July 7, 2026 2:50 am
PennDOT says single-lane restrictions will be in place during their annual bridge inspections in Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. In Greene County, bridge inspections will take place on Interstate 79 northbound over Route 221 at Exit 19 in Washington Township on Wednesday, July 8th, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. In Washington County, Interstate 70 in both directions from Exit 40 and 41 in Speers Borough will be affected on Thursday, July 9th, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. In Westmoreland County, the inspections will occur on July 8th from noon until 4 p.m. on Route 981 between Wimmerton Industrial Park and Lloyd Avenue in Unity Township. PennDOT District 12 staff will perform the inspection work on the structures and all work is dependent on weather and operational conditions.
July 7, 2026 2:41 am
PennDOT announced on Tuesday that there will be nightly ramp closures on Interstate 79 at Exit 14, Masontown/Waynesburg, in Franklin Township in Greene County. They say the ramp closures will occur nightly from 8:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. beginning Monday, July 13th, and continue through Saturday, July 25th. All work depends on weather and operations. Officials say the ramp closures will be coordinated so detour routes do not conflict with one another. Current I-79 single-lane restrictions between Exit 14, Masontown/Waynesburg, and Exit 23, Marianna/Prosperity, that began on June 18th, will continue until late August. The ramp closures will allow crews to perform concrete patching and to overlay entrance and exit ramps with asphalt. The 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, a $45.9 million infrastructure investment.
July 8, 2026 4:51 am
A group of former justices from Pennsylvania and Ohio and a former Pennsylvania Governor are on a barnstorming bus tour to discussing democracy, public trust and the importance of an independent judiciary. The “Justice In Motion” tour is organized by the nonpartisan civic organization Keep Our Republic. They are dedicated to strengthening trust in American democracy, constitutional norms and the rule of law. Their stop at the LeMoyne Community Center found a group of teenagers looking to find out more about an independent judiciary. Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett spoke of freedom and how the judicial process works in concert with the idea of freedom. Retired Ohio Supreme Court Justice Michael Donnelly explained how current political party fighting is threatening the independence of the courts. Retired Ohio Supreme Court Justice Maureen O’Connor specifically stated that there is no room for politics in the court of law. According to tour organizers, the tour is designed to create space for direct, unscripted conversations about democracy, constitutional government, and the role courts continue to play in American civic life.
July 8, 2026 4:58 am
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. military says it is carrying out another round of strikes on Iran after the Islamic Republic attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz a day earlier. The announcement on Wednesday came hours after President Donald Trump threatened to unleash more military action against Iran after saying that the Iranian attacks signaled the end of the ceasefire. Iranian state media reported explosions in several locations, including the port city of Bandar Abbas on the strait, Sirik, another southern coastal city, and Bushehr, home to Iran’s nuclear power plant complex.
July 8, 2026 4:57 am
BANGKOK (AP) — Oil prices have surged about 6% after U.S. President Donald Trump said the interim agreement with Iran is “over,” though he will allow talks to continue. Trump made the comments following U.S. strikes on Iran in reaction to attacks on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The price of Brent crude oil jumped 5.4% to more than $78 a barrel. In other trading Wednesday, stocks in South Korea dipped 5.4% following a retreat on Wall Street as the AI roller-coaster took tech shares sharply lower. AI stocks worldwide have been swinging because of worries their prices have shot too high.
July 8, 2026 10:23 am
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — President Donald Trump announces the U.S. will license its Patriot air defense systems to be made overseas for Ukraine. This decision comes as a significant boost for Ukraine, which has been in a prolonged conflict with Russia. Trump made the announcement during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit in Turkey. Zelenskyy has long sought more defense systems to counter Russian missile attacks. Meanwhile, Trump criticized NATO partners for not supporting his efforts in Iran and Greenland. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised Trump for recent U.S. strikes on Iran, highlighting increased defense spending by NATO allies.
July 7, 2026 4:59 am
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Denmark has vowed to defend its territory after President Trump insisted the U.S. should control Greenland. This statement came during a NATO summit in Turkey, which was meant to show unity. Denmark’s Prime Minister emphasized Greenland’s right to self-determination, stating it is not for sale. Trump’s comments have raised concerns about NATO’s future, as the organization usually focuses on external threats like Russia. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General praised U.S. strikes on Iran, highlighting the fragility of the interim deal between the two countries. NATO leaders are also addressing defense spending and Trump’s grievances about burden-sharing.
July 8, 2026 5:02 am
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Democratic nominee Graham Platner hasn’t resigned from the Maine U.S. Senate race following an allegation of sexual assault. But the battle to take his place is already underway. The allegation reported Monday prompted a chorus of calls for Platner to depart the high-stakes race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins, which could decide party control of the Senate. Platner’s long-time backer, Sen. Bernie Sanders, “recommended that he step aside.” Then, Tuesday evening, The Washington Post reported that an ex-girlfriend of Platner’s had accused him of removing condoms during sex without her consent. Platner, who has denied all the allegations, has been mum on whether he’ll step aside.
July 8, 2026 5:00 am
PROVO, Utah (AP) — Prosecutors played a video clip of suspect Tyler Robinson after he had turned himself into to Utah authorities following the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk as a weeklong hearing resumed. Robinson is charged with aggravated murder. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty. State District Judge Tony Graf will decide at the conclusion of this week’s hearing if they have enough evidence to bring Robinson to trial on an aggravated murder charge. A state investigator says Robinson’s roommate, Lance Twiggs, was interviewed twice as part of the investigation. Twiggs was given immunity from potential prosecution over his statements.
July 8, 2026 5:03 am
NEW YORK (AP) — An under-construction Manhattan high-rise at risk of collapse after columns buckled has been stabilized and some evacuations of nearby buildings have been lifted. The commissioner of the New York City Department of Buildings says the building hasn’t moved since they started monitoring it earlier Tuesday. The building is a former Pfizer headquarters and is being converted to luxury apartments. Nearby buildings, including a school, had been evacuated earlier Tuesday. Builders say the 37-story tower is part of the city’s largest office-to-residential conversion project, with over 1,600 planned units.
