January 26, 2026 5:01 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he is increasing tariffs on South Korean goods because the country’s national assembly has yet to approve the trade framework announced last year. Trump said on social media Monday that import taxes would be raised on autos, lumber and pharmaceutical drugs from South Korea with the rate on other goods going from 15% to 25%. The U.S. president previously imposed the tariffs by declaring an economic emergency and bypassing Congress, while South Korea needed legislative approval for the framework announced in July and affirmed during Trump’s October visit to the country. The threat was a reminder that the tariff drama unleashed last year by Trump is likely to be repeated again and again this year.
January 26, 2026 12:38 pm
The Internal Revenue Service today opened the 2026 tax filing season and began accepting and processing federal individual income tax returns for tax year 2025. The IRS expects about 164 million individual tax returns for tax year 2025 to be filed ahead of the Wednesday, April 15, federal deadline. Taxpayers can find a range of tools and filing options on IRS.gov to help them prepare and file their returns. “As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, the IRS and its employees are excited to once again serve American taxpayers in meeting their tax filing obligations during the 2026 filing season,” said IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano. “Not only does 2026 commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, but it also coincides with the 40th anniversary of electronic filing,” Bisignano said. “Just as we did back in 1986, today the IRS encourages taxpayers to speed the processing of their returns by using e-file, instead of paper. And to speed the processing of any refund due, we also encourage the use of direct deposit,” he added. (Photo: AP)
January 26, 2026 3:21 pm
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The business jet that crashed Sunday evening while trying to take off in a snowstorm in Maine and killed at least a half dozen people is a plane model that has a history of problems with crashes caused by ice buildup on the wings. The Bombardier Challenger 600 flipped over and burned on takeoff at Bangor International Airport around 7:45 p.m. Sunday night as the nation’s massive winter storm was beginning to reach the area. The airport said Monday afternoon that there were six people aboard the flight, according to the manifest, and all of them died. Earlier in the day, the Federal Aviation Administration said seven people died and one member of the crew survived, but a spokesman said those numbers were preliminary and subject to change. No one was taken to a hospital, the airport said. Snowfall was heavy at the time of the crash in many other parts of the country, but accumulation had just started in Bangor and other planes had been taking off safely.
January 26, 2026 4:42 am
Clean-up is underway in the Southwestern Pennsylvania area, after Winter Storm Fern Dumped almost a foot of snow in many areas over the weekend. Now, with the snow still covering the ground, we are heading into a stretch of extreme cold weather. Many schools closed Monday but some did operate remotely and they are now keeping close watch on the bitter cold and sub-zero wind chills that move in. Washington County offices and courts were closed to the public with remote work in place, although essential operations including the County 9-1-1 center, the jail and the Sheriffs office remained open. Many communities have declared states of emergency, including the city of Washington, Charleroi and South Strabane Township. In addition, many businesses and organizations may also be closed on Tuesday due to the extreme cold and lingering road conditions. One of those that will be closed will be the Charleroi Borough building. Warming Centers are open around the county as well. Stay with WJPA and wjpa.com for the very latest weather and school information. For a complete listing, Click Here.
January 26, 2026 4:52 am
Sunday’s major winter storm had a huge impact on air travel, with thousands of delays and cancellations across the U.S. According to the airline tracking website FlightAware, there were nearly 19,000 delays on Sunday and more than 12,000 cancellations. Pittsburgh International Airport was no exception. There were around 20 delays into PIT and more than 200 cancellations. By 11 p.m. on Sunday, there were already around 43 canceled flights out of Pittsburgh International on Monday. The airport reminds everyone to check directly with their airline for the most up-to-date information on delays or cancellations.
January 26, 2026 4:48 am
SPRINGHIHLL TOWNSHIP, Pa. — An ambulance rolled onto its side after crashing in Fayette County. Fayette County dispatchers said the vehicle was responding to an emergency in Springhill Township at 5:31 p.m. The vehicle rolled on Nilan Road. No injuries were reported.
January 26, 2026 5:03 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The fatal shooting of a Minneapolis protester by a federal immigration officer touched off a firestorm and prompted some fellow Republicans to question President Donald Trump’s hard-line immigration crackdown, but the president on Sunday night doubled down and blamed Democratic officials. After remaining relatively quiet on Sunday, the Republican president in two lengthy social media posts said that Democrats had encouraged people to obstruct law enforcement operations. He also called on officials in Minnesota to work with immigration officers and “turn over” people who were in the U.S. illegally.
January 26, 2026 5:06 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A growing number of Republicans are pressing for a deeper investigation into federal immigration tactics after a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot a man in Minneapolis. And those calls are a sign that the accounting of events by President Donald Trump’s administration may face bipartisan scrutiny. The killing of Alex Pretti has also raised uncomfortable questions about the GOP’s core positions on issues ranging from gun ownership to states’ rights and trust in the federal government. Administration officials are firm in their defense of the hard-line immigration enforcement tactics in Minneapolis and they fault Democrats in the state along with local law enforcement for not working with them.
January 25, 2026 5:04 am
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A federal judge is set to hear arguments Monday on whether to pause an immigration crackdown in Minnesota. This follows the fatal shootings of two people by government officers. The state and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul sued the Department of Homeland Security two weeks ago. They want to restore conditions before the Trump administration’s Operation Metro Surge began in December. Democratic Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison plans to attend the hearing. Justice Department attorneys have called the lawsuit legally frivolous. The case could have implications for other states facing similar immigration enforcement operations like that underway in Minnesota.
January 25, 2026 5:04 am
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration says a private aircraft with eight people on board has crashed on takeoff from Bangor International Airport in Maine. The Bombardier Challenger 600 crashed around 7:45 p.m. Sunday. There was no immediate word on the conditions of those aboard and an airport statement said the airport was closed and emergency crews were at the site. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating. The crash occurred as New England and much of the country grappled with a massive winter storm. Bangor had steady snowfall Sunday like much of the northeastern United States.
