September 3, 2025 5:25 pm
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Florida plans to become the first state to eliminate vaccine mandates that have been a cornerstone of public health policy for decades in keeping schoolchildren and citizens safe from infectious diseases. State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo describes current vaccine requirements as an immoral intrusion on rights. He argues that parents should make health decisions for their children. Vaccines have been proven over decades of use to be safe and the most effective way to stop the spread of communicable diseases, especially among schoolchildren. Dr. Rana Alissa from the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics warns that removing vaccines increases risks for students and staff.
September 3, 2025 4:45 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved sending up to 600 military lawyers to the Justice Department to serve as temporary immigration judges, according to a memo reviewed by The Associated Press. The military will begin sending groups of 150 attorneys — both military and civilians — to the Justice Department “as soon as practicable” and the military services should have the first round of people identified by next week. That’s according to the memo dated Aug. 27. The effort comes as the Trump administration more regularly turns to the military as it cracks down on illegal immigration through ramped-up arrests and deportations.
September 3, 2025 4:44 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he will direct federal law enforcement intervention to combat crime in Chicago and Baltimore, despite staunch opposition from state and local officials in both cities. Asked Tuesday by reporters in the Oval Office about sending National Guard troops to Chicago, Trump said, “We’re going in,” but added, “I didn’t say when.” Trump has already sent National Guard troops into Los Angeles and Washington. More recently, he has said he plans similar moves in other cities, particularly those run by Democratic officials. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has reiterated that federal intervention is not required or wanted in Chicago.
September 3, 2025 4:40 am
BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping has emphasized the choice between peace and war during a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. On Wednesday, Xi called for eradicating the roots of war to prevent history from repeating itself. The parade is showcasing missiles, fighter jets, and other military might, with some hardware on public view for the first time. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were among about two dozen foreign guests. The event highlighted China’s progress and aimed to boost support for the Communist Party, portraying China as a global alternative to the American-dominated postwar era.
September 3, 2025 4:38 am
DERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A man was killed when a rock fell on him in a mine shaft in Derry Township. The Westmoreland County coroner was called to Heidelberg Materials along Quarry Road just after 6:30 p.m. Officials say a large rock fell on 61 year old James Gersham of Indiana. State Police Kiski Are investigating.
September 3, 2025 4:31 am
Canonsburg Council was happy to hear from their borough engineer that their recent enhanced maintenance efforts along Chartiers Creek are paying off. He announced to council on a tour of the creek with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, they said that they were impressed with the progress that has been made along the channel. The Corps issued an informal opinion. He said that the work done over the last several years will bring the creek into the Corp.’s higher level of the “minimally acceptable” range of approval. Despite the seemingly negative connotation, the engineer said that it was a great report. According to Council President Rich Russo, when the USACE completed their flood remediation project from 1968, maintenance of the creek’s channel became the responsibility of Canonsburg. Russo said that over the course of the last decade or so, that maintenance had been pushed aside. That caused the USACE to put the borough on warning. Over the last three years Canonsburg has worked to clean up the issue using all sorts of ideas. In 2023 and 2024, goats were employed to clear overgrown brush. This year herbicides were used along with manpower. The borough hired a company to clear 60 trees with a diameter of over 4 inches from the channel. Canonsburg will be voting on the advertising for bids for maintenance and repairs of the channel. Russo made a point to state that he wants future councils to understand that not doing the maintenance required to keep the creek channel clear could put the borough in a significant financial dilemma. He wants to make it clear that it is an obligation of the borough to continue the maintenance.
September 2, 2025 1:49 pm
State Police have released the identity of the suspect they believe is responsible for a string of fires in the Greene County area over the Labor Day weekend. Police say 37-year-old Jesse Patterson Jr. was arrested in connection with at least five different fires that broke out in Waynesburg Borough and the surrounding areas. The fires occurred at St. Ann Church, Buddy’s Motel, and multiple residential properties in the area. Patterson is facing multiple charges including arson and burglary. There were no injuries reported. In the meantime, Masses at St. Ann Catholic church, which is the oldest Catholic church in Greene County, have been canceled until further notice, including the diocesan Jubilee Mass scheduled for September 6th. Diocesan officials say the main body of the church “appears to be intact,” but adjoining spaces, particularly the basement, sustained extensive damage , but we are grateful to God that no one was injured.” Church officials say services will be temporarily moved to other nearby churches as restoration begins. Saint Ann Church was founded in 1839. The diocese said it’s one of the designated pious visit sites for the Jubilee Year of Hope. (Photo courtesy of Waynesburg Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company Facebook Page)
September 2, 2025 4:59 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has plastered taxes on products from almost every country on earth. He’s targeted specific imports, too. But he isn’t done yet. Trump has promised another round of hefty import taxes on a category of products he’s so far spared in his trade war with the world: pharmaceuticals. For decades, in fact, imported medicine has mostly been allowed to enter the United States duty free. Now the president is threatening duties of 200% or more on foreign drugs. That could disrupt complex and fragile supply chains, drive cheap foreign-made generic drugs out of the U.S., create drug shortages and raise American drug prices.
September 2, 2025 4:58 am
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot has risen to an estimated $1.3 billion after the winning numbers failed to appear. The numbers drawn Monday night were 8, 23, 25, 40, 53 with the Powerball 5. There have been no jackpot winners since May 31. That long winless streak has allowed the prize to swell to the fifth-largest in the game’s history. The $1.3 billion jackpot is for winners who opt for an annuity. Most people prefer cash and that value is now $589 million. The odds of matching all six numbers are astronomical: 1 in 292.2 million.
September 2, 2025 4:56 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’s awarding former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom, announcing the honor two days after his longtime political ally was badly injured in a traffic accident. Giuliani was once lauded for leading New York after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and later sanctioned by courts and disbarred for amplifying false claims about the 2020 election. Giuliani was also criminally charged in two states; he has denied wrongdoing. Trump in a statement on social media called Giuliani the “greatest Mayor in the history of New York City, and an equally great American Patriot.”
