WJPA News

Gas prices are nine cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $4.532 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.  The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is down 16 cents from last week to $4.00. Gas prices have been going down for nearly two weeks, as crude oil has dipped back into the high $80 – low $90 per barrel range. But pump prices remain the highest they’ve ever been during this time of year. Before 2026, the national average had never gone above $4 per gallon during the month of November. Currently, the national average is more than one dollar higher than it was a year ago.  According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand increased last week from 8.35 million barrels per day to 8.80 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased slightly from 209.2 million barrels to 209 million. Gasoline production increased from 9.24 million barrels per day to 9.70 million barrels.

MONONGAHELA, Pa. — A family is upset after a video appears to show an on-duty police officer using a homophobic slur while speaking to a group of teenagers. The family of a 15-year-old boy said they did not want to speak on camera but gave our news partners at Channel 11 permission to share the video. The boy’s mother wrote on Facebook that her son and the other teens had been loitering and making noise at a McDonald’s before the encounter.  In the video, the officer is heard saying, “When you turn 18, I’ll be glad to put you in jail, you (expletive).” In another clip, the officer says, “Wait until you get a $500 fine. See how (expletive) funny that is.”  Monongahela Police Chief Kevin Harris confirmed  the officer works for the department and says he is working to address the officer’s behavior.  It is not clear what action, if any, will be taken against the officer.

We are quickly closing in on Thanksgiving.  It’s just three weeks away and 2000 Turkeys needs  your help.  The annual fundraiser, sponsored by WJPA Radio and the Observer Reporter, raises much needed funding to provide a complete Thanksgiving dinner to thousands of families who might not otherwise enjoy the day.  This year, as food and fuel costs continue to climb, the need is great.  A special thanks goes out to Washington Financial Bank.  CEO Michael Chaido stopped in the WJPA studios to present a fifteen-thousand-dollar check from the bank and another five-thousand-dollar check from the bank’s charitable foundation.  Our 2000 Turkeys goal this year is 165-thousand-dollars, and to date, we have raised 100-thousand-dollars.  We are also hitting the streets again this year.  Range Resource’s Day is set for Wednesday, November 18^th from eight a.m. until two p.m. in downtown Washington and Canonsburg.  Employees and volunteers will be out asking for your help to reach our goal.  If you would like to help, you can send a check to P.O. Box 2000, Washington, Pennsylvania, 15301, or bring your donation to WJPA Radio at 98 South Main Street or the Observer Reporter at 122 South Main Street, both in Washington.  We are also, for the first time this year, accepting on-line donations using Zeffy.  You can find the link on the WJPA and Observer Reporter websites.  Thank you!

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration is adding a new warning about possible rare cases of vision loss reported with popular drugs used for weight loss and diabetes, such as Ozempic. FDA regulators on Monday said the warning information will be added to all GLP-1 drugs, the blockbuster medications whose popularity has exploded in recent years. The new language warns doctors of a rare eye condition that can cause loss of vision. The agency says the problem can be permanent and is not fully understood. The FDA says the issue has been reported with all GLP-1 drugs on the market, though it occurs in only a tiny fraction of patients.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky has filed a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The swift action came as the House opened Monday, following the midterm elections, and sets the stage for a dramatic vote on whether to remove one of the Trump administration’s most prominent figures. The resolution largely focuses on the war in Iran but also includes references to Hegseth’s role in carrying out military actions in Yemen and Venezuela. Massie said Hegseth’s actions amount to “high crimes and misdemeanors.” A vote in the House could come by mid-week, putting pressure on Republicans — many of whom blamed their election wipeout on the Iran war.  (Photo:  AP)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress returns to a changed Washington after Democrats trounced Republicans in the midterm elections. Also Monday, Stephen Miller becomes President Donald Trump’s new chief of staff as the White House doubles down on the president’s political threats despite the landmark GOP losses. It’s the start of a six-week lame-duck sprint for Congress as Republicans try to wrap up work before Democrats take charge in January. Newly elected lawmakers have arrived on Capitol Hill for orientation sessions. Jubilant Democrats, with families in tow, appear emboldened by the party’s sweep of power. The trickle of Republicans coming in spoke soberly of the GOP’s challenges ahead.

LONDON (AP) — Russell Brand has been sentenced to 10 1/2 years in prison for raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others. A jury found him guilty of these crimes, which date back to 2004. Judge Joel Bennathan said Brand showed a “casual and arrogant disregard” for women. Brand, known for his outrageous stand-up routines and battles with drugs, claimed innocence, saying all encounters were consensual. However, the jury convicted him on four of six accusations. Brand’s supporters, including his wife and father, were present in court. The accusers spoke about the lasting impact of his actions.