June 1, 2026 5:19 am
BOSTON (AP) — Former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell used one of his first major public appearances since leaving office to deliver a broad defense of independent institutions while accepting the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in Boston. Powell, who frequently clashed with President Donald Trump during his eight years leading the central bank, warned against political interference in monetary policy and described the Federal Reserve’s independence as a “priceless asset.” He also defended universities, courts and Congress as pillars of democracy. The award also honored residents of Minnesota’s Twin Cities for their actions during a federal immigration crackdown that led to thousands of arrests and two deaths.
June 1, 2026 9:31 am
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Governments around the world are being pressed to find and support alternatives to reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers as the Iran war drives up prices. The Gulf region produces 30% of globally traded chemical fertilizer. That’s caused concerns about food supply. Experts say the shift away from chemical fertilizer could benefit the environment since its production and use cause significant global greenhouse gas emissions, the main driver of climate change. In Senegal, farmer Abou Sow has turned to organic compost. In Brazil and India, farmers are exploring biofertilizers and natural farming. But there are challenges including in scaling up availability.
May 31, 2026 8:02 am
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A United Airlines flight bound for Minneapolis was diverted to Wisconsin on Friday night after reports of an unruly passenger. An airline said United flight 2005 from Chicago to Minneapolis landed safely in Madison, Wisconsin, to address a security concern with an unruly passenger. The Boeing 737-900 had 147 passengers and six crew aboard. No injuries were reported, according to the airline. The flight continued its journey and landed in Minneapolis early Saturday morning.
May 31, 2026 7:55 am
BEIRUT (AP) — Israeli troops have captured a strategic mountain topped with a Crusader-built castle in southern Lebanon in their deepest incursion into the country in more than a quarter-century. The Israel military announced Sunday that it has captured Beaufort castle near the city of Nabatiyeh, after days of intense fighting and airstrikes in nearby villages where Israeli troops fought Hezbollah members. It marks a major gain for Israel. The latest Israel-Hezbollah war began in early March. Israel and Lebanon, who have been at war since Israel was created in 1948, held direct talks in Washington last week and are due to meet again later this week.
May 31, 2026 7:54 am
(AP) – Ukraine has launched new strikes on Russian energy sites. Russian authorities and media say drone debris set fire to a fuel storage facility in the Rostov region, and civilian infrastructure was reported damaged in Saratov province. Ukraine has increased attacks on Russia’s oil and gas facilities, saying they fund Moscow’s invasion. Meanwhile, Kyiv denied Russian claims that a Ukrainian drone struck the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Russia’s state nuclear energy company accused Ukraine of a deliberate attack. The Zaporizhzhia plant has repeatedly come under fire since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.
May 31, 2026 8:05 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — An upcoming celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, called “The Great American State Fair,” has faced challenges as several musical guests backed out due in part to its connections to President Donald Trump. Organizers announced Saturday that Trump himself will now headline the event. The event is set to start June 25 on Washington’s National Mall. Some artists, like Bret Michaels and Martina McBride, withdrew over concerns about the event’s political ties. Others, including Flo Rida and Vanilla Ice, still plan to perform.
May 31, 2026 7:00 am
NOTTINGHAM TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Pennsylvania State Police are investigating a near-drowning in Washington County. State Police were called to Pine Nut Drive in Nottingham Township around 2:40 Friday afternoon for a child who was not breathing and determined that a 5-year-old boy had been submerged in an in-ground pool behind a home. Police say family members had pulled the boy out of the pool by the time first responders arrived and troopers performed CPR for an extended period of time before he was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital where he was last listed in critical condition. Police say they believe the incident was accidental and happened during a family party with people going in and out of the pool. The investigation, however, continues.
May 31, 2026 7:00 am
Officials with the North Franklin Volunteer Fire Company are warning residents of a possible scammer. They say someone is actively soliciting donations by telephone. That’s something they don’t do to raise funds. In addition, there are also emails claiming to be registering vendors for the company’s upcoming Food Truck Festival. They urge everyone to take caution with any fundraising effort. Anyone interested in volunteering, donating, or taking part in the Food Truck Festival can visit the North Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page for more information.
May 30, 2026 4:02 am
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — For many in Congo and elsewhere in Central and West Africa, there is no shame in craving wild meat, a key part of the culture. Even a disease as terrifying as Ebola, which is currently ravaging a remote part of eastern Congo, has failed to stem demand for wild meat emerging from the Congo Basin. The Congo Basin is an expansive forested ecosystem rich in wildlife from great apes to serpents — both of which are hunted for their meat. Although Ebola is not spread by food, cases in Africa have been associated with hunting, butchering and processing meat from infected animals.
May 31, 2026 7:00 am
Officials say Lithium batteries in a maintenance room were the cause of a fire at the City Mission in downtown Washington Friday morning. Washington County 911 says the fire was reported around 7:30 a.m. Washington City Fire Chief Chris Richer tells WJPA News the batteries were properly mounted to a charging shelf above a chair and once they combusted the chair caught fire. Richer says the buildings sprinkler system put the fire out and crews found minimal fire but there was heavy smoke. The entire complex was evacuated but no injuries resulted. The fire has been ruled accidental. City Mission President and CEO Diana Irey Vaughan says the fire was in the single men’s residence area near the cafeteria.
