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 22, 2026 1:29 pm
AVON, OHIO – The Frontier League, a Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball, which includes the Washington Wild Things, and the longest-running independent baseball organization in North America, announced on Wednesday a comprehensive brand transformation. Beginning in the 2027 baseball season, the league will compete as the National Association of Professional Baseball (NAPB). Officials say the re-branding process began in the fall of 2024 when the Frontier League’s Board of Directors formed a Strategic Planning Committee to evaluate their current position and future opportunities in the professional baseball structure. “With the tremendous growth over the past five years, highlighted by our expansion into Canada along with the Northeast and Southeast in the United States, our Board felt that it was the appropriate time for a detailed study of both our current role and future opportunities,” commented league commissioner Steve Tahsler. “Working with an outside facilitator, the committee determined that we had outgrown the Frontier League brand, and that National Association of Professional Baseball better identified our current structure and future goals.” The transition follows a landmark 2025 season where the league set its fourth consecutive attendance record and led the four Partner Leagues in player contracts transferred to MLB organizations. The league’s 34-year history, statistics, and records, along with those of the individual teams, will still remain.
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.
April 22, 2026 1:48 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — Dave Mason, co-founder of the psychedelic British band Traffic and songwriter behind “Feelin’ Alright” and “Hole in My Shoe,” died Sunday at his home in Gardnerville, Nevada. He was 79. A cause was not immediately revealed. Mason canceled his remaining tour dates last summer, citing health issues stemming from an infection. Mason was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 for classics including “Feelin’ Alright?” which he co-wrote with Traffic frontman Steve Winwood. It wasn’t an immediate hit, but became one after it was covered by the likes of Joe Cocker, the Jackson 5, Gladys Knight & the Pips and Grand Funk Railroad.
April 21, 2026 3:27 pm
ISLAMABAD (AP) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday the United States is 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 Wednesday. 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. In a Truth Social post announcing the ceasefire extension, Trump also said the U.S. military would continue it’s blockade of Iranian ports. As last-minute ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran looked uncertain, both countries warned that, without a deal, they were prepared to resume fighting
April 21, 2026 12:47 pm
(AP) – Mike Tomlin is going from the glare of an NFL sideline to the glare of television lights. The former Pittsburgh Steelers coach will join NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” coverage as a pregame analyst, two people briefed on the move tell The Associated Press. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because NBC has not announced the move. Tomlin stepped down in January after 19 seasons as Steelers coach. NBC had a studio opening as it is retooling its “Football Night in America” pregame show. Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy announced last month that he was told he would not be back after 17 years.
April 21, 2026 8:46 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Shoppers accelerated their spending in March from February, but they spent most of their money at the gas pump. A spike in gas prices due to the Iran war, now in its eighth week, resulted in a hefty 1.7% gain in March after a revised 0.7% increase in February, according to the Commerce Department’s report on Tuesday. The report marks the first read on spending to capture the effects of the Iran war. Excluding gas prices, the growth was a slim 0.6%, helped in part by government tax refunds and warm weather.
April 21, 2026 2:27 am
To help accommodate those attending the NFL draft, Freedom Transit has added three additional return times from Pittsburgh back to Washington County on Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24. One bus will depart downtown Pittsburgh at approximately 10:00 PM, another bus will depart at approximately 11:30 PM and the last bus will depart at approximately 12:15 AM. Information on stop locations in downtown are listed below in the inbound and outbound detour sections. Freedom Transit has a limited fleet of buses and may not be able to accommodate all riders wishing to use the public transit service during the NFL draft. Fixed‑route bus service is subject to vehicle capacity limits. Boarding is permitted on a first‑come, first‑served basis until capacity is reached. Seating is not guaranteed, and standing may be required. The cost to ride the Metro is $4.00 for a one-way ticket. Tickets can be purchased by downloading the Freedom Transit app on the App Store or Google Play. Learn more about buying bus tickets or click the button.
