August 5, 2025 4:53 am
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Democrats have prevented their state’s House of Representatives from moving forward, at least for now, with a redrawn congressional map sought by President Donald Trump. The map would shore up Republicans’ 2026 midterm prospects as Trump’s political standing falters. After dozens of Democrats left the state, the Republican-dominated House was unable Monday to establish the quorum of lawmakers required to do business. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has made threats about removing some members of the opposition from their seats. Democrats pushed back Monday. Some mocked Abbott as the weak figure in the drama, saying he is “bending a knee” to Trump. And at least one legal expert casts doubt on the governor’s ability to sanction any state lawmaker.
August 5, 2025 4:48 am
Canonsburg Council assessed a preliminary application for a Highway Occupancy Permit (HOP) to permit a sewer lateral installation at 48 West Pike Street. The initiative will be financed solely by the owner resulting in no expenses for the borough or taxpayers. Borough Council President Richard Russo, who is serving as the acting interim borough manager, is anticipated to approve the HOP. Although a start date for construction has not been set, the project is expected to disrupt traffic on Pike Street during the installation phase according to Russo. In light of the recent passing of Borough Manager Billie Bilko, the borough is currently looking for candidates to fill the role. Currently, President Richard Russo is fulfilling the combined responsibilities of council president and interim borough manager. Council is also set to vote on reallocating $14,491 from the 2024 CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) demolition funds. The funds are suggested to be reallocated to assist the Taylor Drive CDBG Project. Furthermore, the borough is anticipated to provide $10,000 for Canonsburg Streets financing, which will be distributed via the Redevelopment Authority of Washington County. Regarding community matters, the board will also cast their votes to sanction upcoming events, which include Canonsburg Park Friends and the Camp Splash Kids Triathlon which is set to take place on Friday, August 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the borough park.
August 5, 2025 2:44 am
The summer brings less legislative action in municipalities, and the City of Washington is no different. Thursday’s agenda will be light, but two items will be of particular interest. Council will look to approve a Conciliation Agreement with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This action is typically used to settle a discrimination claim instead of taking the claim to court. Discrimination may be of several types, age, race, gender and disability are a few of the types of claims that may be made. Mayor JoJo Burgess will comment formally on the issue once he is certain of what may be disclosed. Additionally, council will look to approve a resolution keeping the final payment date for solid waste collections as June 1 before penalties accrue. It will move the final date of collections to December 31 instead of the current November 2. Council will meet Thursday at 6:00 PM.
August 5, 2025 2:00 am
Officials with Pennsylvania American Water have announced that a boil water advisory for more than 300 customers in Washington County has been lifted. In a release, the company says “acceptable test results were obtained from samples” collected on Sunday and Monday. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has authorized the lifting of the advisory. Customers in Cross Creek, Independence and Jefferson Township’s along with some in West Middletown Borough were notified Saturday that a water main break caused the loss of positive water pressure that resulting in the issuance of the boil water advisory. Pennsylvania American Water thanked its customers for their patience and cooperation during the event.
August 4, 2025 5:35 am
Lymphedema is a chronic condition and without proper treatment, the condition can cause discomfort. Now, people who suffer from that and wounds caused by surgery and other actions can find the relief that they have been seeking, all under one roof. The Lymphedema and Wound Care Center of Southwestern PA is now open at Plaza II in Southpointe. Amber Young is the owner of the center. She explains that lymphedema is when the lymph nodes in your body, that act as filters for toxins, swell, and are unable to discharge those toxins properly and swelling occurs. That swelling can occur anywhere from your neck to your legs. She said that she opened the facility because, many times people may have had lymphedema and a wound that may have triggered the condition and they could not find relief. They would get passed from one clinic to the next until one of the conditions cleared up. Their clinic will address wound care and lymphedema simultaneously. Treatment often includes wraps, compression, exercise, and massage. Their goal is to educate patients to best manage the condition. Their offices are located in Southpointe at Plaza II, 380 Southpointe Blvd. Suite 115. Off site lymphedema and wound care services are also available.
August 4, 2025 5:01 am
NEW YORK (AP) — The Justice Department is ramping up an effort to get election data from the states. According to an Associated Press tally, the department’s voting section has requested copies of voter registration lists from state election administrators in at least 15 states. And department lawyers have contacted officials in at least seven states to propose a meeting about forging an information-sharing agreement related to instances of voting or election fraud. The unusually expansive outreach has raised alarm among some election officials. That’s because states have the constitutional authority to run elections and because federal law protects the sharing of individual data with the government.
August 4, 2025 5:00 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Loni Anderson, who played a struggling radio station’s empowered receptionist Jennifer on the hit TV comedy “WKRP in Cincinnati,” has died. It was just days before her 80th birthday. Her longtime publicist says Anderson died at a Los Angeles hospital following a prolonged illness. “WKRP in Cincinnati” aired from 1978 through 1982 and was set in a lagging Ohio radio station trying to reinvent itself with rock music. As the station’s receptionist, Jennifer’s efficiency often kept the station running in the face of others’ incompetence.
August 4, 2025 4:56 am
NEW YORK (AP) — The union representing Boeing employees who build fighter jets says they have begun a strike after about 3,200 workers at facilities in St. Louis and other locations voted to reject a modified four-year labor agreement. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union said the strike began at midnight. The union says its workers deserve nothing less than a contract that keeps their families secure and recognizes their unmatched expertise. Boeing says the company is disappointed its employees rejected an offer that featured 40% average wage growth and resolved issues about work schedules.
August 4, 2025 4:55 am
Texas Democrats have left the state in an attempt to prevent the state House from holding a vote Monday on new congressional maps that Republicans hope will net them several additional U.S. House seats in the 2026 midterm elections. The dramatic move Sunday could expose Democrats to fines and other penalties. Democrats have cast the decision to leave the state as a last-ditch effort to stop Republicans from pushing through a rare mid-decade redrawing of the congressional map. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott called a special session of the Legislature that started last month to take up the redistricting effort that President Donald Trump has urged.
August 4, 2025 4:52 am
OAKDALE, Pa. — (WPXI) – A local fire company is asking for help after around $10,000 worth of equipment was stolen from them. The Oakdale Hose Company assistant chief reported that someone stole from his truck at around 2:20 a.m. on Sunday. Firefighters said Motorola APX 8000 All Band portable radios were inside. They said these are highly sought after in public service. They believe the total amount stolen equals around $10,000. An officer was called to the scene and did get into a brief foot pursuit with the suspect, but they got away. Firefighters are asking people who live in that area to check their cameras for video that might help them find the person responsible. The fire chief is expected to offer a reward for the return of the equipment or information that leads to the conviction of the person responsible.
