September 9, 2025 4:52 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is clearing the way for federal agents to conduct sweeping immigration operations in Los Angeles, another victory for President Donald Trump at the high court. The justices Monday lifted a restraining order from a judge who found patrols were conducting indiscriminate arrests in LA. The order barred agents from stopping people solely based on their race, language, job or location. The plaintiffs included U.S. citizens swept up in immigration stops. Justice Brett Kavanaugh says the lower-court judge went too far in restricting how agents can carry out brief stops for questioning. In a dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor says people were thrown to the ground and handcuffed because of their looks and accents.
September 9, 2025 4:51 am
CHICAGO (AP) — The Department of Homeland Security is trumpeting the start of a new immigration operation in Chicago that’s stirring up fresh confusion and anxiety. The latest effort targets people without legal permission to live in the U.S. who have criminal records but it appeared separate from a promised surge of immigration agents or National Guard deployment President Donald Trump has promised for two weeks. Adding to the confusion was a handful of immigration arrests over the weekend in Chicago, which activated the city’s vocal activist network and worries that it was the start of something bigger.
September 9, 2025 4:50 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have released a sexually suggestive letter to Jeffrey Epstein purportedly signed by President Donald Trump. Trump has said he did not write the letter or create the drawing of a curvaceous woman that surrounds the letter. He filed a $10 billion lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal for earlier reporting on his link to the letter. The letter was included as part of a 2003 album compiled for Epstein’s 50th birthday. The full House committee released a copy of the entire album Monday night. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that “it’s very clear President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it.” (Photo: AP)
September 9, 2025 4:48 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The housing market is becoming more buyer-friendly after years of sharply rising prices. Many Americans still can’t afford homes, but those who can are finding that they have leverage to press sellers for better deals, such as lower prices and cash for closing costs and home improvements. Home prices are down or rising slowly, especially in the South and West. The market has been in a slump since 2022, with mortgage rates climbing. More homes are on the market, and listings are staying unsold longer. Sellers are reducing prices, but affordability remains a challenge. Only 28% of homes are within reach of median-income buyers, and high mortgage rates aren’t helping.
September 9, 2025 4:47 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Chief Justice John Roberts has let President Donald Trump remove a member of the Federal Trade Commission, the latest in a string of high-profile firings allowed for now by the Supreme Court. Trump first moved to fire Rebecca Slaughter in the spring, but lower courts ordered her reinstated after she sued because the law allows commissioners to be removed only for problems like misconduct or neglect of duty. The Justice Department has argued the FTC and other executive branch agencies are under Trump’s control and the Republican president is free to remove commissioners without cause.
September 9, 2025 4:41 am
Council approved an agreement with Remington & Vernick Engineers (RVE) to advertise bids for the West Pike Street One Crosswalk Pavement Replacement project. The project will also include installation of new benches and a bike rack, aimed at improving pedestrian safety and enhancing downtown amenities. The borough was recently awarded a $100,000 multimodal state transportation program grant to help fund the crosswalk replacement. In staffing matters, council voted to appoint Angela Senay as Borough Manager, effective September 9, 2025. Council also approved several road closures for community events. Greenside Avenue in front of the Fire Department will be closed September 6, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to accommodate the department’s open house. In preparation for the Old Fashioned Christmas celebration, road closures will begin at midnight on December 3, 2025, with the Borough Lot closing first. On December 4, 2025, at 4 p.m., additional closures will include the Rite Aid Lot, Midtown Lot, and Jefferson Lot.
September 9, 2025 2:42 am
South Strabane Fire officials say they were called out just after three-thirty on Tuesday afternoon for a reported school bus accident in the area of Burkett Lane. Emergency responders, including ambulance and police officials were also called out and say they found a single school bus accident. Authorities say bus #65 from the Trinity School District was occupied with ten students ranging from 4th through 12th grades. One student suffered a minor injury. Students were placed onto another bus – (#71) and continued their routes home. District officials say they have notified parents and guardians. There’s been no word on what caused the crash.
September 9, 2025 2:24 am
Court documents are revealing more about what led up to a stabbing at a youth football game at Ringgold’s Joe Montana Stadium Sunday afternoon. Authorities have arrested seventeen-year-old Daron Carpenter on multiple charges, including criminal attempted homicide, aggravated assault and possession of a weapon on school property. Authorities allege that Carpenter stabbed his cousin, a 19-year-old man with whom he had “a recent falling out with.” A witness told police that Carpenter had suggested to the victim that they should “handle their situation in the bathroom.” After the victim agreed, they started walking down the bleachers, and when they reached the home side steps, he turned around and started punching the victim. At that point, the witness claimed the victim said “he poked me” and held his stomach as Carpenter walked away. The victim was flown to Allegheny General Hospital with what were described as “extensive abdominal injuries” from the stabbing. His current condition is unknown. Carpenter was taken into custody at the stadium’s concession stands and police took a knife with a four-inch blade that had blood on it as evidence. Carpenter is being held in the Washington County Jail on $50,000 cash bond.
September 9, 2025 12:27 am
Peters Township Council began their meeting with a public hearing. The hearing centered on the ordinance that governed the Mixed Use Residential Overlay area along E. McMurray Road. The ordinance allows for multi family housing in the proposed “Town Center” area that is described in the current Comprehensive Plan. That area never developed and now a property owner is trying to convert a single family home with an in-law suite into a duplex. Neighbors felt that it was not in the spirit of the ordinance and asked council to rezone a 14 home area back to single family, low density housing. Council agreed with residents and unanimously voted 6-0 to rezone the properties. Council President Gary Stiegel said that the new home owner was trying to exploit a loophole in the ordinance. Phil Ross is a neighbor to the property in question. He said that he would have had no problem with the ordinance had the “town center” idea took off. Council’s and resident’s vision of the area is very similar to what can be found at Southpointe, a mix of homes, apartment buildings, retail and recreation. It was felt that converting a home into a duplex did not fit the intent of the ordinance.
September 9, 2025 12:25 am
Washington City Council’s agenda meeting laid out a day to day business agenda that will be voted on Thursday. The highlights of the meeting came from department reports. Police Chief Steve Devenney informed council on the department’s new idea to help solve crimes in the city. Devenney says that they have instituted a Warrant Wednesday program on the police department’s Facebook page. He says engagement on the page is up 500% since the program began a month ago, and police have been able to apprehend 8 of the suspects advertised on the page. Councilman Joe Pintola said that a lot of progress has been made on street paving this year. The public works department partners with utility companies in order to have all the paving and utility repair work done at one time. Pintola says 13 streets will be paved this year. Councilman Ken Westcott is asking for volunteers to sit on the City’s Zoning Hearing Board. Two recent resignations have prompted the city to ask for this help. Ideally, council would like to have three new people on the board. It is a volunteer position. Applications may be obtained in City Hall.
