September 15, 2025 5:00 am
A Castle Shannon man is facing charges after authorities say he caused a house explosion and fire that killed his daughter and injured his wife and a volunteer firefighter Sunday morning. Allegheny County Police charged Brian Jeffrey Shelleby, 46, with homicide, arson and causing or risking a catastrophe. The explosion and fire was reported just before 10 a.m in the 800 block of Corbett Drive. Allegheny County Police say Lakyn Shelleby, 19, had been trapped inside. She was unresponsive when firefighters found her and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her mother, Carly Shelleby, and a Castle Shannon firefighter were injured. According to a criminal complaint, Brian Shelleby told Carly Shelleby that he was going to burn the house down after she told him he could not stay there because they were separated. Carly Shelleby told police she soon after heard liquid being poured in the garage and then saw Brian Shelleby pouring gasoline as he came up the stairs and throughout the first floor. She screamed for Lakyn to get out of the house, and ran out herself after Lakyn responded to her, the complaint states. Carly Shelleby said that as she ran out of the house, it exploded into flames. Castle Shannon police detained Brian Shelleby at the scene. In an interview with police, he admitted to causing the explosion and fire, the complaint states. Brian Shelleby is being held without bond in the Allegheny County Jail. He is to face a preliminary hearing September 26.
September 15, 2025 4:54 am
PROVO, Utah (AP) — Prosecutors are looking at filing a capital murder charge against the Utah man jailed in the killing of prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Charges against 22-year-old Tyler Robinson are expected to come Tuesday ahead of his first court hearing after he was arrested in last week’s shooting. Investigators are continuing to piece together evidence from the attack at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was speaking on a nationwide campus tour. Prosecutors in Utah County are considering several charges, including aggravated murder. That charge could bring the death penalty if Robinson is convicted. Robinson will appear on camera for a virtual court hearing once the charges become official.
September 15, 2025 4:51 am
LONDON (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump is set to arrive in the United Kingdom for a state visit. The British government hopes a multibillion-dollar technology deal will show strong transatlantic ties despite differences over Ukraine and the Middle East. Trump, who lands on Tuesday, will meet King Charles III at Windsor Castle and hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers. This is Trump’s second state visit to the U.K., a first for a U.S. president. The visit comes amid political turmoil in Starmer’s government, including the firing of Britain’s ambassador to Washington. The technology partnership due to be announced will bring billions in investment and thousands of jobs to the UK.
September 14, 2025 11:35 am
Pennsylvania hunters will have an extra day to hunt this weekend as the state’s new law allowing Sunday hunting takes effect. Act 36 of 2025 repealed the previous ban on Sunday hunting, providing hunters with more opportunities. Introduced as House Bill 1431 by Rep. Mandy Steele (D-District 33), Act 36 received Gov. Josh Shapiro’s signature in July. “This weekend is one for the history books,” said Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith. “Pennsylvania hunters finally have an opportunity to hunt on a Sunday under the newly enacted law, and I couldn’t be more excited to ring in Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania in 2025.” Sunday hunting will be available for a variety of species, including squirrels, woodchucks, coyotes, antlerless deer on Ag Tag properties, crows, and bobwhite quail. As the hunting seasons progress, more Sunday hunting opportunities will become available. However, migratory game birds such as Canada geese, doves, rails and gallinules cannot be hunted on Sundays. A total of thirteen Sundays have been approved for hunting in 2025, from Sept. 14th through December 7th. In state parks, Sunday hunting is limited to three specific Sundays in the 2025-26 hunting seasons: Nov. 16, Nov. 23 and Nov. 30. The previously approved Sundays for hunting foxes, coyotes and crows will not change. The Game Commission has updated the hunting seasons to include new Sunday hunting opportunities, and a new edition of the 2025-26 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest is available to provide hunters with more information about the changes
September 14, 2025 7:25 am
(WPXI) SWISSVALE, Pa. — Two people were taken to a hospital after a multi-alarm fire at an apartment building in Swissvale. Swissvale Fire Chief Clyde Wilhelm tells Channel 11 that two people were trapped in an apartment when firefighters got on scene, and were located hanging out of a window. They were rescued and taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation. Wilhelm wasn’t aware of their current conditions. While the Allegheny County fire marshal’s investigation is ongoing, Wilhelm says that the initial investigation indicates the fire began when a candle fell on a couch. Wilhelm says six apartments were damaged, and those residents will be displaced. A Red Cross spokesperson confirms the organization is assisting the residents who’ve been displaced.
September 14, 2025 7:20 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge is temporarily keeping measures in place to prevent the Trump administration from deporting Guatemalan migrant children in government custody. Judge Timothy J. Kelly’s decision on Saturday stops the removal of children who came to the U.S. alone and are living in shelters and foster care. The decision follows a Labor Day weekend operation where the administration attempted to deport dozens of children. Immigration advocates sued, arguing the children were fleeing abuse or violence. Kelly’s order extends protection until Sept. 16. The government initially claimed the parents requested their return but later backtracked.
September 14, 2025 7:19 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Kash Patel is bracing for scrutiny over his leadership of the Charlie Kirk investigation and other areas when he appears before Congress this coming week for oversight hearings. He raised eyebrows hours after Kirk’s killing when he posted on X that “the subject” in the killing was in custody when he in fact remained on the loose. That confusion was an early misstep in an investigation that has become the most consequential test of Patel’s young career as director. The hearings are expected to give a glimpse into the sustained tumult at the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency. (Photo: AP)
September 14, 2025 7:18 am
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s foreign minister says a U.S. warship illegally boarded a Venezuelan fishing boat in Venezuelan waters. The incident, involving nine fishermen, adds to tensions between the two countries. The US had previously deployed warships in the Caribbean, citing a fight against drug cartels. Venezuela accuses the US of seeking to provoke a military escalation. The Venezuelan government also claims the US committed extrajudicial killings in a separate incident involving a drug-laden vessel. Venezuela is urging citizens to join militias amid fears of a potential US incursion.
September 14, 2025 2:29 am
A few dozen people showed up for a memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed this week while speaking at a college campus in Utah. The rally was promoted on Facebook to begin at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday in front of the Washington County Courthouse. The group, however, was left standing, with no guidance until at least 10:45, until someone in the group decided to open with a prayer. WJPA was not able to find or speak with the individual (s) who promoted the event, and everyone we spoke to said they did not know the organizer, but they saw it posted on Facebook. As a result, the memorial continued with those in attendance making personal remarks and the singing of “Amazing Grace.” Most of those whom we spoke with echoed the same thoughts, saying this isn’t the way to solve political issues, free speech is dying and it doesn’t matter what political party you are a member of, violence isn’t the answer.
September 13, 2025 7:08 am
CONNELLSVILLE, Pa. —(WPXI)- A local middle school teacher is facing charges as police say she had inappropriate contact with a student. Connellsville Area School District middle school teacher Ashley Autumn Mongell, 30, is charged with unlawful contact with a minor, sexual abuse of children and corruption of minors. Fayette County District Attorney District Attorney Mike Aubele announced the charges on Friday. According to court documents, police began the investigation last Thursday after receiving a Cyber Tip about messages being sent between Mongell and a teen boy. Police said they found messages sent on Instagram that were sexually suggestive. The Attorney General issued a subpoena and police obtained information about the teen, who was 14. The boy told police both he and Mongell had sent nude photographs over Snapchat .When police interviewed Mongell on Friday, they say she admitted to using the account found in the conversations, communicating with the boy she knew to be underage and said that he was in her class last year, court documents say. Police said she also admitted that she sent the boy a fully nude photo. Investigators said that photo was found on the teen’s device. DA Aubele said Mongell could face up to 7 years in prison for the felony “Unlawful Contact with a Minor” charge.
