August 12, 2025 6:51 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser has responded to President Donald Trump’s plan to take over the Metropolitan Police Department and call in the National Guard. Bowser emphasized that crime has been dropping and Trump’s state of emergency doesn’t match the numbers. She acknowledged that the city has little choice but to comply. Bowser linked the takeover to the larger issue of D.C. statehood, stating that limited autonomy makes the city vulnerable. Trump’s decision fits a pattern of using emergency declarations to rule by executive order. Bowser maintains that violent crime has decreased, a claim supported by Trump’s former U.S. attorney nominee.
August 12, 2025 6:57 am
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel plans to widen its coming offensive beyond Gaza City to the last areas not yet under Israeli control. Most of Gaza’s 2 million residents have sought shelter in those areas as the territory slides toward famine. The mobilization of forces is expected to take weeks, and Israel may be using the threat of a wider offensive to try to pressure Hamas. Any expansion of Israeli operations is likely to bring even more death and destruction to the war-ravaged territory. The plans have also sparked controversy in Israel, where many fear for the lives of the remaining hostages.
August 11, 2025 12:37 pm
(WPXI) – Emergency crews are on the scene of an explosion at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works. At least one person is dead, multiple people were injured in the explosion and authorities say they believe at least two people remain unaccounted for and crews are searching for people who may be trapped in the rubble. A mass casualty incident has been declared to allow for additional EMS resources from across the region to respond. Multiple medical helicopters were called to the scene. The Allegheny County Health Department said out of an abundance of caution, they are advising residents within one mile of the plant to remain indoors, close all windows and doors, set HVAC systems to recirculate and avoid activities that draw in outside air, such as using exhaust fans. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) confirmed on social media that they are assisting at the plant.
August 11, 2025 10:57 am
A fatal head-on crash has closed Route-18 in Mount Pleasant Township. Washington County 911 dispatchers say the crash occurred just before 10 a.m. in the 11-hundred block of Burgettstown Road. The coroner has been called to the scene. Another patient was flown from the scene by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital. Dispatchers say Route-18 is closed in both directions between Route-50 and Skyline Drive. Tune to WJPA 95.3FM/1450AM for the very latest.
August 11, 2025 5:15 am
No injuries are reported after a fire early Monday morning in Monongahela. Washington County 911 dispatchers say it broke out around 3 a.m along Decker St. The fire was brought under control in about an hour. There is no word on the cause of the fire.
August 11, 2025 2:10 am
CALIFORNIA, Pa. —Fire crews spent over 30 hours putting out flames across six buildings in the borough of California on Saturday, with three of the structures considered a complete loss. Firefighters were called to Liberty Street in California for the reported fire just after noon on Saturday. Six buildings were involved in the fire. Officials says the blaze was a three-alarm fire, and 14 fire companies responded to help douse the flames. “This is a generational fire. You don’t get one like this,” said California Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tom Hartley Jr. No one was hurt in the fire. The fire marshal is investigating the cause. Four families were displaced. The Salvation Army and the Red Cross were on scene helping the four displaced families. Fire crews were quickly rotating as they worked to stay hydrated while fighting the smoke and flames.
August 11, 2025 6:57 am
Uniontown, PA-Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 12 is announcing the scheduled closure of Route 88 between Route 2036 (Pike Run Drive) and Route 2027 (Dally Road) in Coal Center and California Borough, Washington County beginning Thursday, August 14. A posted detour will be in place utilizing Route 43 and Route 2033 (Elco Hill Road), and is anticipated to remain in effect until early November. Plum Contracting will conduct slide repairs at this location as part of a larger slide-repair project in Washington and Westmoreland counties. Depending on weather and operational conditions, the project is anticipated to be completed in August 2026. The scope of work includes repairing slides, making minor drainage improvements, replacing guide rails, repairing roadways, milling, resurfacing, and trimming trees — an infrastructure investment of $2.74 million. All work depends on weather and operational conditions.
August 11, 2025 5:09 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’s placing the Washington, D.C., police department under federal control and deploying the National Guard to make the nation’s capital safer. Trump has promised to address homelessness and crime. Trump posted online Monday the nation’s capital would be “LIBERATED” and he’d end the “days of ruthlessly killing, or hurting, innocent people.” Last week, Trump directed an increased federal law enforcement presence in the city for seven days “with the option to extend as needed.” The Republican president’s claims are leading the city’s Democratic mayor to voice concerns about the potential use of the National Guard to patrol the streets.
August 11, 2025 5:10 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Michigan’s governor met privately with President Donald Trump to urge him to change course on tariffs that are having a big impact on automakers in her state. Democrat Gretchen Whitmer came for the Oval Office meeting Tuesday with a visual presentation to warn that the tariffs threaten Michigan’s economy and undermine Trump’s promises to revive manufacturing. Trump has stuck with high import taxes despite pushback from auto executives as the tariffs cost the industry billions and trigger layoffs. Whitmer’s rare access to Trump as a leading Democrat underscores the political and economic stakes as the president considers escalating tariffs further.
August 11, 2025 5:09 am
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Flash flooding canceled the final day of the Wisconsin State Fair on Sunday as continued heavy rainfall in half a dozen Midwest states has led to water rescues, power outages and road closures. The National Weather Service has issued flood watches and warnings for parts of Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin. Forecasters predict repeated rounds of heavy rain, along with hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes. Among the worst hit is the Milwaukee area, where up to 14 inches of rain had fallen in some areas. USA Triathlon also canceled its Sprint and Paratriathlon National Championships in Milwaukee, where thousands were expected to compete.
