Friday as “unjust” while vowing to appeal it to the U.S. Supreme Court. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia circuit ruled that Trump doesn’t have the unilateral authority to build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom where the East Wing stood before he ordered its demolition. The panel upheld an April order from a lower court judge for aboveground work on the project to be halted.
August 8, 2026 4:26 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana says he’ll vote for Todd Blanche as attorney general, likely paving the way for Blanche to be confirmed to lead President Donald Trump’s Justice Department. Cassidy announced his support Friday on the Senate floor, saying Blanche isn’t perfect but no one is. Blanche’s confirmation had been thrown into doubt over opposition from two other Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine. Blanche’s path to confirmation has been complicated over a settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service that has drawn intense scrutiny by Republicans and Democrats alike.
August 8, 2026 4:17 am
A Peters Township teen has been accused of sexting a 14 year old boy. Earlier this year Alexander Scott, 18 attempted to try and set up another 14 year old teen for a sexual encounter. Court documents show that Washington Police charged Scott on Thursday with multiple felonies after communicating with him on an internet chat board. The communications were on June 29 and continued with the juvenile until they became too uncomfortable and then they contacted police. The police investigation said Scott allegedly brought another adult into the messaging that was a Peters Township graduate in an attempt to set up a sexual encounter. It is not clear if this incident is tied to a previous sextortion and catfishing scheme that found Peters Township graduate Zachariah Meyers charged with 67 felony charges. Since Meyers’ arrest, Aaron White, 30 of Fallowfield Township was charged with sending lewd photos to a 15 year old boy last summer. Charles Usner, 23 of Mt. Lebanon was charged communicating with a 15 year old boy and driving him to a park to have a sexual encounter earlier this summer. Scott is charged with disseminating images of child sex acts, corruption of minors and additional felonies. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on August 18.
August 8, 2026 4:19 am
The Peters Township School District is making changes to its cell phone policy. The new policy will prohibit students from using their cell phones throughout the school day. New rules prohibit students from using cellphones, smart devices, smart watches or any portable device capable of accessing the internet during the school day. Students will be required to keep the devices powered off and store them in lockers or cubbies. Students will be able to use them during extracurricular activities. Exceptions can be made for students with medical needs. Students who try to get around the ban will have their devices confiscated. The measure is in anticipation of a statewide ban that could take place in 2027. Currently, the Pennsylvania House and Senate have approved separate bills that would prohibit cellphone use in schools. Currently, the Washington and Ringgold School Districts have cellphone bans in place.
August 7, 2026 3:39 pm
CHICAGO (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration orders inspections for hundreds of Boeing planes, following reports of cracks in some older models. The rule, finalized Thursday, applies to certain Boeing 737 Max models and takes effect September 10. The FAA estimates this covers 471 planes. So far, no cracks have been found in these specific Max models. However, the FAA received reports of cracks in older 737 planes. Boeing says it has been working with operators on this issue for six years and already initiated its own inspections. The company supports the FAA’s latest directive.
August 7, 2026 3:35 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says a federal appeals court’s decision that he cannot build a $400 million ballroom at the White House without congressional approval is unjust. The Republican president says on social media he’ll be appealing the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. A three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia circuit ruled Friday that Trump doesn’t have the unilateral authority to build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom where the East Wing stood before he ordered its demolition. The panel upheld an April 16 order from a lower court judge for Trump’s Republican administration to halt aboveground work on the ballroom.
August 7, 2026 8:45 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers unexpectedly cut 23,000 jobs last month, and Labor Department revisions shaved 103,000 jobs off payrolls in May and June. But the unemployment rate dipped to 4.1% as Americans left the job market. The June jobs numbers from the Labor Department Friday marked a sharp reversal for the U.S. labor market. Hiring had been rebounding this year from a lackluster 2025 in the face of the conflict in the Persian Gulf that has sent energy prices surging and put a strain on family budgets. Job growth had been solid, if unspectacular.U
August 7, 2026 4:46 am
A new building is being planned for the Tylerdale section of Washington. City Council approved the subdivision and preliminary and final land development applications for a project at the corner of Wylie Avenue and Sammy Angott Way. The Redwood Construction Services company has plans to build an office and storage building. According to Councilman Ken Westcott, the plans have been in motion for about two years. Redwood Construction will have their main offices and storage areas for trucks and related equipment. The land has been used most recently by PennDot to park their equipment during road construction in the area. No date has been set for groundbreaking.
