October 26, 2026 8:07 pm
Beloved music legend Donnie Iris has died at the age of 83. Long-time concert promoter Rich Engler and several reports confirmed Iris died on Monday. Iris was the beloved frontman of Donnie Iris and the Cruisers. He was born in New Castle on Feb. 28, 1943. Just a few weeks ago, Iris announced he was retiring from performing live, citing “recent health issues.” His final show was held right here in Pittsburgh for the grand opening of Citizens Live at the Wylie on Sept. 28. Around 1978, Iris joined the band Wild Cherry, famous for the song “Play That Funky Music.” He may be best known for his work with the Jaggerz and their hit song “The Rapper.” Other beloved hits include “Ah! Leah!,” “Love Is Like a Rock” and “My Girl.” In June 2023, he canceled a Youngstown concert with REO Speedwagon after being diagnosed with cancer. He returned to the stage in March 2024 following chemotherapy.
October 26, 2026 5:19 pm
In a legal déjà vu moment, a North Strabane man put to rest six child sex assault cases that he was facing. Leo McIntyre, 31, was charged in 2022 of assaulting at least six juveniles in his home dating back to 2012. He was facing charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault and corruption of minors. During a pre-trial conference being held before his November trial, McIntyre agreed to a negotiated plea deal that will have him serve 14 ½ -30 years in state prison. Back in December, McIntyre was set to accept a negotiated plea deal of 10-30 years in prison, before Judge Traci McDonald rejected the plea deal and sentenced McIntyre to 32-64 years in prison. At that point, McIntyre withdrew his guilty plea and opted for a jury trial. The cases were split into three separate trials. With the global plea deal all six cases have now been put to rest. McIntyre was given the opportunity to present an allocution statement, but he declined to address victim families or the court. In addition to the 14 ½ to 30 years in jail, McIntyre will also serve 30 years of probation. He was found to be a sexually violent predator and will have to register as a sex offender with state police for the rest of his life.
October 26, 2026 4:42 pm
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has signed SB 1014 into law, requiring schools in the state to adopt and implement a policy to prohibit the use of cell phones during the school day beginning next school year. Shapiro signed the legislation at Lenape Middle School in Bucks County with legislators, educators, parents, and students on hand. “As educators, teachers, and caregivers, we understand the challenges of raising and educating young people in a digital world. For years, schools have been striving to address the distraction that comes with student cell phones,” said Dr. Joanna Wexler, Superintendent, Central Bucks School District. “Now, we will continue to work with students, staff, and parents to engage in conversations and dialogue around this issue, knowing our students and staff will rise to the occasion and meet these new expectations, continue to excel, achieve, and make us proud in countless ways.”
October 26, 2026 10:46 am
A major announcement Monday morning from both EQT Corporation and Range Resources. Officials say they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which EQT will acquire Range Resources in an all-stock transaction with a value of more than $50 billion. In a news release, EQT President and CEO Toby Z. Rice stated, “This transaction brings together two of the highest-quality, longest-duration asset bases in North America and creates a company uniquely positioned for the next era of natural gas”. According to the release, terms of the agreement were approved by the Board of Directors of both companies. The transaction is expected to close during the first-quarter of 2027 and is subject to regulatory approvals. Officials say the combined company will keep its headquarters in Canonsburg.
October 26, 2026 3:38 pm
Uniontown, PA—Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 12 is announcing a portion of Route 1010 (Georgetown Road) between Baker Road and Mayview Road is scheduled to close Saturday, October 30 at 7:00 AM until Monday, November 2 at 8:00 PM in North Strabane Township, Washington County. A posted detour will be in place using Henderson Road, Morganza Road, Washington Pike, Boyce Road, and Mayview Road. During this time, Department Force Crews will perform a pipe replacement. Also, a portion of Route 3023 (Old Brick Road) is scheduled to close at the bridge over Interstate 70 on Monday, November 2 in Donegal Township, Washington County. A posted detour will be in place through late November: Northbound Route 3023 (Old Brick Road): Take eastbound I-70 to the Claysville exit (Exit 6), then enter westbound I-70 Southbound Route 3023 (Old Brick Road): Take westbound I-70 to the Dallas Pike (Exit 11), then enter eastbound I-70. Crews will conduct bridge preservation activities, including latex overlays, epoxy overlays, expansion dam replacement, concrete repairs to extend the life of eight structures. A $4.1 million infrastructure investment project in Washington and Greene counties.
October 26, 2026 3:33 pm
UNIONTOWN, Pa. — A fire tore through the former Sam’s Restaurant in Uniontown and spread to a neighboring house containing apartments before firefighters were able to bring the flames under control. People were living in the neighboring house and were able to get out safely. The fire spread into the attic of the home. Uniontown Fire Chief Scott Conn said protecting the people living next door was firefighters’ first priority. The fire caused significant damage to the former restaurant. From the outside, portions of the roof could be seen collapsing into the building. Neighbors described seeing flames shooting from the building as the fire burned. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. The Pennsylvania State Fire Marshal is investigating.
October 26, 2026 4:53 am
Firefighters were called to an overnight fire in Claysville. Washington County 911 says it broke out just after 12:30 a.m. along Brandenburg Lane. No injuries were reported and there is no word on what may have sparked the fire.
October 26, 2026 4:44 pm
Gas prices are two cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $4.679 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is a penny cheaper this week at $4.28. The drop is fueled by the transition to winter-blend gasoline which is cheaper to produce and costs less for consumers. But high crude oil prices are preventing steep declines at the pump. Currently, the price for a barrel of crude oil is over $100 per barrel amid instability in the Strait of Hormuz. This month is poised to set a record as the most expensive October ever for gas prices following similar records set in August and September of this year. According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand increased last week from 8.40 million barrels per day to 8.98 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 208.3 million barrels to 205.3 million. Gasoline production increased from 9.23 million barrels per day to 9.75 million barrels.
October 25, 2026 5:01 am
A milestone in Washington County last week as state and local leaders met in Somerset Township to celebrate the plugging of the state’s 500th orphaned or abandoned well during the Shapiro administration. Officials say such wells often leak methane, threaten groundwater, and create safety hazards. The well in Somerset Township was actively leaking gas into the ground and atmosphere in a residential neighborhood. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has identified more than 27,000 abandoned wells across the state.
October 26, 2026 5:09 am
PORT HURON, Mich. (AP) — President Donald Trump is intensifying his anti-Muslim rhetoric against Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. He portrayed him during a Sunday rally in Port Huron as a threat to national security and questioned his loyalty to the United States. The remarks drew a sharp rebuke from a former top Arab American ally. Bishara Bahbah, a founder of Arab Americans for Trump, said the president’s comments were racist. El-Sayed, who could become the nation’s first Muslim senator, faces Republican Mike Rogers in one of the races that will help determine control of the U.S. Senate in this year’s midterms.
