March 25, 2025 4:50 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance says he’s joining his wife on a Friday trip to Greenland, suggesting in an online video that global security is at stake. Vance says in a video posted Tuesday to social media, “Speaking for President Trump, we want to reinvigorate the security of the people of Greenland because we think it’s important to protecting the security of the entire world.” President Donald Trump irked much of Europe by suggesting that the United States should in some form control the self-governing, mineral-rich territory of American ally Denmark.
March 25, 2025 4:49 am
Dry conditions, wind and trees downed by Hurricane Helene are fueling wildfires in North and South Carolina. Officials say evacuation orders are in effect Tuesday in some parts of the states while they continue to monitor the blazes. Three fires are burning in rural North Carolina about 80 miles west of Charlotte. At least one of the fires was caused by a downed power line. In South Carolina, two fires are burning in a mountainous region and both have no containment so far. The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for parts of South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia through Tuesday night, as dry and windy conditions were expected to be favorable for the rapid spread of wildfire.
March 25, 2025 4:48 am
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. negotiators are working with Russian representatives on a proposed partial ceasefire in Ukraine. Monday’s meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, came a day after the U.S. held separate talks with the Ukrainian team. Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of undermining efforts to reach a pause in the 3-year-old war. Both countries agreed in principle Wednesday to a limited ceasefire after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with their leaders. A major sticking point is what targets would be off-limits to strike. While the White House said “energy and infrastructure” would be covered, the Kremlin declared the agreement referred more narrowly to “energy infrastructure.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he wants to see railways and ports protected.
March 25, 2025 4:47 am
TOKYO (AP) — The Unification Church in Japan was ordered dissolved by a court after a government request spurred by the investigation into the 2022 assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The church said it was considering an appeal of the revocation order, which would take away its tax-exempt privilege and require liquidation of its assets. The order followed a request by the Education Ministry in 2023 to dissolve the sect, citing manipulative fundraising and recruitment tactics that hurt followers and their families. The church called the court order regrettable and unjust. The investigation into Abe’s assassination revealed cozy ties between the South Korea-based church and Japan’s government. The man accused of killing Abe blamed the church for his family’s troubles.
March 25, 2025 4:44 am
ERIE, Pa. — (WPXI) – Two cases of measles have been confirmed in Western Pennsylvania. NBC News affiliate WICU, health department officials in Erie County confirmed the cases and said they were linked to international travel. The county is now working with the state to notify any potential contacts. Officials said the risk of community spread is low but urged vaccination to prevent infection. As of March 20, the CDC reports 378 confirmed measles cases across the country in 2025, including in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and Maryland. Of these cases, 90% are connected to three outbreaks. According to the CDC, measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and rash.
March 25, 2025 4:39 am
Voters in Allegheny County will help determine the makeup of the state House of Representatives. Democrat Dan Goughnour, Republican Chuck Davis and Libertarian Matt Mitta are on the ballot to replace former Representative Matt Gergely who suddenly passed away January 19. The 35th Legislative District is made up of 13 communities from Clairton and Duquesne, West Mifflin to White Oak. Representation at the state House of Representatives currently sits at 101 Democrats and 101 Republicans. Goughnour is a McKeesport Police Officer and member of the school board. Davis is a volunteer firefighter from White Oak and member of the White Oak Borough Council. White Oak resident Adam Kitta works for the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services of Western Pennsylvania. Polls for the Special Election open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. This seat is for Gergely’s unexpired term that expires at the end of the year.
March 25, 2025 2:52 am
The splash pad being built at Rolling Hills Park in Peters Township, took one more step in becoming a reality. Peters Township Council unanimously adopted a motion to set fees to enter the splash pad when it opens in early July of this year. Residents will be charged $2.50 for a single visit. An annual four person family pass is available for $25 and allows unlimited usage. In addition to the splash pad, shelter rentals for 30 guests is priced at $100 for a two hour period. An indoor party room is also available for 30 guests at $150 for two hours. All prices for non-residents is double the resident price. According to Township Manager Paul Lauer, construction is scheduled for completion in late June. It will take several days to get the area organized for public use. The splash pad will operate Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm. Sundays the pad is open from 12 pm to 7 pm. Once a full season gets underway next year, the schedule will be from Memorial Day through Labor Day and every weekend in September. Rules for residents to be aware of, children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult and payment is cashless. Guests can use their annual pass, a credit card or debit card for entrance to the venue.
March 25, 2025 2:00 am
Sports Facility, LLC, owners of the Washington Wild Things announced that Wild Things Park has a new naming rights sponsor. EQT, Corporation, the natural gas production company signed a three year agreement to have the ballpark named EQT Park. Toby Rice, President and CEO of EQT, Corporation spoke of how his company is operated with partnerships and he is proud of this partnership. He said he looks forward to help the community and their families create memories at the EQT Park. Chris Blaine is the CEO of Sports Facility, LLC. She said that this is a great day for the park. Their relationship with EQT has grown over the years as EQT had been a sponsor for the team for several years. She described EQT and the Wild Things as like minded organizations built on teamwork. Both described EQT Park as a community asset, as it has hosted a myriad of events and organizations over the years. Financial terms of the agreement were not released. The ball park debuted in 2002 as Falconi Field and later became CONSOL Energy Field in 2007. The ball park has been without a name since 2017. Opening Day at EQT Park will be May 13 against the Ottawa Titans.
March 24, 2025 5:52 pm
(WPXI) – High winds blew off a small portion of a Duquesne University building’s roof on Monday. A university spokesperson says the wind pushed a metal cap onto Mendel Hall, then the stucco facade fell onto the sidewalk and street below and exposing some of the building’s wood frame and insulation. No one was on the sidewalk when this happened, nor was anyone in the building. The sidewalk is now surrounded by caution tape. The spokesperson says the building was already slated for demolition in April. “Now the University is having its demolition contractor assess the structure for any other possible dangers before it is removed,” Ken Walters said.
March 24, 2025 5:49 pm
(AP) – Firefighters in North and South Carolina are battling multiple wind-driven wildfires. The fires are burning in rugged terrain that is complicating efforts to contain them. North Carolina State University forestry professor Robert Scheller says millions of trees knocked down by Hurricane Helene last fall have dried out and are helping fuel the blazes. Burn bans remain in effect in both Carolinas and mandatory evacuations continue in parts of North Carolina’s Polk County. Hundreds of miles north in New Jersey, the state Forest Fire Service says a wildfire in the Pinelands region was 100% contained on Monday morning.
