WJPA News

Governor Josh Shapiro, on Tuesday, unveiled his fifty-three point-two billion-dollar spending plan to lawmakers in Harrisburg. This is the first step in the budget process and his plans may sound a bit familiar. Shapiro wants the legalization and taxation of adult use cannabis in the Commonwealth; taxing and regulating skill game terminals throughout the state. There are some 40,000 skill games and he is calling for a fifty-two-percent tax on the revenue. In addition, Shapiro says he would like to see some five-hundred and sixty-five million dollars for public education as part of an effort to try and bring more more money to underfunded schools. Shapiro also addressed the current hot topics of data centers – saying he’d like to get some of those facilities to create their own power sources.  (File Photo:  AP)

BENTLEYVILLE, Pa. — Two people were flown to hospitals after a fire at Bentley Tower in Bentleyville Monday night. Washington County 9-1-1 says the fire broke out just after 9 p.m. The senior high-rise along Washington Street has a total of 90 units.  Fire and smoke reportedly originated in a unit on the seventh floor.  At this time, no other information is available including what may have caused the fire.

The State Police Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed a barn at the historic Ross Farm in North Bethlehem Township Monday night. Authorities say the call came in just after eleven o’clock, and although there were no human injuries, some 150 sheep were killed. Troopers say there were possible electrical issues that may have started the blaze, but the official cause has not yet been determined.

Washington City Council got a review from Council Public Works Director Joe Pintola on the success of removing snow from city streets. Pintola said that right off the bat, three of the four city trucks used for snow removal broke down. Two trucks were back in service within one shift. The third returned to service a week later. Three independent contractors were hired when federal monies became available after the city enacted a disaster declaration. Pintola says that all metered areas of city streets will be clear as of 2/3/2026. He is concerned about road salt. Road crews are down to a minimal amount. Pintola says that salt has been on order for several weeks, but excuses from the supplier change indicating that the salt is either on rail cars or barges. He did say that the city does have a supply of cinders that can be used on hills to keep traffic moving if additional snow arrives before the salt. He said that businesses did a fine job of cleaning sidewalks. He asks residents to make sure their sidewalks are clear as code enforcement officers will be dispatched to issue fines. In other city business, a public hearing will be held at 5:00 pm on Thursday to go over the demolition list of properties for 2026. Council will then go into their voting meeting beginning at 6:00 pm.

Washington County continues to make preparations for America’s 250th Anniversary this year, and the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency (WCTPA) has announced the approval of five new projects through the American Spirit Grant Program. The projects, recently approved by the Tourism Agency’s Board of Directors, represent more than $100,000 in new local investments to enhance public spaces, strengthen community identity, and celebrate the county’s history.  Officials say applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and all funded projects must be completed by July 4, 2026 to be eligible for reimbursement.  To date, 15 projects have been approved by WCTPA totaling $354,750.  The newest projects to receive funding are McDonald Borough to pay for the completion of Phase III of its Heritage Park Upgrades, transforming the park into a fully functional tourism and event destination.  Chartiers Township will construct a shade structure and seating area at the newly installed pickle-ball courts in Arnold Park.  Canonsburg Borough will advance its Past Meets Present mural project, featuring a large-scale downtown mural celebrating the borough’s historical significance and future vision.  California Borough will construct an America 250 Gateway to California, a monument-style welcome sign at the borough’s entrance along Wood Street and Cross Creek Township will install a digital welcome and community information sign along the Route 50 corridor.

The Canonsburg Senior Center along East Pike Street will remain closed at least one more day -thanks to a water line break.  WJPA News spoke with Canonsburg Mayor Dave Rhome who tells us that the break occurred (most likely because of the bitter cold) in the front of the building where the offices and activity rooms are located.  The water has been turned off, but Rhome says there is extensive damage.  Rhome says crews have been tearing out dry wall, flooring and baseboards and the rooms still need to dry out, so the center will remain closed on Wednesday and will hopefully be able to re-open on Thursday.

The National Football League, in partnership with VisitPITTSBURGH and the Steelers, have released the first official renderings of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. The new renderings show a two-site Draft campus designed to showcase Pittsburgh’s landmarks, waterways and skyline, according to VisitPITTSBURGH. The Draft Theater and Main Stage will be located outside of Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore. The Draft Theater will be a viewing area that will create a dramatic setting for pick selections and televised coverage. A part of the NFL Draft Experience, the league’s interactive fan festival, will be located at Point State Park. It will feature interactive activities, youth programming, food and beverage offerings and immersive NFL exhibits designed for fans of all ages. The 2026 NFL Draft will take place April 23-25 and some five-hundred to seven-hundred thousands fans are expected attend.  (Photo:  AP)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has passed a roughly $1.2 trillion spending package to end a partial government shutdown. The bill went to President Donald Trump who signed it.  The vote wraps up congressional work on 11 of the 12 annual appropriations bills, funding the vast majority of the government for the budget year ending Sept. 30. The last bill still to be worked out covers the Department of Homeland Security where Democrats are demanding more restrictions on enforcement operations. Trump has said he will sign the bill once it reaches his desk.

State and local officials are pushing back against federal plans to expand immigrant detention facilities. President Donald Trump’s administration is scouting locations across the U.S. for new sites, sparking protests and legal challenges. In Minnesota, fatal shootings during immigration enforcement have intensified scrutiny on ICE. In Virginia, a proposed detention center drew hundreds of people to a tense public hearing. Kansas City officials have passed a moratorium attempt to block a new ICE detention site. Meanwhile, New Mexico’s legislature is advancing a bill to ban state and local contracts for ICE facilities. A law Trump signed last year includes $45 billion to expand ice detention facilities.

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Investigators have found signs of forced entry at the Arizona home of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother. That’s according to a person familiar with the investigation who spoke Tuesday to The Associated Press. Meanwhile, the host asked for prayers to help bring back the missing 84-year-old. Authorities believe she was taken against her will. The sheriff said Nancy Guthrie must be found soon because she could die without her medication. Investigators also found evidence showing there was a nighttime kidnapping. Several of Guthrie’s personal items, including her cellphone, wallet and her car, were still at the home.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are agreeing to testify in a House investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. But the Republican leading the probe says an agreement had not yet been finalized. Rep. James Comer, the chair of the House Oversight Committee, was advancing criminal contempt of Congress charges against both Clintons Monday evening for defying a congressional subpoena. Attorneys for the Clintons emailed staff for the Oversight panel, saying the pair would accept Comer’s demands and “will appear for depositions on mutually agreeable dates.” But Comer says an agreement had not been reached to avoid a contempt vote.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The secretary of Homeland Security is requiring that all the department’s officers on the ground in Minneapolis wear body cameras. Secretary Kristi Noem made the announcement Monday on the social media platform X. Minneapolis has been the site of intense scrutiny over the conduct of immigration enforcement agents. There have been increased calls by critics of Homeland Security to require all of the department’s officers who are responsible for immigration enforcement to wear body cameras. President Donald Trump said the decision was up to Noem but added that he thought it was generally good for law enforcement to wear cameras.

(AP) – Disney is naming parks chief Josh D’Amaro as its next CEO, succeeding Bob Iger. D’Amaro has served as Disney Experiences Chairman, spearheading efforts for the company’s theme parks, cruises and resorts. The decision on the next chief executive at Disney comes almost four years after the company’s choice to replace Iger went badly, forcing Iger back into the job. Only two years after stepping down as CEO, Iger returned to Disney in 2022 after a period of clashes, missteps and a weakening financial performance under his hand-picked successor, Bob Chapek.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that Russia has launched a major attack on Ukraine with around 450 drones and 70 missiles. The strikes reported Tuesday came a day before U.S.-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi. Zelenskyy said that Russia targeted the power grid again in five regions of Ukraine in a bid to deny civilians light, heating and water during a harsh winter. At least 10 people were wounded. Zelenskyy urged allies to send more air defense supplies and increase pressure on Russia. Talks between Moscow and Kyiv have been described as constructive. But a comprehensive settlement remains distant.

NEW YORK (AP) — Chuck Negron, a founding member of the soul-rock sensations Three Dog Night, has died. Negron sang lead on such hits as “One” and “Just an Old Fashioned Love Song” and hollered the immortal opening line “Jeremiah was a bullfrog!” on the chart-topping “Joy to the World.” Between 1969 and 1974, Three Dog Night was among the world’s most successful acts with 18 top 20 singles and 12 albums certified gold. Negron’s publicist said he died Monday of complications from heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at his home in Los Angeles. He was 83.