WJPA News

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh has announced expanded security measures across regional Jewish institutions ahead of Rosh Hashanah, which begins the evening of Sept. 11.  The security efforts follow two months of planning and coordination with local law enforcement, requesting increased police patrols near approximately 30 Jewish community locations. The Federation is also using state grant funding for private contract security and off-duty police officers, while sharing information with the FBI.  Officials with the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, emphasized that the measures are precautionary.  Security investments have funded physical infrastructure upgrades throughout the region. Currently, thirty-six locations across Greater Pittsburgh are equipped with the Bluepoint system, an emergency technology that communicates directly and immediately with local police during an incident.

Gas prices are three cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $4.306 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.  Labor Day weekend travelers faced the highest gas prices ever for this time of year as the national average rose six cents over the past week to $4.15. Continued volatility in the Strait of Hormuz has pushed crude oil prices over $90 per barrel. After a record-setting August, this past Labor Day weekend set a record at the pump. The national average has never been above $4 per gallon on Labor Day. The current Labor Day record is $3.82, set on September 3, 2012. Even though gasoline demand decreases this time of year, typically bringing down gas prices, this year is different due to the high cost of crude oil.  According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 9.04 million barrels per day to 8.92 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 206.8 million barrels to 205.7 million. Gasoline production stayed the same as last week, averaging 9.8 million barrels per day.

The Washington Symphony Orchestra and Washington Festival Chorale will host a 9/11 Remembrance Concert at Immaculate Conception Church in Washington on September 12 at 7:00 PM. The evening will be full of music and remembrance for the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. The event is open to everyone and admission is free. Yugo Ikach, the director of the Washington Symphony Orchestra, says he hopes that attendees feel slightly changed for the better when they leave the concert. Ikach explains that music can teach, inspire, and provide hope for a better tomorrow. Ikach says that Immaculate Conception Church has a beautiful interior and amazing acoustics, which makes it a perfect space for this event. Lori Greene, the President of the Board of the Washington Festival Chorale and the Chorale manager, says that both groups support each other, and they are looking forward to a collaboration. Advance registration is encouraged but not required. Seats can be reserved at www.washsym.org.

ALLENPORT, Pa. — A vehicle crashed onto docks in Washington County.  The Stockdale Fire Department said crews were called to the Allenport Marina around 7:30 p.m. Saturday night.  A Honda CR-V crashed over an embankment and onto the docks, hitting a gas pump along the way.  Firefighters said everyone at the scene was checked for injuries, with nothing major reported.  Bujanowski Towing helped remove the crashed vehicle from the scene.  The RESA Regional Police Department is investigating. (PHOTO; Stockdale Fire Department)

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) announced that 582 measles cases have been confirmed across 37 counties in Pennsylvania so far in 2026, as the Department continues its response to the ongoing measles outbreak and provides Pennsylvanians with updated information on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.  The DOH is providing statewide data to help Pennsylvanians and health care providers understand measles activity and community transmission across the Commonwealth.   While daily numbers fluctuate, tracking these trends provides Pennsylvanians and health care providers with visibility into community transmission across the Commonwealth and helps inform the Department’s ongoing response.  Key updates include seven new positive cases since September 4, in thirty-seven counties; five-hundred and eighty-two total cumulative cases, 102 hospitalizations and two deaths.  (Photo:  AP)

TORONTO (AP) — Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on about $20 billion worth of U.S. goods take effect Tuesday, turning its escalating trade war with President Donald Trump into a test watched far beyond the border: Can a country much smaller than the United States stand up to Trump and succeed? Prime Minister Mark Carney has rejected U.S. demands he says could hollow out key Canadian industries and limit the country’s independence, while Trump’s threats to Canada’s sovereignty have rallied the public behind him. Other governments are watching to see what happens after Canada hits back. The measures hit hundreds of American products at rates of 15%, 25% or 50%, including steel, aluminum, cheese, appliances, clothing, cosmetics and farm equipment.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Control of the U.S. Senate is up for grabs with less than two months until Election Day. Republicans appeared to have a firm grip on the majority at the start of the 2026 election cycle. But Democrats are now competing in states that once seemed well beyond their reach. President Donald Trump’s slipping approval ratings and voters’ dissatisfaction with the economy have created a difficult political environment for Republicans. Some races Democrats once counted on winning, such as Michigan and Maine, have grown more complicated. The implications are huge for Trump’s agenda and his ability to fill administration jobs and open court seats, as the Senate is empowered to confirm or block appointments.

CAIRO (AP) — Houthi attacks have ignited fires at several oil facilities and utilities in Saudi Arabia’s southern region and wounded more than 70 people. Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, a spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, said the attacks early Tuesday hit “civilian and economic facilities” in the Saudi cities. The wave of Houthi attacks were a major escalation in the renewed conflict between an important U.S. ally and the Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen. The kingdom’s Energy Ministry said operations at the oil facilities and utilities were temporarily suspended.

MIAMI (AP) — Authorities say the five people killed when an Amazon cargo jet ran off the runway at Miami International Airport were all inside a van used to shuttle crews that clean planes. The jet crashed as it tried to land Sunday afternoon, overrunning its runway. It slammed into the van on airport property, through a fence and then on to a local street where it destroyed an SUV. The pilot and co-pilot have been released from the hospital. Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said Tuesday that two people remain in critical condition, and a third is in stable condition. The deceased ranged in age from 47 to 75.

HONOLULU (AP) — Damaging winds and heavy rains from Hurricane Lowell pelted Hawaii’s western islands, causing widespread power outages. The storm’s center passed west of the islands early Tuesday and now is moving away from Hawaii. But there’s still the threat of floods and mudslides. The island of Kauai has widespread power outages. Officials there are asking everyone to stay off the roadways so that emergency crews can get out. Damage assessments are just beginning. Road crews were clearing sand and rocks from a major route along Oahu’s western edge after floodwaters topped a coastal highway, north of Honolulu.

BRUSSELS (AP) — The victory of a far-right party in a German state election has raised alarm across Europe. Many fear it heralds the demise of an anti-fascist consensus dating back to the defeat of the Nazis. But while anti-immigration and pro-Russian parties have made major inroads in recent years, they have also suffered some notable setbacks, and in some places they have been forced by the reality of coalition politics to soften their views. Voters have also repeatedly cast out incumbents in recent years, regardless of their ideology.