August 6, 2025 4:51 am
PITTSBURGH — Our news partners at Channel 11 continue to investigate the case of a woman charged with posing as a nurse and being hired to work at nine local facilities with a fraudulent license. They have learned that Shannon Womack was not fingerprinted as a part of her background check to get jobs here in Pennsylvania. They also determined that a law passed two years ago to regulate staffing agencies, which investigators say Womack manipulated to get those jobs, still isn’t in effect. The investigation uncovered more locations where Womack worked as a nurse, including a hospital and three prisons – all in the state of Georgia. They also were able to get a copy of Shannon Womack’s fraudulent nursing license. Police say she stole the identity of a real nurse, Shannon Nicole Parham and used that name to get jobs and steal drugs up and down the east coast. The license, issued by the state of Georgia, shows Shannon Nicole Parham’s license is currently active and unencumbered, which means a “full unrestricted license to practice” by the state board of nursing in 39 states, including Pennsylvania and the territory of Guam. Records show the license was originally issued in October of 2010.
August 6, 2025 4:56 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Health and Human Services plans to cancel contracts and pull funding for some vaccines being developed to fight respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and the flu. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday that $500 million worth of vaccine development projects using mRNA technology will be halted. The 22 projects are led by major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Moderna. These mRNA vaccines are credited with slowing the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. In a social media video, Kennedy said HHS was “prioritizing the development of safer, broader vaccine strategies, like whole-virus vaccines and novel platforms that don’t collapse when viruses mutate.”
August 6, 2025 4:58 am
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas and California are at the center of a national political power struggle that could reshape Trump’s second presidency. And the battle could last months. In Texas, Republican lawmakers are trying to redraw congressional districts to please President Donald Trump. But Democrats are delaying action by leaving the state. In California, Democrats are maneuvering to counter Trump’s Texas play by boosting Democratic House seats in the liberal-leaning state. But California’s process is more complicated, no matter how hard Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom might push it. Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, meanwhile, has signaled his intention to defend the state’s independent redistricting commission that was a signature accomplishment of his Republican administration.
August 6, 2025 4:57 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed the Justice Department for files in the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation and is seeking depositions with the Clintons and former law enforcement officials. It’s part of a probe lawmakers believe may show links to President Donald Trump and former top officials. The Republican-controlled committee issued subpoenas for depositions with Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and eight former top law enforcement officials. Trump denies prior knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and says he cut off their relationship long ago. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors are asking in court to unseal grand jury transcripts in the sex trafficking cases against Epstein and his ex-girlfriend but say there’s not much new in them.
August 6, 2025 4:54 am
HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) — Hiroshima is marking the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japanese city. Many aging survivors express frustration over growing global support for nuclear weapons as deterrence. With survivors’ numbers rapidly declining and their average age now over 86, this anniversary is a significant milestone. The bombing on Aug. 6, 1945, killed 140,000 people and a second bomb on Nagasaki killed 70,000 more. Representatives from 120 countries including Russia and Belarus attended the ceremony Wednesday. Survivors and their families also paid tribute to the victims at the peace memorial park.
August 5, 2025 2:00 am
Officials with Pennsylvania American Water have announced that a boil water advisory for more than 300 customers in Washington County has been lifted. In a release, the company says “acceptable test results were obtained from samples” collected on Sunday and Monday. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has authorized the lifting of the advisory. Customers in Cross Creek, Independence and Jefferson Township’s along with some in West Middletown Borough were notified Saturday that a water main break caused the loss of positive water pressure that resulting in the issuance of the boil water advisory. Pennsylvania American Water thanked its customers for their patience and cooperation during the event.
August 5, 2025 2:44 am
The summer brings less legislative action in municipalities, and the City of Washington is no different. Thursday’s agenda will be light, but two items will be of particular interest. Council will look to approve a Conciliation Agreement with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This action is typically used to settle a discrimination claim instead of taking the claim to court. Discrimination may be of several types, age, race, gender and disability are a few of the types of claims that may be made. Mayor JoJo Burgess will comment formally on the issue once he is certain of what may be disclosed. Additionally, council will look to approve a resolution keeping the final payment date for solid waste collections as June 1 before penalties accrue. It will move the final date of collections to December 31 instead of the current November 2. Council will meet Thursday at 6:00 PM.
August 5, 2025 4:48 am
Canonsburg Council assessed a preliminary application for a Highway Occupancy Permit (HOP) to permit a sewer lateral installation at 48 West Pike Street. The initiative will be financed solely by the owner resulting in no expenses for the borough or taxpayers. Borough Council President Richard Russo, who is serving as the acting interim borough manager, is anticipated to approve the HOP. Although a start date for construction has not been set, the project is expected to disrupt traffic on Pike Street during the installation phase according to Russo. In light of the recent passing of Borough Manager Billie Bilko, the borough is currently looking for candidates to fill the role. Currently, President Richard Russo is fulfilling the combined responsibilities of council president and interim borough manager. Council is also set to vote on reallocating $14,491 from the 2024 CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) demolition funds. The funds are suggested to be reallocated to assist the Taylor Drive CDBG Project. Furthermore, the borough is anticipated to provide $10,000 for Canonsburg Streets financing, which will be distributed via the Redevelopment Authority of Washington County. Regarding community matters, the board will also cast their votes to sanction upcoming events, which include Canonsburg Park Friends and the Camp Splash Kids Triathlon which is set to take place on Friday, August 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the borough park.
August 5, 2025 2:26 pm
(WPXI) PITTSBUGH — Two men are in custody after a massive search in Pittsburgh on Monday afternoon. A Channel 11 crew was on scene as the incident unfolded. Police were stationed on all sides of the 31st Street Bridge, and our crew saw and heard officers draw their guns after a driver took police on a chase from Route 65 to the 31st Street Bridge. The driver, later identified by police as Duane Jemison, jumped out of his car and ran underneath the 31st Street Bridge. Before they found the driver, police took the passenger, Vaughn Hall, into custody on the bridge on-ramp. The driver was later pulled from the water and taken into custody. Jemison is facing charges including robbery, aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person. Hall has not been charged related to this incident, but is facing charges in a shooting from last week. A Pittsburgh police spokesperson says the pursuit ended after the suspected stolen car hit another vehicle on the bridge. No one was hurt in that crash.
August 5, 2025 4:53 am
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Democrats have prevented their state’s House of Representatives from moving forward, at least for now, with a redrawn congressional map sought by President Donald Trump. The map would shore up Republicans’ 2026 midterm prospects as Trump’s political standing falters. After dozens of Democrats left the state, the Republican-dominated House was unable Monday to establish the quorum of lawmakers required to do business. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has made threats about removing some members of the opposition from their seats. Democrats pushed back Monday. Some mocked Abbott as the weak figure in the drama, saying he is “bending a knee” to Trump. And at least one legal expert casts doubt on the governor’s ability to sanction any state lawmaker.
