May 4, 2025 5:07 am
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump says he is directing his government to reopen and expand Alcatraz, the notorious former prison on a California island that has been closed for more than 60 years. In a message on his Truth Social site Sunday evening, Trump wrote that, “For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering.” He said, “That is why, today, I am directing the Bureau of Prisons, together with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ, to house America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders.”
May 4, 2025 5:06 am
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump is opening a new salvo in his tariff war, targeting films made outside the U.S. Trump said Sunday night that he has authorized the Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to slap a 100% tariff “on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands.” It wasn’t immediately clear how any such tariff on international productions could be implemented. It’s common for both large and smaller films to include production both in the U.S. and other countries. Big-budget movies like the upcoming “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” for instance, are shot around the world.
May 4, 2025 4:53 am
WASHINGTON, Pa. — An investigation is underway after human remains were found in the City of Washington on Sunday. Washington County Coroner Tim Warco says a passerby made the discovery in a wooded area near I-70 East around 10:30 a.m. The remains have not yet been identified. Warco says the death does not appear to be suspicious. The identity, age and cause and manner of death are all pending investigation. The Washington Police Department are investigating. No other details have been released.
May 3, 2025 10:37 am
Following the perimeter breach, attempted homicide and arson at the Pennsylvania Governor’s mansion on April 13, the Pennsylvania State Police announced that they were going to have an independent review of the residence. Officials hired retired state police Commander Jeffrey B. Miller and his consulting firm to go over to review protocols, identity gaps, and make recommendations following the attack. Colonel Christopher Paris says that some of the recommendations have been implemented and they are looking at others moving forward. Governor Shapiro, who was at the residence at the time of the attack, has since returned to the home. Cody Balmer, 38, who police say committed the crimes, is charged with attempted homicide and arson and remains in jail without bond.
May 3, 2025 9:42 am
Thousands of runners will take to the streets tomorrow for the annual Pittsburgh Marathon. The 26-mile course runs through many city neighborhoods where storms recently disrupted power and scattered debris along the route. According to our news partners at Channel 11, organizers, city and county leaders all got together for a cleanup effort. Organizers are expecting visitors from all 50 states and 24 countries. More than 46,000 runners are expected to participate this year, making it the largest turnout in the event’s history, according to P3R, the organization responsible for the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon. Earlier this week, many expressed concerns after an unprecedented storm knocked out power, downed electric lines, and uprooted trees across the city just days before the race. The race route is expected to be clear for Sunday morning’s event.
May 3, 2025 9:10 am
Anthony Albanese has claimed victory as the first Australian prime minister to win a second consecutive term in 21 years. He suggested his government increased its majority in the next Parliament by not modeling itself on U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Albanese told his supporters in a victory speech in Sydney: “Australians have chosen to face global challenges the Australian way, looking after each other while building for the future.” His center-left Labor Party had branded Albanese’s rival Peter Dutton, the opposition leader, “DOGE-y Dutton” and accused his party of mimicking Trump and his Department of Government Efficiency.
May 3, 2025 9:09 am
The 3rd annual “Running of the Wools” in going on in downtown Washington this afternoon. According to the Observer-Reporter, the race is a play on the annual Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain. It is the creation of the Washington County Historical Society and the National Road Heritage Corridor. Today’s events start at 10 a.m. There will be vendors, areas for kids and education demonstrations. The sheep races start at 1 and culminate at the Main Street pavilion at 2:30.
May 3, 2025 5:19 am
Vote counting has begun in Australia’s general election after polling stations closed in Australia’s populous eastern states. The last stations will close two hours later on the west coast, but counting starts immediately after voting ends. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his rival Peter Dutton began campaigning on Saturday in the electorally crucial city of Melbourne. Albanese later returned home to Sydney and Dutton to his hometown of Brisbane to vote. Albanese’s center-left Labor Party is seeking a second three-year term. Dutton wants to become the first opposition leader to oust a first-term government since 1931, when Australians were reeling from the Great Depression.
May 3, 2025 5:17 am
Crews are still working to restore electricity to thousands following this past week’s storms. According to First Energy reports, there are less than 2,000 residents in Washington County without power and they are expected to be back online by tomorrow night. That’s 2% of the population. Westmoreland County is also at 2% with about 3,700 people without power. Everyone seems to be online in Fayette County and Allegheny County is down to 1%. Indiana County remains the hardest hit with about 7% of its 30,000 residents left in the dark.
May 3, 2025 4:58 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched a major drone assault on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, wounding 47 people. Ukraine reported 183 drones and decoys fired, with 150 intercepted or jammed, alongside two ballistic missiles. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged stronger support from Ukraine’s allies. Russia said it downed 170 Ukrainian drones and four people were injured in a Ukrainian drone strike on the Russian Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk. The attacks follow a recent U.S.-Ukrainian deal granting American access to Ukraine’s mineral resources.
