August 2, 2025 4:34 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday had his team remove the head of the agency that produces the monthly jobs figures, after a weak report showed hiring slowed and was much weaker in April and May than previously reported. Trump in a post on his social media platform alleged that the figures were manipulated for political reasons and said that Erika McEntarfer, the director of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, should be fired.
August 2, 2025 4:30 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is calling for the Federal Reserve’s board of governors to usurp the power of Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Trump criticized the head of the U.S. central bank for not cutting short-term interest rates. Posting on Truth Social on Friday, Trump calls Powell “stubborn.” The Fed chair has been subjected to relentless verbal attacks by the Republican president over several months. The Fed has the responsibility of stabilizing prices and maximizing employment. Powell has held its benchmark rate for overnight loans constant this year, saying Fed officials needed to see what impact Trump’s massive tariffs had on inflation.
August 2, 2025 4:24 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has been a cornerstone of American culture for three generations. Now it says it will begin taking steps toward its own closure after being defunded by the U.S. Senate. That marks the end of a nearly six-decade era in which it fueled the production of renowned educational programming, cultural content and even emergency alerts. The demise of the corporation, known as CPB, is a direct result of President Donald Trump’s targeting of public media, which he has repeatedly said is spreading political and cultural views antithetical to those the United States should be espousing. The closure is expected to have a profound impact on the journalistic and cultural landscape.
August 2, 2025 4:19 am
Aviation experts told the National Transportation Safety Board that night vision goggles may have created viewing difficulties for the pilots of a U.S. Army helicopter that collided with a passenger jet over Washington in January. The Army goggles would have made it difficult to see the plane’s colored lights, which might have helped the Black Hawk determine the plane’s direction. The goggles also limited the pilots’ peripheral vision as they flew near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The goggles were discussed Friday at the NTSB’s third and final day of public testimony over the fatal midair crash, which killed 67 people. The final report on the crash is expected next year.
August 2, 2025 4:17 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Jeannie Seely, the soulful country music singer known for hits like “Don’t Touch Me,” has died at 85. Her publicist says she died Friday from complications of an intestinal infection. Known as “Miss Country Soul,” Seely was a trailblazer for women in country music, celebrated for her spirited nonconformity and hits in the ‘60s and ’70s. She was hospitalized in May after multiple surgeries and a bout of pneumonia. Seely never stopped working in country music. Since 2018, she’s hosted the weekly “Sunday’s with Seely” on Willie Nelson’s SiriusXM channel. She appeared nearly 5,400 times at Grand Ole Opry, which will dedicate its Saturday show to her.
August 2, 2025 4:14 am
SHREWSBURY, Pa. (AP) — A truckload of hot dogs has spilled across a Pennsylvania highway after a crash, clogging the road toward the end of the morning rush hour. The wreck took place on Interstate 83 a few miles north of the Maryland line Friday. It briefly clogged the heavily traveled artery in both directions. Crews were stuck with a job they didn’t relish — rolling up the scattered tube steaks for disposal. State police said the tractor trailer had an unspecified mechanical problem that caused it to push into a passenger vehicle. When the truck scraped along a concrete divider, its trailer was ripped open and the contents scattered. Four people had injuries that were not considered life-threatening. (PHOTO; AP)
August 2, 2025 4:04 am
A 19-year-old was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Westmoreland County late Thursday night. The crash happened just before 11 p.m. on College Avenue near North Greengate Road in Hempfield Township. Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson said Jayden Lynch, 19, was driving a motorized bike in the westbound lane when another vehicle collided with him. Lynch was killed in the crash. Carson said he was not wearing a helmet at the time. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene. Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate. Around Washington County Police are taking several approaches for traffic law enforcement of e-bikes. In Canonsburg, Mayor David Rhome says he and his officers are getting regular complaints about teens weaving in and out of traffic and popping wheelies. Police there are actively enforcing traffic laws and trying to educate residents about e-bikes. In Peters Township, they too have had complaints for months. In addition to enforcement of traffic, trespass and vandalism laws, they are mounting an educational program for adults and teens. On the township website is a video explaining regulations for all e-bikes and scooters and where they may be used and a web page that details all rules and regulations, including those of the state vehicle code that police will enforce.
August 2, 2025 1:54 am
Washington County Commissioners held an emergency voting meeting Friday to authorize the hiring of special counsel to defend the District Attorney. In a unanimous vote, commissioners approved attorney Shohin Vance of the law firm Saxton & Stump to represent Jason Walsh at a fee of $480 per hour. The action comes after the Philadelphia law firm, The Atlantic Center for Capital Representation filed a petition with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court asking for a King’s Bench hearing to examine the practices of Walsh as they pertain to his use of the death penalty. That petition was filed last month. The Atlantic Center is representing Jordan Clarke, of Peters Township who is accused of a fatal assault of his 11 month old son in 2022. They are also representing Joshua George of Smith Township, who is accused of fatally assaulting his six month old son in 2021. Recently, Coroner Tim Warco stated that he filed a false autopsy in the Clarke case because he was coerced by Walsh to do so. During the meeting, two residents spoke against using taxpayer funds to defend Walsh, and also questioned why no means of defense was made for Warco. Commissioner Chairman Nick Sherman says that the county’s insurance policy will cover the costs of the case. He also said that Warco has not requested the assistance of the county for legal defense. Sherman explained that the quick nature of the action was necessary because briefs are due in front of the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
August 1, 2025 11:05 pm
(WPXI) COLLIER TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Chartiers Valley School District has unveiled a major investment in campus safety, powered by artificial intelligence and advanced mapping technology, ahead of the upcoming school year. The district has installed 514 AI-enhanced security cameras designed to detect and alert administrators if someone enters restricted areas.\ In addition, staff ID badges now include access control, limiting which doors employees can use throughout the day so the district has a better idea of who is coming and going. Alerts are sent to administrators and security personnel anytime a door is opened allowing for immediate investigation. These changes come after a teen was charged with making threats to the district last year, prompting a comprehensive review of existing protocols. Security measures now also include officers at every school campus entrance and wearable emergency badges for staff that can connect directly to emergency services. The upgrades represent a more than a million-dollar investment, which district leaders said is well worth the cost. Castagna plans to present a full overview of the upgrades at the next school board meeting on August 12th.
August 1, 2025 9:58 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — Jeannie Seely, the soulful country music singer known for hits like “Don’t Touch Me,” has died at 85. Her publicist says she died Friday from complications of an intestinal infection. Known as “Miss Country Soul,” Seely was a trailblazer for women in country music, celebrated for her spirited nonconformity and hits in the ‘60s and ’70s. She was hospitalized in May after multiple surgeries and a bout of pneumonia. Seely never stopped working in country music. Since 2018, she’s hosted the weekly “Sunday’s with Seely” on Willie Nelson’s SiriusXM channel. She appeared nearly 5,400 times at Grand Ole Opry, which will dedicate its Saturday show to her.
