WJPA News

A man was flown to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh after an accident at the Washington County Fair Tuesday evening.  Washington County 911 dispatchers tell WJPA News it happened just before 6 p.m.   We are told the man suffered a leg fracture but it is unclear exactly what happened.  There is no word on his identity or condition.  The accident occurred prior to the Motocross event scheduled for 7 p.m.  No other information is currently available.

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.

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.”

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)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he is delaying the 50% U.S. tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian imports after the two countries reached a last-minute deal hours before the sanctions were to go into effect. The announcement, which Trump made late Tuesday on his social media platform, buys time for more negotiations and avoids, for now, another strain in already tense relations between the historic allies. Trump said he had paused the tariffs “based on the fact that Canada and the U.S.A., subject to the finalization of documents, have a DEAL!” Trump’s import taxes would have hit about 5% of what Canada ships to the United States every year, including products ranging from hockey sticks to tongue depressors.

Democratic voters have elevated a progressive Senate candidate in Florida, while Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, backed by President Donald Trump, won the GOP nomination as he vies to become the first Black governor of the state. This mixed outcome comes as Republican-led redistricting efforts have scrambled congressional maps. Tuesday’s contests in Florida, Alaska, Wyoming and California will shape the fiercely contested midterms this fall. Donalds joins a historic slate of Black gubernatorial nominees across the country. Meanwhile, longtime U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz won a diverse, redistricted Florida seat. The internal battle between progressive and establishment candidates continues to play out with mixed results.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Darline Graham, running in South Carolina’s runoff election, stumbled over a foreign policy question during a debate Tuesday night. When asked about Taiwan and the South China Sea, she admitted, “national security is not my thing.” Graham was appointed to fill her late brother Lindsey’s seat after his unexpected death on July 11. She’s now running against Rep. Ralph Norman in a special election. Her brother was known for his foreign policy work, which she referenced by highlighting his Air Force service. Graham has been endorsed by President Donald Trump. She and Norman advanced to the runoff in last week’s primary.

ABC has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission, alleging violation of its First Amendment rights. Tuesday’s lawsuit was a sharp escalation of the network’s battle against what it sees as the administration’s efforts to police its content. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has defended his agency’s actions against ABC, saying broadcasters have a duty to “operate in the public interest.” The FCC launched a review in April of eight ABC-owned broadcast licenses years before they expire. The order came after a joke by ABC late night host Jimmy Kimmel infuriated President Donald Trump.

HONG KONG (AP) — Shares of Unitree, one of China’s largest humanoid robot makers, have soared as much as 629% in its public stock trading debut in Shanghai. At market close, they had gained 460%. The company raised about $900 million in its listing on the Nasdaq-style STAR market. Advanced robotics is a key sector in the technology rivalry between China and the U.S. Last year, Unitree shipped over 5,000 humanoid robots, leading U.S. counterparts, according to industry data. While overseas sales account for more than 40% of Unitree’s overall revenue, a U.S. ban on new foreign-made robots could hinder its future sales in the United States.

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)