May 29, 2025 4:53 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the U.S. will begin revoking the visas of some Chinese students, “including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.” His announcement Wednesday adds to the uncertainty for America’s international students, who have faced intensifying scrutiny from President Donald Trump’s administration. China is the second-largest country of origin for international students in the United States, behind only India. In the 2023-2024 school year, more than 270,000 international students were from China, making up roughly a quarter of all foreign students in the U.S. On Tuesday, Rubio halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for international students.
May 29, 2025 4:50 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Elon Musk is leaving his government role as a top adviser to President Donald Trump after spearheading efforts to reduce and overhaul the federal bureaucracy. The billionaire entrepreneur posted Wednesday about his decision on X, his social media website. “As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,” he wrote. A White House official, who requested anonymity to talk about the change, confirmed that Musk was leaving. Musk’s departure comes one day after he criticized the centerpiece of Trump’s legislative agenda, saying he was “disappointed” by what the president calls his “big beautiful bill.”
May 29, 2025 5:47 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former personal assistant testified that the hip-hop mogul sexually assaulted her, threw her into a swimming pool, dumped a bucket of ice on her head and slammed her arm into a door during a torturous eight-year tenure. The woman testified Thursday at Combs’ sex trafficking trial under the pseudonym “Mia.” She has alleged that he put his hand up her dress, forced her to perform oral sex and climbed into her bed to have sex with her against her will. She touched on the allegations briefly at the start of her testimony and is expected to discuss them in detail as her questioning continues. (Photo: AP)
May 29, 2025 5:43 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ford is recalling more than a million vehicles due to a software issue that can cause the rear-view camera to malfunction, increasing the chance of an accident, government auto regulators said. The software error, which Ford reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration earlier this month, may cause the rear-view camera image to delay, freeze or not display when the vehicle is in reverse. The problem will be fixed by a dealer or via an “over-the-air” update, expected to be available sometime in the third quarter of 2025.
May 29, 2025 4:42 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – Pennsylvania court officials are warning the public of a text scam. The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts says the scams involve messages that mimic the Pennsylvania Courts and/or Unified Judicial System website. The text tells victims that court records show they have an outstanding traffic ticket that must be paid. The scam also lays out fake actions and penalties if the ticket is not paid, including license and vehicle suspension, prosecution and negative credit score impacts. Court officials say they will never call or text anyone soliciting payment via any means for any reason. You should never give personal information to anyone claiming to be from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts through text or call. If you get one of these scam texts, officials encourage you to contact local police at the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection at (800) 441-2555.
May 28, 2025 5:19 pm
(WPXI) – A local war hero accused of raping a teenage girl faced a judge on Wednesday. At the hearing, it was determined that Brandon Rumbaugh will stay behind bars, as the judge denied him bond. He wasn’t able to make it to the bond hearing because his defense attorney, David Shrager said there weren’t accommodations for Rumbaugh, who is a double amputee, to get into the magistrate. That issue was one of the arguments Shrager had for letting Rumbaugh out on bond. “We’re dealing with someone who is a double amputee who has special medical needs and medication. Quite frankly, I don’t know if the jail is capable of handling that in an appropriate way. They couldn’t even bring him here safely,” Shrager said. Rumbaugh is a decorated Marine veteran who lost both of his legs after stepping on an IED in Afghanistan. For the last week, he’s been in jail after police say he raped a 13 year old girl multiple times in his Pleasant Hills home. Investigators say Rumbaugh and the girl watched military movies together, then eventually he sexually assaulted her. Shrager says he plans to ask for bond again in a higher court.
May 27, 2025 2:57 am
National Weather Service officials confirm a fourth tornado blew through a Western Pennsylvania community during storms on May 21st. In addition to a single tornado that hit in the East Finley area, the NWS says there was also a “brief tornado” just east of Cross Creek County Park. Through damage reports and radar data, the agency labeled the tornado as an EF-0 with estimated peak winds of 65 mph. NWS officials say the tornado, which was on the ground for less than two miles, mostly damaged trees and removed the fascia from a home.
May 28, 2025 5:00 am
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — (WPXI) – The drowning death of 12-year-old Rontae Lester has sent shockwaves through Washington County after the young boy lost his life while swimming with friends in the Monongahela River near Donora in May. State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Washington, is leading a multi-level conversation with state, county and local leaders on how to make the area safer and prevent future tragedies. One key focus is improving education about water safety. Washington County Commissioner Electra Janis emphasized that although Pennsylvania doesn’t have oceans for drownings, the risks in local rivers and parks are real. Leaders are hoping to provide water safety education in schools, teaching students about hidden dangers like water temperatures, currents and drop-offs. Another immediate step being taken is signage. Bartolotta said she personally ordered warning signs online while visiting the site. Beyond signage and education, Bartolotta is seeking grant funding to build a proper launch point for water rescue operations in Donora, as the site where Lester drowned is also where local emergency crews access the river and right now it’s just a clearing.
May 28, 2025 4:56 am
The South Strabane Township Board of Supervisors voted to add a discussion item regarding sidewalks in the Burkett Manor development to a future meeting agenda, following concerns raised about safety and compliance with township codes. Supervisor Jeff Bull, joined by other board members, led the push to address the issue, citing that sidewalks in Burkett Manor do not meet the minimum width requirement of 5 feet as mandated by the Township’s Subdivision and Land Development Code. Currently, the sidewalks measure only 4 feet in width and also lack required structural reinforcement as outlined in township construction specifications. Bull emphasized the importance of addressing these inadequacies for the safety of residents. If the sidewalks are rebuilt to meet compliance standards, the cost will be covered by the developers, meaning there would be no financial impact on taxpayers. In other business, Vice-Chairman Mark Murphy and Supervisor Bull motioned to table the approval of the final land development plan from the Washington County Transit Authority (Freedom Transit) for its proposed operations facility at 375 Berry Road. Bull cited the need for further review due to ongoing changes in the project’s details. The board also approved, by a 4-1 vote, the annual resolution for the destruction of specific public records. Supervisor Bull cast the lone dissenting vote, expressing concern over the permanent loss of potentially important documentation.
May 27, 2025 11:28 am
PITTSBURGH (WPXI) — A bridge in Pittsburgh is closed until further notice following an inspection. The city said the Herron Avenue Bridge in Lawrenceville closed after recommendations from structural inspection consultants. According to PRT, the bridge was deemed “deficient.” “Following emergent findings from the City’s bridge inspection consultant and PennDOT, we are moving quickly to close the Herron Avenue Bridge in the interest of public safety,” said Zack Workman, P.E., Acting Chief Engineer. “Barricades and ‘Bridge Closed’ signage will be in place starting Wednesday. A designated detour route will guide motorists via the Bloomfield Bridge.” The City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure is currently in the preliminary planning stages of a full bridge rehabilitation, with construction planned to start in 2028. Before then, DOMI is working with PennDOT and the inspection team for a safe and earlier opening. “Since the start of my administration, I’ve had to make the tough call to close bridges more than once—but I’ve never regretted putting public safety first,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “Proactive steps like this are how we ensure our infrastructure remains safe for every Pittsburgher.” The following detours are in place during the closure: Southbound traffic: Southbound detour route will utilize Liberty Avenue to the Bloomfield Bridge to Bigelow Boulevard Northbound traffic: Northbound detour will utilize Bigelow Boulevard to the Bloomfield Bridge to Liberty Avenue For PRT riders, this impacts the North Side, Oakland and South Side routes.
