April 15, 2026 1:47 am
WASHINGTON, Pa. – Washington City Police are asking for the public’s help in locating two missing and endangered juveniles. Police say fifteen-year-old Stephany Frazier and fifteen-year-old Martell Jones, were reported missing on April 12th and are believed to be together. Police say Frazier left behind a note indicating possible intent to harm herself, and her safety is of immediate concern. Stephany Frazier is described as being black, approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing around 130 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. She is known to have blue-dyed highlights in the front and back of her hair. She was last seen wearing all black clothing. Martell Jones is black, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing around 145 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. No additional descriptive information is available at this time. Authorities say they are actively working to locate the teens and are asking anyone with information regarding their whereabouts or who may have had contact with them to contact Detective Brady Stallings at 724-223-4225 or by email at bstallings@washingtonpa.us
April 15, 2026 4:58 am
CAIRO (AP) — Pakistan’s army chief has arrived for talks in Tehran in the latest diplomatic move to ease tensions in the region and arrange a second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran. That’s according to the Pakistani military, which said Wednesday that the delegation included the country’s interior minister and other senior security officials. The military said the visit was “part of the ongoing mediation efforts,” but gave no further details. Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator in the conflict. Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the U.S. will ramp up its infliction of economic pain on Iran. Bessent said the effort would be the “financial equivalent” of a bombing campaign.
April 15, 2026 5:48 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican-led Senate has rejected the latest Democratic attempt to halt President Donald Trump’s war in Iran. The Senate on Wednesday turned aside a resolution that would require the U.S. to withdraw forces from the conflict until Congress authorizes further action. It was the fourth time this year the Senate has voted to cede its war powers to Trump in a conflict that Democrats say is illegal and unjustified. Republicans say they will keep faith in Trump’s wartime leadership, for now, citing Iran’s nuclear capabilities and the high stakes of withdrawal. But GOP lawmakers are also anxious for the conflict to en
April 15, 2026 5:38 pm
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Leo XIV is again emphasizing the need for peace and dialogue despite criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump. Leo spoke to journalists on a flight to Cameroon on Wednesday as he continues his Africa visit. Trump has criticized Leo for his stance on the Iran war. Trump has also posted and then deleted an AI-generated image of himself as Christ. Leo stressed the importance of unity and respect among different beliefs. He emphasized his visit to the Great Mosque of Algiers on the first stop of his tour as a symbol of peaceful coexistence.
April 14, 2026 5:01 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Energy Secretary Chris Wright raised eyebrows Tuesday after saying the country “looks like we’re going in the wrong direction” in remarks hailing a new natural gas pipeline project. Speaking at a groundbreaking for a project that will transport natural gas from Pennsylvania into New York City and Long Island, Wright said President Donald Trump “is about driving down costs for Americans and driving up job opportunities and wages for Americans.” Moments later, Wright apparently misspoke as he said, “Just because it looks like we’re going in the wrong direction doesn’t mean that’s the direction we are going.” The Energy Department later posted excerpts of Wright’s speech that did not include the “wrong direction” comment.
April 15, 2026 5:05 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has asked a federal appeals court to throw out the seditious conspiracy convictions of Proud Boys and Oath Keepers leaders who were sentenced to prison terms for leading members of the far-right extremist groups in attacking the U.S. Capitol over five years ago. Trump commuted the prison sentences of several Proud Boys and Oath Keepers leaders last January in a sweeping act of clemency for all 1,500-plus defendants charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. Tuesday’s requests by the Justice Department would go a step further and erase the convictions for the extremist group leaders, including Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes.
April 15, 2026 5:00 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Many Americans are turning to artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT for health advice. A Gallup poll out Wednesday found that about 1 in 4 U.S. adults had used AI for health information in the past month. The poll comes on the heels of at least three other surveys with similar findings. Gallup found that people often use AI chatbots for quick answers, additional information or research before or after seeing a doctor. However, concerns about accuracy and privacy persist. Experts warn that AI chatbots can sometimes provide false information and emphasize the need for caution.
April 15, 2026 4:59 am
ATLANTA (AP) — A long-lasting weather pattern is blasting hot air across the eastern U.S. and threatening to shatter record highs starting Wednesday. Cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Atlanta are experiencing unusual April heat. Forecasters say the near-record temperatures could last into the weekend. The heat follows severe storms in Kansas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin on Monday, with more storms expected in the Plains and Midwest. Experts note the duration of this heat wave is rare for April. The heat can be stressful on the human body, especially since many have not yet acclimated to higher temperatures.
April 14, 2026 2:31 am
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will no longer cease publishing in May because it is being acquired by a nonprofit media group. On Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announced that Block Communications Inc., the current owner of the paper, is selling it to the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, publisher of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Baltimore Banner. The sale goes into effect May 4, the day after the paper was supposed to publish its final edition. “For nearly a century, the Block family has been dedicated to public service in Pittsburgh,” said Stewart Bainum Jr., founder of the Venetoulis Institute. “We are honored that they trust us to continue this work.” Block Communications has operated the publication since 1927, but announced back in January that the 240-year-old newspaper would cease operations on May 3rd. The Post-Gazette will be the second news organization operated by Venetoulis. The new owners say the newsroom and local business leadership will remain in Pittsburgh, while other functions will be combined with Venetoulis Institute. The Post-Gazette name will also remain unchanged. (Photo: AP)
April 14, 2026 2:49 pm
Pennsylvania Turnpike officials say they will soon start sending out text messages to drivers who have unpaid tolls. The Turnpike Commission says this is part of a pilot program to crack down on drivers who aren’t paying their bills and to let them know before they are sent to a collections agency. The issue though, is scams. There has been no shortage of scams involving text messages that appear to come from the turnpike. Officials, though, say they have $240 million in unpaid tolls from 2025 that they want to recoup – so – in June or July, they will be pushing out text messages to drivers with unpaid tolls as part of a six-month pilot program. They say they are still working on the exact wording, but before text messages are sent out, they will clearly show what the text message will say; when the texts will go out and the phone number from which the messages will come.
