WJPA News

Gas prices are 12 cents higher in Western Pennsylvania this week at $4.698 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.  The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is down six cents from last week at $4.29 even though crude oil prices are up to around $100 per barrel. The national average has stayed above $4 per gallon since late July and is currently more than a dollar higher than it was this time last year. The fall months typically bring lower gas prices, but volatility in the oil market has led to seasonal record highs this year.  According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 8.76 million barrels per day to 8.40 million. Total domestic gasoline supply increased from 204.7 million barrels to 208.3 million. Gasoline production decreased from 9.34 million barrels per day to 9.23 million barrels.

Pennsylvania’s Act 57 took effect Monday, creating a state approval system for e-cigarettes and vape products that makes most items currently on store shelves illegal to sell.  Attorney General Dave Sunday stated the legislation aims to crack down on sales of nicotine products to minors.  Under the law, vape products must be approved by the state before they can be sold to consumers. The regulation also applies to online sales and manufacturers attempting to ship products into the commonwealth.  Retailers that continue selling unapproved products face financial penalties. Stores will be assessed a $500 fine for each unapproved item that remains on store shelves.  State approval has been granted to a small fraction of applicants so far. Only six of the 28 manufacturers that have applied for approval have been accepted. Manufacturers who apply for approval face thousands of dollars in new application fees, and on Friday, Attorney General Dave Sunday’s team said most of the applications aren’t complete, and they are waiting for companies to follow up.  Any illegal product that stores have after the deadline is now deemed a total loss.  (Photo:  AP) 

GEORGES TOWNSHIP, Pa. — State Police are investigating a deadly shooting Sunday in Fayette County.  Troopers were called to the 700 block of Walnut Hill Road in Georges Township around 1 p.m. for a reported domestic incident and shooting.  They found Shaun Davis, 39,  inside the home and say he died enroute to the hospital.  State police have not disclosed any suspects or arrests, though they say there’s no threat to the public.  The investigation is ongoing.

The NFL says there’s been no change of plans for next Sunday’s game in Paris between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints despite civil unrest in the French capital. The teams are set to play next Sunday at Stade de France in what would be the NFL’s first regular-season game in Paris where events are also planned for football fans. The league says “preparations continue as scheduled” and that they’re in contact with security officials. The NFL adds, “There’s been no disruption or impact at league sites.” The Saints were scheduled to arrive in Paris early Monday. The Steelers travel later in the week.

A No Kings, Vote Early rally was held at the Washington County Courthouse Saturday afternoon. Attendees lined Main Street to protest President Donald Trump’s policies and encourage others to vote in the upcoming election. Donna Patrina, the president of the Washington-Greene Central Labor Council, was happy with the turnout and says she hopes everyone shows up to vote on November 3rd.

Billionaire Elon Musk on Monday pledged to give one share of his company SpaceX to “every kid in America” next year. The offer arrived a day after artificial intelligence company Anthropic announced in a social media post that it will commit 5% of its shares to a new “public benefit” fund. In a response to that Sunday post, Musk wrote “I recommend giving the shares directly to the public.” SpaceX’s stock closed at $146.03 on Friday. Anthropic said Sunday that the shares it is committing will go to the Anthropic Public Benefit Fund, a new entity within the company. The fund’s worth will potentially increase as the shares grow in value.  (Photo:  AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — High fuel prices are making it more expensive to drive, fly and buy some goods more than seven months into the U.S.-Iran war. That’s prolonging the strain on American households as the midterm elections approach., The chief economist at Moody’s Analytics estimates the war has cost the average U.S. household the equivalent of almost $2,000, including $1,100 related to energy. Motorists and airline passengers so far have borne the clearest consequences from disrupted Middle East oil shipments. The elevated cost of making and moving goods hasn’t translated into across-the-board retail price increases. Shoppers may not be spared indefinitely, though.

HONG KONG (AP) — China says its economy grew 4.5% for the July-September quarter from a year ago. That moves the country closer to meeting its annual growth target as the year nears its end. The better-than-expected official data issued Monday accelerated from the 4.3% year-on-year growth recorded in April-June, which was the slowest expansion in more than three years. It also comes at a time when China’s trading partners, including many European Union nations, feel an increased urgency to balance their trade deficits with the country. For the whole year, Chinese leaders have set a growth target of 4.5%-5%, down from last year’s 5% expansion. Experts say China is likely to meet the lower end of that goal.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has attacked Kyiv with ballistic missiles and drones, killing one person and injuring eight others. Local authorities say the attack damaged buildings and infrastructure in three districts. Ukraine’s Air Force reports that Russia launched a large-scale overnight air attack with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and 269 drones. Ukrainian air defenses have destroyed or suppressed 243 drones and four missiles. The Russian Defense Ministry claims it carried out a “massive strike” on targets in Ukraine with “ground-based high-precision weapons and strike drones.” The attack damaged a data center, logistics hub, industrial facility and locomotive depot in Kyiv.