October 17, 2025 5:00 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are calling on President Donald Trump to get more involved with negotiations to end the government shutdown. Trump is showing no interest in interjecting in the fight that has stretched through three weeks with little movement. Republican leadership in Congress is hoping it stays that way, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune reiterating Thursday that negotiations are possible “once the government opens up.” But some in Trump’s party are expressing frustration with the lack of movement. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she thinks some in the Trump administration are happy that the role of Congress is being diminished.
October 17, 2025 4:58 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has signaled to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he’s leaning against selling long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv. Zelenskyy at the start of Friday’s White House talks said he had a “proposition” in which Ukraine could provide the United States with its advanced drones, while Washington would sell Kyiv the Tomahawks, which Ukrainian officials say they desperately need to motivate Russian President Vladmir Putin to get serious about peace talks. But Trump said he had “an obligation also to make sure that” the United States is “completely stocked up.” The U.S. leader added he was optimistic the war would soon end, mitigating Ukraine’s need for the powerful weapon.
October 17, 2025 4:58 am
GREENBELT, Md. (AP) — John Bolton has pleaded not guilty in the Justice Department case accusing him of sharing classified information. Bolton was ordered released from custody after making his appearance before a judge in the third Justice Department case brought in recent weeks against an adversary of the Republican president. Bolton has signaled he will argue he is being targeted because of his criticism of the president, describing the charges as part of a Trump “effort to intimidate his opponents.” The case, however, appears to have followed a more conventional path toward indictment than other recent cases against perceived Trump enemies.
October 17, 2025 4:55 am
Washington County Director of Elections Melanie Ostrander says that preparations for Election Day on November 4 are well underway. Mail in ballots that have so far been requested are now in the mail. Tests on voting equipment are now complete and machines have been registered. All machines have been sealed and are now ready for delivery to polling locations. Ostrander says that all mail in ballots will be treated strictly by the rules set down by the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court and the United States Third Circuit Court of Appeals. The PA Supreme Court says that signatures are required, but if an envelope is returned without a signature, that ballot is to be marked in the state SURE system as received no signature and an email sent to the voter alerting them that they may vote provisionally at their regular polling location. The US Third Circuit Court of Appeals says that dates are not a disqualifying factor. Ostrander says that decisions could change on short notice and they monitor those possible changes daily. Ostrander outlined upcoming deadline dates. October 20 is the last day to register or make changes in voter registration. October 28 is the last day to request absentee or mail in ballots. All mail in ballots must be in the elections office by 8 PM on Election Day. And, Election Day is November 4. Polls open at 7 AM and close at 8 PM.
October 17, 2025 2:53 am
Pennsylvania is now some three and a half months into its fiscal year and still has no budget. That problem has many counties looking at ways to survive. Worker furloughs and program cuts are now being instituted statewide. Commissioners Nick Sherman and Larry Maggi both expressed frustration with the lack of a budget because about 80% of the Washington County budget is dependent on the state. Both commissioners agree that the county is holding its own, but not for long. According to Maggi, prudent spending of past administrations have allowed the county to build up a prudent reserve. Sherman says recent actions such as its fleet services campaign and privatization of senior meals have contributed to helpful savings. Both commissioners are concerned that a continued stand off in Harrisburg will threaten services to the most vulnerable of citizens, children and the elderly. Sherman says that the county is working with the finance department daily to keep up with expenses. He is hoping that furloughs are not in the offing. He says that borrowing money is out of the question because of the interest that would be paid on the loan for however long the loan would last. Sherman and Maggi are calling on State Legislature and the Governor to work on finding a resolution.
October 17, 2025 2:50 am
The Washington County Republican Party issued a press release on Thursday announcing that the Executive Committee has voted to remove Tim Warco from party membership. They are also calling for his resignation as Washington County Coroner. In a unanimous vote, the executive committee says their decision came after a Grievance Committee hearing in August. The hearing reviewed grievances filed by two party members. They say Warco declined to attend. They said their requests are based on their findings that included a 2023 Primary Election photo showing Warco in solidarity with Democratic candidates; news articles detailing what they say is his alleged falsification of a death certificate; multiple reports of erratic behavior – raising concerns over his mental fitness and significant reputational damage to Washington County and the Coroner’s Office. WJPA has reached out to both the Washington County Republican Party and Warco for comment.
October 16, 2025 5:02 am
The public release of a Young Republican group chat that included racist language, jokes about rape and flippant commentary on gas chambers has prompted bipartisan calls for those involved to be removed from or resign their positions. Vice President JD Vance, meanwhile, has criticized the backlash, labeling it “pearl clutching.” Vance compared the dustup to past violent comments by a Democratic candidate In Virginia, arguing that Jay Jones’ remarks concerning political violence were worse. Other Republicans, like Vermont’s Gov. Phil Scott, are demanding resignations, calling the comments “unacceptable.” Democrats, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, have urged investigations, condemning the messages as discriminatory.
October 16, 2025 5:01 am
CHICAGO (AP) — A judge says she will require federal immigration officers in the Chicago area to wear body cameras after the use of tear gas used against protesters. Federal Judge Sara Ellis also ordered a senior official to court next week to talk about an enforcement operation that has led to more than 1,000 arrests. Ellis says she was a “little startled” after seeing TV images of clashes between agents and the public during President Donald Trump’s administration’s immigration crackdown. Ellis says it seems her earlier order related to handling encounters with protesters isn’t being followed, and she wants to talk with both sides next week about the use of body cameras. A lawyer for the government says media reports have been “one-sided.”
October 16, 2025 5:00 am
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from firing workers during the government shutdown, saying the human cost “cannot be tolerated.” U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco on Wednesday granted a temporary restraining order halting the job cuts, saying she believes evidence would show the cuts were illegal. The White House budget office said Friday that mass firings of federal workers had started. That announcement prompted labor unions for federal employees to ask the judge to block the Republican administration from issuing new layoff notices and implementing those already sent out. The White House referred a request for comment to the Office of Management and Budget. The budget office has yet to respond.
October 16, 2025 4:59 am
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) — Col. Michael Randrianirina has been sworn in as Madagascar’s new leader after seizing power in a military coup. This rapid takeover ousted President Andry Rajoelina, who fled the country. Randrianirina, the commander of an elite army unit, took office at the nation’s High Constitutional Court. The United Nations has condemned the military takeover as unconstitutional. The coup followed weeks of anti-government protests led by young people. Randrianirina plans to run the country with a military council for up to two years before elections. The situation has led to Madagascar’s suspension from the African Union.
