August 24, 2026 5:50 pm
(AP) – The U.S. has reopened a border crossing in Arizona to cattle from Mexico as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce near-record-high beef prices. But economists doubt the move will mean much to prices shoppers see at grocery stores. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has said concerns about the New World screwworm’s spread lessened enough to allow Mexican cattle to cross the border at Douglas, Arizona, starting Monday. While Mexico has traditionally exported 1.1 million head of cattle a year to the U.S., economists say the biggest problem is that the U.S. cattle herd is the smallest in 75 years.
August 24, 2026 5:49 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — Scientists have long warned that the world will experience more intense extreme weather events like heat waves, storms, floods and droughts as long as we continue to use gas, oil and coal at our current pace. Those fossil fuels release greenhouse gases, which go up into the atmosphere and heat the planet, which scrambles ecosystems and weather patterns. Still, massive climate events, extremes beyond anything we have seen in modern history, have mostly been thought of as fiction, often been the plots of action movies. Today, such extremes of extremes are discussed as a possibility, even an inevitability, that should be taken seriously and prepared for.
August 24, 2026 4:00 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has announced a new round of sanctions aimed at Iran. At a news conference Monday, he also warned every country that does business with the Islamic Republic to sever those financial ties or face retaliation from the United States. The sanctions aim to further cut off Iran from the rest of the world economy after President Donald Trump pledged last week to unleash an “economic D-Day” against Tehran. Washington has promised the new sanctions would put even more pressure on an Iranian economy already battered by previous sanctions and a U.S. naval blockade. Meanwhile, The head of Iran’s top security body says Tehran will see any country’s support for new U.S. economic measures against the Islamic Republic as an “act of war.” Iran’s president, meanwhile, said Sunday that the memorandum of understanding signed in June with the United States is the best way out of the stalled conflict.
August 24, 2026 4:51 am
PETERS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Hundreds turned out Sunday at Trinity United Methodist Church in McMurray for a candlelight vigil honoring 18-year-old Karoline Heintz. The Peters Township graduate, who was preparing to begin her freshman year at PennWest California, was killed Wednesday night. People leaving the church described the service as somber but fitting. “Karoline had a lot of support from the community,” said Alexandra Brooks, who works for Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA. “It was really clear that there were a lot of people who knew her, but it was also very clear that there were a lot of people who were here to support the family and support her.” State police say Heintz’s boyfriend, Royce Moser, stabbed and killed her following an argument. Authorities allege he then recruited his mother, Rachel Moser, to help move Heintz’s body and clean up the crime scene. In a statement released last week, Heintz’s family said “This is a parent’s worst nightmare. Karoline was loved by all. She was a kind, smart, beautiful girl. We want justice for our ‘sweet’ Karoline.” Sunday’s gathering was one of two vigils held in Heintz’s memory. A church in Elizabeth Township also hosted a vigil Sunday evening.
August 23, 2026 1:39 am
Back to school is coming up fast, and the Washington School District is ready to go! Superintendent Alisa King addressed a couple of topics that have been in the news recently, including a new executive order that lowers the number of recommended vaccines for children. King says that the district currently has a high vaccination rate. They are encouraging and working with families to ensure that students are getting all necessary vaccines. Cell phone bans in public schools have also been a big topic recently. King says that the district already uses Yondr pouches for students at the secondary level. The pouches have worked well. King explains that the district will be using Multi-Tiered System of Supports for students in middle school. The district already uses this system at the elementary school. This includes using data to find where students are struggling and ensuring that they get the support they need to improve in class. High school students can look forward to new electives this school year. The 2026-27 school year begins on August 26.
August 24, 2026 4:55 am
Health issues have forced musician Bret Michaels off the road for now. The former Poison frontman and Butler native took a break from touring late last month after surgery for a kidney stone. He returned to performing this weekend in Atlanta, but immediately ran into more problems. According to a Saturday social media post, doctors and paramedics determined right after the show that Michaels needed more rest and recovery time from his “recent surgeries.” Michaels will reportedly take the next several months to heal. “We will be pulling Bret off the road for the time being,” his doctors, Dr. Abby Borhan and Dr. Patel, said. “He wanted to attempt this show, but we feel there is a much-needed period of rest and slow recovery ahead, especially considering the heat and humidity during the summer months and the effect it can have on his blood sugar levels.” Michaels, who has type 1 diabetes, said Sunday that he didn’t factor in the effect a coast-to-coast flight would have on his blood sugar and pressure, after switching to a new medication. The remainder of Michaels’ 2026 tour dates have been canceled.
August 23, 2026 5:01 am
The head of Iran’s top security body says Tehran will see any country’s support for new U.S. economic measures against the Islamic Republic as an “act of war.” Iran’s president, meanwhile, said Sunday that the memorandum of understanding signed in June with the United States is the best way out of the stalled conflict. The U.S. treasury secretary on Monday is expected to announce new economic measures against Tehran. Also Monday, Pakistan’s army chief plans to travel to Tehran as mediators try to revive talks. Meanwhile in Gaza, health workers say an Israeli strike killed a 4-year-old child.
August 24, 2026 5:03 am
TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney drew international attention earlier this year by warning that middle powers such as Canada must resist economic coercion. Now President Donald Trump is putting that to the test in a deepening trade war. The United States has imposed 50% duties on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. Carney said Canada’s dollar-for-dollar retaliation will begin Sept. 8. Carney’s strategy is to accept economic pain rather than yield to pressure from a larger power. Whether Canada can withstand the cost could shape how Carney is viewed at home and abroad. And it could influence how other U.S. allies respond to Trump.
August 24, 2026 4:59 am
RENO, Nevada (AP) — A wildfire that exploded in size in Reno, Nevada, over the weekend has forced authorities to urge more than 90,000 residents to leave their neighborhoods. Videos show some homes have already been destroyed. But there’s concern that shifting winds could push the flames into densely packed neighborhoods on the edge of the city. Schools across the Reno area are closed Monday because of the evacuations and to keep roads clear for emergency crews. Authorities said late Sunday that the Hawk Fire had stayed in its footprint and that firefighters were extinguishing hotspots. Those crews are working to keep the fire from jumping a main highway and reaching more homes.
August 23, 2026 6:16 am
CHICAGO (AP) — After trade negotiations crumbled down to the eleventh hour, U.S. President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on scores of Canadian imports kicked in Saturday. The new levies are expected to affect roughly $20 billion of Canadian goods, ranging from hockey sticks to agricultural products. And Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney quickly promised that his government would roll out “dollar for dollar” retaliatory measures starting Sept. 8. The latest escalation between the two countries — which once held one of the world’s most durable trade alliances — plunges them deeper into a trade war that has kept both sides of the border on edge throughout Trump’s second term in office.
