WJPA News

(WPXI)-Pittsburgh Steelers legend Jack Ham experienced a medical emergency Saturday. Ham, a Penn State Sports Network analyst, was in Seattle for the Nittany Lions’ game against the Washington Huskies, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time. In a statement, Penn State Athletics said Ham was taken to the University of Washington Medical Center, where he’s being treated. During a post-game press conference, Penn State head coach Matt Campbell said Ham is stable. Campbell credited play-by-play announcer Steve Jones for providing aid to Ham. “I think we should all know that Steve Jones and the heroic effort that he did for one of his — man, someone that he loves dearly, and if it’s not for Steve, you know, and what he did, I don’t know if we’d have as good of news as we do right now,” Campbell said. Ham was All-American at Penn State and drafted 34th overall in the 1971 NFL Draft. A linebacker, Ham played his entire career with the Steelers, who won four Super Bowls (IX, X, XIII and XIV) during his 12 seasons. Ham was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990. Washington Athletics issued a statement, saying, “The Washington community sends its thoughts and prayers to Jack Ham, his family and the Penn State community.”

Now that it is fall with cooler temperatures and shorter days, motorists may notice more deer along roadways. According to AAA, along with more deer, come more automobile accidents associated with deer strikes. According to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAAFTS), more than one third of deer-vehicle collisions occur during October and November. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation says in 2025, there were more than 6300 deer related crashes in Pennsylvania causing 11 deaths. Most of the crashes were on rural roads, during dark conditions with speeds of 45 mph or higher. AAA suggests several practices that motorists can use to avoid accidents with deer. They include; pay attention to road signs, stay focused on the road, be attentive in early morning and early evening hours, use high beams when appropriate and slow down and watch for other deer to appear. If you are involved in a deer strike, AAA recommends that you call police, avoid making contact with the animal, put on hazard lights and if possible, move the vehicle to the side of the road and wait for help.

U.S. Senator John Fetterman was in Washington on Friday, to discuss potential funding opportunities and assistance for critical flood mitigation projects throughout the community.  City of Washington officials, along with borough officials from East Washington, participated in a meeting with Senator Fetterman, followed by a tour of several areas impacted by recurring flooding. Washington Mayor JoJo Burgess say the tour provided an opportunity to highlight ongoing concerns, discuss the challenges facing our communities, and emphasize the importance of securing funding for necessary flood mitigation improvements.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health released their latest update on the measles outbreak in Pennsylvania. Since November 4, there have been 20 newly confirmed cases of measles. That brings the total number of cases to 1487 across 45 counties. There have been 287 total hospitalizations and 6 confirmed measles associated deaths. The Department of Health says that the best protection against the measles is being fully vaccinated. The MMR vaccine administered over two doses provides 97% lifetime protection.

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!

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’s offered the job of White House press secretary to his friend and UFC boss Dana White. Trump made that announcement on his social media site. White said Saturday that he plans to meet with Trump on Monday at the White House. No one in the White House immediately confirmed it. Trump was at his Florida golf club on Saturday when he posted that he’d made the offer to “the Great Dana White, a violent Fighter and Warrior” to become the Republican president’s chief spokesperson. White, who was in London for a boxing event, said he planned to fly to Washington right after for Monday’s meeting.

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Pope Leo XIV is wrapping up his visit to Uruguay by marking an important Catholic feast day that is tied to the country’s independence. Leo was traveling to the city of Florida, north of Montevideo, to commemorate the feast of the Virgin of the Thirty-three. Every year, thousands of pilgrims flock to the city to pray before the small wooden icon of the Virgin Mary. Leo is celebrating Mass there before heading to Argentina for the most politically delicate leg of his three-nation South American tour.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge says she intends to appoint an ex-top federal prosecutor in the nation’s capital during President Donald Trump’s first term to investigate whether she was purposefully misled by lawyers and administration officials in a lawsuit challenging the renovation of a historic public golf course along the Potomac River. Former U.S. Attorney Jessie Liu would examine whether officials with the Interior Department and the National Park Service and attorneys with the Department of Justice violated ethics or misled U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes during the course of the case that was initiated in February by the DC Preservation League and two golfers.

JERUSALEM (AP) — U.S. Central Command says it has disabled a St. Kitts-flagged ship after it ignored warnings and tried to leave the region following a visit to an Iranian port. U.S. forces have been enforcing a naval blockade on Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route. The last confirmed U.S. strike on a cargo vessel was nearly a month ago. Iran state media reported explosions on Qeshm Island and in the port of Jask. The cause is unclear, and the U.S. military hasn’t commented. President Trump confirmed limited strikes against Iran, describing them as “minor.”

KRAKOW, Poland (AP) — Poland is in mourning after a 24-year-old man with far-right views drove into a busy square in Krakow and opened fire, killing six people and wounding 15. The attack happened Saturday in Main Square, a major tourist hub. Police shot and wounded the attacker, who is also linked to three other deaths at his family home. Authorities describe the incident as an “act of terror.” The square remained partially closed Sunday as investigations continued. Two police officers who stopped the attacker are hospitalized, with one in critical condition.

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP) — A Russian drone has struck emergency workers on rescue missions in southern Ukraine. Authorities say the attack on Sunday hit a former school and nearby shelter in the village of Komyshuvakha, previously targeted by Russian bombs. Ukraine said that Monday’s attack killed at least 55 people. No injuries were reported in Sunday’s strike but rescue equipment was damaged. Around 50 people remain missing and DNA analysis is ongoing. On Saturday, a farewell ceremony was held for six officers killed in the strikes. Community members mourned the loss of loved ones and urged international action.