WJPA News

Two people are dead after a multi-vehicle crash near the Fort Duquesne Bridge caused a vehicle to go off the deck and onto the street below.  The crash happened at the split of Route 28 and Route 65 near the Fort Duquesne Bridge at around 3 p.m. on Wednesday.  Pittsburgh Police Chief Jason Lando said five vehicles were involved in that initial crash. One of those vehicles went over the side and crashed onto Reedsdale Street below.  The driver and sole occupant of that vehicle died. At 5:30 p.m., Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said that driver was a man.

Recent federal Medicaid funding cuts are threatening the stability of some Pennsylvania hospitals, with reports indicating that dozens of facilities are at risk of closure or service reductions, particularly those in rural areas and safety-net institutions. New Medicaid work requirements, eligibility changes for immigrants, and reduced federal funding matches are expected to impact 310,000 to 600,000 state residents. A report by Public Citizen identified over 400 U.S. hospitals vulnerable to closure, with multiple reports highlighting twelve to forty-seven hospitals in Pennsylvania at risk, including UPMC Mercy, UPMC McKeesport, UPMC Greene, and Highlands Hospital in Connellsville.  The spending legislation slashes federal contributions to Medicaid and CHIP by over $900 billion over a decade.

UPMC Washington has earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. This recognition follows the hospital’s “A” grade in fall 2025, reflecting sustained performance in key measures designed to prevent errors, accidents, injuries and infections.  The Leapfrog Group assigns letter grades ranging from “A” to “F” to general hospitals across the country using evidence‑based measures focused exclusively on patient safety.  “Earning an ‘A’ once again is a testament to the extraordinary commitment of our team and their continuous focus on patient safety,” said Brook Ward, president of UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene. “I am incredibly proud of our physicians, nurses and staff for the care they provide every day. Their dedication to delivering exceptional, safe care is what our patients and community count on..  An ‘A’ Grade is a strong sign that UPMC Washington is deeply committed to protecting patients from harm,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We commend the leadership, board, clinicians, staff and volunteers for the role each played in earning this distinction.”  The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only national hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries. The program is peer‑reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public, with grades updated twice annually in the fall and spring.

The Senate today approved, in a bipartisan manner, legislation sponsored by Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35) to eliminate the commonwealth’s outdated vehicle emissions program.  Senate Bill 1298 provides for the removal of all 25 counties currently subjected to the annual emissions testing. Further, the legislation clarifies that no additional counties can be added into the program, protecting vehicle owners across the commonwealth.  “People are being squeezed from every direction, and the last thing they should be forced to bankroll are outdated mandates that do nothing but drain their wallets,” said Langerholc. “If a mandate doesn’t serve the public anymore, it has no business siphoning money from working families.”  The Senate passed legislation, sponsored by Langerholc, to reform the emissions program in February 2025, as well as each legislative session since the 2019-2020 legislative session. All measures have failed to receive consideration in the House of Representatives.  “It is beyond time that the House of Representatives bring vehicle emissions reform to a vote and give Pennsylvania motorists much needed relief.”  The measure now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

A member of the Trump administration visited Washington County. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler visited Steel Nation on her tour of the United States to recognize small businesses during National Small Business Week. Loeffler met with Steel Nation President Mark Dooley and his staff to gain an understanding of their business. Steel Nation is a manufacturer of steel buildings that house equipment in the oil and gas and data center industries. They employ 45 people from western Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. Loeffler promoted the advantages small businesses were able to gain with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, the No Tax on Tips policy and loosening of regulations. Dooley spoke of Steel Nation’s experience with the SBA, when they were able to take advantage of the payroll protection plan and the IRS employee retention program when business slowed considerably during the Covid 19 pandemic. According to the SBA, there are 36 million small businesses that represent 99% of all private sector employers and they create 2 of every 3 new jobs. Small businesses contribute to roughly half of our nation’s Gross Domestic Product.

Last fall, Washington County Commissioners embarked on the idea of building a miniature golf course in the Mingo Creek County Park. On Thursday, commissioners will vote on granting a proposal to Adventure Golf and Sports to build the venue. During their agenda meeting, Commissioner Larry Maggi questioned the spending of $318,595 to build the golf course. If commissioners wish, an additional $131,121 could be spent on an add on package that includes water features. He said that that is nearly a half million dollars that could be better spent elsewhere. He feels that adding a miniature golf course would take away from the “pristine natural atmosphere” that current park visitors enjoy. Commissioner Nick Sherman feels that it is a good idea. He says that the county should be doing more to add entertainment options for the younger generations. Sherman said that earlier questions about whether the original guidelines under which the park was founded would disallow the venture are not applicable. If approved, Sherman says that construction on the project could begin in June.

Washington County Commissioners will consider a Washington County  Sportsmen’s & Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council (WCSORAC). The council would be made up of 11-15 members. Some of the positions could come from the Parks and Recreation Department, The Pennsylvania Game Commission and Boat Commission, a watershed conservation expert and possible at large members. The mission of the organization would be to promote and enhance outdoor recreation, conservation and sportsmanship. They want to protect natural habitats and expand public access to fishing, hunting, hiking and other outdoor activities. In addition to the Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commissions, the county would like to connect with local outdoor clubs and school districts and youth groups. In the first two years, the council would like to hold events like a family fishing and boating day. A County Sportsmen’s Weekend is proposed featuring hunting safety and fly casting demonstrations. It would also hold a year round “Explore Washington County” education series in schools and camps. Commissioners will vote on the measure on Thursday.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to an initial agreement to end the war, and U.S. President Donald Trump is pressuring Tehran with threats of a new wave of bombing if a deal is not reached. Trump posted Wednesday on social media that the two-month war could soon end and that oil and natural gas shipments disrupted by the conflict could restart. But he said that depends on Iran accepting a reported agreement that the president did not detail. Trump made his latest comments after he suspended a short-lived U.S. effort to force open a safe passage for commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

NEW YORK (AP) — CNN founder Ted Turner, an outspoken and often outrageous television pioneer, has died at age 87. The network says Turner died Wednesday, citing a news release from Turner Enterprises. Turner transformed an obscure Atlanta television station into the first satellite-based “superstation” and founded Cable News Network, the first 24-hour, all news TV network. The brash southerner owned sports teams, was a champion yacht racer and was married to actress Jane Fonda for 10 years. He was one of America’s most extensive landowners, and became a prolific philanthropist, donating $1 billion to the United Nations.

NEW YORK (AP) — The price of a gallon of regular gasoline climbed 31 cents in the past week, spiking to an average of $4.48 per gallon Tuesday, according to AAA. That’s up 50% since the war with Iran began. Many drivers were hopeful in mid-April, amid signs that the conflict could be winding down, and gasoline prices fell daily for almost two weeks. But as the war continued, gasoline prices reversed course and began increasing again. And energy experts say that even once the war ends, it will take months for gasoline prices to return to pre-war levels.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Republicans are rapidly pursuing redistricting efforts across the South following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that affects majority-Black congressional districts. South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, and Louisiana are all considering changes. In South Carolina, Republican leaders are targeting a district held by a longtime Black Democratic lawmaker. Alabama is debating legislation for a special congressional primary. Tennessee lawmakers are in a special session to consider a plan that could divide Memphis, a majority-Black city. Louisiana has postponed its congressional primary to allow time for a new redistricting plan. Democrats and civil rights groups are challenging these moves.

The primary election in Ohio has set up what is expected to be one of the most expensive races for U.S. Senate this year as Republicans try to hold on to the chamber, while biotech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy will face a challenge from the state’s former health director as he seeks to keep the governor’s office in GOP hands. In what promises to be one of November’s most high-profile races, former Sen. Sherrod Brown easily defeated a challenger Tuesday in the Ohio Democratic primary and will now attempt to unseat Republican Sen. Jon Husted. Elections were also held in Indiana and Michigan.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators have announced their first authorization of fruit-flavored electronic cigarettes intended for adult smokers. The Tuesday announcement from the Food and Drug Administration is a major shift that comes after months of appeals to the Trump White House from the vaping industry. As a presidential candidate, Donald Trump promised to save the vaping industry. But action on vaping and other tobacco policies has taken a backseat at the FDA. The White House has recently met with e-cigarette manufacturers who have called for the administration to loosen standards on their products. The new e-cigarettes authorized Tuesday come in mango, blueberry and two varieties of menthol.