April 28, 2026 3:48 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted again, this time over a social media photo of seashells arranged on a beach that officials say constituted a threat against President Donald Trump. That’s according to a person who was familiar with the matter but was not authorized to publicly discuss it and confirmed the indictment to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity Tuesday. The charge or charges against Comey are unknown. It’s the second criminal case the Justice Department has brought against the longtime Trump foe. Comey says he assumed the arrangement of shells reading “86 47” was a political message, not a call to violence against Trump, the 47th president. (Photo: AP)
April 28, 2026 3:50 pm
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates announced that it will leave OPEC effective May 1, stripping the oil cartel of its third-largest producer and further weakening its leverage over global oil supplies and prices. The UAE’s decision had been rumored as a possibility for some time, as it pushed back in recent years against OPEC production quotas it felt had been too low. Regional politics are also likely at play. The UAE has had increasingly frosty relations with Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s largest producer, over political and economic matters in the Mideast, even after both came under attack by fellow OPEC member Iran during the war.
April 28, 2026 3:52 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — King Charles III has acknowledged “times of great uncertainty” while addressing the U.S. Congress. Charles on Tuesday marked the 250th anniversary of American independence from Britain and highlighted the enduring bonds between the two nations. Charles is only the second British monarch to speak to Congress, following Queen Elizabeth II in 1991. Charles’ speech comes amid political turmoil, with tensions between President Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the war in Iran. Trump and Charles met at the White House earlier on Tuesday. Charles and Queen Camilla will continue their U.S. trip with stops in New York City and Virginia.
April 28, 2026 1:48 pm
The Fayette County Coroner is urging a nationwide ban on Tianeptine, also known as “gas station heroin,” after the county’s first accidental overdose. The substance, which is described as opioid-like, is not FDA-approved for any medical use. According to the release, it is highly addictive and can cause severe withdrawal symptoms, like seizures and respiratory depression. Dr. Bob Baker said the product is sold in vape shops and online, with more popular brands labeled as TD Plus, Neptune’s Fix and Pegasus. Several states have already banned the product, but Baker said he is recommending a nationwide ban to fast-track legislation in efforts to prevent an epidemic. Baker said he is working with other agencies to bring awareness to this problem and save lives.
April 28, 2026 4:55 am
Peters Township Council began its evening with a public hearing on rezoning two land parcels. Each of the parcels fell under the Mixed Residential Overlay District. The township wished to have those parcels revert back to their original zoning designation of Low Density Residential. One parcel at 116 Sugar Camp Road is an 8 acre parcel with a single family home. The other parcel is a 7 acre property left over after the development of the Pemberly Manor plan that the developer indicated that they wished to use as an estate lot. Council unanimously passed the measure. Their reason for the rezoning was to bring the properties into alignment with neighboring properties that are zoned low density. Council is also clawing back on Mixed Residential Overlay Districts, listening to resident feedback indicating their displeasure with high density housing plans. Council also approved a Land Development Plan Improvement Agreement with 3836 Washington Road, LLC. Their plan is to construct a commercial building at the corner of Old Oak Road and Route 19. Council ended their night with a workshop on the township’s comprehensive plan. Council is struggling with an idea to introduce the possibility of a Planned Residential Development along Venetia Road. Council is adamant that lots less than a half acre are not to be developed.
April 28, 2026 2:16 am
The Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency (WCTPA) announced on Monday, a new round of tourism grant investments that further reinforce the county’s position as a premier regional destination for outdoor recreation, community events, and family-friendly experiences that show Washington County continues to be a leader in regional economic and tourism growth. “Outdoor recreation and authentic tourism experiences continue to drive visitation and economic impact throughout Washington County,” said Jeff Kotula, President of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Promotion Agency. “From our trail systems and waterways to our community festivals and sporting attractions, these assets are critical to both our quality of life and our ability to attract visitors. Targeted investments like these will assist our partners in strengthening their offerings, expanding accessibility, and ensuring that Washington County remains competitive in today’s tourism economy.” Kotula says several projects highlight the agency’s goal of enhancing the county’s outdoor recreation infrastructure and visitor experience, like improving awareness of the Panhandle Trail in Burgettstown Borough and trail-head accessibility upgrades along the Montour Trail. Also, at Cross Creek Lake, grant funding will support enhancements that elevate one of the county’s most popular outdoor destinations, building on its reputation as a hub for fishing, boating, and seasonal recreation. Similarly, the development of a new kayak launch at Peters Lake Park in Peters Township will increase access to water-based recreation, helping to meet growing demand for paddling and outdoor recreational activities.
April 28, 2026 2:59 am
Gas prices are two cents higher in Western Pennsylvania this week at $4.160 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. Drivers are seeing increased gas prices this week as the national average has increased by seven cents since last week to $4.11. As of this morning, crude oil prices have seen an increase to around $96 per barrel, as the conflict in the Persian Gulf continues. Currently, pump prices are almost a dollar higher than this time last year, when a gallon of regular sat at $3.14. According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased last week from 9.08 million barrels per day to 9.05 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 232.9 million barrels to 228.4 million. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 10.1 million barrels per day.
April 27, 2026 2:45 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A man who managed voter registration drives in Pennsylvania ahead of the 2024 presidential election is facing a month in jail after pleading guilty to three misdemeanor counts. Phoenix resident Guillermo Sainz Gurrola was also fined $1,000. Prosecutors say he offered financial incentives to canvassers who met quotas. The attorney general’s office says charges remain pending against six canvassers for forgery and other violations. The investigation began when election workers in Lancaster County flagged forms for potential fraud.
April 28, 2026 5:02 am
The Trump administration seems unlikely to accept Iran’s offer to end the war and its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal delivered by Pakistan calls for the U.S. to lift its blockade on Iran. It also would postpone discussions on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has appeared to rule that out. He says preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon remains a “core issue.” The White House says U.S. President Donald Trump’s national security team has discussed the offer and Trump will address it later. The offer emerged Monday as Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Russia, which has long been a key backer of Tehran.
April 28, 2026 5:06 am
CAIRO (AP) — U.S. and Israeli airstrikes crippled thousands of factories in Iran, and the damage is reverberating across the country’s economy. Hundreds of thousands of Iranians have lost their jobs, and millions more could face the same fate. Most damaging, Israeli strikes knocked out most production of steel and petrochemicals, causing a surge in prices for metals and plastic and threatening wider sectors. Things could get worse under the U.S. blockade. Still, Iran’s leaders are betting that an economy built to be self-reliant under decades of sanctions can endure the pain longer than U.S. President Donald Trump.
