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.
August 4, 2025 4:49 am
FAYETTE COUNTY, Pa. — A 9-year old girl’s goodwill gesture at the Fayette County Fair opened some eyes and pockebooks. At the county fair, Harper Diamond sold her 270-pound pig, Cookie. Harper decided to donate the earnings to a fund for a new barn at the fairgrounds “I donated this money because I wanted to help for the next generation of 4-H so they had more opportunity,” Harper said. “After the sale of that, people from the crowd started wanting to add on to it, $1, $2, a couple added five, four,” said Harper’s grandfather Chris Diamond. “Next thing you know, the total per pound for the pig ended up somewhere around $96, totaling somewhere around $27,000.” The current barn is 50 years old and is scheduled to be torn down.
August 3, 2025 11:20 am
BEIRUT (AP) — New outbreaks of violence overnight into Sunday have rocked Syria at two distinct flashpoints, straining a fragile ceasefire and calling into question the ability of the transitional government to exert its authority across the whole country. In the north, government-affiliated fighters confronted Kurdish-led forces who control much of the region, while in the southern province of Sweida, they clashed with Druze armed groups. Syria’s interim authorities are trying to maintain a tense ceasefire in Sweida province after clashes with Druze factions last month, and to implement an agreement with the U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces that would reintegrate large swaths of northeastern Syria.
August 3, 2025 8:47 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 3, 2025 7:46 am
MONROEVILLE, Pa. — A man was shot in Monroeville on Saturday. Allegheny County Police said officers were called to the 4000 block of William Penn Highway at 6:49 p.m. When they arrived, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to a local hospital and is in stable condition. A woman was also taken to a hospital with minor cuts. Police did not say what caused those cuts. Officers said surveillance video shows a white Ford F-150 entering a parking lot and shooting the victim. Anyone with information is asked to call the Allegheny County Police Tip Line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS.
August 3, 2025 7:45 am
(WPXI) PITTSBURGH — A man was shot in Allentown Saturday evening. Police said officers went to the 800 block of Climax Street after two ShotSpotters reported shots fired in the area at around 6 p.m. A man was found with a graze wound to his head. Police said the man refused to be taken to a hospital by medics. Officers said the suspect was driving a black sedan and fled the area. Multiple shell casings were found at the scene. Detectives are still investigating.
August 3, 2025 7:37 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies say they uncovered a major bribery scheme involving inflated military procurement contracts, just two days after lawmakers restored the agencies’ independence following a public outcry. In a statement late on Saturday, they said a lawmaker, local officials, and National Guard members took kickbacks worth up to 30% on overpriced contracts for drones and electronic warfare gear. Four people have been arrested. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the scheme “absolutely immoral” and praised investigators. The exposure follows parliament’s reversal of a controversial move by Zelenskyy to curb the agencies’ powers.
August 3, 2025 7:34 am
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (AP) — An independent watchdog agency responsible for enforcing a law against partisan political activity by federal employees has opened an investigation into Jack Smith, the Justice Department special counsel who brought two criminal cases against then-candidate Donald Trump before his election to the White House last year. The Office of Special Counsel confirmed Saturday that it was investigating Smith on allegations he engaged in political activity through his inquiries into Trump. Smith was named special counsel by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland in November 2022 and his special counsel title is entirely distinct from the agency now investigating him. The office has no criminal enforcement power but does have the authority to impose fines and other sanctions for violations. (Photo: AP)
August 3, 2025 7:00 am
PennDot is announcing several traffic pattern changes that will be in effect next week. Nightly ramp closures will occur on Interstate 70 westbound at exit 42 (North Belle Vernon). Crews will be working on concrete patching, drainage repair and barrier replacement. The work will be done between August 4 and August 7 from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Detours for the on and off ramps have been posted. And PennDot will be performing bridge inspections on Interstate 70 beginning August 4 and lasting through August 7. That will cause single lane restrictions both eastbound and westbound. The work will be done from the West Virginia state line to Exit 17 (Jefferson Avenue). Work will be done from 8:00 AM through 3:00 PM.
