July 11, 2026 4:32 am
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Graham Platner has submitted his paperwork to formally withdraw from Maine’s U.S. Senate race, officially ending an upstart yet troubled campaign whose dissolution threatens Democrats’ pursuit of chamber control. The Maine Democratic Party announced later Friday it will hold a nominating convention on July 25 to choose his replacement on the November ballot. Platner’s paperwork was received Friday by the Maine secretary of state’s office. Maine is considered a key state for control of the narrowly divided Senate, and Democrats were desperate for a candidate capable of defeating Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
July 11, 2026 4:34 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has issued subpoenas to several New York Times journalists after the paper reported security concerns with the new Air Force One. The NYT said the subpoenas aim to force the reporters to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan on Wednesday. The report could not be independently confirmed and there was no immediate response from the White House or the Department of Justice. The new jet, gifted by Qatar, recently entered service. The paper reported the switch had come at the urging of the Secret Service and that the newer plane lacked some of the advanced security features of the older aircraft, a claim Trump denied at the time.
July 11, 2026 4:36 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Crews are draining the Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool again as President Donald Trump’s problem-plagued effort to renovate the site pushes past his initial July 4 deadline. The president initially suggested his renovations would last a century. But, within weeks of the project originally reaching completion last month, the water was beset by an algae bloom and pieces of the new coating appeared to be peeling off the bottom. Trump has blamed the peeling on vandals, though critics allege it’s from shoddy repair work. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told a conservative podcaster that the draining was planned and that the water might still contain debris from the Independence Day fireworks display over the National Mall.
July 11, 2026 3:20 am
The Whiskey Rebellion is back – and according to organizers – bigger and better than ever! Tracie Liberatore is the festivals program manager, and she says this year is bigger and better than ever and she believes it has everything to do with America250. She says the focus on history has increased the number of participants this year and they are excited to be a part of it. The Whiskey Rebellion Festival honors the significant period of America’s early days through historical re-enactments, history and heritage displays, street theater performances, children’s activities, music, food and libations. The festival has a full slate of activities through Saturday, ending with a performance of the Clarks. Main Street will be closed from Wheeling to Maiden Street Saturday morning starting at nine.
July 11, 2026 1:40 am
Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is announcing a 25-day closure on I-376 (Parkway East) in Edgewood Borough and the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, will occur July 10 through August 3 weather permitting. A full closure of I-376 in each direction between the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and the Edgewood/Swissvale (Exit 77) interchange will occur around-the-clock from 9:00 p.m. Friday, July 10 through 5:00 a.m. Monday, August 3 as crews demolish and replace the I-376 Commercial Street Bridge. Traffic will be detoured.
July 10, 2026 9:53 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has chosen not to sign a sweeping housing affordability bill on Friday, in protest of Congress not approving a strict voter ID bill that does not have enough support to pass. Still, the housing measure could become law on Friday without Trump’s signature, as he had 10 days to issue a veto and stop the measure. Trump’s post simply says that he will not sign it.
July 10, 2026 9:40 am
President Donald Trump has ousted members of a bipartisan federal election commission charged with assisting state and local elections officials. The White House confirmed Friday that Trump is taking executive action to change the makeup of the Election Assistance Commission. That agency distributes federal grants to states, tests voting systems and maintains the national voter registration forms. It is the latest move in Trump’s effort to expand White House influence over how U.S. elections are conducted, and it comes after a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that gave the president new personnel authority to fire members of independent agency boards. Trump fired two Democrats on the panel. A Republican member was allowed to resign. A fourth seat was already vacant.
July 9, 2026 5:58 am
Two people were transported from the scene of a crash in Robinson Township early Friday morning. Washington County 911 says it happened just before 5:30 a.m on the Southern Beltway at the ramp to Route 22 West. A tractor trailer and another vehicle were involved. Initial reports say the ramp was blocked as a result of the crash. Tune to WJPA 95.3FM/1450AM for the very latest.
July 10, 2026 2:49 am
WASHINGTON, Pa – The City of Washington Police Department has filed criminal charges against Brett Carroll following an investigation into an incident that occurred on July 7, 2026, in the area of the Uni-Mart located at 500 North Main Street. At 3:59 p.m. on July 7, officers were dispatched to the area after receiving reports that an armed male had threatened another individual with a handgun. During the investigation, detectives learned that the suspect allegedly pointed a firearm at the victim, threatened to kill him, and pursued him from the area. Witness statements, surveillance footage, and additional investigative efforts led detectives to identify Brett Carroll as the suspect. At 10:50 a.m. on July 8, officers were dispatched to the 300 Block of Burton Avenue for the victims involved in the previous incident reporting that the suspect was back in the immediate vicinity of their residence. Upon officers arriving on scene, the male was found to already have left the area and officers were not able to locate the male. During the overnight hours into the morning of July 9, Carroll turned himself in on an Adult Probation bench warrant that had been issued as a result of this incident and other probation-related concerns. He remains in custody. He faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault, stalking, and firearms not to be carried without a license. Authorities say their investigation is continuing and more charges could be filed.
July 10, 2026 2:37 am
An investigation is underway into the death of a Pittsburgh man whose body was found in his vehicle Thursday morning just before ten o’clock. Washington County Coroner Tim Warco says the body of 60-year-old Cecil Braun was found in his vehicle which was parked at the Pennsylvania Welcome Center on Interstate 70 East in Donegal Township. Two dogs were rescued from the vehicle and are currently being held by the coroner’s office. Authorities say Braun’s death does not appear to be suspicious. They say he had been living in his vehicle since July third, after being evicted from his home in Pittsburgh. The cause and manner of death are pending an autopsy.
