October 2, 2025 4:55 am
A former Democratic member of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board has filed a lawsuit challenging his dismissal by President Donald Trump. Robert Primus claims his firing on Aug. 27 was illegal and threatens the board’s independence. The White House has not responded to the lawsuit, which was filed Tuesday. Primus was dismissed just before the board was to consider Union Pacific’s proposed $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern. Critics argue that Trump’s actions undermine the board’s independence. Primus, who served since 2001, was the only member to oppose a previous major railroad merger.
October 2, 2025 4:51 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Federal transportation officials want Philadelphia’s mass transit agency to shelve an electric railcar model that’s heavily used in its regional rail fleet until it figures out how to stop them from catching fire. The recommendation from the National Transportation Safety Board came this week after it investigated five fires this year involving aging Silverliner IV passenger railcars. The NTSB says the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority should fast-track replacement of the cars or retrofit them to meet modern safety standards. All five fires forced evacuations and a few minor injuries were reported. The transit agency also known as SEPTA didn’t immediately respond to questions about the recommendations.
October 2, 2025 4:47 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is asking nine major universities to commit to President Donald Trump’s political priorities in exchange for more favorable access to federal money. A document sent to the universities encourages them to adopt the White House’s vision for America’s campuses. Schools are asked to accept the government’s priorities on admissions, women’s sports, free speech, student discipline and college affordability, among other topics. The schools are Vanderbilt, the University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, the University of Southern California, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Texas, the University of Arizona, Brown University and the University of Virginia. It’s not clear how or why they were selected.
October 2, 2025 4:47 am
A Warrant has been issued for the arrest of a Clairton man charged with assaulting and threatening a woman. Peters Township Police they were called to the 200 block of Settlers Court Monday evening. Jennifer Schlata claims 28 year old Ryan Williams was gathering his personal belongings when he dumped bleach on her, pulled the back of her shirt, making it difficult for her to breath and grabbed a kitchen knife threatening her life. Williams is also accused of destroying a laptop, furniture and a watch. He is charged with felony counts of aggravated assault, strangulation and criminal mischief. He also faces other misdemeanor charges.
October 1, 2025 5:20 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government was thrown into a shutdown with no easy endgame in sight. Democrats held firm Wednesday to their demands to salvage health care subsidies that President Donald Trump and Republican in Congress have refused to negotiate. The White House threatened mass layoffs of federal workers in a matter of days. No new talks were scheduled after the president failed this week to secure a deal with congressional leaders. Blame was being cast on all sides. A vote to end the government shutdown has failed. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he’s praying that Democrats come to their senses. (Photo: AP)
October 1, 2025 4:17 pm
(AP) – Jane Goodall, the conservationist renowned for her groundbreaking chimpanzee field research and globe-spanning environmental advocacy, has died. She was 91. While living among chimpanzees in Africa decades ago, Goodall documented the animals using tools and doing other activities previously believed to be exclusive to humans. She also noted their distinct personalities. Her observations and subsequent magazine and documentary appearances in the 1960s transformed how the world perceived not only humans’ closest living biological relatives but also the emotional and social complexity of all animals, while propelling her into the public consciousness.
October 1, 2025 5:00 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said his administration was close to reaching a deal with Harvard University, the Ivy League institution it has targeted with a series of investigations and billions of dollars in funding cuts as it presses for changes to its policies and governance. A truce with the country’s oldest and wealthiest college would end a clash that has tested the independence of America’s colleges. Trump initially said a deal had been reached but in further comments said officials were “close to finalizing” the deal but “we haven’t done it yet.”
October 1, 2025 4:58 am
A popular retailer has announced plans to expand into Western Pennsylvania. A spokesperson from Meijer said the business has acquired properties in the area. “While there is no definitive timeline for the opening of new stores on these properties, we’re excited about the prospect of bringing our quality products and exceptional shopping experience to customers throughout Western Pennsylvania,” the statement said. They have not announced exactly where those properties are. “We look forward to introducing ourselves to these communities and are committed to being an active and engaged neighbor,” Meijer’s statement said. Meijer currently operates more than 500 stores throughout the Midwest and employs over 70,000 people. The privately-owned, family-operated business claims to be the “pioneer of the one-stop shopping concept,” when they opened a supercenter in the 1960s that sold groceries, clothing and hardware in one place.
October 1, 2025 4:54 am
PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle is lowering the prices of more than 300 key grocery staples. The grocery store chain says this is part of its new seasonal pricing initiative that’s intended to provide customers with immediate relief from inflation. “By lowering the prices of key items that our customers frequently purchase, we intend to deliver reliable everyday value and savings opportunities for Giant Eagle customers as they shop for their families throughout the season,” said Justin Weinstein, of Giant Eagle. Shoppers will see the lower prices starting on Oct. 2. The program remains in effect through the end of the year. Items that will have their prices reduced or held are the more than 300 most frequently purchased products, Giant Eagle says. That includes staples like eggs, shredded cheese, 80/20 ground beef, Cheerios, tomatoes, bacon, potatoes, apples, canned beans and frozen vegetables. Giant Eagle says the pricing initiative is an element of the “Because it Matters” strategy, which reaffirms the company’s commitment to better everyday value and quality while prioritizing what matters to its customers.
October 1, 2025 4:51 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s counties, school districts and social service agencies are warning of mounting layoffs, borrowing costs and damage to the safety net as the politically divided state government enters its fourth month of a budget stalemate. The stalemate entangling Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, the Democratic-controlled House and the Republican-controlled Senate has no certain end in sight as finger-pointing falls along partisan lines. As October begins, county officials and social service providers say the damage is accelerating. They say lines of credit and reserves are running out, meaning deeper layoffs and more service shutdowns are inevitable. Kristen Rotz of the United Way of Pennsylvania says things will get exponentially worse in October.
