February 19, 2026 10:15 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has struck down President Donald Trump’s far-reaching global tariffs, handing him a significant loss on an issue crucial to his economic agenda. Friday’s 6-3 decision centers on tariffs he unilaterally imposed under an emergency powers law, including the sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs levied on nearly every other country. The Republican president has called the case one of the most important in U.S. history and said a ruling against him would be an economic body blow to the country. But legal opposition crossed the political spectrum, including libertarian and pro-business groups typically aligned with the GOP. Administration officials have said they expect to keep the tariff framework in place under other authorities.
February 20, 2026 4:43 am
Emergency responders were called to a one-vehicle, rollover crash on Interstate 79 early Friday morning. Washington County 911 says it happened around 3:45 a.m. near mile-marker 30 in Amity Township. The vehicle reportedly ended up in the median and the driver refused transport to the hospital.
February 20, 2026 4:41 am
A Monessen School District employee had a gun at the elementary school on Thursday. That’s according to Superintendent Dr. Robert Motte. He said the weapon was secured by district police and school administration. The employee is licensed to carry a gun, officials said. “Please know that the safety and security of our students and staff remain our highest priority. We take all matters involving school safety seriously and respond swiftly to ensure a safe learning environment for everyone,” Motte said.
February 20, 2026 2:39 am
Washington County Commissioners unanimously approved their Opioid Settlement Review Committee. The seven member board is made up of addiction experts, law enforcement, education professionals and others. The committee was formed at the suggestion of the Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse And Abatement Trust after they flagged 17 programs as non-compliant or needing further review. Commissioner Chairman Nick Sherman says that all three commissioners worked on the formation of the committee. Commissioner Larry Maggi says that the committee is a step in the right direction to be more transparent with the nomination process. Both hope that it will avoid the upheaval of last year when those programs came under question. The County provided an update to the programs under question. The department of Human Services has submitted additional information to the review committee for the 9 programs deemed under further review. The county has also appealed 7 of the 8 programs deemed non-compliant. A hearing on those 7 programs will be held March 13.
February 19, 2026 4:53 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Governors Association is pulling out of an annual meeting at the White House after President Donald Trump declined to invite two Democratic governors. The Republican president is still expected to meet with governors at the White House on Friday but the event won’t be facilitated by the governors’ group. Trump had refused to include Democratic Jared Polis of Colorado and Wes Moore of Maryland and he recently blasted them on social media as “not worthy of being there.” The episode underscores the confrontational approach Trump has taken during his second term toward state leaders he doesn’t like.
February 20, 2026 4:46 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Federal workers are restoring an exhibit on the people once enslaved by President George Washington in Philadelphia despite an ongoing legal fight between the city and the Trump administration. Mayor Cherelle Parker visited the site Thursday morning to thank the National Park Service workers reinstalling the panels. The work is set to continue Friday, the deadline set by a judge who ordered it restored. The exhibit details the lives of the nine people enslaved at the former President’s House on Independence Mall. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is appealing the judge’s ruling. A spokesperson says the office has no comment on the restoration work.
February 20, 2026 4:50 am
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia could have some form of uranium enrichment within the kingdom under a proposed nuclear deal with the United States. That’s according to congressional documents and an arms control group. Both U.S. Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden tried to reach a nuclear deal with the kingdom to share American technology. Nonproliferation experts warn any spinning centrifuges within Saudi Arabia could open the door to a possible weapons program for the kingdom. The kingdom’s assertive crown prince has suggested he could pursue a nuclear weapon if Tehran obtains an atomic bomb.
February 20, 2026 5:41 pm
(AP) – All truckers and bus drivers will have to take their commercial driver’s license tests in English as the Trump administration expands its aggressive campaign to improve safety in the industry and get unqualified drivers off the road. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the latest effort Friday to ensure that drivers understand English well enough to read road signs and communicate with law enforcement officers. Earlier this week, the Transportation Department said 557 driving schools should close because they failed to meet basic safety standards. The department has been aggressively going after states that handed out commercial driver’s licenses to immigrants who shouldn’t have qualified for them ever since a fatal crash in August.
February 20, 2026 4:51 am
Eric Dane, the actor known for “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria,” has died at 53 due to ALS. His representatives say he died on Thursday afternoon. His family says he spent his final days with loved ones. Dane rose to fame as Dr. Mark Sloan on “Grey’s Anatomy” and later played Cal Jacobs on “Euphoria.” He also starred on “The Last Ship,” where production paused as he battled depression. In April 2025, Dane shared his diagnosis of ALS, which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He later spoke publicly to push ALS awareness and research. He leaves two daughters with wife Rebecca Gayheart, who he married in 2004.
February 19, 2026 6:20 am
LONDON (AP) — The former Prince Andrew was arrested and held for hours by British police on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to his links to Jeffrey Epstein. The arrest Thursday was an extraordinary move in a country where authorities once sought to shield the royal family from embarrassment. It was the first time in nearly four centuries that a senior British royal was placed under arrest, and it underscored how deference to the monarchy has eroded in recent years. King Charles III took the unusual step of issuing a statement on the arrest of his brother, saying the law must take its course. The former prince was released about 11 hours later.
