WJPA News

Gas prices are 18 cents higher in Western Pennsylvania this week at $4.349 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.  The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is up 3 cents from last week to $4.09, which marks the highest it’s ever been on this date. This August is shaping up to be the highest on record. So far, the monthly average is $4.06, currently surpassing 2022 when the monthly average for August was $3.97. Even though gasoline demand is down, which is typical for this time of year, crude oil is pushing up the national average. Crude oil prices remain in the $80 per barrel range amid continued instability in the Strait of Hormuz.  According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 8.96 million barrels per day to 8.68 million. Total domestic gasoline supply increased from 208.7 million barrels to 209.4 million. Gasoline production also increased last week, averaging 9.7 million barrels per day.

Earlier this summer, cyclosporiasis invaded southwestern Pennsylvania. Cyclospora infections can sometimes be without symptoms, but they can also cause a gastrointestinal illness with weight loss, nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, or a fever. William Sharpnack, a family physician in Washington, PA, says that it does seem to be tied to certain food production, but it is very treatable. He believes that consumers should feel safe buying most fruits and vegetables now, because the CDC does a good job of narrowing down sources and eliminating them quickly. Recently, there was fear surrounding certain jalapeños that were causing illnesses. Sharpnack explains that this was a salmonella outbreak and completely different from cyclospora. Sharpnack says there are proper techniques for cleaning and storing produce. Depending on the type of produce, it should be either rinsed or washed with soap and water, and it should be stored at room temperature or kept in a refrigerator. Sharpnack advises consumers who may still be worried about cyclosporiasis to buy from local farmers’ markets for direct-to-consumer produce.

BRADDOCK, Pa. — A body was pulled from the Monongahela River in Braddock.  A 911 call came in about a man’s body in the river at 3:28 p.m. Sunday, according to the Allegheny County Police Department.  Police say the body shows no clear signs of trauma.  The investigation is ongoing. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner will identify the person and determine the cause and manner of death.  Anyone with information is asked to call the County Police Tip Line 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can be anonymous.

TORONTO (AP) — Canada will announce retaliatory tariffs against the United States on Tuesday after relations deteriorated sharply Monday. President Donald Trump told Canadian leaders to “fall in line” or face consequences “far WORSE” than existing tariffs, while Prime Minister Mark Carney accused Washington of trying to subordinate Canada. Trump also threatened new 50% tariffs on Canadian vehicles, auto parts and steel, while Carney said U.S. trade demands showed Washington wanted to “destroy our major industries,” including autos, steel and aluminum. The fiery words from both sides show how U.S.-Canada relations have deteriorated since Carney walked away from trade negotiations with the Trump administration late Friday.

The Supreme Court’s decision clearing one obstacle to the enactment of President Donald Trump’s order on mail voting may not mean the order ultimately takes effect for November’s elections. But it is increasing the risk of chaos for the midterms. That’s because the decision will kick off a compressed legal fight over the constitutionality of the order. It would require states to follow uniform standards in formatting mail ballots and share information about who sends them with the federal government or those ballots wouldn’t get delivered. Election officials say there’s no way to implement that before November if courts don’t stop it.

RENO, Nevada (AP) — Crews have started to contain a wildfire in the Sierra Nevada foothills that destroyed more than 30 homes as it spread perilously close to neighborhoods in Reno, Nevada. Containment reached 27% and there was no new growth of the blaze, which has held steady at about 23 square miles since Sunday. Officials said Monday afternoon that the number of residents under evacuation orders and warnings was reduced to about 63,000, down from more than 90,000 people over the weekend. There’s still concern that winds could push the flames through dry brush into newly developed and densely packed neighborhoods in Nevada’s largest city outside of metro Las Vegas.