July 3, 2025 2:53 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans have propelled President Donald Trump’s $4.5 trillion tax breaks and spending cuts bill to final congressional passage. Republicans overcame multiple setbacks to approve his signature second-term policy package Thursday before a Fourth of July deadline. GOP leaders worked overnight and the president himself leaned on a handful of skeptics to drop their opposition and send the bill to his desk to become law. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York delayed voting by holding the floor for more than eight hours with a record-breaking speech against the bill.
July 3, 2025 4:54 am
PITTSBURGH — AAA is expecting a record number of travelers this Fourth of July holiday. Pittsburgh International Airport says 200,000 people are expected to fly between July 1-7, with the most passengers traveling on Thursday and Sunday. “We at AAA are expecting this is going to be a record-setting Fourth of July, going all the way back to when we started tracking these numbers. We’re expecting 72.2 million people heading out, most of them are going to be on the road,” said Jim Garrity of Director of Public Affairs with AAA. “Get out the door early. You could run into delays on the road, you could run into delays at the airport.” Pittsburgh International Airport says while they are anticipating a busy few days, this Fourth of July will not break records. “For us, the busiest times are 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., so we advise that people are here 2 hours in advance of [their] flight,” said Pittsburgh International Airport Director of Public Affaris Bob Kerlik. In April, the TSA announced that during busy hours, passengers without TSA PreCheck would go to the alternate security checkpoint to help alleviate long lines, especially during busy holiday travel.
July 2, 2025 2:24 am
WEIRTON, W.Va. — (WPXI) – A 13-year-old girl from Burgettstown died Monday evening after being swept away by a current in the Ohio River. Reese Hanshaw had just completed eighth grade and was set to begin her freshman year at Burgettstown High School this fall. She was swimming with family members near the Veterans Memorial Bridge when a younger cousin got caught in the water. Family members say Reese rushed to help—and in the process, was pulled away by the current. According to Weirton Police, Officer Adam Mortimer responded within minutes and entered the river to bring Reese to shore. Life-saving efforts were immediately performed by Mortimer, EMS crews, and the Weirton Fire Department before Reese was transported to Weirton Medical Center, where she later died.
July 4, 2025 2:56 am
WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. – A person was hit by a cellphone while riding the Phantom’s Revenge at Kennywood on Wednesday evening. The park said the first aid team responded to the coaster around 8:45 p.m., and the guest was taken to a hospital for further evaluation. “Safety is our top priority. Loose articles, including cell phones, are strictly prohibited on all attractions,” Kennywood said in a statement.
July 4, 2025 2:47 am
The Shapiro Administration on Wednesday, released new data on how many Pennsylvanians will lose Medicaid and SNAP benefits as a result of Congressional Republicans’ reconciliation bill that is being rushed through Congress. Governor Josh Shapiro says this bill will have devastating impacts here in the Commonwealth. Statewide, nearly 144,000 Pennsylvanians who receive SNAP could lose their access to critical food assistance, while 310,000 Pennsylvanians could lose Medicaid coverage. Shapiro broke down the impacts by congressional districts – and if the current version of the reconciliation bill is signed into law, nearly every district will see devastating effects. In the 14th Congressional District which is served by Republican representative Guy Reschenthaler, Shapiro says 18,645 Pennsylvanians will lose Medicaid coverage and 11,071 Pennsylvanians will lose SNAP benefits
July 2, 2025 4:59 am
Republican leaders in the House are sprinting toward a vote on President Donald Trump’s tax and spending cuts package, determined to seize momentum from a hard-fought vote in the Senate while essentially daring their members to defy their party’s leader and vote against it. It’s a risky gambit designed to meet Trump’s demand for a July 4 finish. after staying up all night with GOP leaders and the president himself working to persuade skeptical holdouts to drop their opposition by his Fourth of July deadline. Final debates began in the predawn hours after another chaotic day and night at the Capitol following a series of closed-door meetings.
July 3, 2025 5:00 am
The Trump administration has accused states and schools of using federal education grants to help fund “a radical leftwing agenda.” The administration this week froze over $6 billion in federal education grants meant for immigrant and low-income students. Officials say they are reviewing the funds to ensure alignment with President Donald Trump’s priorities. On Wednesday, the Office of Management and Budget claimed some grants were misused to support immigrants in the country illegally or promote LGBTQ+ inclusion. Programs for English learners and migrant children are among those affected, leaving schools scrambling to adjust. Advocates say the majority of children in English language programs were born in the United States.
July 3, 2025 5:05 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. job market delivered another upside surprise last month, churning out a better-than-expected 147,000 jobs. The unemployment rate ticked down unexpectedly, too. But the headline numbers masked some weaknesses as the U.S. economy contends with fallout from President Donald Trump’s economic policies, especially his sweeping import taxes and the erratic way he rolls them out.
July 3, 2025 5:02 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A top official at the Food and Drug Administration recently overruled government scientists on the availability of two COVID-19 vaccines. Newly released documents show the FDA’s vaccine chief, Dr. Vinay Prasad, intervened to restrict approval of two new shots from vaccine makers Novavax and Moderna. FDA staff reviewers recommended the shots be approved for anyone 12 and older. But the FDA memos show Prasad limited the use to seniors and certain higher-risk Americans. It’s the latest in a series of vaccine restrictions imposed by officials working under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
July 2, 2025 5:50 pm
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty Wednesday to murder in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students. He entered the plea in a deal with prosecutors that will allow him to avoid the death penalty. He had been set to go to trial in August. Kohberger remained impassive as he confirmed to the judge that he stabbed the four victims. He was a graduate student at nearby Washington State University when prosecutors say he sneaked into a rental home in Moscow, Idaho, and stabbed the four students. The killings terrified the campus and set off a nationwide search in 2022. No motive has emerged for the killings. (Photo: AP)
