March 21, 2026 6:37 am
The public is experiencing the consequences of a partial U.S. government shutdown in long wait times at some airports as Transportation Security Officers take time off to manage the financial strain. The Department of Homeland Security says hundreds more have quit their jobs altogether since the shutdown began on Valentine’s Day. That could worsen the delays at airport security checkpoints and pose longer-term problems for an agency that historically has had some of the U.S. government’s highest attrition and lowest employee morale. TSA pay starts at around $34,500 and the average pay is $40,000 to $55,000, according to government figures.
March 21, 2026 10:24 pm
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii has been suffering its worst flooding in more than 20 years. Heavy rains fell on soil already saturated by downpours from a winter storm a week ago, and officials said more rain is expected over the weekend. Muddy floodwaters smothered vast stretches of Oahu’s North Shore, world-renowned for its big-wave surfing. Raging waters lifted homes and cars and prompted temporary evacuation orders for 5,500 people north of Honolulu. Authorities cautioned that a 120-year-old dam could fail. Gov. Josh Green said the cost of the storm could top $1 billion, including damage to airports, schools, roads, homes and a Maui hospital.
March 20, 2026 6:30 am
BEIRUT (AP) — Three young men were hanged in Iran this week, raising alarm among rights groups that a wave of executions may be underway as authorities facing relentless attacks from the U.S. and Israel seek to squelch public dissent. The three men are the first to be executed from among the tens of thousands who were arrested during a January crackdown on nationwide protests. They had been sentenced on charges of “waging war against God,” for allegedly killing two police officers during protests, but Amnesty International said the convictions came in “grossly unfair trials” that used confessions extracted by torture. Rights groups say more than 100 others could face death sentences.
March 21, 2026 4:50 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Scientists say a record-smashing March heat wave in the U.S. Southwest shows climate change is already driving more dangerous weather extremes. World Weather Attribution said Friday that the heat would have been virtually impossible without human-caused warming. Experts say extremes now hit more often, in odd seasons, and in unusual places. NOAA data shows a much larger share of the country sees extreme conditions than decades ago. An analysis by The Associated Press finds the U.S. breaks far more heat records than in past decades. One former FEMA official said disasters now fall outside old planning models and noted insurers pulling back.
March 21, 2026 4:00 am
A former Washington County attorney has been charged with embezzling more than $1.3 million from the organization that operates the Duquesne Incline. Fifty-three-year-old Christopher Furman, now of Pittsburgh, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of wire fraud and money laundering, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Thursday. The ten-count indictment alleges that Furman transferred money to his bank account from that of the Society for the Preservation of the Duquesne Heights Incline. The DOJ says Furman made 25 different transactions between October 2024 and September 2025 and he allegedly put the money in an online cryptocurrency exchange and digital asset management platform, where he traded cryptocurrency for himself. According to the indictment, this happened while Furman was president of the Society’s board. Furman was selected for that position because he used to work for the incline and knew how its mechanics worked, the DOJ says. While the board president, Furman was not allowed to look at the Society’s bank account or use its money for personal reasons, the DOJ says. Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000 or double the gain from the alleged illegal activity. Each count of money laundering carries a maximum of 10 years in prison and/or the same monetary penalty.
March 21, 2026 4:00 am
Washington County Commissioners, in a 2-1 have approved a $1.1 million dollar change order in connection with the P25 emergency radio system. At issue is a change order from Motorola Solutions, Inc. saying the money is necessary to deliver, build and outfit three support buildings for antenna sites for the new radio system. Commissioner Nick Sherman says that $5 million was put aside in the original contract that allows commissioners to outsource some of the project to local contractors. This is a part of that provision. The money is not covered by that $5 million as the payment for the change order will be coming from the county’s general operating fund. Commissioner Larry Maggi voted against the measure. He is concerned that the cost of the project keeps escalating. He says that he does not recall the provision of the holdback of $5 million. His view is to use that $5 million for the change order and leave the taxpayer money alone. The original contract was for $24.4 million. The contract now, with this change order stands at $26,380,072.73.
March 19, 2026 2:59 am
A local teacher is facing several charges, including attempted sexual assault, for offenses against a high school student. Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele said charges were filed against 50-year-old Martin Clement Gatti, who taught at the Laurel Highlands School District. He faces charges of attempted sexual assault, unlawful contact with minors and corruption of minors. The DA’s office said these crimes were committed against a high school student. The School District immediately placed Gatti on leave and removed him from his position upon learning about the allegations against him. According to a criminal complaint, a victim told State Police that Gatti asked the victim to come to his classroom on January 9th, even though the victim did not have any classes with Gatti. Police said Gatti made several suggestive comments to the student. Police said they were provided with an audio recording of the conversation.
March 20, 2026 4:54 am
Thousands of TSA and other federal workers with the Department of Homeland Security have been affected by the partial government shutdown, which began in mid-February. More TSA workers are quitting or calling out sick, resulting in hours-long waits through security checkpoints for flyers in major airports. The latest numbers show TSA call-outs for Pittsburgh at 30 percent, Pittsburgh International Airport officials told our news partners at Channel 11 those numbers vary by the day and that the impact on security checkpoint lines has been minimal. Airport officials say they are utilizing operations teams and volunteer ambassadors to keep the lines moving. The airport has also teamed up with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, offering a food pantry for local TSA agents, as well as Customs and Border Patrol officers. “Obviously, they are going without paychecks, so we want to do everything we can to support them,” said Bob Kerlik, director of public affairs for Pittsburgh International Airport. Thursday morning, 250 boxes of fresh produce, as well as non-perishables, were delivered to the airport from the Food Bank around 7 a.m. The Food Bank said help will be provided as long as it is needed.
March 20, 2026 3:12 pm
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The first of five high school protesters detained for days in Pennsylvania after a scuffle with a man who turned out to be the police chief entered a probationary program designed to spare him a criminal record. Three other Quakertown teens delayed their juvenile court hearings Friday, while a lawyer for the fifth wants the assault charges dropped entirely. That lawyer, Ettore “Ed” Angelo, calls the treatment of the teenagers “shameful.” They spent four to eight days in detention after the Feb. 20 protest and the past month on house arrest. The police chief remains on medical leave and under investigation.
March 20, 2026 4:59 am
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has threatened recreational and tourist sites worldwide and insisted it is still building missiles. Its supreme leader issued another defiant statement on Friday. The United States was meanwhile deploying more warships and another 2,500 Marines three weeks into the war it launched alongside Israel. Iran fired on Israel and energy sites in neighboring Gulf Arab states. With little information coming out of Iran, it was not clear how much damage its forces have suffered in the punishing U.S. and Israeli strikes that began Feb. 28 — or even who was truly in charge of the country. But Iran’s attacks are still choking off oil supplies and denting the global economy.
