June 27, 2026 4:33 am
LA GUAIRA, Venezuela (AP) — The situation has grown more desperate by the hour in Venezuela as people dig through the rubble of collapsed homes and apartment buildings. The country is entering its third day after the devastating one-two punch of 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes. And people know time is running out on the best window for finding survivors — aid agencies consider the first 48 to 72 hours to be a crucial time frame to retrieve people alive. That be extended if they have access to food and water, however. Authorities announced Friday night that they would block access to La Guaira, the epicenter of the destruction.
June 27, 2026 4:29 am
LONDON (AP) — Andy Burnham has set himself apart from the man he expects to replace as British prime minister. But if selected to replace Keir Starmer, he may find himself saddled with Starmer’s policies. Burnham is the only candidate for the position and will likely assume office on July 17. Burnham is known for his “Manchesterism” approach, focusing on decentralizing government control. He plans to revive the economy while adhering to current spending plans. Burnham has limited international experience and will need to strengthen ties with the U.S. His leadership will test whether his regional success can be scaled nationally.
June 27, 2026 4:18 am
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is back with another Virtual Plans Display for a project, this one in Fayette County. PennDOT Engineering District 12 is inviting the public to participate in the display and provide feedback on the substructure preservation project in North Union and South Union Townships. This project is for the preservation of six bridges. Work will consist of an overlay of the existing concrete deck, and expansion of dam repair or replacement for three structures. Work will be completed along Route 119 over Bethelboro Road, Connellsville Road, Rolling Hills Estate Road, Bute Road and Main Street. Motorists can expect minor shoulder closures and temporary single-lane closures. To participate in the Virtual Plans Display visit PennDOT’s District 12 website under the Projects Near You and select Substructure Preservation Project. The materials are on the website now through July 2.
June 27, 2026 4:16 am
U.S. Coast Guard announced that its Cutter Bear’s crew offloaded approximately 7,720 pounds of cocaine and 4,000 pounds of marijuana worth more than $63 million at Port Everglades on Friday. The seized contraband was the result of three interdictions between June 11-13 in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The first day, Bear’s crew detected and boarded a go-fast vessel, seizing approximately 4,000 pounds of marijuana. On the second day, the Coast Guard detected two vessels and seized about 7.660 pounds of cocaine. And then on June 13, they recovered 60 pounds of cocaine.
June 27, 2026 4:16 am
The Pennsylvania Senate this week unanimously passed bipartisan legislation to update financial reporting requirements for nonprofit organizations. The bill was sponsored by Senators Nick Pisciottano, a Democrat from Allegheny County and Lynda Schegel Culver, a Republican from Luzerne County. The lawmakers say the bill raises the thresholds that determine when charitable organizations must obtain an audit, review, or compile their financial statements from an independent certified public accountant. Pennsylvania’s current thresholds have not been updated since 2017. With the bill, organizations receiving $1 million or more in annual contributions would be required to obtain an audit. That amount is up from the current threshold of $750,000. The new legislation would also fine tune audit reviews for charities that receive more than $100,000 in funds. The Senators say the changes ensure transparency and protect donors.
June 26, 2026 5:06 am
LA GUAIRA, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelans took the search for missing loved ones into their own hands in the aftermath of back-to-back earthquakes. They cited the scarcity of government rescuers as they tried Friday to find people buried in collapsed buildings. Meanwhile, the human toll of the disaster climbed to at least 920 dead and more than 51,000 missing. Citizens digging through the rubble of their homes said they have seen few state rescue teams in the areas hit hardest by the devastating 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes that struck late Wednesday. That’s despite authorities projecting an image of a robust government response.
June 26, 2026 5:48 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. has struck Iran to respond to a drone attack a day earlier on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, a provocation that President Donald Trump said violated the ceasefire. U.S. Central Command said the military struck missile and drone locations and coastal radar sites in Iran. The strikes came shortly after Trump told reporters, “You’ll find out,” whether the U.S. would response to the drone attack.
June 26, 2026 10:51 am
Former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton has pleaded guilty to illegally retaining classified information, sealing a deal with federal prosecutors that could allow him to avoid a prison term. Bolton became an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump after serving in the Republican’s first administration and is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 28. Also, Vice President JD Vance said Thursday the Watergate scandal that brought down President Richard Nixon would have been a blip in today’s news cycle, and he drew parallels between Nixon and Trump — arguing that both were targeted by “deep state” forces.
June 26, 2026 5:01 am
A Washington County jail guard is facing charges after investigators say he sent explicit images of himself to a teenage girl from Union Township earlier this year. Authorities say 27-year-old Curtis Gardner Jr. of Canton Township was arrested earlier this week on felony charges of Disseminating Sexual Materials to a Minor and Unlawful Contact with a Minor. According to the report, Gardner sent a video of his genitals using a social media app. One of those photos reportedly showed him wearing his jail uniform. Investigators say they were notified after the girl went to a career day fair at her school and she saw a Jail corrections officer working a booth and told them about her Snapchat messages with a man named Curtis. The corrections officer at the career fair then notified his supervisor. Monongahela Police and the Washington County District Attorney’s office then interviewed the girl in May. Gardner is reportedly jailed on $150,000 bond but it is unclear if he is being held at the Washington County Jail. A preliminary hearing is set for Monday.
June 26, 2026 4:46 am
A new application to expand the Revolution Cryogenic Gas Processing Plant in Smith Township brought the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to town. The DEP held a public hearing on an Air Quality Plan Approval, submitted by ETC Northeast Pipeline, LLC, that would add to the Revolution Plant raising its gas production from 200 million cubic feet per day to 500 million cubic feet per day. The plant is located in an Environmental Justice Area. That is defined as an area that is disproportionally burdened by pollution, climate change or health hazards. Representatives from affiliated businesses and gas production organizations characterized the expansion as good for the economy and national security. Detractors felt that the approval process was flawed because it did not take into account the cumulative affects of the existing gas production sites combined with the new site as they relate to air pollution. They questioned why the DEP accepts the company’s self reporting on emissions and why the DEP does not do all of the emissions monitoring. On Christmas Day 2022, the Revolution Plant sustained an explosion. According to ETC, the fire burned for 11 hours and caused an uncontrolled release of ethane and other gasses for 9.5 hours. Anyone wishing to add their comments are still able to do so until July 6. Comments may be submitted to abruscemi@pa.gov.
