September 20, 2026 3:43 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI)-UPMC has entered into an agreement with the Department of Justice to end pediatric gender-affirming care. On Friday, a DOJ spokesperson announced that New York University Langone Hospitals (NYU) and UPMC would end the care after an “investigation into potential violations of federal law arising from their provision of sex-rejecting procedures on children.” As part of the resolutions, UPMC is paying $950,000. Attorney General Todd Blanche claimed the hospitals were “targeting” children by offering this care. The care included puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and some surgical procedures. Several other large healthcare providers have reached similar agreements, including: Mount Sinai Health System in New York, Texas Children’s Hospital, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Connecticut Children’s Hospital. In Feb., 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at restricting the option of gender-affirming care for people under the age of 19.
September 18, 2026 4:36 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he is banning CNN, MSNOW and Politico from the White House due to what he called unfavorable coverage, and threatens that more such prohibitions of media outlets could follow. Trump wrote on his social media site Friday that effective immediately, “I am banning” CNN, MSNOW and Politico “from the White House as a result of their constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS!” It is the administration’s latest test of constitutional First Amendment protections.
September 18, 2026 4:45 am
Washington County Commissioners approved an expenditure to pay the law firm Eckert, Seamans $1,950 for legal services provided as a result of a Special Audit being performed by the County Controller regarding the 2024 cyber/ransomware attack on the county’s computer system. The measure was approved 2-1 with Commissioner Larry Maggi voting no. Maggi claims that the request for payment lacks transparency and is an effort to withhold information. County Controller Heather Sheatler received the invoice and in response asked Eckert Seamans to provide proof of work performed and the authorization to perform the work. Sheatler’s letter says that 7.5 hours were billed for work performed on behalf of Commissioners Nick Sherman, Electra Janis and County Administrator Daryl Price. The invoice detailed privilege research, strategy response and other conferences. Sheatler says that no engagement letter, fee agreement or retention letter appointing Eckert Semans exists pertaining to the special audit. Furthermore, the invoice does not break down work performed on behalf of the county versus work provided for Sherman, Janis and Price as individuals. Commissioner Nick Sherman says that the agreement to handle any concerns related to the cyber attack were spelled out by the insurance carrier three years ago when they appointed Eckert Seamans as special counsel. In a letter provided to Sheatler by County Solicitor Gary Sweat, he identified his office and Eckert Seamans as special counsel representing Sherman, Janis and Price in their official capacities on behalf of the county. Sheatler’s letter to Eckert Seamans requests response by September 18. Currently no response has been received. The special audit being performed is a result of the Office of Open Records citing inconsistencies and conflicting agreements surrounding the cyber attack in January of 2024 and the actions taken to regain control of the county computers. In one aspect of the audit, Sheatler points out that one of the vendors hired to aid in the recovery, DigitalMint, had several employees convicted of conspiracy for secretly feeding victim confidential information to ransomware attackers. DigitalMInt was hired to negotiate the terms and conditions to make ransom payments and release the digital keys to unlock the county computers.
September 18, 2026 2:50 am
Washington, PA – The Ebenezer Bridge and Henry Bridge sites of the EQT Washington & Greene Counties’ Covered Bridge Festival, scheduled for this weekend at Mingo Creek County Park, have been cancelled due to flooding and the potential of additional rainfall. The cancellation only involves the Ebenezer Bridge and Henry Bridge sites and does not currently affect the additional covered bridge sites involved in the festival. The decision was made in consultation with the Washington County Department of Parks & Recreation, Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency, who manages the Ebenezer Bridge site; and Mental Health Association of Washington County, who manages the Henry Bridge site; with public safety as the primary consideration. Recent heavy rainfall has resulted in significant flooding and challenging conditions at Mingo Creek County Park, while the potential for additional rainfall creates further concerns for safely hosting the festival at the park this weekend. “Each covered bridge site involved in the festival is operated by individual groups and we have been in contact with them to inform them of our decision. Currently, the other sites are moving forward with their festivities, but we encourage everyone to visit CoveredBridgeFest.net for all festival updates,” stated Jeff Kotula, president of the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency. (Photo courtesy of WCTPA)
September 17, 2026 2:54 am
AAA East Central and the South Strabane Police Department gave a presentation about cybercrimes and identity theft at the AAA Washington Branch Office. Presenters talked about phone scams, credit card scams, and ways to protect your identity. AAA safety advisor J.J. Miller explains that anyone can fall victim to cybercrimes. Miller says that consumers must work to protect their identity at all costs, and she hopes that this program gave valuable information. Mike Schidlmeier, a detective with the South Strabane Police Department, says it is important to report anything suspicious to the police to help prevent scams. Schidlmeier reminds citizens that falling victim to a cybercrime is nothing to be embarrassed about because, in the world today, everyone is vulnerable.
September 17, 2026 2:10 am
239 years after the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, members of W&J college came to the Courthouse to take turns to read aloud the document. Constitution Day is an American federal observance that recognizes the adoption of the Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. It is observed on Sept. 17, the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia. Constitution Day became a holiday in 2004 when Senator Robert Bryd from the state of West Virginia was concerned that American citizens were losing the connection to the document and we have been celebrating the day ever since then.
September 17, 2026 4:59 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has ordered the Kennedy Center to provide 30 days’ notice before making any major physical changes to the building, including demolishing it as President Donald Trump has threatened. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper said Thursday his ruling would “avoid any confusion on that score given more recent events.” Earlier, Matt Floca, the Kennedy Center’s executive director and chief operating officer, said he closed the iconic performing arts center temporarily due to “acute risks to public safety resulting from continued structural deterioration” of the aging building.
September 18, 2026 4:56 am
HENRICO, Va. (AP) — In-person voting for this year’s midterm elections is beginning, ushering in the final six weeks for Americans to decide who they trust to lead Congress through a cost-of-living crisis, a prolonged war in Iran and other pressing issues. Friday marks the start of early voting in Virginia. Voters in a handful of other states, including Idaho, Minnesota and South Dakota, are able to cast absentee ballots in person, typically at a local election office or voting center. More expansive early voting is scheduled to begin in those and other states in the coming weeks. Election administrators say they’re prepared and confident the vote will be accurate and secure.
September 18, 2026 4:57 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Postal Service has stopped developing a controversial computer system tied to President Donald Trump’s effort to limit mail voting. The Supreme Court rejected Trump’s executive order this week. Postmaster General David Steiner confirmed the halt Thursday. He emphasized the agency’s independence and operational focus. Trump’s order aimed to create state citizenship lists for mail voting, but the system faced criticism that it was riddled with errors. A memo to postal employees stated the agency won’t enforce new rules for the 2026 election. Despite the halt, concerns remain about postmark delays affecting mail-in ballots. Steiner urged voters to submit ballots early.
September 18, 2026 5:04 am
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Warren Buffett is stepping down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway in the next step of the transition at the top of the $1 trillion conglomerate he led for more than six decades.. The company said Friday that the 96-year-old Buffett will take become chairman emeritus and will take on his new role immediately. His son, Howard, will serve as Berkshire Hathaway’s new chairman as part of the company’s longstanding succession plan. Howard Buffett has served as a Berkshire Hathaway board member since 1993. Longtime Vice Chairman Greg Abel was promoted to CEO in January and has been leading the company since then.
