August 19, 2025 4:53 am
The television network MSNBC will change its name later this year as part of its corporate divorce from NBC. The new name will by My Source News Opinion World, or MS NOW for short. MSNBC, which will also removed NBC’s peacock corporate logo from its insignia, has been building a separate news division from NBC News by hiring new reporters and executives in recent months. It has been known as MSNBC since its formation in 1996, as a partnership then between Microsoft and NBC. It runs second in cable news ratings to Fox News Channel with personalities like Rachel Maddow, Nicole Wallace and Ari Melber.
August 19, 2025 4:52 am
DENVER (AP) — The conservative network Newsmax has agreed to pay $67 million to settle a lawsuit accusing it of defaming a voting equipment company by spreading lies about President Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss. The settlement announced Monday comes after Fox News Channel paid $787.5 million to settle a similar lawsuit in 2023 and Newsmax paid what court papers describe as $40 million to settle a libel lawsuit from a different voting machine manufacturer, Smartmatic, which also was a target of pro-Trump conspiracy theories on the network. Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis ruled earlier Newsmax defamed Denver-based Dominion Voting Systems by airing false information about the company and its equipment. Dominion says it’s pleased to have settled.
August 19, 2025 4:50 am
Oklahoma will require applicants for teaching jobs from California and New York to pass an exam that the state’s top education official says is designed to safeguard against “radical leftist ideology.” Opponents decry the exam as a “MAGA loyalty test.” Ryan Walters, the state public schools superintendent, said Monday that any teacher coming from the two blue states will be required to pass Oklahoma’s PragerU assessment test before getting a certification. PragerU is short for Prager University and promotes itself as a leading conservative nonprofit. State education officials say the 50-question test is finalized and will be rolling out “very soon.”
August 19, 2025 4:47 am
RODANTHE, N.C. (AP) — Hurricane Erin is churning slowly toward the eastern U.S. coast and stirring up waves that already have forced dozens of beach rescues several days before the biggest storm surges are expected. Forecasters remain confident the center of the monster storm will remain far offshore. But the outer edges are likely to bring damaging tropical-force winds, large swells and life-threatening rip currents. Warnings about rip currents have been posted from Florida to the New England coast. Authorities are prohibiting people from swimming in beaches from New York City, Long Island and down into New Jersey. The biggest swells along the East Coast are expected to develop Wednesday and last into Thursday. (Photo: AP)
August 19, 2025 2:22 am
The Rally on Main that was scheduled in the City of Washington for Saturday August 23rd has been canceled due to an incident that occurred in North Franklin Township over the weekend. City of Washington Police Chief, Steve Devenney says he consulted with the mayor, outside police agencies and the city solicitor and determined that it was in the best interest and safety of the community to cancel this event at this time. Mayor JoJo Burgess, after discussing with Washington Police Chief Steve Devenney, communicated with the organizers of the event who agreed to the cancellation. Burgess tells WJPA the incident that forced the cancellation happened Saturday in North Franklin township and involved two groups of bikers. Burgess says authorities found evidence that shots were fired after finding shell casings at the scene and blood as well. According to Burgess, everyone had left the scene and there were no witnesses to talk with. Meanwhile, officials with Forty Bar and Grille, where the incident occurred, posted this on their Facebook page Monday afternoon:
On the evening of Saturday the 16th, our establishment was the target of a brutal and unprovoked attack carried out by a motorcycle club. This violent act terrorized our business, traumatized our staff, and endangered the lives of our patrons. Several of our bartenders and guests were forced to hide in the basement, fearing for their safety, while chaos erupted above. We want to make it absolutely clear: our bar had no affiliation, engagement, or prior dealings with this motorcycle club. We were victims of their intimidation and violence. Our only priority in that moment was protecting the people inside our establishment. NOBODY WAS SHOT. The aftermath of this event has left our community shaken, and understandably, it has impacted larger events like the Rally on Main. While we share the disappointment that this years rally cannot move forward, it is important that blame is not misplaced on victims of this attack. The responsibility for this incident lies solely with those who carried out these violent acts. To our loyal patrons, our incredible staff, and the greater Washington community: please know that your safety will always remain our top priority. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement to ensure justice is served and that those responsible are held accountable. We ask for compassion and support for our bartenders, guests, and everyone affected by this senseless act of violence. Our doors remain open, and we will continue working tirelessly to provide a safe, welcoming space for all who walk through them. Burgess says Rally on Main will return next year on Saturday, August 15, 2026. (Photo: Rally on Main Facebook Page)
August 19, 2025 2:17 am
State Police say an eighteen-year-old man has been arrested in the shooting death late Sunday evening in Ellsworth. Troopers say the shooting happened at around 11:12 p.m. in the 20 block of Walnut Street in Ellsworth. Twenty-one-year-old Elijah Thomas Johnson of Carnegie was allegedly shot and killed by his friend, eighteen-year-old Christopher Tarkelo Harper while at Harper’s house. According to state police, Johnson and Harper were involved with the same woman. Harper is charged with criminal homicide, burglary, firearms charges and reckless endangerment. He was taken into custody in New Castle, Lawrence County Monday afternoon.
August 19, 2025 12:16 am
Business owners and property owners were invited to the Washington Downtown Business Authority’s Town Hall gathering to try make the City of Washington a more vibrant place. Bradley Martin, Director of the WDBA, prepared questions for all to answer with regards to challenges that business owners and property owners face in their day to day routine of business. Among the challenges that both face are uneven sidewalk issues, unkempt and vacant properties. Several owners cited parking as an issue. Lots are unmarked and the app available for people to use is not well advertised. Owners agreed that collaboration between businesses would be a meaningful way to try and drive business back downtown. Property owners and business owners both had issues that they would like to see the city address. The concrete boxes that cover light pole bases were mentioned often. Also mentioned was the lack of police presence. Some believed that a patrolman should be designated to make sure streets are safe for visitors to walk. Martin was pleased to have had 30 stake holders attend the meeting. He said that the collaborative effort between all parties is vital to the city’s success.
August 18, 2025 5:43 pm
If you’re traveling in Charleroi, the fire department is urging you to avoid the area of 7th Street and Cherry Alley in the borough. Authorities say 7th Street was closed after a tri-axle truck fell into a sinkhole. There were no reports of any injuries. (Photo courtesy of Charleroi Fire Department)
August 18, 2025 3:25 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump expressed hopes that talks with Ukrainian and European leaders at the White House could lead to trilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring an end to Russia’s war on Ukraine. Monday’s hastily assembled meeting comes after Trump met on Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin and has said that the onus is now on Zelenskyy to agree to concessions that he said could end the war. Trump said he would back European security guarantees for Ukraine, though he stopped short of committing U.S. troops to the effort. (Photo: AP)
August 18, 2025 9:47 am
Authorities say two police officers were shot and killed in Utah and a man was taken into custody after bystanders persuaded him to drop the gun. The officers were responding to a domestic disturbance call Sunday in a neighborhood in Tremonton. Police say Monday a sheriff’s deputy and a police dog who also responded were wounded. The deputy has been released from the hospital and the dog was hospitalized in fair condition. The man was arrested on aggravated murder charges. His name and the officers’ names have not been released. SWAT teams responded to clear the home and verify that there was no further threat.
