April 6, 2026 3:36 pm
HOUSTON (AP) — The Artemis II astronauts have kicked off their record-breaking trip around the moon that already is providing unprecedented views of the far side. Monday’s lunar journey comes after the three Americans and one Canadian broke Apollo 13’s distance record, the farthest that humans have ever traveled from Earth. During the hourslong flyby, Artemis II will temporarily lose contact with Mission Control as the capsule passes behind the moon without stopping. Astronauts will split into pairs and take turns capturing the magnificent lunar scenes with cameras. They’ll also don special glasses to witness a total solar eclipse.
April 6, 2026 3:34 pm
UNIONTOWN, Pa. —(WPXI)-Two people have been charged with homicide after a 71-year-old man was found dead in Uniontown. The Fayette County District Attorney’s Office said Terry Newland, 58, and Alysha Riggans, 30, are accused of conspiring to kill Ralph Brown. Brown’s body was found along railroad tracks near West Kerr Street on Sunday. The DA’s office said Brown lived with Newland and Riggans. Newland and Riggans are facing multiple charges, including criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence.
April 6, 2026 3:23 pm
Gas prices continue their climb in Western Pennsylvania. According to AAA, gas prices are 22 cents higher this week at $4.17 per gallon. The national average for gas exceeded $4 per gallon this past week for the first time since August 2022. Today’s average is $4.11, 12 cents higher than last week and 80 cents higher than a month ago. Gas prices here in Washington County stand at $4.17 per gallon. The surging prices are being blamed on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz that has resulted from the War in Iran.
April 6, 2026 11:54 am
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran state media says Tehran has rejected the latest ceasefire proposal and instead wants permanent end to the war, as President Donald Trump’s ultimatum looms within hours. The rejection came as Israel has attacked a major petrochemical plant in Iran’s South Pars natural gas field and killed a top Revolutionary Guard commander while vowing to hunt down more top officials. Mediators from Egypt, Pakistan, and Turkey had proposed a 45-day pause and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. has not responded. Iran earlier confirmed messaging with mediators but says talks are incompatible with “war crimes.” Meanwhile, oil prices are unsettled. U.S. President Donald Trump’s deadline for Tehran to reopen the strait is set for Monday night Washington time.
April 6, 2026 2:27 am
Washington County Coroner Tim Warco says one person was killed and two others injured in a head-on collision Saturday evening just after six o’clock near the intersection of Route 40 and Lake Road in Donegal Township. Warco says the victim, 41-year-old Daniel Pasqualucci of Donegal Township was seen traveling the wrong way in the westbound lane of Route 40 at a high rate of speed when his sedan slammed head-on into an SUV. The driver of the SUV and a passenger in that vehicle were flown to Pittsburgh area hospitals. Warco says Pasqualucci was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. A cause and manner of death are pending. State Police are handling the investigation.
April 6, 2026 5:07 am
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an expletive-filled threat to escalate strikes on Iran if it doesn’t open the Strait of Hormuz by his Tuesday deadline. It follows the U.S. rescue of an aviator whose plane was downed by Iran. Trump on Sunday promised strikes on Iran’s power plants and bridges. Iran shows no sign of backing down and has hit targets in Gulf Arab countries. Both sides threaten civilian targets. War crime concerns have been raised. Diplomatic efforts continue with countries like Oman and Pakistan trying to mediate. The war, now in its sixth week, has already caused significant casualties and economic disruption.
April 6, 2026 5:09 am
Finance ministers from five European Union member states are urging the bloc to introduce a windfall tax on energy companies as surging oil and gas prices raise inflation fears. Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Austria warned of market distortions linked to the Iran conflict that are driving up costs for households and businesses. The proposal would revive profit caps used during the 2022 energy crisis after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Inflation in the eurozone has already risen to 2.5% in March. With Iran disrupting tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, officials warn fuel prices may stay elevated.
April 6, 2026 5:12 am
BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge has halted efforts by the Trump administration to collect data that proves higher education institutions aren’t considering race in admissions. The ruling granting the preliminary injunction follows a lawsuit filed last month by a coalition of 17 Democratic state attorneys general. President Donald Trump ordered the new policy in August after he raised concerns that colleges and universities were using personal statements and other proxies to consider race. The states argue the data collection effort threats student privacy and could lead to baseless investigations of colleges and universities. The federal judge said the federal government likely has the authority to collect the data, but the demand was rolled out to universities in a “rushed and chaotic” manner.
April 6, 2026 5:12 am
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has celebrated his first Easter Mass as pontiff, urging peace through dialogue and calling for an end to conflicts worldwide. He departed from tradition by not listing global woes in his Urbi et Orbi blessing. Leo, the first U.S.-born pope, emphasized Easter’s message of hope and transformation. With ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, he acknowledges indifference to the suffering caused by wars. Leo announced a prayer vigil for peace on April 11. In the Holy Land, Easter celebrations are subdued due to restrictions on public gatherings, while Gazan Christians celebrated the first Easter since a ceasefire. Armenian Christians gathered in the Iranian capital during the fifth week of war.
