August 1, 2025 5:06 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump has raised the tariff rate on U.S. imports from Canada to 35% from 25%, effective Friday. The announcement from the White House late Thursday said Canada had failed to do more to stop traffickers and illicit drugs. The rate applies to goods not covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Trump earlier had threatened to impose the higher tariff on Canada if no deal was reached by Friday, his deadline for reaching trade agreements with dozens of countries. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was disappointed by Trump’s actions. He vowed to diversify Canada’s exports and said his government will try to minimize the impact and protect Canadian jobs.
August 1, 2025 5:05 am
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A father and mother who died on an Arkansas hiking trail were stabbed to death and a 28-year-old schoolteacher has been charged in the killings. Arkansas State Police Col. Mike Hagar said during a news conference Thursday that authorities are trying to determine a motive for the attack. They have no reason to believe Andrew James McGann knew the couple or their children. McGann was arrested on Wednesday. Clinton and Cristen Brink were found dead on a walking trail at Devil’s Den State Park on Saturday. Two of their three daughters who were with them at the time were not hurt in the attack.
August 1, 2025 5:04 am
Storms are lashing the East Coast from Virginia to Connecticut, flooding roadways and delaying flights from Boston to Washington, D.C. Social media posts show vehicles stranded in pockets of high water and water pouring over a train in Manhattan’s Grand Central Terminal. Commuter rail lines into suburban Long Island and New Jersey are suspended in places. Flash flood warnings are in effect for parts of New York City, New Jersey and Philadelphia. States of emergency have been declared in New Jersey and New York City. The National Weather Service warns of heavy rainfall and potentially severe thunderstorms along the Washington-Philadelphia-New York City corridor.
August 1, 2025 5:03 am
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A California judge is extending migrant status protections ended by the Trump administration for more than 60,000 people from Central America and Nepal. The order Thursday by U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson in San Francisco affects 7,000 Nepalese whose Temporary Protected Status designations were scheduled to expire Tuesday. About 51,000 people from Honduras and nearly 3,000 from Nicaragua were scheduled to have their status terminated in September. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ended the program after determining that conditions in their home countries no longer warranted protections. The National TPS Alliance is challenging the terminations as arbitrary and racist.
August 1, 2025 5:02 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that would have new tariffs on a wide swath of U.S. trading partners to go into effect in seven days — the next step in his trade agenda that will test the global economy and alliances. The order was issued Thursday evening, following a series of tariff-related activities as the White House reached agreements with various nations. Trump also announced a 90-day negotiating period with Mexico, keeping the current 25% tariff rates. The tariffs are set to take effect Friday, with countries notified of their rates. Trump has reached deals with South Korea, the European Union, Japan, and others. The tariffs aim to address trade imbalances and issues like fentanyl trafficking.
August 1, 2025 4:57 am
CONNELLSVILLE, Pa. — A fire Thursday at a funeral home in Fayette County. Firefighters were called to the Paul G. Fink Funeral Home in Connellsville in the 400 block of Pittsburgh Street at 2:03 p.m. on Thursday. “As we got here, there was heavy smoke showing from the attic area, really thick brown smoke,” said New Haven Assistant Fire Chief Sam Spotto. Spotto said the fire in the attic was knocked down rather quickly, but there was a lot of water damage that could not have been prevented. Two firefighters were taken to a hospital for heat exhaustion out of precaution. Firefighters said they believe the fire was started accidentally by workers who were trying to strip paint.
August 1, 2025 2:54 am
It is now August and that means that the Washington County Agricultural Fair is just about ready to kick off. Opening day for the fair is August 9 and it will run through August 16. The cost of entry is $15. According to Wayne Hunnell, Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Fair, that price is hard to beat. Attendees will be able to see all of the agricultural displays including fruits and vegetables and the always popular animal competitions. Todd Richards, Board President says it is “electric” when you see a youngster’s face when they are awarded a blue ribbon for their efforts over the course of the last year. Traditional events include concerts. This year some of the groups booked are the Skyliners, Ruff Creek, Scott Blasey and Bon Journey. A traditional favorite, the School Bus Demolition Derby is being given a run for its money as far as favorite event. Last year the board brought back the Rodeo. Attendance for last year’s Rodeo was 300 people less than the School Bus Demolition Derby. Richards says that he hopes to see the rodeo surpass the demolition derby. Hunnel says that the format for the rodeo has changed to include more local participation. He looks forward to seeing his granddaughter participate in the barrel competition. There have been several renovations to the fair grounds since last year. Hall 3 has renovated restrooms, the historic horse barn and the 4-H barns have seen renovations and painting as well. Hunnell says that as soon as the fair closes, Building #1 will see extensive renovations including an extension and new restrooms. According to Hunnell, last year’s attendance was 64,000 people. That had an economic impact of $23 million on Washington County. Special event ticket pricing is available, for details go to the website www.washingtonfair.org .
August 1, 2025 1:52 am
Peters Township residents will now be able to enjoy themselves on a hot day at a splash pad that has been in the works for a number of years. Township officials and staff gave the splash pad in Rolling Hills Park a workout as they held a ribbon cutting event Thursday evening. Frank Kosir made sure that the bucket portion of the splash pad worked as he got drenched with several of the youngest of his constituents. He called it a great day to deliver the facility to the residents. Dave Brooks is the Director of Parks and Recreation for the township and he said that what the township now has is one more venue to make sure that Peters Township has anything residents want for recreation and not have to search for it elsewhere. Also on hand was state senator Camera Bartolotta. State representative Natalie Mihalek and Bartolotta were instrumental in delivering a $3.2 million grant to Peters Township to help offset the cost of the facility. Township Manager Paul Lauer called the splash pad something that cannot be found anywhere else in southwestern Pennsylvania. The facility also has outdoor picnic areas, an indoor party room available for rent and restrooms. The facility will officially open on August 4 and will remain open daily until September 1. The hours of operation are from 11-7. The cost is $2.50 per person for residents, $5.00 per person for non-residents. Annual passes for 4 people are available for $25, non-residents pay $50.
July 31, 2025 3:05 pm
(WPXI) PITTSBURGH — A water main break along Arlington Avenue in Pittsburgh’s South Side Slopes has shut off the water for some residents. Neighbors say it’s the third water main break this summer, and they are growing frustrated living without water. Two of the water main breaks, including Thursday’s, were lines from Pennsylvania American Water. The first was on June 17. “It’s the cost of no water. My wife and I are both disabled, so it makes things a lot more difficult, especially when we have to carry water in for drinking,” said Donald Dieterle. Neighbors said that during the last water main break, there was a sinkhole in the middle of the road. Around 100 customers are impacted by this break, and water is expected to be restored this afternoon.
July 31, 2025 2:43 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump plans to reestablish the Presidential Fitness Test for American schoolchildren. The program was created in 1966 and had children run and perform situps, pullups or pushups and a sit-and-reach test. It changed in 2012 to focus more on individual health than athletic feats. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says Trump wants to promote healthy active lifestyles for future generations. Trump plans to sign an order later Thursday reestablishing the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. He’ll be joined at the White House event by a number of prominent athletes, including some who’ve faced controversy such as Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, and retired New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor.
