June 19, 2026 5:14 am
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Police have charged a third suspect with an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue that was allegedly directed by Iran. Police alleged on Friday the 20-year-old man is one of three masked offenders who broke into the Adass Israel Synagogue, doused the interior with flammable liquid then set it alight in December 2024. The fire caused extensive damage to the synagogue and a worshipper sustained minor injuries. The suspect was charged with arson in a Melbourne jail where he was already being held on unrelated offenses. His two co-accused were charged in July and August last year. Australia has accused Iran’s Revolutionary Guard of directing the attack.
June 18, 2026 2:20 am
Uniontown, PA—Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 12 is announcing an extension of the closure of the Route 2020 (Ten Mile Road/Main Street) Bridge between Jefferson Avenue and Lone Pine Road in West Bethlehem Township, Washington County. The bridge closure is expected to remain in place through mid-July, weather and operational permitting. Drivers will follow a posted detour utilizing Route 2020 (Ten Mile Road/Main Street), Interstate 79 and Route 2011 (Lone Pine Road). Crews from Gulisek Construction LLC will be installing a latex-concrete overlay after performing hydro-demolition. This work is part of a $3.13 million infrastructure investment in a larger hydro/latex bridge deck preservation project.
June 18, 2026 2:50 am
Uniontown, PA – Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 12 is announcing that single-lane restrictions are in place in both directions of Interstate 79 between Exit 14 (Masontown/Waynesburg) and Exit 23 (Marianna/Prosperity) in Greene and Washington counties. All work depends on weather and operations. Single-lane restrictions will be in place until late August. Crews from Lindy Paving will perform patch and asphalt overlay of concrete pavement sections, mill and resurface asphalt pavement, minor drainage improvements, guiderail updates, replacement of signage, pavement markings and delineation, and relocation of Intelligent Transportation System equipment. This work is part of the I-79 Waynesburg to Marianna Project, which will make improvements to approximately 11 miles of I-79, extending through Franklin and Washington townships in Greene County and Amwell Township in Washington County. Lindy Paving, Inc., is the prime contractor. This $45.9 million infrastructure investment includes preservation work on 14 structures and pavement rehabilitation along the corridor. The proposed work consists of an 8-mile asphalt overlay of existing concrete pavement sections and a 4-inch mill and fill on the existing asphalt sections to enhance ride quality, extend pavement life, and ensure continued safe and efficient travel.
June 18, 2026 5:41 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. lifted its blockade of Iran, and oil tankers began freely moving through the Strait of Hormuz after months of being unable to use the critical channel. It happened Thursday as the tentative agreement to end the war took effect. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance announced that he may postpone a trip to Switzerland that had been planned for Friday and included a ceremonial signing of the deal. And a Trump administration envoy told U.S. lawmakers in a private briefing that Iran will invite the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog agency to inspect its nuclear sites. In other developments, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei endorsed direct negotiations with the U.S.
June 18, 2026 9:40 am
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. gas prices are just barely below an average of $4 a gallon nationwide on Thursday, shortly after President Donald Trump signed an agreement with Iran that calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and waives U.S.-backed sanctions on the country. Gas prices are at $3.99 on average in the U.S., according to AAA. A gallon of gas has hovered above $4 a gallon since March. But fluctuations in gas prices remain across the country. In California, gas prices are averaging $5.64 per gallon, while in South Carolina it’s $3.58 per gallon.
June 18, 2026 5:11 am
BRUSSELS (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has criticized NATO allies for not taking more responsibility for their own security. He announced a six-month Pentagon review of American forces in Europe to ensure NATO moves toward Europe leading its own defense. Speaking in Brussels on Thursday, Hegseth calls it “shameful” that European allies denied U.S. forces access to bases for attacks on Iran. He emphasized the need for a “NATO 3.0,” urging the alliance to become a hard-line military force. The U.S. plans to invest $1.5 trillion in defense by 2027, focusing on protecting American interests and supporting NATO.
June 18, 2026 4:55 am
ROBINSON TOWNSHIP, Pa. —PennDOT is advising motorists of a road closure in Robinson Township. Route 4037 (Noblestown Road) will be closed between Route 980 (Lincoln Avenue) and Route 4012 (Johns Avenue). That stretch of road will close on June 24 and is expected to last until the end of July. PennDOT said Department Force Crews will be replacing a pipe in that area. A detour will be in place along Route 4012 (Johns Avenue) to Route 980. Drivers are asked to follow posted signs.
June 18, 2026 1:52 pm
(AP) – Former President Barack Obama, joined by three former presidents, is celebrating the opening of his presidential museum in Chicago in an extraordinary event that brought together former world leaders, A-list celebrities, athletes and other internationally known figures. The guestlist for Thursday’s dedication ceremony included Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera and Bono. Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama sat on stage with former presidents Joe Biden, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton along with former first ladies Jill Biden, Laura Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton. The invite-only celebration was live-streamed and kicks off a weekend of events centered around the Obama Presidential Center, which opens to the general public on Juneteenth. (Photo: AP)
June 18, 2026 1:07 pm
A person is facing charges after the FBI said they threatened federal law enforcement entities and public officials. On Thursday morning, FBI Pittsburgh and their partners with the Joint Terrorism Task Force executed federal search and arrest warrants at a home in Jeannette. Richard Evanchec, Special Agent in Charge with FBI Pittsburgh, said a person inside the home was charged. “FBI partners want to make it clear: threats against those who protect this nation and those who serve the public will not be tolerated. Words that cross the line well beyond First Amendment protections will be met with decisive law enforcement action. You will be held accountable,” Evanchec said. The investigation is ongoing. No other information was immediately available.
June 18, 2026 12:29 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — New York is celebrating the Knicks in classic style. The city is throwing a ticker-tape parade Thursday for the team that brought home the NBA championship that fans have longed for since 1973. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has predicted that the parade might be one of the biggest such events in the city’s history. Viewing pens along the route were already full with thousands of fans less than three hours before the procession. Alicia Keys has been tapped to perform. The parade began at 10 a.m. near Battery Park and ends at City Hall, where the players will be honored with keys to the city.
