WJPA News

Gas prices are five cents higher in Western Pennsylvania this week at $4.258 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.  The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has dropped two cents over the past week to $4.09. Crude oil prices remain in the $80 per barrel range as instability lingers along the Strait of Hormuz. Gas prices are nearly a dollar higher than they were this time last year. Typically, August brings some relief at the pump as road trips wind down and fall routines get underway for many families. But elevated crude oil prices could have an impact on that seasonal shift.  According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand increased last week from 8.94 million to 9.04 million. Total domestic gasoline supply remained flat at 211.3 million. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.9 million barrels per day.  At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate rose $5.20 to settle at $84.46 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 7.2 million barrels from the previous week. At 404.5 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 7% below the five-year average for this time of year.

Pennsylvania’s senators are working to stop the spread of lanternflies.  Sen. John Fetterman and Sen. Dave McCormick joined two colleagues last week to introduce the Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act. The bipartisan bill would designate the invasive insect as a high-priority research initiative for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.  The legislation comes as the species continues to threaten the national agricultural economy, with a particular impact on Pennsylvania, where the insect was first found in 2014. Studies estimate the spotted lanternfly could cost the state $324 million annually if the population is not contained.  “Spotted lanternflies have ravaged crops that are critical to Pennsylvania’s economy including grapevines, apples, peaches, hops and more,” Fetterman said. “For over a decade, they have cost the Commonwealth millions of dollars and thousands of jobs. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill to combat this invasive species and protect our farmers.”  McCormick said the research investment is necessary to safeguard the work of local producers.  “Pennsylvania’s farmers work hard to produce some of the best agricultural products in the world and it’s concerning that their hard work is at risk of being eaten away by pests,” McCormick said. “By investing in research to combat spotted lanternflies, this bill will help protect our farms, strengthen our agricultural economy and better control this invasive species.”

State Police are investigating a brawl that broke out Saturday at EQT Park in North Franklin Township.  According to reports, the fight, involving dozens of men and woman broke out during the Tacos and Tequila Festival.  There’s been no word on what caused the fight who or started it, but videos are running on social media, posted by festival goers.  You can see punches being thrown and people converging on one another.  There were no reports of injuries.   The festival, which occurs all across the country, is about nine hours long and features a long list of R&B and hip-hop performers.

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A woman was killed in a crash over the weekend in Fayette County.  Coroner Bob Baker says it happened along  Mill Run Road (Route 381) in Springfield Township Saturday night around 9:30 p.m.  Three vehicles were involved in the crash.  Rejeanne Menard, 65, of Youngwood, was pronounced dead at the scene.  “Please remember Rejeanne’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers as they would have been celebrating her birthday today instead of her passing,” a release from Baker’s office says.

(AP) – State health officials say two people have died in the cyclospora outbreak in Michigan. They are the first confirmed deaths in the U.S. related to the microscopic parasite. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said Monday that both had underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by the intestinal illness and dehydration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says cyclospora is a microscopic, spherical parasite that commonly causes watery diarrhea “with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,” The parasite spreads through feces. In the past, people have been infected by consuming fruits or vegetables that were exposed to contaminated irrigation water.  (Photo:  AP)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has issued a formal order terminating President Donald Trump’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” to compensate his political allies. The move late Sunday follows weeks of negotiations with two Republican senators who were blocking his nomination to become attorney general. A spokeswoman for Texas Sen. John Cornyn, one of the senators holding up Blanche’s nomination, confirmed the agreement. The other GOP senator, North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, did not have immediate comment. The Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Blanche is scheduled for Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he has decided to hold off on ordering new strikes against Iran after discussions with Gulf allies. Trump told reporters on Sunday that the U.S. had planned a major attack but opted for diplomacy after receiving input from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. He said that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made clear he preferred Trump to continue pressing for a deal over launching new strikes. Trump announced on Saturday that Mideast allies had reached the “perimeters” of a deal aimed at ending the five-month-old conflict. The proposal includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing U.S. concerns about Iran’s nuclear program. Negotiations are expected to resume soon.

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — The suspect in a fatal shooting at a fast-food restaurant in Idaho died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said. The suspect has been identified as 24-year-old Chad Williams. Police on Sunday credited an off-duty officer and a citizen with firing shots at Williams, diverting him from the restaurant. Authorities said they are confident that Williams acted alone. In all, four people died, including the gunman, and seven were injured in the shooting at a recently opened In-N-Out Burger restaurant. Authorities say two of the injured were treated at a hospital and released, three were listed in stable condition and two were in critical condition.

(AP) – The Powerball jackpot is still climbing!  No tickets matched all six numbers during Saturday’s drawing: 6-17-27-38-50, and the Powerball 5. There was a 3x Power Play multiplier.  While no one hit the jackpot, there were some massive prizes won Saturday. One ticket in Virginia won $2 million and five tickets across the country snagged $1 million.   According to the Pennsylvania Lottery, two players in the state earned $50,000 prizes.  Currently, the next drawing is worth an estimated $748 million with a cash value of $325.1 million.  The largest jackpot in Powerball history is $2.04 billion won by a single ticket in California on Nov. 7, 2022.  According to Powerball officials, the overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.