January 23, 2026 1:39 pm
DALLAS (AP) — Forecasters say over half the U.S. population could be affected by snow, ice or bitter cold as a winter storm sweeps across the county. On Friday, schools in Chicago and other cities canceled classes due to extreme cold. Then the storm is forecast to bring snow, sleet, and ice from Texas to New England. Forecasters warn the damage could rival a hurricane, especially in areas hit by ice. More than 1,000 flights were delayed or canceled Friday, with more expected Saturday. People are stocking up on water, food and generators as they prepare for the storm. (Photo: AP)
January 23, 2026 3:43 pm
Ahead of heavy snow expected across Pennsylvania starting Saturday night, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) are planning to implement vehicle restrictions across Pennsylvania’s Interstate network. The agencies are also advising drivers to watch weather forecasts, avoid unnecessary travel if possible and to exercise caution when driving. The restrictions will affect ALL Pennsylvania interstates including:
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- PA Turnpike I-76
- PA Turnpike I-70
- All PA Turnpike extensions.
- U.S. 15 from I-180 to the New York border.
- U.S. 22 from Route 66 to I-99.
- U.S. 22 from I-78 to the New Jersey border.
- U.S. 219 from U.S. 30 to U.S. 22.
- U.S. 220 from I-80 to I-180.
- U.S. 322 from Interstate 99 to I-81.
- Route 28 from I-279 to U.S. 422.
- The entire length of Route 33.
On roadways with Tier 4 restrictions in place, no commercial vehicles are permitted. Additionally, all school buses, commercial buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs/motor-homes and passenger vehicles (cars, SUV s, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers are not permitted on affected roadways while restrictions are in place. Speed limits will be restricted to 45 mph on these roadways for all vehicles while the vehicle restrictions are in place, and commercial vehicles not affected by the restrictions must move to the right lane. Additional speed restrictions on other interstates could be added depending on changing conditions.
January 23, 2026 3:56 pm
Catholics in two local dioceses have been dispensed from their Sunday Mass obligation due to the major winter storm expected this weekend. Pittsburgh Bishop Mark Eckman and Greensburg Bishop Larrk Kulick granted dispensations for their respective dioceses on Friday, as the region prepares for the most significant snowfall in years. Local weather conditions may vary, the dioceses say. Parishioners are urged to check parish websites and social media pages or call their parish office before going out. Those who are able can attend a Saturday vigil Mass, where available, the dioceses say. Those who can’t attend may read scripture, watch a live-streamed or televised Mass or make a spiritual communion. The dioceses also encourage parishioners to look out for neighbors during the storm, especially the elderly, people who live alone or those who may need assistance.
January 23, 2026 5:01 am
South Strabane Township Supervisors held their second special meeting in a week concerning the reopened 2026 budget. After a three hour workshop on Monday, supervisors previewed the new spending plan. The current budget calls for $8.772 million in revenue and $8.738 million in expenditures. The revised plan calls for $8.501 million in revenues and $8.487 million in expenditures. According to supervisor Zack Morgan, errors in calculations were discovered and adjusted to accurately reflect revenues. Morgan says that there were two major factors, building permit fees are split between the township and consulting firm Code.Sys. That makes up $120,000 in decreased revenue. Morgan also stated that Act 13 monies that were calculated at $250,000 are more likely to be in the range of $180,000. Morgan said that even though all departments will see an increase in funding, the township will lay off one employee and cease funding the Parks and Recreation department. The layoff will be for an administrative assistant/emergency services specialist that also supports the township with other administrative tasks. Fire Chief Jordan Cramer calls the layoff a blow to his department that will create more stress to his staff. Lois Gnagey, vice chairperson of the Parks and Recreation department is mad because the residents will not have Community Day, Easter Egg Hunts, Breakfast with Santa or bus trips that are popular with adults. The new budget will be available for inspection after the January 27 voting meeting. Supervisors plan to hold a special voting meeting on February 11 to formally adopt the new budget.
January 22, 2026 2:46 am
Attorney General Dave Sunday says a Washington County man pleaded guilty to rape and other sexual abuse of a 12-year-old child. Miguel Pedrosa, 63, pleaded guilty Thursday to rape of a child and numerous other felonies. In accordance with a plea agreement, Pedrosa was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison. The abuse happened over a period of months, and an incident was recorded in January, when the child’s mother installed a video camera inside her home. Pedrosa was a close acquaintance of the victim. “This heinous conduct has no place in society, and the plea resolution is effectively a life sentence for the defendant who is already in his sixties,” Attorney General Sunday said. “I commend the Pennsylvania State Police for a sound investigation that led to very serious charges, this conviction, and, we hope, a measure of justice for the victim and their family.” In all, Pedrosa pleaded guilty to rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, corruption of minors, aggravated indecent assault of a child, indecent assault, and endangering the welfare of a child — all felonies.
January 23, 2026 5:14 am
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Police arrested anti-immigration enforcement demonstrators at Minnesota’s largest airport after they overstepped their permit, officials said, as Arctic temperatures seized the state and others protesting the Trump administration’s crackdown urged people to stay away from work, school and shops. One of the faith groups organizing the protest said Friday “roughly 100 clergy” were arrested. Metropolitan Airports Commission spokesman Jeff Lea said the protesters were arrested outside the main terminal of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport when they went beyond what their permit for demonstrating stipulated and began affecting airline operations. Meanwhile, groups are asking Minnesotans to stay home in protest at immigration enforcement operations in the state
January 22, 2026 5:18 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith has defended his investigations of Donald Trump at a public congressional hearing. Smith insisted Thursday he acted without regard to politics and had no second thoughts about the criminal charges he brought. Smith said no one should be above the law, and the law required that Trump “be held to account.” Smith’s criminal investigations in Washington, D.C., and Florida shadowed Trump during his 2024 Republican presidential campaign. He testified behind closed doors last month but returned to the House Judiciary Committee for the public hearing. Republican lawmakers looked to undermine Smith while Democrats hoped to elicit damaging testimony about Trump’s conduct. Trump says Smith has “destroyed many lives.”
January 23, 2026 5:16 am
Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the settlement in Ukraine with U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoys during marathon overnight talks, and the Kremlin insisted that the territorial issue needs to be resolved to make peace. The Kremlin meeting, which lasted past 3 a.m. Friday, came hours after Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sharply criticized his European allies Thursday for what he cast as their slow and fragmented response to Russia’s nearly four-year full-scale invasion. Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, who took part in Putin’s meeting with Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, said it would be impossible to reach a peace deal “without solving the territorial issue.”
January 23, 2026 5:17 am
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Activists report that Iran’s crackdown on nationwide protests has killed at least 5,002 people. Many more are feared dead. But information is scarce in part because Iran has imposed the most comprehensive internet blackout in its history. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency provided the latest death toll Friday and noted more than 26,800 people have been detained. Iran’s government says 3,117 have died. But it has a history of giving lower tolls for political reasons. The Associated Press has been unable to verify these numbers because of the two-week internet shutdown. The U.S. has moved an aircraft carrier group closer to the Middle East. And U.S. President Donald Trump is warning of potential action against Iran.
January 23, 2026 6:11 pm
ONTARIO, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say they have arrested Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder facing charges related to drug trafficking and the killing of a federal witness. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel on Friday confirmed Wedding’s arrest. Patel said Wedding was arrested after turning himself in at a U.S. embassy in Mexico, where authorities believe he had been hiding for more than a decade. The former Olympian was on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. Wedding was charged in 2024 with running a drug ring that used semitrucks to move cocaine between Colombia, Mexico, Southern California and Canada.
