February 2, 2026 4:20 am
PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — Punxsutawney Phil’s handlers say he’s seen his shadow and is therefore predicting six more weeks of winter weather. Phil’s annual prediction occurred shortly after dawn Monday outside his tree stump in Gobbler’s Knob. The Pennsylvania festivities are among the many Groundhog Day rituals around the U.S. and beyond. Groundhog Day on Feb. 2 comes at the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. The tradition has roots in European agricultural folklore. Despite its silliness, the event remains a beloved tradition. Phil’s accuracy is debated, with federal weather officials saying he’s been right only about 40% of the time.
February 2, 2026 4:57 am
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Forecasters warned that dangerous extra-cold conditions will persist for a huge swath of the U.S. from the Gulf Coast into New England. There were hundreds of weekend flight cancellations to North Carolina, snow flurries and falling iguanas in Florida, and more misery for thousands who are still without power from last month’s ice storm in the South. About 150 million people were under cold weather advisories and extreme cold warnings in the eastern portion of the U.S. on Sunday. Florida experienced its coldest air mass since 1989. Windchills near zero are expected in many states again Monday.
February 2, 2026 1:51 pm
(AP) – Air travelers in the U.S. without a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification are subject to a new fee starting Sunday. The non-refundable $45 charge isn’t a penalty or fine, but payment for non-compliant travelers to use the Transportation Security Administration’s new alternate identity verification option called ConfirmID. The process can take up to 30 minutes and doesn’t guarantee passengers will make their flight if their identity can’t be verified.
February 2, 2026 1:47 pm
(AP) – An Arizona sheriff says “We do in fact have a crime scene” as authorities search for the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, who was reported missing over the weekend. Speaking during a Monday morning news conference, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said there are signs at the home indicating Nancy Guthrie did not leave on her own. Nanos said at a news conference Sunday night that Nancy Guthrie was last seen around 9:30 p.m. Saturday at her home in the Tucson area. Her family reported her missing midday Sunday. Nanos says Nancy Guthrie has physical ailments, but no cognitive issues. He says the homicide team is also involved, which isn’t standard for such cases.
February 2, 2026 12:48 pm
Donations and community support have been pouring in after a fire damaged a Greene County apartment building. The fire on Saturday, which is under investigation, affected ten units at the Mather Apartments in Morgan Township. Three people were reportedly injured, with two being flown to area hospitals. In the fire’s wake, multiple agencies, businesses and other groups have stepped up to support first responders who battled the blaze and residents who’ve been displaced. In an update Sunday evening, the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company said the past weekend had been “very difficult” with inclement weather complicating first responders’ duties, officials with the department expressed “sincere thanks and gratitude” for those who contributed resources after the fire. In another update, the department said clothes are no longer being accepted, though people can still donate household goods and toilet supplies. The department said it will post if victims need or request specific items. Also, the department shared methods for people to make monetary donations, including by check or Venmo. Fire officials though, are warning donors to be aware of scam donation requests.
February 2, 2026 10:54 am
One person was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital following a two-vehicle crash Monday morning in South Strabane Township. Washington County 9-1-1 says it happened around 9:45 a.m. at the intersection of Country Club Road and Locust Avenue. There is no word on the identity or condition of the person injured. No other injuries were reported.
February 2, 2026 8:54 am
The Canonsburg Senior Center along E. Pike Street is closed. Officials tell WJPA News that they walked in Monday morning and found water in the building. A Coordinator says the break was in a water line in the building. There is no word on the amount of damage that resulted. An assessment is currently underway and it’s unclear how long the center may be closed.
February 1, 2026 4:48 am
MORGAN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Firefighters battled the extreme cold to put out a massive apartment fire that left several people injured in Greene County. The fire broke out around 3 a.m. Saturday in Mather Apartments along 3rd Street in Morgan Township. State Police say the fire involved the entire building which included 10 apartment units. Greene County 911 officials reported three people were injured in the fire. The Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company says multiple companies worked in extreme temperatures of -14 degrees. Photos posted by the fire department showed flames shooting out of multiple windows throughout the apartment complex. The Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company asked the public to avoid the area since severe icing conditions could pose a significant safety hazard. The State Police Fire Marshal is investigating.
February 2, 2026 4:55 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson faces tough days ahead trying to pass a federal funding package and prevent a prolonged partial government shutdown. Democrats are demanding changes to rein in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations after the deaths in Minneapolis. But Republicans are making their own demands in support of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. A partial shutdown started over the weekend when funding lapsed for several agencies. Trump struck a deal with senators, who approved new funding, but only temporarily for Homeland Security until Feb. 13. That would give Congress time to consider new restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Johnson now needs Trump to help push that deal through the House.
