March 16, 2026 12:28 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Extreme weather conditions from coast to coast are putting over 100 million people across the U.S. in the path of rough conditions on Monday. Storms across the nation’s eastern half forced airlines to cancel more than 3,000 flights nationwide Monday, and many schools closed early in the mid-Atlantic states where high winds and tornadoes were in the forecast. Blizzards buried parts of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota while torrential rains flooded homes and washed out roads in Hawaii. California is dealing with unusually high temperatures for this time of year. Areas near San Francisco could see temperatures in the high 80s. (Photo: AP)
March 16, 2026 5:44 pm
(AP) – Storms sweeping across the eastern half of the country are disrupting air travel across the United States. FlightAware reported more than 3,500 flights canceled Monday and about 6,300 others delayed. The storms already dumped heavy snow across parts of the Midwest and were moving toward the East Coast with strong winds and the threat of tornadoes. The travel disruptions come during a busy period for airports, with spring break vacations and fans traveling for March Madness games. Meanwhile, a partial government shutdown affecting the Transportation Security Administration has stretched staffing at some airport security checkpoints, leading to longer lines in some places.
March 16, 2026 4:40 pm
Gas prices are stable in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.733 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. Spring Break season is here as the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped nearly 24 cents since last week to $3.71. The last time the national average was in the $3.70 range was October of 2023. Gasoline demand increases this time of year as the weather warms up and more drivers hit the road. Gas prices are also rising due to the conflict in Iran. The national average has gone up 73 cents since the conflict began on February 28th. Crude oil prices play a major role in what drivers pay at the pump, and prices have surpassed the $100/barrel mark multiple times in recent days. To help offset rising prices, the U.S. announced it will release 172 million barrels of oil from its strategic reserves over four months. The move is part of a broader effort by the International Energy Agency to release a total of 400 million barrels of oil, the largest emergency release in its history.
March 16, 2026 12:24 pm
The McDonald Police Department is sending a warning to parents after seizing several BB guns that were modified to look real. Police said they found two of these guns this month that were reportedly modified with metal parts and fake gun manufacturer stampings in order to look real. “In past incidents across the country, suspects have been shot by police and citizens brandishing these facsimile guns. We would advise parents to educate their children on the danger that these items can present,” the McDonald Police Department said in a statement. Police said one gun was found in a case involving a fight and another was found in a suspicious activity case that involved marijuana, gummies, a THC vape, wax and spray paint. They added that both of the juveniles said they had the guns “for protection.” Both juveniles are facing charges, police say. (Photo: McDonald Police Department Facebook page)
March 15, 2026 5:04 am
West Penn Power is reporting more than 900 customers are without power as strong winds continue across the region. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory that is in effect until 11 a.m. According to West Penn’s outage map, the hardest his area is Nottingham Township with more than 200 customers without service. Other area include; Smith Township 72, Hanover Township 61, Cecil Township 51, Mt Pleasant 48, Chartiers Township 41 and Canton Township 40. There are also scattered outages in Buffalo, Blaine, and Robinson Township’s. West Penn says some customers may not have their power restored until 11:30 p.m.
March 15, 2026 5:18 am
CHICAGO (AP) — A severe weather front sweeping across much of the eastern half of the U.S. has dumped heavy snow around the Upper Midwest, spawned thunderstorms in the South and is threatening several mid-Atlantic states with heavy rain and possible tornadoes. The storm chain brought blizzard conditions on Sunday to the Upper Midwest, with dangerous winds elsewhere and the threat of severe storms heading east. Heavy snow piled up in portions of Minnesota and Wisconsin. The National Weather Service is warning about the threat of severe thunderstorms, damaging winds and likely tornadoes along the East Coast on Monday, particularly from Maryland to South Carolina.
March 16, 2026 5:06 am
DAWSON, Pa. — A man was found dead in the Youghiogheny River on Sunday. State Police confirms that troopers were called to the river in Dawson, Fayette County,for reports of a person found dead in a river. Troopers said the man was found by two fishermen. Fayette County Coroner Dr. Bob Baker says his office needs help identifying the man. Baker said the victim is a middle-aged white man. He is bald and has an athletic build. He appears to have a tattoo on his right shoulder blade of a mountain range. His cause and manner of death are still pending an autopsy. Anyone with information is asked to call the Fayette County Coroner’s Office at 724-430-1270.
March 15, 2026 5:16 am
President Donald Trump says he has demanded about seven countries send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. Iranian strikes have continued to rain down on Gulf countries Monday. Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest, gradually restarted operations after a drone struck a fuel tank and started a fire. Authorities said it was quickly contained and no injuries were reported. Tehran has accused the United States without evidence of using “ports, docks and hideouts” in the United Arab Emirates to launch strikes on Kharg Island. The island is home to the main terminal handling Iran’s oil exports. Brent crude oil is trading near $105 per barrel on Monday.
March 16, 2026 5:17 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump relied on his gut and largely side-stepped diplomatic coordination as he made the decision to launch strikes on Iran with Israel. But now with the Iran war’s economic and geopolitical consequences unfurling rapidly, the Republican president is cajoling allies and other global powers to help mop up the mess. Trump says he’s asked roughly a half-dozen other countries to send warships to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz to oil traffic. So far, none has committed. Trump even indicated he’d use his long-planned trip to China to pressure Beijing to help with the coalition — a notion his Treasury secretary later downplayed. (Photo: AP)
March 16, 2026 5:46 pm
(AP) – A federal judge in Boston has blocked federal health officials from cutting the number of vaccines recommended for every child, and says U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. likely violated federal procedures in revamping a key vaccine advisory committee. The decision Monday halts an order by Kennedy to end broad recommendations for all children to be vaccinated against flu, rota-virus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis and RSV. The judge also says Kennedy’s reconstitution of the vaccine advisory panel likely violated federal law. He ordered the appointments — and all decisions made by the reformed committee — put on hold.
