October 20, 2026 4:46 am
The Peters Township School Board met for the first time since a Pleasant Valley Elementary School Teacher was arrested for public drunkenness on October 8. Not one person in the meeting addressed the school board about the incident. Shelly Belcher is the Communications Coordinator for the Peters Township School District. She reviewed the statement released by the district surrounding the series of events. It outlined the circumstances where it was believed that Katharine Viviano suffered a medical emergency and students were moved to another classroom and parents were notified. A further police investigation into the incident resulted in charges of public drunkenness being filed against Viviano. The statement further states that because of the ongoing police investigation and it being a personnel matter, no further details can be revealed. The statement further states that the district’s focus remains on supporting the impacted students and ensuring a safe, stable and positive learning environment for the remainder of the school year. The Peters Township School District has been in the news frequently since the beginning of the year. In February, Senior Class President, Zachariah Meyers was arrested for allegedly coordinating a sextortion ring. In August, recently graduated Karoline Heintz was allegedly killed by her boyfriend Royce Moser. Belcher said the district will not comment those incidents as they also are under active investigations and victim’s families have requested privacy.
October 20, 2026 2:43 am
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) announced on Monday that 1,286 measles cases have been confirmed across 42 counties in Pennsylvania so far in 2026. The DOH continues to lead Pennsylvania’s robust response to the ongoing measles outbreak and is making the most up-to-date information on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths available on its measles dashboard. While daily numbers fluctuate, tracking these trends provides Pennsylvanians and health care providers with visibility into community transmission across the Commonwealth and helps inform DOH’s ongoing response. New Positive Cases (since October 16, 2026): 26; Total Counties: 42; Total Cumulative Cases: 1,286; Total Hospitalizations: 247; Total Confirmed Measles-Associated Deaths: 5; Measles cases among vaccinated individuals: 4 (less than 1% of cases)
October 20, 2026 2:11 am
Gas prices are 12 cents higher in Western Pennsylvania this week at $4.698 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is down six cents from last week at $4.29 even though crude oil prices are up to around $100 per barrel. The national average has stayed above $4 per gallon since late July and is currently more than a dollar higher than it was this time last year. The fall months typically bring lower gas prices, but volatility in the oil market has led to seasonal record highs this year. According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 8.76 million barrels per day to 8.40 million. Total domestic gasoline supply increased from 204.7 million barrels to 208.3 million. Gasoline production decreased from 9.34 million barrels per day to 9.23 million barrels.
October 20, 2026 4:57 am
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Rising fuel prices coinciding with harvest season are frustrating farmers across the Midwest and raising concerns for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections. President Donald Trump appeared in Kansas on Monday and will go to Iowa on Thursday as his party tries to energize voters in states it has long dominated. Some longtime Republican voters say they’re considering supporting Democrats, while others have lost enthusiasm for their party. Republicans are pouring millions of dollars into Senate races in Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa as farmers struggle with high costs from gas prices and tariffs. Trump said Monday that the Department of Agriculture will be launching a new harvest fuel relief program.
October 20, 2026 4:54 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Federal authorities have charged 28 foreign nationals in California who authorities said have illegally registered and voted in U.S. elections. The statewide sweep Monday is part of a Trump administration effort to root out noncitizen voting ahead of next month’s midterm elections, even though data shows that the problem is incredibly rare, difficult to prove and has not been shown to change the outcome of races. The arrests reflect an escalation in a simmering fight between the federal government and California. Federal officials say California officials’ inaction was to blame for the alleged crimes. California Attorney General Rob Bonta says that while one-off instances are possible, there is no widespread voter fraud in California.
October 20, 2026 4:52 am
PARIS (AP) — Paris police say that they have issued an overnight curfew in two areas of the French capital “to protect people and property from the violence and looting.” The statement on Monday said that the orders ban gatherings and demonstrations and impose a curfew prohibiting anyone from entering or remaining around the Place de la République. That’s where rioting took place Saturday. The shopping neighborhood of Les Halles which has been subject to looting has also been included in the curfew. The curfew will be in effect from 11 p.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday.
October 20, 2026 4:49 am
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Voters in Canada’s oil-rich province of Alberta have rejected a proposal to begin a process toward independence. More than 1 million votes were counted early Tuesday. Unofficial results from Elections Alberta showed that about 76% supported remaining in Canada while close to 24% backed beginning a process that could lead to separation. The result delivers a victory for Prime Minister Mark Carney and supporters of Canadian unity. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith welcomed the early results. Smith said that they showed widespread support for remaining in Canada. The vote wasn’t a direct referendum on independence but would have set Alberta on a path toward a future vote on separation from Canada.
October 20, 2026 4:50 am
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australian prime minister says federal lawmaker Helen Haines remains in a hospital in a critical but stable condition. Anthony Albanese gave the update on Haines’ condition on Tuesday and praised a barber who helped restrain a driver accused of deliberately hitting the lawmaker. The 65-year-old independent politician was struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV on Monday in the city of Wangaratta in Victoria state. The 43-year-old driver remained in police custody on Tuesday. Albanese said he phoned local barber Ricky Jefferies to thank him on Tuesday on behalf of Australia for his intervention. Political violence is rare in Australia, but recent data shows threats are increasing.
October 20, 2026 2:51 am
Lancaster, PA – On Monday, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger announced $71,598,142 in investments for 443 projects through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) to improve distressed neighborhoods and help low-income people across Pennsylvania. Governor Josh Shapiro secured $72 million in the 2026-27 state budget to continue funding NAP, which provides tax credits to businesses that contribute to nonprofit organizations’ efforts to revitalize communities. “Strong communities unlock jobs, support families, and enrich the lives of Pennsylvanians — which is why the Shapiro Administration has made strengthening communities a top priority,” said Secretary Siger. “The Neighborhood Assistance Program actively fosters public-private partnerships and incentivizes businesses to be active in their communities. Thanks to Governor Shapiro’s efforts, we’re continuing to fund this important connection to help more projects and organizations be even more impactful across the Commonwealth.” Through the NAP, businesses can receive tax credits of up to 95 percent on contributions they make to a qualifying community project. Projects must fall under one of the following categories: affordable housing programs, community services, crime prevention, education, job training or neighborhood assistance.
October 19, 2026 5:36 pm
The bomb squad and police were called to a Pennsylvania senator’s office Monday afternoon. A Pittsburgh public information officer said the bomb squad, police and HAZMAT were called to Sen. Dave McCormick’s office at the Grant Building (310 Grant Street) in Downtown Pittsburgh for reports of a suspicious letter. Pittsburgh Fire Chief Mat Davis provided an update on the incident, saying “There was no substance” inside the letter. The chief also said the letter did not look like it had been sent. “It was just a package that was in his office,” Davis said. Staff members called 911 after finding it. Davis described the item as “a letter with an item in it.” It is unclear what that item is at this time, but officials say it was cleared by HAZMAT crews and the bomb squad. “We dress out, prepare for the worst-case scenario and then hope for the best,” Davis said. “That’s exactly what we got today. There was no threat to the public, no threat to the employees in the office.”
