October 16, 2026 4:13 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI employees fired for their roles in the investigation of President Donald Trump’s retention of classified documents at his Florida estate are suing to get their jobs back, calling their terminations unlawful acts of “political retribution.” Thursday’s complaint adds to the legal challenges to mass terminations under FBI Director Kash Patel of agents who participated in investigations of the Republican president or are seen as opposed to Trump administration interests. The suit was filed in federal court in Washington on behalf of nine agents, intelligence analysts and staff operations specialists fired in February. Patel says employees he has fired had “weaponized” the FBI.
October 16, 2026 4:11 am
MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Trudy has strengthened as it approaches the Pacific coast of Mexico. The U.S. National Hurricane Center reports Thursday that Trudy was about 230 miles southwest of Acapulco, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph. The hurricane was moving north-northwest at 7 miles per hour and is expected to approach southwestern and west-central Mexico this weekend. The center says Trudy is on track to become a major hurricane on Friday, bringing rainfall of 4 to 8 inches across Colima and Jalisco states through the weekend.
October 16, 2026 4:15 am
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Drone attacks on cargo ships in the Black Sea this month have raised concerns among NATO members. The attacks, near Romania and Bulgaria, threaten global shipping routes and have resulted in deaths and missing crew members. Russia is suspected, but evidence is lacking. NATO members fear these incidents could draw other countries into the war for Ukraine. Romanian airspace has been repeatedly violated by Russian drones. NATO is discussing security measures, but its defense clause may not cover these attacks. The situation highlights the growing threat and the need for increased counter-drone capabilities in the region.
October 15, 2026 10:30 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has announced the Pentagon will no longer livestream the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan. The decision comes after bipartisan criticism and Vice President JD Vance’s comments that he would not watch it. Trump says in a social media post that airing the execution might deter terrorism but acknowledges many prefer not to see it. The Pentagon has scheduled Hasan’s execution for Dec. 3. Trump states victims’ families can attend in person if they choose. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s initial announcement of a public execution faced backlash, with concerns about potential radicalization from the images. (Photo: AP)
October 15, 2026 8:52 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Wholesale inflation rose more quickly than expected last month on a big jump in fuel costs, a sign that stubbornly rising prices remain an economic challenge for consumers and a political problem for Republicans in the midterm elections. The Labor Department’s producer price index — which captures inflation before it reaches consumers — soared 6.3% in September from a year ago, up from 5.6% in August and the biggest increase since December 2022, the government said Thursday. Thursday’s data amplifies the better-known consumer price index, released Wednesday, which also accelerated in September as gas prices jumped. Both inflation reports raise pressure on the inflation-fighters at the Federal Reserve to hike their key interest rate.
October 15, 2026 8:57 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Shoppers showed their willingness to spend in September even after a better-than-expected splurge in August. Retail sales increased a better-than-expected 0.8% last month, after delivering a revised 1.3% gain in August, according to the Commerce Department’s report Thursday. Economists were anticipating a 0.3% increase for the month, according to FactSet. Excluding business at gas stations, retail sales rose 0.2% in September. The government figures aren’t adjusted for inflation, which accelerated last month as gasoline and many other goods and services became more expensive.
October 15, 2026 6:47 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A new AP-NORC poll finds that a strong majority of voters believe President Donald Trump is falling short at home and abroad, and they want major change in the upcoming midterm elections. Registered voters who identify as Democrats are more enthusiastic than Republican voters about casting a ballot. More voters want Democrats to win control of Congress and have a more negative view of Republicans. The Democratic advantage is small in some cases. But taken together, the findings paint a challenging picture for Trump and fellow Republicans, who are clinging to control of Congress under the weight of an unpopular war with Iran and surging prices at home.
October 15, 2026 4:39 am
FALLOWFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. — An Ohio woman is facing charges in connection with a deadly wrong-way crash on the Mon/Fayette Expressway in Fallowfield Township back in July. Maciola Newman, 72, of Pickerington, is charged with homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter and recklessly endangering another person. Investigators say Newman was behind the wheel of a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction near Toll 43. Her vehicle crashed into a car driven by Jacob Huber, 24, of Ruffs Dale. Huber was pronounced dead at the scene. Court documents say tire marks on the road indicated Newman crossed the double yellow line, causing the impact. A passenger in her vehicle was injured and flown to a local hospital. According to court documents, Newman is out on a $50,000 bond.
October 15, 2026 2:56 am
Washington County Commissioners reached out to inform and educate communities across the county on their efforts to improve life in Washington County with their outreach programs. Commissioner Nick Sherman detailed the new public safety building and 9-1-1 radio upgrade. Commissioner Larry Maggi discussed the blight mitigation program. Currently 73 blighted projects have been addressed. Of those, 59 are complete and 14 are in progress. One of the projects underway is the demolition of the old Somerset Inn on Rt. 136 in North Strabane Township. Commissioner Electra Janis discussed LSA and Opioid Settlement funding. Human Services Director Dr. John Tamiggi discussed the Human Services Department. Winding up the presentation was Bob Griffin, Director of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Washington. He updated the audience on projects ranging from upgrades at the Washington County Airport to complete renovation of the former Washington Crown Center, now known as the Franklin Crossroads Park. He pointed to renovations at Lazear Hall on Washington And Jefferson’s campus that houses the college’s nursing program. Griffin called Canonsburg the “Gold Standard” for redevelopment with their efforts in redeveloping an old department store into the Midtown Market and the New Canonsburg Educational And Cultural Institute’s revitalization of the old Canonsburg Middle School. The Canon Theatre just had its ribbon cutting where they hope to host up to 150 shows per year. Smaller municipalities such as Charleroi were there to investigate the blight mitigation program. Deemston Borough spoke of their use of LSA funds to do electrical security camera upgrades at their buildings. Brownsville Borough spoke of their use of LSA funds for playground upgrades, war memorial restoration and the revitalization of their municipal center.
October 15, 2026 4:30 am
The Washington High School Student Life Group teamed with the Washington County League of Women Voters and the Washington Branch of the NAACP to host a “Meet the Candidates” event. Candidates for state representative, state senator, and the US House of Representatives took turns discussing their background and sharing their priorities with students and community members. Many of them expressed the importance of young people getting involved and everyone showing up to the polls. At the end of the event, attendees had the chance to speak with the candidates and ask questions. One member of Student Life, Blaise Naraskivitch, says it is amazing to have candidates show up to educate the youth, and he is happy with the community members who came to learn. Another representative for Student Life, Faith Bartozoti, explains that the event was especially important for the younger generation to learn about current issues. Eliza Boyd, the founder of Student Life, is glad that the group is growing and taking on bigger issues. Members expressed their disappointment in the Republican party candidates who did not attend. A few of those candidates shared written statements that were read by students.
