August 26, 2025 1:21 am
(AP) – A federal appeals court says it’s unconstitutional for Pennsylvania to throw out mail-in ballots simply because the voter didn’t write an accurate date on the return envelope. Tuesday’s unanimous decision by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered Pennsylvania to stop throwing out such ballots. It’s the latest time in at least a half-dozen cases that a court has told Pennsylvania to stop throwing out such ballots. However, higher courts have always reinstated the requirement in the heavily litigated matter that has pitted liberals trying to get rid of the requirement against Republicans who defend it.
August 27, 2025 3:52 am
NEW YORK (AP) — A conservative election researcher whose faulty findings on voter data were cited by President Donald Trump as he tried to overturn his 2020 election loss has been appointed to an election integrity role at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The agency’s website shows Pennsylvania activist Heather Honey is now serving as the deputy assistant secretary for election integrity. The political appointment shows how self-styled election investigators who have thrown themselves into election conspiracy theories since 2020 are now being celebrated by Trump’s administration. Her new role also comes as Trump has used election integrity concerns as a pretext to try to give his administration power over election administration that the Constitution does not give to presidents.
August 26, 2025 1:35 pm
(AP) – It’s a love story and, baby, she said yes: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are engaged. The superstar singer and football player revealed the news in a five-photo joint post on Instagram on Tuesday. It’s the fairy-tale culmination of a courtship that for two years has thrilled and fascinated millions around the world. It’s unclear when and where the two got engaged. The announcement comes not long after Swift’s appearance on “New Heights.” That’s the podcast hosted by the Kansas City Chiefs tight end and his brother Jason Kelce. (Photo: AP)
August 26, 2025 4:31 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’s firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, a sharp escalation in his battle to exert greater control over what has long been considered an institution independent from day-to-day politics. Trump said in a letter posted Monday on his Truth Social platform that he is removing Cook because of allegations that she committed mortgage fraud. Bill Pulte, a Trump appointee to the agency that regulates mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, made the accusations last week. Cook said Monday night that Trump has no authority to fire her and she would not step down.
August 26, 2025 4:35 am
CHICAGO (AP) — President Donald Trump says Chicago will likely be the next target of his efforts to address crime, homelessness and illegal immigration. On Friday, Trump mentioned that Chicago could receive similar treatment to Washington, D.C., where 2,000 troops have been deployed. He also indicated plans to assist New York. Trump has often described some of the nation’s largest cities as dangerous. On Friday, he singled out Chicago, calling it a “mess” and claiming residents are “screaming for us to come.” City officials and advocates, meanwhile, slammed Trump’s threats and emphasized drops in violent crime in Chicago.
August 26, 2025 4:37 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Oversight Committee is subpoenaing the estate of the late Jeffrey Epstein. Congressional lawmakers are trying to determine who was connected to the disgraced financier and whether prosecutors mishandled his case. The subpoena is the latest effort by both Republicans and Democrats to respond to public clamor for more information about Epstein, who was found dead in his New York jail cell in 2019. The subpoena demands that Epstein’s estate provide documents including a book that was compiled with notes from friends for his 50th birthday, his last will and testament, agreements he signed with prosecutors, his contact books, and his financial transactions and holdings.
August 25, 2025 4:40 am
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday threatening to withhold federal funding from local and state governments that allow cashless bail, arguing that it is a threat to public safety. Proponents of eliminating cash bail argue it penalizes poverty, as wealthier individuals can pay to await trial outside jail. Critics believe it is a time-honored way to ensure defendants released from jail show up for court proceedings and warn that cashless bail could lead to more crime. Studies show mixed results on the impact of cashless bail.
August 25, 2025 4:28 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Keith Kellogg says officials are “working very, very hard” on efforts to end the three-year war between Russia and Ukraine. Kellogg said in Kyiv on Monday that officials are “hoping to get to a position where, in the near term, we have, with a lack of a better term, security guarantees” that address Ukraine’s fears of another invasion by Russia in the future. A lack of progress in talks is fueling doubts about whether a peace settlement could be on the horizon.
August 25, 2025 1:30 am
Funeral arrangements have been set for Ron Todd, a Washington High School football assistant coach who collapsed in the grandstands shortly after the team’s season home opener Friday night against McGuffey. Todd, a junior high teacher in the district, was attended to by both teams athletic training staff, then transported to UPMC-Washington where he later died. District officials say grief counseling services were available Monday at both the Jr/Sr High School and at the Washington Park School. Family and friends are invited to the William G. Neal Funeral Home 925 Allison Avenue in Washington from two to eight p.m. on Wednesday, August 27th. A funeral service will take place on Thursday, August 28th, 2025 at eleven a.m. at the Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery. (Photo courtesy of William G. Neal Funeral Home)
August 26, 2025 1:47 am
A truck driver was killed along US Route 22 Monday afternoon in a hit-and-run crash. Washington County Coroner Tim Warco said Brian Everhart was driving a commercial truck and parked to the right of the fog line to check on a mechanical issue. While outside of the truck, Everhart was struck and killed by another driver who fled the scene. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating.
