April 10, 2025 4:50 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A new executive order from President Donald Trump that’s part of his effort to invigorate energy production launches the possibility that his Department of Justice will go to court against state laws aimed at slashing planet-warming greenhouse gas pollution from fossil fuels. The order signed by Trump on Tuesday comes as U.S. electricity demand ramps up. It also coincides with “climate superfund” legislation gaining traction in various states. Trump has declared a “national energy emergency” and says his attorney general should take action against state laws targeting climate change. That puts liberal states in the crosshairs of Trump’s Department of Justice. Democratic governors vowed to keep fighting climate change.
April 10, 2025 4:48 am
BRIDGEVILLE, Pa. — (WPXI) – PennDOT is adding Monday hours for the next month to help alleviate long wait times due to the Real ID enforcement deadline approaching. At the Bridgeville Driver’s License Center on Wednesday, frustrations were high with four-hour wait times and many people being turned away for not having the proper documents. “It’s a mad house. It’s complete chaos,” said Nikki Williams, who drove from Washington. “Set aside at least four hours. Get it done as soon as you can, if you’re flying in May, you have to have to get it done.” May 7 is when enforcement begins at airports domestically and in government buildings. You can also use a passport or military ID.
April 9, 2025 5:49 pm
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A magistrate judge in Pennsylvania accused of shooting and wounding her ex-boyfriend in the head as he slept has been convicted of attempted homicide and aggravated assault charges. Sonya McKnight was taken away in handcuffs after the verdict was handed down Wednesday and the trial judge rejected a defense request that she be released. She faces up to 60 years in prison when she’s sentenced May 28. The shooting occurred in February 2024 at the ex-boyfriend’s home. McKnight had lived there, but authorities say the man had repeatedly asked her to leave when their relationship ended.
April 9, 2025 2:15 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing a global market meltdown, President Donald Trump on Wednesday abruptly backed down on his tariffs on most nations for 90 days, but raised his tax rate on Chinese imports to 125%. It was seemingly an attempt to narrow what had been an unprecedented trade war between the U.S. and most of the world to one between the U.S. and China.Global markets surged on the development, but the precise details of Trump’s plans to ease tariffs on non-China trade partners were not immediately clear.
April 9, 2025 10:37 am
BRUSSELS (AP) – European Union member states have voted to approve retaliatory tariffs on $23 billion in goods in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. The tariffs will go into effect in stages, with some on April 15 and others on May 15 and Dec. 1. The EU executive commission didn’t immediately provide a list of the goods Wednesday. Members of the 27-country bloc repeated their preference for a negotiated deal to settle trade issues.
April 9, 2025 5:08 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Internal Revenue Service’s acting commissioner is resigning over a deal to share immigrants’ tax data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the purpose of identifying and deporting people illegally in the U.S. Two people familiar with Melanie Krause’s decision confirmed the intended resignation to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about it. The memo signed Monday by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will allow ICE to submit names and addresses of immigrants inside the U.S. illegally to the IRS for cross-verification against tax records.
April 9, 2025 5:06 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed four executive orders aimed at boosting coal, a reliable but polluting energy source that’s long been in decline. Under the orders, Trump will use his emergency authority to allow some older coal-fired power plants set for retirement to keep producing electricity to meet rising U.S. power demand amid growth in data centers, artificial intelligence and electric cars. Trump has long promised to boost what he calls “beautiful” coal to fire power plants and for other uses, but the industry has been declining for decades.
April 9, 2025 5:03 am
BANGKOK (AP) —China has raised tariffs to 84% on goods coming from the U.S. in an additional countermeasure. Last week, China said it would levy 34% tariffs on all U.S. goods. China again vowed to “fight to the end” against Donald Trump’s tariffs in a lengthy policy statement published Wednesday, while arguing that trade between the two countries is in balance as a 104% tax on the country’s exports to the U.S. came into effect. “If the U.S. insists on further escalating its economic and trade restrictions, China has the firm will and abundant means to take necessary countermeasures and fight to the end,” according to a statement introducing the white paper from the Ministry of Commerce.
April 9, 2025 5:03 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Mike Johnson (pictured) is vowing to try again to pass the Republican budget framework after abruptly postponing Wednesday night’s vote. The Republican speaker worked into the night to satisfy conservative GOP lawmakers who refused to support the plan. President Donald Trump had admonished the holdouts to “stop showboating” and vote. But conservatives warn that allowing trillions of dollars in tax breaks without steeper cuts will pile onto the nation’s debt. What the president calls the “big, beautiful bill” is central to his agenda of tax cuts, mass deportations and smaller government. Johnson was hopeful they would try again Thursday. There’s still weeks, if not months, to go before a final package.
April 9, 2025 5:02 am
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Dozens of people have gathered at the Dominican Republic’s forensic institute, hoping for news of their loved ones who are still missing after the roof of an iconic nightclub collapsed. The crowd grew increasingly agitated Wednesday as National Institute of Forensic Pathology officials read the names of 54 victims they have identified so far. At least 124 people were killed and more than 250 others injured when disaster struck early Tuesday at the legendary Jet Set club in Santo Domingo. Officials have called for calm, saying they have already delivered 28 bodies to their families. Officials have not been able to identify at least 33 bodies.
