WJPA News

A heat wave will blast the eastern United States this week. The National Weather Service says temperatures rising ahead of the July Fourth holiday will feel hotter because of the high humidity that’s arriving with it. The weather service says several days of high temperatures will settle in across the lower Great Lakes, the mid-Atlantic and the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys. That’s expected to last into next weekend across the Great Plains, Southeast and mid-Atlantic. Temperatures will reach well into the 90s and low 100 degrees F. Some cities could see their highest temperatures of the year so far as they host World Cup matches and celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary.

Emergency crews conducted a water rescue in Fayette County on Sunday. According to the Everson Volunteer Fire Co., crews were called to the Yough River in Upper Tyrone Township for a kayak that had reportedly overturned, leaving three people in the water.  The three people were found on the riverbank, but the terrain made them inaccessible, officials say.  Morrell Volunteer Fire Co. crews kept an eye on the people and made contact with them over the phone.  New Haven Hose Co. launched a boat from the Dunbar Township side of the river and rescued the three people. All of them declined care from medics.

WASHINGTON, Pa. — A chain steakhouse restaurant has closed its doors here in Washington County.  A spokesperson for Bloomin’ Brands confirms that the Outback Steakhouse location on Washington Road in Washington closed on June 22, ahead of its lease expiring. Some of the restaurant’s employees will be able to transfer to a nearby restaurant and will receive a transition bonus.  The restaurant has served the Washington Community for 20 years.  The only remaining Outback Steakhouse location in Western Pennsylvania is in Coraopolis. The McCandless location closed in 2024, as part of Bloomin’ Brands’ decision to shutter underperforming locations.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has again launched drone and missile attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait in response to new U.S. airstrikes. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for the attacks that targeted Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases. Iran now threatens a “complete halt” in negotiations to end the war. The Trump administration says technical talks are on track for the coming days. Tensions continue over efforts to resume transits of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passageway for global oil and gas. Iran insists on controlling the strait. Meanwhile, the fighting in Lebanon between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group also poses a challenge.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is wrapping up a term that has focused on President Donald Trump’s expansive claims of presidential power. Trump’s efforts to restrict birthright citizenship, fire the heads of most independent agencies at will and remove a sitting Federal Reserve governor are among the remaining eight cases the justices are expected to decide this week, beginning Monday. The court also is weighing, in cases from West Virginia and Idaho, whether to uphold laws in roughly half the states that prohibit transgender girls and women from playing on their public school and college sports. By custom, the court finishes its work before July 4. After this week, its next public meeting is the first Monday in October.

PARIS (AP) — A record-breaking heat wave has overwhelmed mortuaries in Paris, leaving funeral directors struggling to find space for bodies. Zouhaeir Hertelli, a mortuary owner, says he receives hundreds of calls daily but has no room left. France is counting the human cost of the heat wave, which began in mid-June. Public Health France reports a surge in deaths, particularly among older people. Last week, deaths exceeded 1,200 on Wednesday and rose to over 1,400 on Thursday and Friday. The agency expects these numbers to rise as more death certificates are processed.