WJPA News

Authorities say a man killed eight people including a pregnant woman, children and other relatives at his home in Erie, Pennsylvania. He then took his own life. Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah says the 45-year-old man was related to seven of the victims in Friday’s shooting. The eighth was a friend of the pregnant woman. Lorah said at a news conference Saturday that video and audio evidence reviewed by investigators show two distressed women arriving at the home and pounding at the door. Then the gunman emerged and shot them. The other victims were found inside the home.

(AP) – Authorities have charged Eric Lewis with homicide for allegedly killing a police officer in Philadelphia early Saturday morning. Shane Seiber, a 10-year veteran of the police department, was shot and killed while responding to a report of a man with a gun. Another officer was also shot but is in stable condition. Lewis faces additional charges, including attempted homicide, for allegedly shooting at nine other officers. None of those officers were injured. Lewis is being held without bail. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Seiber, who is survived by his wife and two children.

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. (AP) — President Donald Trump is openly encouraging Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania to switch parties and become a Republican. Trump made the comments Saturday at Joint Base Andrews, saying Fetterman would do better as a Republican. This comes just weeks before the midterm elections, which could reshape control of Congress. Fetterman, elected to the Senate in 2022, has split with Democrats on issues like immigration, leading to speculation about a party switch. However, Fetterman has rejected the idea, stating he votes overwhelmingly with Democrats. His flirtations with the GOP could make it difficult to win the Democratic nomination for another term.  (Photo:  AP)

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico (AP) — Hurricane Simon is just off the Pacific coast of Mexico and is expected to move inland as an extremely powerful storm. Simon has strengthened to 155 mph, just below the threshold for a Category 5 storm. It is about 60 miles west-southwest of Manzanilla. The hurricane could bring 10 to 20 inches of rain over parts of southwestern Mexico, with some areas receiving up to 30 inches. The center warns of life-threatening flooding and mudslides. Jalisco state has suspended classes and begun evacuations. Businesses in Puerto Vallarta are preparing for the storm, with many boarding up windows and taking precautions.

(AP) – Isaias has weakened after making landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast near Destin, Florida. The storm hit the coast as a Category 2 hurricane Friday evening, but quickly lost power and is now considered a post-tropical cyclone. Its powerful winds left hundreds of thousands of people in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle without power early Saturday. It was the first hurricane of the Atlantic season. Meanwhile, Simon strengthened into a powerful Category 4 hurricane as it barreled toward Mexico’s coast on Saturday.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia alone is responsible for the war in Ukraine. He vows to continue strikes on Russian oil refineries despite criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump blames Zelenskyy for high diesel prices and suggests Ukraine needs a new leader. The exchange comes as Ukraine targets Russian infrastructure, including a recent drone attack on a Yandex data center. This attack disrupted services across Russia. Meanwhile, the death toll from a Russian bombing in Zaporizhzhia has risen to 23. Ukrainian officials emphasize Zelenskyy’s leadership in the fight for independence.  (Photo:  AP)

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has announced he will undergo surgery to remove a nodular lesion on his lung. The lesion was found at an early stage and is well-localized. The Vatican said Sunday the surgery is scheduled for the first days of the week, with a recovery time of about a week. Leo, who is 71 and physically active, made the announcement during his Sunday blessing. He thanked the crowd for their support and prayers. Leo has a major trip planned for November to South America, but it’s unclear if the surgery will affect his itinerary.  (Photo:  AP)