September 30, 2026 4:47 am
Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt held his 4th election update briefing on Wednesday, instead of the usual Tuesday. This week he noted that no part of any voting system used in Pennsylvania is ever connected to or permitted on in internet facing network. He said through bipartisan efforts, law enforcement partners, including the Pennsylvania State Police, and other state agencies are working together to ensure that they are prepared for any developments on, or even after, election day. He added, “to keep our voting infrastructure secure, the department relies on a number of cybersecurity layers such as 24/7 network monitoring firewalls and encryption.” He also addressed the topic of voter intimidation by commenting, according to the Pennsylvania election code, unless they are voting, serving a warrant or preventing disturbances, police officers and military personnel are prohibited being within 100 feet of a polling place. He added that requests for mail-in ballots are much higher during this cycle than the most recent midterm general election in 2022. More than one million voters have asked for mail-in ballots, and 30 counties have started to fulfill those requests. The deadline to register to vote in Pennsylvania is October 19; the deadline to apply for a mail ballot is October 27th and ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on election day, Tuesday, November 3.
September 30, 2026 2:52 am
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Wednesday confirmed the state’s fifth measles-related death this year. An unvaccinated Lancaster County resident who tested positive for measles has died, according to the department. The person’s age was not released to protect their privacy. Earlier this month, an 18-year-old Mifflin County resident died from the disease, days after a 40-year-old woman from Jefferson County. Two infants from Lancaster County died in August, marking the first measles-related deaths in the U.S. this year, and the first in Pennsylvania in 35 years. The latest death comes as the total number of measles cases in the state this year reaches 943 across 39 counties. Of those 943 cases, state health officials note that only four, or less than 1%, are among vaccinated people. (Photo: AP)
October 1, 2026 5:07 am
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Attorneys for Christa Pike say the death row inmate is still alive but in critical condition a day after the state’s failed attempt to execute her for the 1995 murder of a woman. The state tried to execute Pike by lethal injection on Wednesday but neither the initial nor backup dose of pentobarbital killed her. Pike was still snoring when the execution chamber’s microphone was cut off more than an hour into the attempt, and she was later taken to a hospital for treatment. Her lawyers said Thursday that she is still being treated, but they didn’t know details about how she’s faring. Tennessee’s Republican governor, Bill Lee, called what transpired “deeply disturbing” and has ordered an independent review.
October 1, 2026 5:09 am
JERUSALEM (AP) — President Donald Trump said Iran may be linked to the FlyDubai copilot who tried to crash an Israel-bound plane. The president was asked Thursday by reporters at the White House whether he had been briefed about any links between the pilot behind the attack and Tehran. He said “based on what I’m hearing,” the answer is yes. He said officials were “working on it right now.” He did not offer details. Asked if the U.S. would retaliate against Tehran if it was behind the attack, Trump said Iran would be hit “very hard, don’t worry.”
October 1, 2026 5:10 am
QUANTICO, Va. (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is announcing some major changes to the U.S. military in what he calls his “State of the Force” address. They include establishing a new drone command and cutting 20% of the nation’s generals and admirals. He says the Pentagon will launch an effort to study the future of warfare that will be led in part by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Hegseth also says the Defense Department will create an Office of Religious Affairs and plans to build a new base for the first time in 40 years. He made the announcements Wednesday when speaking to junior officers and enlisted leaders at the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.
October 1, 2026 7:41 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A new AP-NORC poll finds that most Americans blame President Donald Trump for persistently high prices, while only about 2 in 10 approve of his handling of the cost of living. As midterm elections approach, the poll signals growing weariness over the Republican president’s aggressive use of tariffs, continued unhappiness with the war in Iran, and broad disappointment with his failure to deliver on the economic relief he promised on the campaign trail two years ago. Even most Republicans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, an increase from the spring, although they’re less willing to hold his policies responsible.
September 30, 2026 4:40 pm
QUANTICO, Va. (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed that the U.S. military will cut 20% of its generals and admirals. He made the announcement in a speech Wednesday to junior officers and enlisted leaders at the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. The Pentagon chief also announced the creation of a new four-star command to oversee the rollout of autonomous and robotic capabilities in what he called “the fastest peacetime shift in modern military history.” He also again led with how he has drastically retooled the U.S. military by targeting what he calls “woke” culture.
September 30, 2026 4:17 pm
BAGHDAD (AP) — The U.S. military has completed the withdrawal of all American troops from Iraq, ending a 12-year mission against the Islamic State group. The last troops left an air base in northern Iraq under a deal between Baghdad and Washington. President Donald Trump hailed the withdrawal as a victory for the U.S. and Iraq. The move marks a shift from a wartime coalition mission to an Iraqi-led security effort. However, concerns remain about the resurgence of the Islamic State group and attacks by Iran-linked groups. The future of Iraqi militias also remains uncertain as the government seeks to disarm them.
September 30, 2026 4:37 pm
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Passengers on a plane from Dubai to Tel Aviv say they wrestled with a pilot who stabbed the other pilot as the plane dove sharply before making an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, It was not clear what had motivated the attack. Aviation experts are marveling that the plane didn’t crash. The passengers arrived in Israel on another FlyDubai flight on Wednesday evening. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greeted one of the responders, who still wore a bloodied shirt. Netanyahu said Saudi Arabia arrested a pilot, who has not been identified. Shaken passengers described believing they were going to die.
September 30, 2026 2:57 pm
MIAMI (AP) — A Florida judge has postponed a plea hearing for former NFL star wide receiver Antonio Brown. Brown arrived in a Miami courtroom Wednesday and his lawyer says they were ready to accept a plea deal that would let Brown avoid prison time on a reduced charge in an attempted murder case. But the judge said she was in the middle of another trial and not ready to go forward and postponed the hearing until Oct. 28. Brown was accused of grabbing a handgun from a security staffer in May 2025 and firing two shots at a man he had been in a fistfight with earlier.
