July 5, 2026 8:16 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has mixed partisan politics with patriotic appeals as he commemorated the 250th anniversary of American independence, a moment he declared “one of the most joyous and glorious milestones of all time.” Trump spoke late Saturday in Washington after storms prompted a roughly two-hour evacuation of the National Mall. Severe weather prompted the cancellation of celebrations in Hartford, Connecticut, along with Harrisburg and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Spectators at Boston’s fireworks and concert were told to briefly seek shelter before events later resumed. An evacuation was also ordered in Philadelphia. New York and Pittsburgh moved forward with fireworks but shifted the time to accommodate the shifting weather.
July 5, 2026 7:00 am
Heavy rains moved through Washington County on Saturday flooding streets in the city and leading officials to cancel the fireworks at Washington Park. Park Avenue between South Main Street and Park & Dewey playground was under as much as a foot of water. Cameron Stadium, W&J’s home football field was covered after the storms moved through. Beau & Wheeling Streets, west of Jefferson Avenue, were also underwater Saturday evening. Park officials indicate plans to set off the fireworks Sunday evening at 9:30 pm. Flooding pictures: Park Avenue West Beau Street West Wheeling Street
July 5, 2026 8:10 am
Thousands of customers were left in the dark following strong storms that moved through the area on Saturday. West Penn Power reported more than 12,000 customers without power, most of those in Westmoreland County, and another 2,000 each are in Fayette and Greene counties. Washington County reported about thirteen-hundred customers without electricity, and those were widely scattered. Duquesne Light Co. reported more than 3,000 customers without power. Over 2,000 of those are in Allegheny County, and the rest are in Beaver County.
July 5, 2026 8:13 am
One person was injured in an ultralight aircraft crash in Fayette County Saturday. The Morrell Volunteer Fire Co. shared a photo of the aircraft suspended in vegetation on social media. The crash reportedly happened in a wooded area on private farmland. The fire company says the sole occupant was flown to a hospital for treatment. Agencies that assisted include Fayette County 911, Pennsylvania State Police, STAT MedEvac, Fayette EMS, Greene EMS, D.L. & V. Volunteer Fire Department and Monarch VFD.
July 5, 2026 7:00 am
For years, Canonsburg has been home to the second largest Fourth of July celebration in the state. With the news that Philadelphia was canceling their parade due to the extreme heat, the local celebration moved to the top of the list. Huge crowds lined the parade route through the borough, enjoying nearly 150 units in a parade that lasted more than two hours. Fireworks at Memorial Stadium are still on schedule for Saturday evening (estimated to start at 9:15 pm).
July 5, 2026 8:17 am
LA GUAIRA, Venezuela (AP) — The rush is on across Venezuela’s north coast to identify loved ones before it’s too late. With at least 2,295 people killed in the deadly earthquakes last week, the country is overwhelmed with bodies that officials are struggling to collect, identify and preserve. Many fear mass graves are coming as they search for the bodies of loved ones who died in the earthquakes that struck the South American country on June 24. Thousands are still missing.
July 5, 2026 7:29 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have tied the knot at Madison Square Garden. Adam Sandler officiated the star-studded event, which included guests like Camila Cabello, Hugh Grant, and Gigi Hadid. The announcement was made Friday evening. But many details remain hidden including photos of the couple’s attire. Even on Saturday, few details had leaked out. Swift wore Cartier jewelry, and both wore outfits by Christian Dior Haute Couture. Celebrities and fans alike have rushed to celebrate the couple’s marriage, with Dolly Parton even joking about their future children.
July 5, 2026 8:21 am
(AP) – The Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest is marking the United States’ 250th birthday with chomp and circumstance. Saturday’s competition comes after an eventful year for the annual wiener showdown and one of its stars. Contest sponsor Nathan’s Famous was sold in January to packaged meat giant Smithfield Foods. A few months later, reigning men’s champ and record-holder Joey Chestnut was accused of slapping a man in an Indiana bar and pleaded guilty in April to a misdemeanor battery charge. But the frankfurter fest rolls on in New York’s Coney Island. Chestnut and Miki Sudo both defended their last year’s wins in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively. (AP file photo)
July 4, 2026 2:59 am
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Gaining freedom from the heat will be a challenge this Independence Day in the eastern U.S., and it’s already starting ahead of the holiday weekend. The National Weather Service says dangerous, record-breaking heat will continue across much of the central and eastern United States including here in Washington County and will continue along the East Coast through the weekend. In Washington County, an extreme heat warning that was to expire on Friday has now been extended to eight o’clock Saturday night. With humidity making it feel hotter than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, sweat will be dampening spirits at many celebrations marking 250 years of American independence. In Philadelphia, officials shortened the route of a Thursday morning parade, canceled an afternoon all-American Block Party, and pushed back the start times of an evening picnic and concert at Independence Mall. Locally, the Main Street Farmer’s Market was cancelled on Thursday, but the festivities are on as scheduled in Canonsburg for Saturday, including the annual parade. Meanwhile, cooling centers are open in our area. For the complete list, click on this link: Click Here.
July 4, 2026 3:35 am
Washington mayor JoJo Burgess reminds city residents that a noise ordinance goes into effect at 10 pm every day. This is especially important to remember with the upcoming Fourth of July celebrations. Residents are encouraged to contact law enforcement or the mayor if there are disruptions, including fireworks, after that time. Mayor Burgess also addressed the new fireworks stores in the area, indicating that all of the fireworks sold at these stores are legal in Pennsylvania.
