April 24, 2026 2:22 am
The Washington County Board of Elections held a special hearing on the eligibility of Al Buchtan to remain on the Washington County ballot as a candidate for a Washington County Republican State Committeeman position. The board, comprised of all three county commissioners, did not take any action with regard to Buchtan’s removal from the ballot. Washington County Solicitor Gary Sweat advised the board that they do not have the jurisdiction to make such a decision at this late date. Sweat says that he had conversations with the Pennsylvania Department of State that said that the time for a challenge has expired. He says that he was advised, and after his research into election code, that only a court of competent jurisdiction could remove Buchtan from the ballot. Thomas King, general counsel for the Pennsylvania Republican Party, stated that the party is asking that Buchtan be investigated for inconsistencies regarding his residency and therefore his eligibility to represent Washington County as a party committee person. He said that if Buchtan should be elected, the party will not seat him as a committee person and Washington County Republicans would be without representation in that jurisdiction. Dave Ball, former Washington County Republican Party Chairman, handed letters to the board of elections and the solicitor containing information that he feels could have criminal charges levied against Buchtan concerning election integrity. The board will be handing those letters over to the District Attorney for investigation. Ultimately, the decisions have been based on earlier decisions by the Commonwealth Court and affirmed by the Supreme Court surrounding his candidacy for State Senator, that Buchtan is a resident of Greene County and not Washington County.
April 24, 2026 4:58 am
PITTSBURGH — For some, utility bills have been busting the household budget. A cold, snowy winter meant increased usage, while at the same time, some consumers are starting to feel the impact of recent gas delivery rate hikes. Nick Kuzy of Venetia has been watching his bills closely, mapping out costs on a spreadsheet. Last month, he cut his usage in half, but his gas bill still went up! “It just hit me that it went from $89 to $103. That’s quite a jump,” Kuzy said. Abe Scarr is the Energy and Utilities Program Director for PennPIRG, a consumer advocacy group. “I think higher bills are here to stay to a certain degree,” said Scarr. “I don’t think there’s been an adequate job of keeping those rate increases in check and that spending in check.” Consumers can’t “shop” for their delivery company, so the one way to cut costs is to lower gas consumption. “I’d encourage people to consider replacing some old gas appliances with electric appliances like heat pumps, which can both heat and cool your home and are super efficient,” said Scarr. Experts also say maintaining your HVAC system can save you money. Others suggest turning down the thermostat on your hot water heater.
April 24, 2026 5:04 am
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump says he has ordered the U.S. military to “shoot and kill” small Iranian boats that deploy mines to choke traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump’s post on social media Thursday came shortly after the U.S. military seized another tanker associated with the smuggling of Iranian oil. That ratcheted up a standoff with Tehran over the strait through which 20% of all crude oil and natural gas traded passes. The Defense Department released video footage of U.S. forces on the deck of the oil tanker Majestic X, which was seized in the Indian Ocean. Trump also announced that a ceasefire in Lebanon would be extended by three weeks.
April 24, 2026 5:05 am
Washington (AP) — President Donald Trump says Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group by three weeks after talks at the White House. Trump said the meeting Thursday between the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors, the second in the past week, went “very well.” They were the first direct diplomatic talks in decades between the two countries. The initial 10-day ceasefire took effect last Friday and had been due to expire Monday. Trump says he expects to meet at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the next couple of weeks.
April 24, 2026 5:01 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. soldier involved in the military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been charged with using classified information about the mission to win more than $400,000 in an online betting market. Federal officials unsealed the indictment Thursday. Gannon Ken Van Dyke was part of the work to capture Maduro in January and used his access to classified information to make money on the prediction market site Polymarket, the federal prosecutor’s office in New York said. He has been charged with unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud, and making an unlawful monetary transaction.
April 24, 2026 5:11 am
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump says he is weighing a taxpayer takeover of Spirit Airlines and would aim to resell the troubled carrier after oil prices drop. The president confirmed his continued interest in offering Spirit a financial lifeline after a lawyer told a U.S. Bankruptcy Court that the airline was in advanced talks with the U.S. government on a financing deal. Speaking at an unrelated Oval Office event, Trump said he had “a smart person” in mind who could potentially run Spirit and that he believed the could get back on solid financial footing and eventually be sold for a profit
April 24, 2026 5:08 am
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Police say one person died and five more were wounded after a shooting inside the food court at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. Police have described it as a confrontation between two groups. Authorities had initially said as many as 10 people were injured, but the number was changed a few hours after the shooting. Lafayette Parish officials say at least three of the victims were high school seniors from a local school. Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse says five people have been arrested, and there is no ongoing threat to the public. The chief has appealed to witnesses to provide any video of the shooting.
April 24, 2026 5:02 am
In the latest round of tech industry job cuts, Meta is laying off about 8,000 workers and Microsoft is offering buyouts to a similar number. Meta confirmed Thursday it plans to cut about 10% of its workforce in an effort to invest in other parts of its business and for efficiency, as first reported by Bloomberg. Microsoft is taking a different approach by offering voluntary buyouts to thousands of its U.S. employees.
April 24, 2026 4:54 am
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (AP) — Josh Shapiro may be heavily favored to win reelection as Pennsylvania governor, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot on the line for him this year. He’s urging Democrats in the battleground state to turn out in force as a rebuke to President Donald Trump. He’s trying to persuade voters to give him Democratic control of the state legislature. And he’s pushing his favored congressional candidates in the midterm elections that will determine control of Washington. Shapiro brushes off questions — and Republican criticism — about burnishing his credentials for a potential White House run. He says he’s focused on beating his opponent for governor, helping other Democrats get elected and sending a message to Trump.
April 23, 2026 12:32 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — A cannabis industry group calls President Donald Trump’s reclassification of state-licensed medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug “the most significant federal advancement in cannabis policy” in decades. The American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp says the Trump administration action recognizes “cannabis is medicine.” The order the Republican president’s acting attorney general signed Thursday Iargely legitimizes medical marijuana programs in the 40 states that have adopted them and allows state-licensed medical marijuana companies for the first time to deduct business expenses on their federal taxes. Critics say marijuana is harmful and policy is being dictated by ”CEOs, psychedelics investors, and podcasters in active addiction.” (Photo: AP)
