WJPA News

Police say they have identified the suspects in a series of incidents in two Washington County communities. On Sunday, the Smith Township Police Department asked residents to check their vehicles and property after receiving multiple reports of overnight burglaries and thefts in Burgettstown and Langeloth.  Authorities announced on Wednesday that three suspects have been identified and will face charges in connection with the incidents. Police say they will update the people who made reports, though it may take time due to the “rather long list of victims.” Residents are still encouraged to check their property for missing, stolen or damaged items and report them to 911.

If  you travel within the city of Washington, make note that police say they have added additional stop signs at a couple of intersections.  Police say new stops signs have been installed following the approval of a new city ordinance by Washington City Council.  The new stop sign intersections are now in effect at Allison Avenue and Second Street and West Hallam Avenue and North Franklin Street.  Police say the changes were approved by council members through the final reading and passage of Ordinance 1989, Bill No. 3 of 2026, which amended the City Code regarding stop sign intersections.  Drivers are reminded to use caution in these areas, obey all posted traffic control devices, and remain alert for the updated traffic patterns.

PITTSBURGH — An inmate at the Allegheny County Jail died after being stabbed on Wednesday. Allegheny County police say multiple inmates entered the 44-year-old man’s cell and assaulted him at 12:48 p.m. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police say everyone involved in the incident has been accounted for. Allegheny County police are investigating, and Allegheny County Jail officials will conduct an internal review, as is standard practice. The deceased inmate’s family has been notified. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the cause and manner of death. According to our news partners at Channel 11 sources identified the victim as 44-year-old Tyrone Good. Good was in the Allegheny County Jail on a homicide charge following the death of 44-year-old Michelle Sturdivant in December. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner confirmed Good had been stabbed. He was set to be in court for a preliminary hearing next week.

ARDMORE, Pa. (AP) — Parents across the country who are worried about excessive screen time in schools are lobbying educators to go back to pencils and paper. In places like Pennsylvania’s Lower Merion School District, some families are taking it even further. Over 600 people have signed a petition asking to preserve parents’ ability to opt their children out of digital devices, setting off a clash with the school district. At a meeting Monday night, school board members said it’s not feasible to let hundreds of students opt out of technology that is essential to the curriculum.

BEIJING (AP) — President Donald Trump has called Chinese President Xi Jinping a friend, but his warm words were in stark contrast to Xi, who opened a bilateral meeting cautioning about potential conflict between the U.S. and China. The meeting unfolded behind closed, doors, but the Chinese government said Xi also used it to warn Trump that not handling Taiwan correctly could lead to “conflicts.” The leaders met for about two hours on Thursday, though Trump’s three-day visit is expected to feature more symbolism than major breakthroughs on top issues like trade and the war in Iran as well as on Washington’s relations with Taiwan. Trump nonetheless praised Xi, while China’s leader said that the U.S. and China should be partners rather than rivals.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is expanding its fraud-busting initiative in federal health programs. Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday announced a $1.3 billion deferral of Medicaid funding to California, which is said to be the largest-ever deferral. The press office of California’s governor is disputing the administration’s suspicions of fraud. The administration is also imposing a six-month freeze on some new Medicare enrollments and warning states to investigate Medicaid fraud or risk losing funding. The new efforts are part of Vance’s anti-fraud task force. Several alleged fraud schemes have been prosecuted in federal health programs, and states have acknowledged it’s a legitimate concern. But some have pushed back on the administration’s aggressive tactics.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has confirmed Kevin Warsh as chairman of the Federal Reserve. The vote to confirm Warsh on Wednesday brings new leadership to the world’s most powerful central bank at a fraught moment for the global economy. Warsh’s nomination faced uncertainty after Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina threatened to block it while the Justice Department investigated Fed Chair Jerome Powell. The Powell probe was dropped in April, allowing the Warsh confirmation to move forward. Warsh will take over as the Fed confronts stubborn inflation, deep divisions over interest rates and renewed scrutiny from President Donald Trump over its independence.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The British military says a ship anchored off the east coast of the United Arab Emirates has been seized and is heading toward Iranian territorial waters. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said it received reports that the vessel was taken by unauthorized personnel while anchored northeast of the UAE port of Fujairah, near the Strait of Hormuz. UKMTO did not name the ship and said it is investigating. Fujairah is an important oil export terminal and the UAE’s main port outside of the Persian Gulf. It has been repeatedly attacked during the war with Iran.