September 25, 2026 2:18 pm
(AP) – Iran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume talks on its nuclear program in seven days if the United States lifts its naval blockade, waives sanctions on Iranian oil sales and observes a ceasefire that would include Lebanon. Iran’s foreign minister detailed the proposal in a private gathering on Thursday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, according to one attendee. The deal strongly resembles the so-called Memorandum of Understanding reached in June, but with an accelerated timetable. The earlier agreement quickly collapsed as Iran resumed attacks on shipping in the strait.
September 25, 2026 5:00 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Some trade analysts are struck by how few tangible accomplishments seem to have come from President Donald Trump’s meeting with China’s Xi Jinping. Xi concluded his state visit to the U.S. by saying he expects to meet Trump two more times this year. Trump took Xi to the National Archives on Friday to cap a three-day visit criticized for being light on substance, though Trump says they discussed the Iran war. Little was announced outside of the promise of more meetings and Washington and Beijing agreeing to extend their trade truce until January. Cato Institute vice president of general economics Scott Lincicome says there was a lot of “pomp and circumstance” signifying nothing.
September 25, 2026 4:58 am
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — The Energy Department says it will spend almost $2 billion to try to squeeze more electricity out of the nation’s aging and stressed power grid. President Donald Trump’s administration is stepping up efforts to avoid blackouts amid skyrocketing energy demand spurred by artificial intelligence. The money will go toward 31 projects across 26 states that are expected to produce more than 23 gigawatts of additional electricity capacity — enough to power 16 million homes. Energy Secretary Chris Wright spoke about the grant program Thursday in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Recipients include utilities, cooperatives and four state agencies. The state agencies — in Colorado, Indiana, Ohio and Oklahoma — were the biggest recipients, drawing at a total of $810 million. (Photo: AP)
September 25, 2026 5:02 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration is voicing support for the safety of vaccines. Dr. Heidi Overton on Thursday faced questions from senators who will vote on her nomination to lead the powerful health agency. Currently serving as a White House adviser, Overton has worked on Trump administration health efforts, including a plan from the Republican president to break up decades-old combination vaccines for children. Despite that effort, which is not supported by science, Overton says FDA-approved vaccines remain safe and effective. Overton also faced questions about the FDA’s oversight of the abortion pill and vaping products.
September 25, 2026 5:01 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Fewer people applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week, as U.S. jobless claims remain at historically low levels and most Americans enjoy job security. The Labor Department said Thursday that 197,000 people applied for unemployment checks last week, fewest since mid-July and down from a revised 198,000 the week before. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week ups and downs, fell to 202,250 last week from 204,000. Claims for jobless benefits are a proxy for layoffs, and economists watch them because they can be a sign of where the job market is headed. So far this year, claims have mostly stayed below 220,000 — historically low.
September 25, 2026 5:03 am
(AP) – The White House network video pool is back in operation. Friday morning marked the first time the pool has been in action since President Donald Trump banned three news outlets in an extraordinary showdown over media access. A judge temporarily struck down the ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico on Thursday, but his ruling didn’t directly address the pool. CNN media analyst Brian Stelter says on X that CNN has a pool assignment at the National Archives on Friday with President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. He says the White House approved the network’s credentials.
September 24, 2026 4:48 am
James Copenhaver, one of three campaign rally attendees shot in 2024 during an assassination attempt on then-candidate Donald Trump, has died. His lawyer announced the man’s death on Thursday. Copenhaver was 76. Copenhaver was in the bleachers during the event in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a 20-year-old gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop, grazing Trump’s right ear with one bullet. Copenhaver was struck in the arm and in the abdomen, wounds that left him with lingering injuries and walking with a cane.
September 24, 2026 2:36 pm
A Moon Township man who was shot twice at President Donald Trump’s Butler rally in 2024 has died. The House Republicans confirmed on X the death of James Copenhaver. They released the following statement: We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jim Copenhaver, who was gravely wounded in the horrific shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania. Jim endured unimaginable hardship with strength and perseverance. We join his family and loved ones in mourning his loss and praying for them. Copenhaver was one of two people injured during the shooting. David Dutch, 57, a Marine veteran from New Kensington, was shot once. Corey Comperatore, 50, a former fire chief, was killed in the assassination attempt. In June of this year, Copenhaver and Dutch sued the United States. An attorney representing both men said a “cascade” of failures by the Secret Service led to their injuries Copenhaver’s cause of death has not yet been released.
September 24, 2026 6:08 pm
Residents in Washington County and beyond are interested in data centers. They come with concerns like the use of electricity, traffic congestion and other issues. There is also noise, health and environmental issues that raise questions. But they also can bring the prospect of job creation. Rich Fitzgerald, the former long-time Allegheny County Chief Executive, is now the Executive Director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), which is comprised of both a 60+ member governing body as well as a 50+ member administrative arm that work together on the goals of Transportation, Planning & Development and Information Systems. At the conclusion of a State of the Steel Valley Legislative breakfast Wednesday, Fitzgerald spoke to WJPA news about $40 billion of investment in three projects, and another set for Washington County, the growth of manufacturing companies like GE Vernova in Imperial. He also talked about the opportunities for young people to get into the trades and find gratifying work. He also urged those same residents to talk with their local leaders about contingencies that must be met to build data centers in Fort Cherry as well as other areas of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
September 24, 2026 4:37 pm
Early Thursday morning members of the Pennsylvania State Police Vice Unit, with the assistance of their Special Emergency Response Team (“SERT”), patrol units, the Masontown Police Department, and Assistant DA Anthony Gentile of the District Attorney’s Office, executed search warrants on three locations in German Township and Masontown Borough in conjunction with an extensive narcotics trafficking investigation. These searches resulted in the seizure of multiple kilograms of methamphetamine and cocaine; twenty (20) firearms; approximately $425,000 in cash; and other indicia of a major drug operation. Mendo Love, 52, of Ronco, was arrested in connection with this operation and has been charged with offenses including Possession with Intent to Deliver; Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activities; and Possession of Firearms Prohibited.
