September 22, 2026 2:42 am
The Pennsylvania Department of Health provided an update on the measles outbreak in the commonwealth. The DOH announced that there are now 792 measles cases confirmed across 39 counties in Pennsylvania. That is up by 25 cases adding one new county to the outbreak since September 18. There have been 155 hospitalizations and 4 measles associated deaths. The DOH says the best protection against measles is to be fully vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine. Adults who only had one dose or cannot find vaccination records should consult their health care provider or pharmacist about receiving a vaccine.
September 22, 2026 2:44 am
Gas prices continue their assault on motorists in Western Pennsylvania. According to AAA prices are 20 cents higher this week. The average price per gallon is $4.73. The nationwide average climbed 16 cents per gallon to $4.47 per gallon. Prices are approaching their year high of $4.56 per gallon seen earlier this spring. Here in Washington County we are slightly higher in average price at $4.75 per gallon.
September 22, 2026 4:49 am
NEW YORK (AP) — CNN, MS NOW and Politico have filed a lawsuit over being denied White House access. The lawsuit calls the administration’s actions barring reporters from the three news organizations a “blatant violation” of the First Amendment. Trump said last week he was barring them because of reporting he deemed “fake news.” On Monday morning, CNN was removed from its “pool” duties, which are shared by the major networks. Other networks said in response they were suspending their own pool coverage as well. The actions were an escalation of Trump’s long-running efforts in the courts and through administrative action to restrict news coverage by journalists he finds objectionable.
September 22, 2026 4:47 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump is hosting Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Washington this week as economic and tech competition escalates between the two countries. Both leaders are aiming to stabilize fragile ties, though no major agreements are expected. The meeting itself is seen as significant given the deep differences and a lack of trust between the United States and China. An accelerating artificial intelligence race is a key issue, with both countries vying for dominance despite warnings about the rapid development of the technology. Along with persistent trade issues, the two leaders also are trying to maneuver around major hot spots like Iran and Taiwan.
September 22, 2026 4:48 am
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union and the Philippines have announced a new free trade deal. The agreement announced Tuesday is part of an EU effort to diversify its economy amid tensions with China, Russia and the United States. EU trade negotiator Maroš Šefčovič and Philippine Trade Secretary María Cristina Aldeguer-Roque structured the deal to enhance the nearly 30 billion euros or around $35 billion annual trade between the EU and the Philippines. Electronics dominate the trade with the EU exporting aircraft, pork and pharmaceuticals while importing semiconductors and machinery. The Philippines is the third ASEAN nation to sign a bilateral trade deal with the EU.
September 22, 2026 5:36 pm
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Hurricane Polo is gaining strength as it moves along Mexico’s southwestern coast as a Category 5 cyclone. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center reports Polo is an “extremely dangerous” storm with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph. It was centered Tuesday about 210 miles south of Zihuatanejo, Mexico, and nearly stationary over the Pacific Ocean. Mexican authorities have suspended classes in some areas, and the U.S. Embassy issued a weather alert. Heavy rain could cause flash flooding and mudslides in Guerrero and Michoacán states. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Odalys is in the Pacific Ocean but far from land, and Fay has weakened to a tropical depression in the Atlantic.
September 21, 2026 4:12 pm
Hundreds of flights have been canceled in the U.S. Northeast due to technical problems at a key regional air traffic control center. That halted operations at every major airport in the New York City area for several hours Monday, just as numerous foreign leaders were flying in for the United Nations General Assembly. However, President Donald Trump’s flight from Washington to New York departed as scheduled. The Federal Aviation Administration says a key circuit failed at an air traffic facility in Philadelphia. A backup fiber optic line had also been cut due to construction by Verizon contractors along the Amtrak rail line in New Jersey.
September 21, 2026 4:10 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Trump has unveiled a new White House helicopter landing pad while trying to downplay a First Amendment firestorm. Major TV networks suspended coverage of Monday’s event as part of the normal White House press pool because CNN was banned from the event. Trump used gold scissors to cut a ribbon and exchanged handshakes with officials, while construction crews in hardhats and green smocks looked on. CNN, MS Now, and Politico have sued after Trump announced a ban on them covering the White House on Friday. CNN is usually part of a five-network rotation covering White House events. ABC, CBS, CNN, and Fox News collectively skipped covering the ceremony for TV. Trump’s media access restrictions overshadow his building projects and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit.
September 21, 2026 4:07 pm
CHICAGO (AP) — Twelve states and Hollywood writers challenging Paramount’s buyout of Warner Bros. Discovery have agreed to settle their lawsuits against the mega merger. Monday’s announcement effectively paves the way for the $81 billion deal to cross the finish line, with some new commitments. The blockbuster deal will bring together two of Hollywood’s oldest studios, key TV networks like CBS and CNN and streaming platforms HBO Max and Paramount+. It also will consolidate as decades-old libraries with titles ranging from “Harry Potter” to “Top Gun.” The agreement calls for Paramount to increase domestic production and establish monitoring of editorial independence of the company’s news operations. The settlement still needs a final sign-off by a judge.
September 21, 2026 8:25 am
Washington City Police are investigating a reported stabbing incident early Monday morning. Police tell WJPA News that officers responded to the 900-block of Jefferson Avenue around 1:15 a.m. In a release, Police say an adult female was found with an apparent non-life-threatening injury. Evidence was collected from the scene and the investigation is on-going. Police say it appeared to be an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public. No other information is being released at this time.
