August 1, 2026 9:20 am
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland says he’s concerned that President Trump might use federal power to influence the fall elections. Moore is the new chair of the National Governors Association, and the Democrat is citing Trump’s efforts to restrict voting by mail and possibly deploy federal troops to polling places. Moore’s national profile is rising, and he’s seen as a potential 2028 presidential contender. His focus is on drawing young people into the workforce through service-oriented work. Despite challenges, Moore emphasizes the importance of strong governors in the current political climate.
August 1, 2026 5:16 am
DONEGAL TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A tractor-trailer ended up over a hillside along I-70 in Washington County. It happened Friday morning near exit 6 in Donegal Township. The Claysville Fire Department said to use caution in the area and expect lane and/or road closures. No injuries were reported.
August 1, 2026 5:00 am
CEUTA, Spain (AP) — Spain reports that the death toll in the Ceuta border crisis with Morocco has risen to 67. The Spanish government announced Saturday that it is installing a 500-meter containment barrier along the breakwater fence into the sea. This follows the breach of the tiny Spanish territory’s frontier by around 60,000 migrants between Thursday and Friday. Most migrants have returned to Morocco, but some remain in Ceuta. The city experienced chaos, but residents woke up Saturday to an uneasy calm. Ceuta’s President, Juan Jesus Vivas, says life in the city is still disrupted and the situation is not yet back to normal.
August 1, 2026 4:57 am
PHOENIX (AP) — Authorities have released an early ransom note in the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie in hopes that someone will recognize the writing style. A second note released Friday indicated Guthrie died shortly after she was kidnapped. Both notes initially went to a Tucson television station days after the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie went missing from her home outside Tucson on Feb. 1. Authorities have not said whether Nancy Guthrie is still alive. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said “we believe these distinctive linguistic characteristics may be recognizable to someone who knows or has interacted with the notes’ writer.”
August 1, 2026 4:56 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Marine Corps says the pilot of an F-35B stealth fighter is expected to live after ejecting from the jet before it crashed in California. The jet went down Friday in a field near the Miramar air base in San Diego. An update from the Marines says he was taken to a local medical facility in stable condition. A single F-35B fighter jet costs about $109 million. Aerial video showed a plume of black smoke rising from a field. The F-35B is one of several versions of the advanced stealth fighter jet and has an engine designed for short takeoffs and vertical landings.
August 1, 2026 4:55 am
CAMP DAVID, Md. (AP) — President Donald Trump has used his Cabinet meeting at the Camp David retreat in Maryland to discuss his usual talking points about the economy, the border, Iran and immigration. Trump referred Friday to the recent surge of migrants into a tiny territory of Spain and said the same thing is going to happen to the U.S. if Republicans don’t get elected in the midterms. Trump began Friday’s meeting by saying, “It’s Camp David, and this room is a very, very special room.” The White House spent the morning highlighting that the meeting was the first televised Cabinet meeting at the storied presidential retreat, which was established in 1942 during Franklin Roosevelt’s presidency.
August 1, 2026 5:14 am
Washington County Commissioners on Thursday, awarded bids for the new public safety building that will replace the old Courthouse Square building on Beau Street. The demolition of that building was completed last week and Beau Street, which was closed in early April, was reopened. Commission Chair Nick Sherman says construction on the new building should be getting underway in two to three weeks and the finished structure should be ready by early January, 2028. The vote to award the bids was two to one, with Democratic Commissioner Larry Maggi voting no. In a press release, Maggi says he is against spending forty-million-dollars to building a new public safety building at the same site of the old building that had allegedly been riddled with structural and foundation issues for years. “Now that we have a huge, gaping hole in the middle of downtown Washington and no other viable plans for the site, it seems like we have no other choice than to saddle our taxpayers with additional debt to approve this project. However, I have major concerns that prevent me from putting my name behind this costly burden to the taxpayers,” he said. Maggi says he is concerned about the site containing pyrite – a mineral that is easily damaged by water and can damage a foundation. Sherman, however, says that issue was addressed and rectified.
July 31, 2026 1:45 am
Charleroi, PA – Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger, on Thursday, announced that the Commonwealth has secured a $166 million investment from GE Vernova to expand its operations in Western Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth is investing $6 million in the project, which will create at least 714 new jobs over the next four years and retain 735 existing, full-time positions. The global energy equipment and services company plans to expand its current operations at 101 North Campus Drive in Findlay Township, Allegheny County, and 216 Finley Road in Rostraver Township. GE Vernova recently purchased the Rostraver facility it had been leasing and plans to install new industrial machinery and equipment at both facilities. This expansion will support the company’s 714 new jobs. “From day one, my Administration has worked to make Pennsylvania a leader on economic development, supporting Pennsylvania businesses and workers to keep our Commonwealth moving forward. As part of that work, we identified energy and manufacturing as two key pillars of opportunity – sectors in which we’re poised to lead and continue to grow,” said Governor Shapiro. “It’s clear that strategy is paying off as companies like GE Vernova choose the Commonwealth as the place to expand and invest in, creating good-paying jobs that strengthen our communities and position our Commonwealth to lead the future of energy and advanced manufacturing.” GE Vernova also operates facilities in Allentown, Lehigh County and Charleroi, Washington County — where Thursday’s event was held.
July 30, 2026 4:51 am
It’s called ‘Washington Goes to Work’. A job fair that will feature some 13 Agencies looking for workers. It will be held at Alpine Bowling along Jefferson Avenue in Washington from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Mayor Jo Jo Burgess says it is an opportunity to meet employers, explore careers and build your future.
August 1, 2026 5:15 am
PERRYOPOLIS, Pa. — Two people were killed and another critically injured following a crash involving a motorcycle on Route 51 in Fayette County. Emergency crews were called to the 3530 block of Pittsburgh Road in Perryopolis near Randall’s Restaurant around 11:51 a.m. State police confirmed the motorcyclist and the driver of the other vehicle were killed. A passenger in the vehicle was flown to a hospital in critical condition. Fayette County Coroner Dr. Bob Baker identified the victims as Larry Hall, 81, of Belle Vernon and Frank McKula, 41, of Grindstone. Baker said McKula was driving the motorcycle that crashed into Hall’s vehicle at a high rate of speed. The person who was taken to a hospital was Hall’s passenger. State Police are investigating.
