January 26, 2025 7:59 am
HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WPXI) – A married couple and their two young children were found dead in Westmoreland County in what police are calling an apparent murder-suicide. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the incident that happened at a home on Keck Lane in Hempfield Township. Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson identified the victims Friday morning as Paul Swarner, 35, Karen Swarner, 32, Evelyn Swarner, 5 and Connor Swarner, 1. “It’s unthinkable. Unfathomable. To be honest with you I don’t have the words to describe how awful,” said Trooper Steve Limani of the Pennsylvania State Police. “I mean you’re talking about your wife, but then a five year old and then a one year old. It’s just devastating.” Troopers said they received a call at 11:30 p.m. Thursday from Karen Swarner’s dad who had done a welfare check on the family and found his daughter, Paul Swarner and their kids dead. Right now, troopers are looking to see if they can find out why Paul Swarner killed his family and himself, and also map out a timeline on when the shootings happened.
January 25, 2025 4:01 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has confirmed Pete Hegseth as the nation’s defense secretary in a dramatic late-night vote. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote Friday in a late-night session. Republicans had pushed back questions about Hegseth’s qualifications amid allegations of heavy drinking and aggressive behavior toward women. GOP senators prioritized the former Fox News host and combat veteran’s vow to create a “warrior culture” at the Pentagon. President Donald Trump said, “We have a great secretary of defense and we’re very happy.” Trump said. Hegseth’s confirmation rounds out Trump’s top national security Cabinet officials.
January 25, 2025 4:04 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is heading towards a vote on confirming South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary. It would place her at the head of a sprawling agency that will be essential to both national security and President Donald Trump’s plans to squash illegal immigration. Republicans were determined to barrel through on Noem’s confirmation, threatening to keep the Senate working through the weekend to install Trump’s national security Cabinet officials. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth won confirmation Friday night, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe were already in place.
January 25, 2025 4:07 am
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Commemorations are being held Monday to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp by Soviet troops. This year’s event takes on additional poignancy due to the advanced age of the survivors. Many have already passed away, and there is a sombre awareness that there will be far fewer soon even as new wars and horrors mean their warnings remain as relevant as ever. As living memory fades, the mission of remembering falls to the next generations and key institutions. The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum says it expects about 50 survivors of German extermination and concentration camps to attend the events in southern Poland. They will be joined by political leaders and royalty. (Photo: AP)
January 25, 2025 4:05 am
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel and Hamas are expected to swap more hostages for Palestinian prisoners. It would be the second such exchange since a ceasefire began in the Gaza Strip last weekend. It is another test for the truce that is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and the militant group. The fragile deal has so far held, quieting airstrikes and rockets and allowing for increased aid to flow into the tiny coastal territory. When the ceasefire began Sunday, three hostages held by the militants were released in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners, all women and children. On Saturday, four hostages are expected to be freed for 200 prisoners.
January 26, 2025 7:00 am
A Fayette County judge dismissed all charges against three men charged in a drive by shooting in Uniontown 2020. On Thursday Judge Linda Cordaro granted pretrial motions to dismiss filed by Micah Craig, Malik Belt and Devyon Dennis in the shooting death of Kaii McCargo on September 4, 2020. The judge found that prosecutors there did not have enough evidence to proceed to trial. McCargo was a passenger in a vehicle that was parked on Evans Street when another car pulled up beside it and fired multiple shots, hitting McCargo in the head and torso. Another passenger, Issac Michaux, was able to roll out of his seat to avoid the gunfire.
January 26, 2025 8:15 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Republicans put Pennsylvania and Wisconsin back in the win column in the 2024 presidential race, and they’re hoping that momentum carries over to contests this year that will determine whether their state Supreme Courts retain left-leaning majorities or flip to conservative control. The outcome can be pivotal in deciding cases related to abortion, election disputes, voting laws and redistricting for Congress and their state legislatures. Money is pouring in and expected to eclipse the $70 million-plus combined spent on the states’ Supreme Court races two years ago. The Wisconsin race has caught the attention of Elon Musk, the SpaceX and Tesla CEO who is a close ally of President Donald Trump, and has surfaced tensions related to Trump’s pardons of his supporters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
January 25, 2025 3:56 am
ROBINSON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WPXI) — A local man was arrested on a federal warrant related to child sex crime charges. The Mt. Pleasant Township Police Department said Jason Goodsell was arrested in Robinson Township. Goodsell had a federal warrant for sexual exploitation of children and certain activities relating to material involving the sexual exploitation of minors charges. The FBI and McDonald Police assisted.
January 25, 2025 3:57 am
NORTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — (WPXI) – Two spas in North Strabane Township have been shut down after reported criminal activity. North Strabane Township police said their department has been receiving reports of criminal activity at Jin Spa at 142 McClelland Road and Yan Spa at 2215 Hill Church Houston Road. A lengthy investigation confirmed those reports. The spas, which were owner and operated by the same person, were also found to be operating in close proximity to public schools and medical facilities. Thursday, North Strabane police executed search and arrest warrants at both locations and associated residences. Five employees or principals of the business were arrested and both locations are closed pending further investigation. If you have any information about illegal activity taking place at these locations, you can submit information or anonymous tips to: tips@nstpd.com or by calling (724) 746-4090.
January 25, 2025 3:57 am
A Washington County couple has been charged by Pennsylvania State Police with burglaries of 12 bars in Washington, Fayette and Westmoreland counties. David Rice, 33 of Charleroi and Stephanie Hankle 30 of Monongahela face multiple charges that include burglary, criminal trespass, theft, criminal mischief and others. The burglaries occurred in 2023, the investigation into the burglaries took a year to investigate. Police allege that the pair would watch the establishments to determine their closing procedures. Once determined, Rice would either forcibly enter or walk through open doors to take what he wanted. Once presented with police evidence the pair confessed to their crimes. Things taken were cash, money bags, alcohol and an entire ATM machine. The total of items stolen add up to more than $17,000. Damages to the establishments is $8000. Washington County establishments affected were the Allenport Marina and the Watering Hole in Coal Center. The pair face a preliminary hearing on January 30.
