October 18, 2025 4:11 am
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of former U.S. Rep. George Santos, who was slated to serve more than seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to fraud and identity theft charges. One of Santos’ lawyers told the New York Post late Friday that the former lawmaker was released from the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey, around 11 p.m. The New York Republican was sentenced in April after admitting last year to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of 11 people — including his own family members — to make donations to his campaign.
October 18, 2025 4:08 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Five remaining universities have been weighing an offer from President Donald Trump to sign a “compact” for higher education. None has signed on as the deadline approaches, and on Friday, the University of Virginia declined the offer. The White House has faced several rejections after inviting nine universities to become initial signers of the compact. The document requests that universities adopt commitments aligned with Trump’s political priorities, including eliminating race and sex from admissions decisions. On Friday, the Trump administration met with the universities still trying to decide whether to sign the agreement. More than 30 higher education organizations have urged the White House to withdraw the compact.
October 18, 2025 3:49 am
Washington County Commissioners recognized a Southpointe business owner for his national honor centered on hiring veterans. Martin Beichner, owner of AccuTrex Products was honored by the National American Legion with the 2025 Employer Veterans Award for mid-sized companies. The honor is given to businesses whose staff is made up of at least 10% veterans. Beichner was honored to receive the award. He said he felt it was important to hire veterans, especially those in need. Beichner has hired several veterans from the City Mission and is proud to say that they are now on their feet in their own apartments and driving their own cars. He said he is blessed that he returned from a tour in Vietnam with all of his fingers and toes and most of his sanity. He said several of his friends still suffer from physical difficulties caused by agent orange. Beichner joined the Navy in 1967 becoming a corpsman serving in South Vietnam. During the commissioners meeting Beichner received his plaque from the National American Legion, a proclamation from Washington County Commissioners and a proclamation presented by Cecil Township Supervisor Cindy Fisher.
October 18, 2025 3:45 am
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board released their revenue statistics for the month of September. The board says there was an overall increase of 5.92%. In dollars, all forms of gaming brought in $535,834,254 statewide in September. Locally, the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows was 11th in revenue generated with $17,799,446. That is a more than 38% drop from September of 2024. The category with the largest revenue drop at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows was sports wagering. In September 2025, sports wagering revenue was $4,097,753. In September 2024, sports wagering revenue was $13,108,981, that is a 68.74% drop. The total tax revenue generated in September 2025 was $227,853,311.
October 17, 2025 3:55 pm
(AP) – Ford is recalling more than 290,000 vehicles in the U.S. because the rear-view camera system may not display images properly in certain lighting conditions, which could increase the risk of a crash. The recall includes certain 2020-2022 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F-450 SD vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s safety recall report said that Ford reviewed customer complaint data and warranty information to understand customer occurrences. The automaker said that as of Sept. 20, it was aware of 10 reports, with the first report occurring on Jan. 20, 2022. Ford is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this condition. The automaker’s dealers will update the image processing module software of the impacted vehicles for free.
October 17, 2025 7:28 am
Protesting the direction of the country under President Donald Trump, people will gather Saturday in the nation’s capital and communities across the U.S. They’re holding “No Kings” demonstrations, or what the president’s Republican Party is calling “Hate America” rallies. This is the third mass mobilization since Trump’s return to the White House and it’s expected to be the largest. It comes against the backdrop of a government shutdown that not only has closed federal programs and services, but is testing the core balance of power as organizers warn of a slide toward American authoritarianism. Trump himself is away from Washington at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.
October 17, 2025 5:04 am
Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the glam rock band Kiss who captivated audiences with his elaborate makeup and smoke-filled guitar, has died. He was 74. Frehley’s agent says he died peacefully Thursday surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall. Family members say in a statement that they are “completely devastated and heartbroken” but will cherish his laughter and celebrate the kindness he bestowed upon others. Kiss’ hits included “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “Detroit Rock City.” It was known for theatrical stage shows with fireworks, smoking instruments and fake blood. Band members famously wore body armor, platform boots, wigs and their signature black-and-white face paint.
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.
