September 9, 2026 4:54 am
DALLAS (AP) — Republicans are opening their unique midterm convention that’s being described as a “Trump-a-Palooza.” The two-day event in Dallas kicked off Wednesday and puts President Donald Trump at center stage — whether candidates like it or not. Some party members are skipping the affair, citing scheduling conflicts or high attendance fees. Organizers describe it as a showcase for Trump’s successes and Republican causes. The convention features speeches from Trump, his eldest son and other party leaders. Democrats criticize the event, arguing it shows Republicans are out of touch with everyday issues like the economy and healthcare.
September 9, 2026 4:58 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is using memes to portray himself as powerful amid struggles with inflation and international issues. Over Labor Day weekend, Trump and the White House shared memes showing him as a superhero and other fantastical figures. These images contrast sharply with reality, where many Americans find life unaffordable and question the Iran war’s worth. Some memes are AI-generated, and the administration often defends them as humorous. However, political strategists warn that memes won’t win over voters focused on economic issues. Despite attempts to energize his base, Trump’s approval ratings remain low.
September 9, 2026 4:55 am
A jury foreperson says the lone holdout juror in the Lindsay Clancy trial said he had reasonable doubt but still wouldn’t acquit. The jury’s foreperson made the comments in a TV interview Tuesday. The interview with Boston’s NBC10 aired four days after a judge declared a mistrial when jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict on the question of whether Clancy was criminally responsible for killing her three young children in 2023. The names of the jurors have been temporarily sealed by the judge. The holdout juror has not yet come forward and given a public account of what happened inside the jury room.
September 9, 2026 4:22 pm
NOTTINGHAM TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A motorcyclist was killed Wednesday when he collided with a commercial van in Washington County. Coroner Tim Warco says the crash happened just before 11 a.m. in Nottingham Township. A motorcyclist was heading west in the 2300 block of State Route 136. Rounding a turn, he collided with a commercial van turning left across the westbound lane. The rider was identified as Edward C. DeRosa, 56, of Finleyville. Warco says DeRosa was not wearing a helmet. Pennsylvania State Police and the coroner’s office continue to investigate.
September 9, 2026 5:42 pm
CUPERTINO, California (AP) — Apple on Wednesday unveiled its latest generation of iPhones, including a widely anticipated foldable version called Duo. The company’s new CEO, John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook on Sept. 1, introduced the latest lineup at the Steve Jobs Theater. After cycling through other updates to the iPhone, the Apple Watch and AirPods along with artificial intelligence advances, Ternus told the audience that “actually there is one more thing,” in a nod to the trademark phrase from Jobs that Jobs himself borrowed from the 1970s detective show “Columbo.” Called Duo, the phone has the “largest display ever on an iPhone, yet fits into your pocket,” Ternus said.
September 9, 2026 4:57 am
Families’ interest in their kids’ education is falling in many high-income countries as school systems struggle with plunging test scores. That’s according to newly released results from a standardized test taken by 15-year-olds around the world. Over 760,000 teenagers in dozens of countries took the Programme for International Student Assessment last year. Results were released Tuesday. Average scores in math, reading and science are all at their lowest point ever among highly developed economies. That includes continued declines in reading and math scores in the United States. China, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea scored the highest marks on the test.
September 9, 2026 6:15 pm
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The 78th Emmy Awards are set for Monday night, with “The Pitt,” “Pluribus,” “Hacks,” and “Widow’s Bay” leading the charge. Noah Wyle, Rhea Seehorn, Jean Smart, and Matthew Rhys are favorites for top acting awards. “The Pitt” is expected to win its second straight best drama prize. The ceremony will air live on NBC at 8 p.m. Eastern, hosted by Mariska Hargitay. HBO Max’s “The Pitt” leads with 25 nominations, while “Hacks” has 24 for its final season. Many awards were already given out at early ceremonies over the weekend. “Widow’s Bay” brings eight Emmys into the main ceremony and could spoil the farewell party for “Hacks.” (Photo: AP)
September 8, 2026 4:59 am
Apple is unveiling its latest generation of iPhones on Wednesday at an event headlined by new CEO John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook on Sept. 1. This year, analysts and Apple fans are expecting the company to unveil a foldable model. Many of Apple’s biggest rivals, such as Samsung, Motorola and Google, have already come out with foldable smartphones. The iPhone 18 likely will cost more due partly to a global memory chip shortage.
September 8, 2026 2:13 am
The Washington Symphony Orchestra and Washington Festival Chorale will host a 9/11 Remembrance Concert at Immaculate Conception Church in Washington on September 12 at 7:00 PM. The evening will be full of music and remembrance for the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. The event is open to everyone and admission is free. Yugo Ikach, the director of the Washington Symphony Orchestra, says he hopes that attendees feel slightly changed for the better when they leave the concert. Ikach explains that music can teach, inspire, and provide hope for a better tomorrow. Ikach says that Immaculate Conception Church has a beautiful interior and amazing acoustics, which makes it a perfect space for this event. Lori Greene, the President of the Board of the Washington Festival Chorale and the Chorale manager, says that both groups support each other, and they are looking forward to a collaboration. Advance registration is encouraged but not required. Seats can be reserved at www.washsym.org.
September 8, 2026 1:58 pm
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh has announced expanded security measures across regional Jewish institutions ahead of Rosh Hashanah, which begins the evening of Sept. 11. The security efforts follow two months of planning and coordination with local law enforcement, requesting increased police patrols near approximately 30 Jewish community locations. The Federation is also using state grant funding for private contract security and off-duty police officers, while sharing information with the FBI. Officials with the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, emphasized that the measures are precautionary. Security investments have funded physical infrastructure upgrades throughout the region. Currently, thirty-six locations across Greater Pittsburgh are equipped with the Bluepoint system, an emergency technology that communicates directly and immediately with local police during an incident.
