September 25, 2026 5:01 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Fewer people applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week, as U.S. jobless claims remain at historically low levels and most Americans enjoy job security. The Labor Department said Thursday that 197,000 people applied for unemployment checks last week, fewest since mid-July and down from a revised 198,000 the week before. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week ups and downs, fell to 202,250 last week from 204,000. Claims for jobless benefits are a proxy for layoffs, and economists watch them because they can be a sign of where the job market is headed. So far this year, claims have mostly stayed below 220,000 — historically low.
September 25, 2026 5:03 am
(AP) – The White House network video pool is back in operation. Friday morning marked the first time the pool has been in action since President Donald Trump banned three news outlets in an extraordinary showdown over media access. A judge temporarily struck down the ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico on Thursday, but his ruling didn’t directly address the pool. CNN media analyst Brian Stelter says on X that CNN has a pool assignment at the National Archives on Friday with President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. He says the White House approved the network’s credentials.
September 25, 2026 4:48 am
James Copenhaver, one of three campaign rally attendees shot in 2024 during an assassination attempt on then-candidate Donald Trump, has died. His lawyer announced the man’s death on Thursday. Copenhaver was 76. Copenhaver was in the bleachers during the event in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a 20-year-old gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop, grazing Trump’s right ear with one bullet. Copenhaver was struck in the arm and in the abdomen, wounds that left him with lingering injuries and walking with a cane.
September 24, 2026 2:36 pm
A Moon Township man who was shot twice at President Donald Trump’s Butler rally in 2024 has died. The House Republicans confirmed on X the death of James Copenhaver. They released the following statement: We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jim Copenhaver, who was gravely wounded in the horrific shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania. Jim endured unimaginable hardship with strength and perseverance. We join his family and loved ones in mourning his loss and praying for them. Copenhaver was one of two people injured during the shooting. David Dutch, 57, a Marine veteran from New Kensington, was shot once. Corey Comperatore, 50, a former fire chief, was killed in the assassination attempt. In June of this year, Copenhaver and Dutch sued the United States. An attorney representing both men said a “cascade” of failures by the Secret Service led to their injuries Copenhaver’s cause of death has not yet been released.
September 24, 2026 6:08 pm
Residents in Washington County and beyond are interested in data centers. They come with concerns like the use of electricity, traffic congestion and other issues. There is also noise, health and environmental issues that raise questions. But they also can bring the prospect of job creation. Rich Fitzgerald, the former long-time Allegheny County Chief Executive, is now the Executive Director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), which is comprised of both a 60+ member governing body as well as a 50+ member administrative arm that work together on the goals of Transportation, Planning & Development and Information Systems. At the conclusion of a State of the Steel Valley Legislative breakfast Wednesday, Fitzgerald spoke to WJPA news about $40 billion of investment in three projects, and another set for Washington County, the growth of manufacturing companies like GE Vernova in Imperial. He also talked about the opportunities for young people to get into the trades and find gratifying work. He also urged those same residents to talk with their local leaders about contingencies that must be met to build data centers in Fort Cherry as well as other areas of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
September 24, 2026 4:37 pm
Early Thursday morning members of the Pennsylvania State Police Vice Unit, with the assistance of their Special Emergency Response Team (“SERT”), patrol units, the Masontown Police Department, and Assistant DA Anthony Gentile of the District Attorney’s Office, executed search warrants on three locations in German Township and Masontown Borough in conjunction with an extensive narcotics trafficking investigation. These searches resulted in the seizure of multiple kilograms of methamphetamine and cocaine; twenty (20) firearms; approximately $425,000 in cash; and other indicia of a major drug operation. Mendo Love, 52, of Ronco, was arrested in connection with this operation and has been charged with offenses including Possession with Intent to Deliver; Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activities; and Possession of Firearms Prohibited.
September 24, 2026 5:44 pm
(AP) – An audit reveals significant weaknesses in the Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s oversight of agencies tasked with preventing elder abuse. Released Wednesday, the audit highlights deficiencies that could leave older adults at risk. Auditor General Tim DeFoor’s office found 10 issues in how the department monitors county-based agencies. The audit criticizes the department’s new monitoring system for not assessing key areas, potentially inflating performance scores. The department disputes the findings, calling the audit report inaccurate and accusing the auditors of bias. DeFoor insists the findings are accurate and urges the department to address the issues. The audit echoes previous reports of failures in the system.
September 24, 2026 2:20 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — Reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico returned to the White House hours after a federal judge temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s ban of the three news outlets. The judge said early Thursday that the news outlets must have their access restored. But reporters from all three outlets said they were still blocked early Thursday. The news outlets soon asked in a new court filing for an immediate hearing to address their continued ban from White House grounds. The back-and-forth was the latest in an extraordinary showdown between Trump and media outlets whose coverage he dislikes. Trump announced he was banning the outlets Friday, assailing what he called “fake news.” The outlets argued they were singled out over the content of their coverage.
September 23, 2026 2:17 am
Flooding is the topic of conversation these days, after multiple residents and businesses in the Washington County area were flooded – again – after heavy rains over the past few weeks continued to flood the same areas. A meeting was held today with Republican State Senator Camera Bartolotta and Washington Mayor JoJo Burgess, along with an engineer and other local leaders, to address those concerns. All who attended say they want to find solutions to the issues and are working toward taking action sooner, rather than later. Bart0lotta says many times, their plans must be dictated by studies, then reviewed and then, hopefully, approved. She says this could take a long time and they are trying to make small improvements now, that don’t require state approval, to help alleviate some of the issues now.
September 23, 2026 2:37 am
The Mariana Outdoorsmen Association (a non-profit) has initiated a lawsuit against the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and PennDOT, in an effort to protect and preserve recreational opportunities in the state. The suit alleges that PennDOT’S roadway stabilization project along the streambank of Ten Mile Creek was ill-conceived and unpermitted. The suit claims their actions resulted in a significant redirection of streamflow and decimation of the streambank, resulting in a portion of the water that supported recreational activities being useable.
