April 22, 2026 3:36 pm
INSTITUTE, W.Va. (AP) — A chemical leak at a West Virginia plant killed two people and sent 19 others to the hospital, authorities said. The leak occurred at the Catalyst Refiners plant, a silver recovery business in Institute, as workers were preparing to shut down at least part of the facility, Kanawha County Commission Emergency Management Director C.W. Sigman said. A chemical gas reaction occurred at the plant involving nitric acid and another substance, Sigman said. The reaction caused “a violent reaction of the chemicals and it instantaneously overreacted,” Sigman added. Among the injured were seven ambulance workers responding to the leak, officials said.
April 21, 2026 2:15 am
Two more people are now charged in the death of a 9-year-old girl. Renesmay Eutsey was found dead in September 2025, partially submerged in the Youghiogheny River. Two women, Kourtney Malinda Eutsey, 31, and Sarah Ann Shipley, 35, were initially charged in Renesmay’s death. Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele on Tuesday issued a press release announcing charges against two more people: Theresa Marie Shipley, 63, and Sandra Lynn Umensetter, 51. Aubele identifies the women as Renesmay’s grandmother and a friend of the family, respectively. Per Aubele, both women are facing charges of endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person. Theresa also faces an additional count of persons required to report suspected child abuse. These new charges come after the Aubele’s office got an autopsy report and other documents from the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office. Aubele says the coroner’s office findings confirmed Renesmay died of malnourishment, neglect and blunt force trauma injuries. The primary cause of death is said to mirror the alleged injuries to a seven-year-old victim who was hospitalized but survived. Both women are expected to be arraigned on Tuesday afternoon.
April 22, 2026 2:14 am
There have been some administrative changes in the Peters Township School District. At their regular meeting this month, school board members named Dr. Michael Fisher as the new Deputy Superintendent for the school district, to replace Dr. Jennifer Murphy, who will be moving into her new role as the superintendent, following the retirement of Dr. Jeannine French. Dr. Fisher will continue his role focusing on curriculum for grades K-5, overseeing assessments and the District’s safety and security efforts. Dr. Fisher has been a member of the District’s central leadership team since 2016, and was previously the Principal at Pleasant Valley Elementary School. Also at Monday’s meeting, Mr. Adam Sikorski was named Assistant to the Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, with a focus on the secondary level. Sikorski makes the move to District’s central administration team following 12 years as the Principal at Peters Township Middle School. In addition to his role in Peters Township, Sikorski is currently an Adjunct Professor at Point Park University.
April 22, 2026 4:49 am
A Washington County man accused of stealing loyalty program points settled his case. Paul Kostanich, 19 of Peters Township pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor charge of theft by unlawful taking. Fifty seven other counts of unauthorized use of an access device, identity theft and receiving stolen property were dropped by the District Attorney. Kostanich will serve three years of probation and pay restitution of $677 to Giant Eagle. Additionally, he will be prohibited from using a computer outside of school and for his job as a delivery driver. Police accused Kostanich in February of 2025 of accessing victim’s Get Go Fuel Perks loyalty point information by purchasing it on the dark web. He then used the information to purchase fuel for his car and gift cards. In all, there were 19 victims in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
April 21, 2026 5:01 am
ISLAMABAD (AP) — President Donald Trump says the United States is indefinitely extending its ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan’s request as he waits for a unified proposal from the Islamic Republic. The announcement came as last-minute ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran looked uncertain and a two-week truce was set to expire. Earlier, the White House put on hold Vice President JD Vance’s expected trip to Islamabad for a second round of talks as Tehran — at least for the time-being — has balked at further talks. Pakistan’s information minister says Iran has not formally confirmed whether it will participate. The ceasefire had been set to expire on Wednesday.
April 22, 2026 5:02 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A new AP-NORC poll finds that President Donald Trump’s approval rating on the economy has slumped over the past month as the Iran war drives prices higher. Trump’s approval rating on the economy dropped to 30% in April from 38% in a March AP-NORC poll. A similarly low share of U.S. adults, 32%, approve of the president’s leadership on Iran, which is unchanged since last month. Even Republicans are showing less faith in his leadership, according to the poll, which shows a president who is struggling with unfulfilled promises to tame inflation and testing Americans’ patience with a conflict in the Middle East that has dragged on longer than expected.
April 22, 2026 4:59 am
(AP) – Virginia voters have approved a congressional redistricting plan that could help Democrats win up to four additional U.S. House seats in this year’s midterm elections. Voters passed a constitutional amendment authorizing the unusual mid-decade redistricting. But their vote may not be the final say because the question still faces legal challenges, including before the state Supreme Court. The Virginia referendum is the latest development in a national redistricting battle that began after President Donald Trump urged Texas Republicans to pass a map more favorable to the GOP. Virginia is the second Democratic-led state to back redistricting, after California voters approved a new map last November.
April 22, 2026 5:50 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — One of the most comprehensive studies ever of flood risk has determined that more than 17 million people in eight cities along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts are at the highest risk of being affected by flooding. Using machine learning, historic flood data and 16 factors representing hazards, exposure and vulnerability, the study published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances has come up with what is likely the most comprehensive model of coastal cities’ risk of flood damage. Researchers are alarmed by the findings, including that more than 4 million people are at risk in New York City, alone, and that 99% of people and buildings in New Orleans are vulnerable.
April 22, 2026 2:50 am
Uniontown, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT’s) Engineering District 12, and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), invites the public to participate in a Virtual Plans Display to review and provide feedback on the Route 40 and Route 3005 Intersection Improvement Project in Donegal Township, Washington County. This project involves minor tree trimming to enhance the visibility at the intersection, installation of two poles and wires to support a flashing beacon, installation of signage, and other minor construction activities. The purpose of this Virtual Plans Display is to provide information on the Route 40 and Route 3005 Intersection Improvement Project covering the improvements, impacts, traffic control, and anticipated schedule. To participate in the Virtual Plans Display visit PennDOT’s District 12 website under the Projects Near You and select Route 40 and Route 3005 Intersection Improvement Project. The materials will be on the website for the duration of the project. The public comment period is April 21 through May 5.
April 21, 2026 4:53 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has resigned, doing so just moments before the start of a hearing that could have led to a recommendation that she be expelled from Congress. Cherfilus-McCormick says she would not pretend that a yearslong ethics investigation had been anything other than a “witch hunt,” and rather than play political games she would resign. The committee had been set to weigh what punishment to recommend after an investigative panel found Cherfilus-McCormick committed 25 violations of House rules and ethical standards. Cherfilus-McCormick also faces federal criminal charges accusing her of stealing $5 million in coronavirus disaster relief funds. She denies any wrongdoing.
