August 20, 2026 5:38 pm
HONOLULU (AP) — Communities still recovering from last weekend’s hurricane in Hawaii could get pounded again in coming days. Hurricane Lala tore roofs off houses, covered roads in mud and left thousands of homes without power. Now forecasters are warning another tropical storm could form as early as Thursday in the Pacific and approach the islands this weekend. Meteorologists say the system could dump up to 15 inches of rain across the Big Island and trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides. Currently a tropical depression about 960 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. Gov. Josh Green planned a news conference Thursday to discuss storm preparations and update residents on Hurricane Lala, which left two people dead.
August 20, 2026 7:38 am
A Washington County teenager and his mother have been charged in the murder of PennWest California freshman, 18-year-old Karoline Heintz, who was found dead inside a vehicle early Thursday morning. Eighteen-year-old Royce Moser is facing a homicide charge, while his mother, Rachel Moser, is facing charges of hindering and tampering. During a press conference, State Police said they have been investigating at two homes in Washington County in relation to Heintz’s death. Police were called out just before twelve-thirty to the area of the California Public Library at 100 Wood Street where they found Heintz, dead inside a vehicle. Heintz, who was a graduate of Peters Township High School, and was playing soccer for the Vulcans, was with family earlier in the day and was supposed to be returning to campus housing and checking in with her family, according to Washington County Coroner Tim Warco. Her cause and manner of death are pending. (Photo: PennWest)
August 20, 2026 9:35 am
NORTH CHARLEROI, Pa. — A man faces charges after police say they found nearly 40 cats, many of which were dead, at a home in North Charleroi. According to court documents filed on Wednesday, Joseph B. McKenna Jr. was charged with 18 felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals causing serious bodily injury or death and 20 counts of cruelty to animals. Police said they were called to a house on Fourth Street after neighbors reporting at least two cats were dead inside garbage bags on the property and numerous others were running around. Officers reported the house was in deplorable condition both inside and out. Police said 18 dead cats were found in various states of decomposition inside the house and 20 living cats were found running around inside. McKenna told police he was going through personal issues and was struggling to take care of the animals. He was asked whether he had tried reaching out to the Washington County Humane Society, the police department, or a nonprofit for help, and he said he had not. McKenna was taken into custody and is being held at the Washington County Jail.
August 20, 2026 4:49 am
Authorities say an airplane pilot has died after a violent collision with a Pennsylvania state police helicopter near a runway at a small airport. Officials say both state troopers aboard the helicopter survived the crash Wednesday. The state’s acting police commissioner says the plane was coming down on the runway and veered into the helicopter that was close to the ground. The FAA and NTSB called it a midair collision but state police didn’t clarify if the plane was off the ground. Photos on social media showed a helicopter on its side near aircraft debris and a line of emergency vehicles near Carlisle.
August 19, 2026 2:50 am
An investigation continues into a fatal crash along Interstate 79 in Whiteley Township in Greene County Wednesday afternoon. The Greene County Coroner says 26-year-old Robbi Bennett was involved in a two vehicle accident around 1:30 p.m., shutting down the northbound highway between Exit 7 (Kirby/Garards Fort) and Exit 14 (Waynesburg/Masontown). The highway opened around three o’clock. The coroner says a cause and manner of death are pending.
August 19, 2026 2:34 am
Last spring, the Washington Community Theatre became aware that funds were missing from their account. Police investigations led to their treasurer Andrew Mours for misappropriating funds. Mours was in court for a plea court hearing that was set up to allow Mours to make restitution payments to the organization. Washington Community Theatre President Jeff Zollars explained that the payment plan was suggested by a former board member Megan Faust, an attorney that once served as an assistant district attorney, to allow a successful outcome without a lot of drama. Zollars says that approximately $20,000 of the nearly $41,000 has been returned to the organization. Zollars says that when the incident came to light, he thought the organization would fold after 57 years. He is grateful to the community for their support and to local organizations that helped hold fundraising efforts. The group held a two night fundraiser in Washington Park that was a night of Broadway Songs. The Old Schoolhouse Players opened their doors host a “Theater Feud” trivia contest among four local theater groups as another fundraiser. Mours had no comment on the matter after the hearing. He is scheduled to continue making payments. Mours is charged with three theft felonies and one forgery felony. His next court date is December 2.
August 19, 2026 2:43 am
Pennsylvania State Representative Josh Kail hosted a Scam Jam event at the Burgettstown Community Library to inform constituents on how to spot and avoid financial frauds and scams. Representative Kail says these events are important to give constituents a point of contact and someone they can trust if they see something suspicious or fall victim to fraud. Presenters at the event represented organizations like the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, the Smith Township Police Department, and AARP. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions, collect contact information, and play Fraud Bingo! Tyler Evans, a detective with the Smith Township Police Department, says that a lot of people fall victim to scams in the area, and some do not realize it until there is an investigation. Katrina Boyer, an investor education coordinator for the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, says that people should not be embarrassed if they fall victim, and she hopes that these events provide them with plenty of resources if they are a victim of fraud.
August 20, 2026 5:00 am
Officials in the Monessen School District are considering beginning the school year with remote instruction. In a letter sent to district families, Superintendent Dr. Robert Motte says resources like teacher supplies and instructional materials inside the middle-high school building cannot be affected building cannot be accessed. He says no final decision has been made but “there’s a strong possibility” that the school year starts remotely and the district is “preparing for this possibility”. The district previously pushed back the start of classes because of mold that was found inside the building. Motte says the district is finalizing plans to distribute technology to students and staff. He calls the situation “very fluid” and says they will share additional information as plans are finalized.
August 20, 2026 5:07 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The national debt has surpassed a record $40 trillion, highlighting the impact of defense costs, social programs, and interest on the deficit. This milestone comes just five months after hitting $39 trillion. Experts say the growing debt is already affecting Americans by raising borrowing costs and lowering wages. Advocates for a balanced budget warn of tougher fiscal tradeoffs ahead. Margaret Spellings from the Bipartisan Policy Center says the fiscal trajectory is unsustainable. The U.S. is subject to a statutory debt limit, which Congress may need to address again by 2027.
August 20, 2026 5:08 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Canada and the United States have moved closer to finalizing a trade agreement that would avert threatened 50% U.S. tariffs. A senior Canadian official calls the emerging terms “a very good deal for Canada” while cautioning that negotiations are not complete. President Donald Trump says the agreement was “very fair” to both sides and predicts U.S. farmers and manufacturers will benefit. Prime Minister Mark Carney has asked provincial premiers to return U.S. alcohol to store shelves, according to Nova Scotia’s premier. The tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian imports have been postponed until 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
