October 27, 2026 5:24 pm
UNIONTOWN, Pa. — Two Fayette County corrections officers accused of beating an inmate are now facing criminal charges. The assault on inmate Robert Stimmel during intake processing took place 20 days ago. In the days after the attack, he was diagnosed with multiple broken ribs, a brain bleed, a traumatic brain injury, a concussion and permanent vision problems. Court documents for Ryan Sigley and Amadeus Marinucci, the corrections officers accused in the attack. They’re both charged with aggravated assault, official oppression, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and unsworn falsification to authorities. Sigley and Marinucci were fired nearly two weeks after the attack. A third officer accused on the incident was suspended for 10 days and is not facing any charges.
October 27, 2026 10:38 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans’ confidence in the economy rebounded somewhat in October as gas prices fell modestly but remain elevated. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index jumped 7.5 points to 91.7 in October from 84.2 last month. September’s reading was the lowest in the board’s survey since April 2014 and below the lowest level reached during the pandemic. Respondents’ views of their present situation rose by 6.9 points to 72.6 while their short-term outlook climbed 8.6 points to 120.4. Even with the improved outlook, Americans remain flustered by the economy after five years of elevated inflation.
October 26, 2026 2:42 am
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has signed SB 1014 into law, requiring schools in the state to adopt and implement a policy to prohibit the use of cell phones during the school day beginning next school year. Shapiro signed the legislation at Lenape Middle School in Bucks County with legislators, educators, parents, and students on hand. “As educators, teachers, and caregivers, we understand the challenges of raising and educating young people in a digital world. For years, schools have been striving to address the distraction that comes with student cell phones,” said Dr. Joanna Wexler, Superintendent, Central Bucks School District. “Now, we will continue to work with students, staff, and parents to engage in conversations and dialogue around this issue, knowing our students and staff will rise to the occasion and meet these new expectations, continue to excel, achieve, and make us proud in countless ways.”
October 26, 2026 2:46 am
A major announcement Monday morning from both EQT Corporation and Range Resources. Officials say they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which EQT will acquire Range Resources in an all-stock transaction with a value of more than $50 billion. In a news release, EQT President and CEO Toby Z. Rice stated, “This transaction brings together two of the highest-quality, longest-duration asset bases in North America and creates a company uniquely positioned for the next era of natural gas”. According to the release, terms of the agreement were approved by the Board of Directors of both companies. The transaction is expected to close during the first-quarter of 2027 and is subject to regulatory approvals. Officials say the combined company will keep its headquarters in Canonsburg.
October 26, 2026 2:19 am
In a legal déjà vu moment, a North Strabane man put to rest six child sex assault cases that he was facing. Leo McIntyre, 31, was charged in 2022 of assaulting at least six juveniles in his home dating back to 2012. He was facing charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault and corruption of minors. During a pre-trial conference being held before his November trial, McIntyre agreed to a negotiated plea deal that will have him serve 14 ½ -30 years in state prison. Back in December, McIntyre was set to accept a negotiated plea deal of 10-30 years in prison, before Judge Traci McDonald rejected the plea deal and sentenced McIntyre to 32-64 years in prison. At that point, McIntyre withdrew his guilty plea and opted for a jury trial. The cases were split into three separate trials. With the global plea deal all six cases have now been put to rest. McIntyre was given the opportunity to present an allocution statement, but he declined to address victim families or the court. In addition to the 14 ½ to 30 years in jail, McIntyre will also serve 30 years of probation. He was found to be a sexually violent predator and will have to register as a sex offender with state police for the rest of his life.
October 26, 2026 2:44 am
Gas prices are two cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $4.679 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is a penny cheaper this week at $4.28. The drop is fueled by the transition to winter-blend gasoline which is cheaper to produce and costs less for consumers. But high crude oil prices are preventing steep declines at the pump. Currently, the price for a barrel of crude oil is over $100 per barrel amid instability in the Strait of Hormuz. This month is poised to set a record as the most expensive October ever for gas prices following similar records set in August and September of this year. According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand increased last week from 8.40 million barrels per day to 8.98 million. Total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 208.3 million barrels to 205.3 million. Gasoline production increased from 9.23 million barrels per day to 9.75 million barrels.
October 27, 2026 2:07 am
Funeral arrangements have not yet been released for Pittsburgh rocker Donnie Iris. Iris died Monday at the age of 83. Iris was the beloved front man of Donnie Iris and the Cruisers. He was born in New Castle on Feb. 28, 1943. Just a few weeks ago, Iris announced he was retiring from performing live, citing “recent health issues.” His final show was held right here in Pittsburgh for the grand opening of Citizens Live at the Wylie on Sept. 28. Around 1978, Iris joined the band Wild Cherry after their hit song “Play That Funky Music.” He may be best known for his work with the Jaggerz and their hit song “The Rapper.” Other beloved hits include “Ah! Leah!,” “Love Is Like a Rock” and “My Girl.” In June 2023, he canceled a Youngstown concert with REO Speedwagon after being diagnosed with cancer. He returned to the stage in March 2024 following chemotherapy.
October 27, 2026 4:41 am
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli voters delivered a sharp rebuke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with exit polls indicating voters gave his opponents a solid majority in the next parliament. Whether those disparate parties can form a government is uncertain and will likely take weeks of haggling. They would only be able to form a government if his main rival, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, partners with Arab-led parties, something he had largely ruled out. The exit polls released by major Israeli TV stations indicated that Netanyahu’s bloc won 50 seats, the opposition won 52-53 and Arab parties won 17-18.
October 27, 2026 6:12 pm
(AP) – Authorities say an escaped Tennessee inmate convicted of murdering a co-worker stole a truck from a nearby farm and apparently made it to southern Illinois before abandoning it. Jacob Morley, who was serving a life sentence for killing a co-worker four years ago, was found to be missing from the Northwest Correctional Complex late on Sunday. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says Morley stole a farm truck about 2 miles from the prison at about 1 a.m. Monday. Investigators say the truck was found abandoned Tuesday in Marion, Illinois, about 120 miles north of the prison. The police chief in Marion says no other stolen vehicles or suspicious things have been reported in his city.
October 28, 2026 2:14 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Susan Saint James, known for her roles in “McMillan & Wife” and “Kate & Allie,” has died at 80. People magazine reports she passed away Monday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Los Angeles, she started modeling in Paris as a teenager and later signed with Universal Studios. She gained fame in the 1970s and 1980s, earning multiple Emmy nominations. Saint James retired to focus on family but occasionally appeared on TV. She was a longtime supporter of the Special Olympics and leaves behind her husband, children, and extended family. (Photo: AP)
