WJPA News

Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying several suspects who they believe may be linked to car thefts in two Southwestern Pennsylvania counties.  On Aug. 5 at around 1:42 a.m., the North Strabane Township Police Department responded to a report of a stolen vehicle on McClelland Road.  Police said the three alleged actors are also believed to be linked to other stolen vehicles in Washington and Allegheny counties.  They are believed to have ties to the Canonsburg, Carnegie and Verona areas.  Anyone with information regarding the identity of any of these suspects is asked to contact the North Strabane Township Police Department tip line at 724-746-4090 or submit information via email at tips@nstpd.com.  (Photo:  WPXI)

The first adult charged in connection with a sextortion ring involving high school students was set to face a judge – when Aaron White, 30 that learned his case was being postponed.  White was charged at the end of last month after police were investigating Zachariah Meyers’ sextortion case.  Meyers was the Peters Township Senior Class president charged with running a sextortion operation that targeted his classmates.  As detectives were investigating his case, they examined one of the victim’s phones, and they say they discovered disturbing messages and photos from Aaron White.  At this point, it’s unclear if Meyers and White were working together.  According to investigators, White was communicating with the teenage boy on Snapchat.  When investigators questioned White, police say he admitted to exchanging videos and pictures with the teen.  White’s preliminary hearing was rescheduled for two weeks from now.  A second adult was charged as a third person connected to the sextortion scheme earlier this month.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — More governors are shifting their stances or taking more steps to squeeze data centers, as the midterm elections near and public opinion sours on the energy-hungry behemoths. The backlash to the server warehouses is enveloping races for governor in some of the nation’s biggest states and presidential battlegrounds. On Tuesday, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said his administration would no longer put data center projects at the head of the line when it comes to issuing construction permits or granting tax exemptions if they don’t meet certain standards. Meanwhile in Texas, Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa released a TV ad in rural markets accusing Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of selling out residents to data center executives and companies.  (Photo:  AP)

STATE COLLEGE — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that the leader of a cocaine-trafficking ring involving Penn State University students and two student fraternities surrendered Tuesday morning.  Agostino Abbatiello, 24, was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Kelley Gillette-Walker on numerous felonies, including multiple counts of possession with intent to deliver (cocaine), and conspiracy.  The district judge denied bail at arraignment. Abbatiello and 13 other defendants were charged Monday morning. Abbatiello failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment Monday morning.  Thirteen of the charged defendants were Penn State University students at or around the time of the alleged conduct, in 2023 and 2024. According to the investigation and a grand jury presentment, Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson were the main suppliers for the criminal organization, making regular trips to Philadelphia and New York for large quantities of cocaine.  The cocaine was then cut and packaged — primarily at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses — and distributed mainly to Penn State University students.  “We are pleased to report that the most significant members of this cocaine-trafficking organization are accounted for, and will have their fair process in court,” Attorney General Sunday said. “These are very serious charges and the next steps will be preliminary hearings.”  Abbatiello, Robinson, and two others — Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat — are charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and related offenses. A fifth person, Robert Zanolla, is charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility, and related misdemeanors.  The eight other student-aged defendants charged are facing misdemeanor counts of possession and paraphernalia. They are: Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price, and Charles Wiseman.  Paul Robinson — Thomas Robinson’s father — is charged with felony tampering, hindering apprehension for taking steps to conceal evidence, including a safe containing drugs and cash, and obstructing the investigation.

SPEERS BOROUGH, Pa. — Three people were injured in a crash in Speers Borough Monday afternoon.  The Charleroi Fire Department posted online that the crash happened near the intersection of State Street and Maple Drive just before 4 p.m. Firefighters said all three people were transported from the scene by ambulance.  The crash involved three vehicles, with one sustaining heavy front-end damage.

JERUSALEM (AP) — A marathon meeting between U.S. negotiator Jared Kushner and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left the fate of the Gaza ceasefire unclear. Officials signaled moderate optimism after Monday’s talks but offered no concrete commitment by Israel to the latest US-proposed plan. American negotiators appeared to acquiesce to Israeli demands that Hamas disarmament must come before any reconstruction of the devastated Palestinian enclave. They did not publicly signal that Israel had made any commitments to withdraw its troops from the 60% of Gaza they currently occupy. That’s a major sticking point in the plan.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung says a solid alliance with the United States strengthens foundation of national security. Lee’s comments Tuesday come as many South Koreans remain baffled and concerned about U.S. President Donald Trump’s abrupt order to “substantially reduce” military exercises with South Korea. Trump made the announcement just before U.S. and South Korean soldiers began annual exercises on Monday designed to sharpen readiness against North Korean threats. Trump cited what he said was a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s refusal to join the war against Iran.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Florida voters cast ballots Tuesday for Republican and Democratic nominees for governor, U.S. Senate and several congressional races. The primaries will define a midterm ballot set to test President Donald Trump’s grip on his adopted state. Congressman Byron Donalds is hoping with Trump’s backing to dominate the Republican field and be elected in November as Florida’s first Black governor. Eleven-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is running in a new near-majority Black district under a GOP-led redrawing of congressional districts. And Ashley Moody, the Senate appointee who replaced Marco Rubio when he became secretary of state, is seeking the GOP nod to run for the final two years of the term.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is pitching a plan to help shield local police officers who make immigration arrests from possible financial consequences if they are accused of on-duty misconduct. A planning document released Friday says the agency is proposing to subsidize liability insurance for state and local officers who are trained and deputized to enforce federal immigration laws. ICE’s partnerships with local departments have soared since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last year and may get an additional boost with liability insurance by removing a hurdle that has made some local police departments reluctant to join. The Associated Press is the first to report on this insurance proposal.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Opening statements started Tuesday in a pivotal trial for Meta Platforms in a California federal court, where states are seeking billions of dollars in damages for social media harms to children. Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are seeking extensive financial damages plus changes to how the company operates Facebook and Instagram. Twenty-nine states sued the tech giant in 2023 over child safety and privacy. The other 25 will go to trial later. The company also faces lawsuits in state courts. Meta said in a statement that it believes it has a strong case.

SANTA ANA ZIROSTO, Mexico (AP) — Authorities have lifted a U.S. security alert that halted avocado exports from Michoacán, Mexico’s main avocado-producing state. The alert had left around 200,000 workers in limbo while the military set up increased security measures. By the weekend, orchards and packing plants were back in operation, and U.S. inspectors had returned to certify the fruit. Some workers are relieved to have their wages back, while others fear the calm won’t last. The region is plagued by violence and extortion from local cartels. Increased security measures have been deployed, but growers remain cautious, hoping for lasting improvements.

NEW YORK (AP) — Frank Beard, the drummer for ZZ Top, has died at 77. He passed away Tuesday at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, with family by his side. ZZ Top sold over 50 million records and had six No. 1 singles on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. The band, formed in 1969, was known for hits like “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs.” They maintained their original lineup for over five decades. Their unique style and humor made them popular in Hollywood and MTV. Beard is survived by his wife, Debbie Meredith, and three children.  (Photo:   AP)