October 2, 2026 4:39 am
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — State officials nationwide are focusing on rising gas and diesel prices tied to the war in Iran. They’re offering gas tax holidays and other measures to ease costs as affordability remains a top voter concern in the critical midterm elections. Lawmakers in Ohio passed a 90-day state gas tax holiday with broad bipartisan support on Wednesday. Ohio is among about one-third of states that have implemented some form of fuel tax relief, with many taking action within the past week. Some states have suspended their fuel taxes. Others have temporarily reduced taxes. And still more have targeted relief only to farmers, loggers, and others who use a special type of diesel fuel.
October 2, 2026 4:51 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is launching an office of religious affairs at the Pentagon. He announced Wednesday that the office will provide “first-class religious support” and report directly to him. Hegseth, who often infuses his evangelical Christianity into his leadership, says the office will advocate for military chaplains and religious support. One critic, Rachel Laser from Americans United for Separation of Church, argues that the new initiative will elevate Christianity in military policy. The Pentagon says the new office will not compel religious participation or favor any particular faith. The leader of the new office has not been named, but it will coordinate spiritual resources for military families.
October 2, 2026 4:49 am
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Attorneys for Christa Pike say the death row inmate is still alive but in critical condition a day after the state’s failed attempt to execute her for the 1995 murder of a woman. The state tried to execute Pike by lethal injection on Wednesday but neither the initial nor backup dose of pentobarbital killed her. Pike was still snoring when the execution chamber’s microphone was cut off more than an hour into the attempt, and she was later taken to a hospital for treatment. Her lawyers said Thursday that she is still being treated, but they didn’t know details about how she’s faring. Tennessee’s Republican governor, Bill Lee, called what transpired “deeply disturbing” and has ordered an independent review.
October 2, 2026 4:45 am
NEW YORK (AP) — The Trump administration has proposed a change to the 1040 tax form that will require Americans to disclose their citizenship and residency status. Officials argue the goal is to prevent immigrants lacking permanent legal status from receiving benefits like the Earned Income Tax Credit. Critics express privacy concerns, saying this information isn’t needed to process returns. It’s the latest effort by the Trump administration to use the IRS to pursue its immigration policies.
October 2, 2026 4:40 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A bill aiming to permanently ban the sale of Chinese vehicles in the United States stalled in the Senate as lawmakers headed for the exits until after the November midterm elections. The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio and Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, aims to prevent China’s auto industry from gaining a foothold in the U.S. market. It gained renewed energy last week during the summit in Washington between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump. Slotkin and Moreno delayed the bill as they negotiated with the lone holdout, Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who argued the legislation could unfairly sweep in Mercedes-Benz.
October 2, 2026 4:48 am
NEW DELHI (AP) — An Indian pilot hailed as a hero said he fought for his life after his co-pilot stabbed him and the FlyDubai flight began a steep descent. Capt. Smit Machchhar, who is recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital after being seriously injured in Wednesday’s attack, said he opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and restrain the attacker. The flight, carrying 182 people, was diverted to Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing. Israeli authorities said the attacker, an Omani national, was arrested. Machchhar told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a video call that he realized he had to get back on his feet to save the passengers.
October 1, 2026 4:49 am
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Hurricane Rachel has been upgraded to a Category 3 storm off Mexico’s Pacific coast, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm, located about 235 miles off the southern tip of Baja California, is slowly continuing westward and expected to strengthen on Friday before weakening this weekend. Rachel’s swells are expected to generate life-threatening surf off Mexico’s coast, the NHC warned. Northern Mexico and parts of the U.S. Southwest are still dealing with flooding and damage from Hurricane Polo remnants earlier this week.
October 1, 2026 5:38 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military is moving roughly 9,000 troops aboard a group of ships to the Middle East. The move follows President Donald Trump’s warning of possible new strikes against Iran. Meanwhile, Trump is suggesting there are early indications linking Iran to a co-pilot who attempted to crash an Israel-bound flight on Wednesday. The president is warning of retaliation if the link is confirmed. As for the ships, they can carry more than 7,000 sailors and 2,000 Marines. A U.S. official says this deployment could mean three carriers will be in the Middle East as early as the end of October.
October 1, 2026 12:45 pm
Nearly 1,000 Duquesne Light Company workers went on strike at midnight. Members of Local 29 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers walked off the job following failed contract negotiations. The union is seeking management solutions for safety, staffing, equipment and working conditions. A representative stated that the union had not received a proposal from the company after presenting its last full offer Tuesday night. Striking workers have established continuous picket lines at company facilities. Union members are rotating on six-hour shifts to maintain a 24-hour presence every day. Tension occurred at facility gates as trucks from Indiana arrived at the property. Duquesne Light brought in out-of-state, non-union workers to fill operational gaps left by striking personnel. (Photo: WPXI)
October 1, 2026 12:32 pm
(AP) – A medical helicopter crash off Catalina Island near Los Angeles has killed two people and hospitalized two. Authorities on Thursday morning continued searching for a fifth person who was also aboard the helicopter. First responders were called to the crash shortly before 8 p.m. Wednesday. Coast Guard Capt. Stacey Crecy says the helicopter was transporting a patient off the island and went down shortly after takeoff. The two survivors were brought to mainland hospitals in stable condition. Authorities say the helicopter is submerged in 240 feet of water off Catalina, which is about 22 miles off the mainland. It’s not clear what caused the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
