November 8, 2025 5:00 am
Anxious travelers across the U.S. are feeling a bit of relief as airlines have mostly stayed on schedule while gradually cutting flights because of the government shutdown. At least 1,000 flights were called off on Friday as airlines comply with the Federal Aviation Administration’s order to reduce service. Some passengers were forced make last-minute changes and rebook on different flights. Plenty of nervousness remained, as more canceled flights are expected in the coming days. Airports in Chicago, Atlanta, Denver and Dallas led the way with the most disruptions. The upheaval will intensify the longer the shutdown lasts and could become chaotic if it extends into the Thanksgiving holiday.
November 8, 2025 4:58 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans are swatting down an offer from Democrats to end the government shutdown. Senate Majority Leader John Thune says the new offer from Democrats is a “non-starter.” The proposal from Democrats would reopen the government and include a one-year extension of expiring health care subsidies. It’s unclear what may happen next. Thune is keeping the Senate in session over the weekend, an idea President Donald Trump endorsed in a social media post. Despite the stalemate, lawmakers in both parties are feeling increased urgency to end the shutdown, which has now lasted for 38 days.
November 8, 2025 4:56 am
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge in Oregon has ruled that President Donald Trump’s administration failed to meet the legal requirements for deploying the National Guard to Portland. Trump appointee U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut issued the ruling Friday, after a three-day trial that concluded last week. The sides argued over whether protests at the city’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building met the conditions set out by Congress for using the military domestically. A higher appellate court order under which the National Guard is federalized but not deployed remains in effect. Legal experts say that order would have barred troops from being deployed anyway.
November 9, 2025 7:00 am
The Washington County Coroner has identified the two people killed in a head-on crash Friday afternoon on Interstate 70 westbound, near the Claysville exit, as Donna K. Havens, 59, of Wheeling and William L. Magers, 69, of Glen Dale, W.Va. Pennsylvania State Police said Havens’ Hyundai sedan crossed the grass median from the eastbound lanes and hit Magers’ Ford SUV traveling westbound. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the SUV was transported from the scene with serious injuries. I-70 was closed for a few hours, but has since re-opened. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating.
November 7, 2025 2:39 am
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced on Friday that SNAP recipients who have not received benefits this month – but were supposed to – should have them by the end of the day. Shapiro made the announcement Friday afternoon with Department of Human Services Secretary Valerie Arkoosh. This comes after a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the Trump administration to find the money to fully fund SNAP benefits for November. He says the money is coming from the U.S. Treasury and not from Pennsylvania. Shapiro said he is already working to fight the Trump administration in court if needed again. (Photo: AP)
November 8, 2025 4:45 am
At a time when SNAP benefits are in peril, a sold-out fashion show benefit has raised more than $30,000 for Washington County nonprofit Food Helpers. The fashion show is 11 a.m. Sunday at Valley Brook Country Club and is hosted by County Commissioner Electra Janis. Money raised will benefit Food Helpers programs, including the Community Food Program, Senior Food Boxes and Little MOOCHI, which, together, provide nutritious meals and resources to thousands of families, children and seniors. Food Helpers also operates The Farm and the Healthy Habits Training Center, which helps people with long-term food security. “Food insecurity doesn’t just affect those facing it directly, it impacts the health and well-being of our entire community,” Janis said in a prepared statement.
November 7, 2025 5:44 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans are swatting down an offer from Democrats to end the government shutdown. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the new offer from Democrats is a “non-starter.” The proposal from Democrats would reopen the government and include a one-year extension of expiring health care subsidies. It’s unclear what may happen next. Thune suggested a weekend session of the Senate was possible, and idea that President Donald Trump endorsed in a social media post. Despite the stalemate, lawmakers in both parties were feeling increased urgency to end the shutdown, which has now lasted for 38 days.
November 8, 2025 2:15 am
Washington City Council approved their budget for 2026 and as advertised, there will be no tax increase. The $15.3 million dollar spending plan passed unanimously. Also approved was a measure to increase solid waste collection fees. The new fee will be $320 per year per dwelling unit. That is up $20 from last year. The increase is due to increased operational costs of the service provider. Council also approved two measures that extend the Local Tax Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Act or LERTA. The graduated tax incentive program is for new real estate purchases for commercial or residential use. The program is a five year program that allows purchases to be tax free in year one and after five years a full tax bill will be due. Also allowed under the program is improvements made to properties that would increase the value of the building. Forms to enroll in the program are available at City Hall or on the City’s website. Finally, Mayor JoJo
Burgess reminds people that city employees are not to be abused or mistreated. Another incident occurred where police were called to City Hall to remove a belligerent person. Burgess says if you have a complaint, speak to him or any council member, do not holler at city employees.
November 7, 2025 2:45 am
Washington County Commissioners delivered a split vote on cancelling an economic development contract with the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. Commissioners Nick Sherman and Electra Janis voted to terminate a six year deal signed in 2023. The cost of the contract was $140,000 per year with escalators. One thing that both commissioners and the chamber agree on is, that there is a distinct lack of communication. Both Sherman and Chamber President Jeff Kotula say that neither side is reaching out to communicate. Sherman said that the chamber received the money and provided no services. Kotula says that $33 million in economic development was made in 2025. Commissioner Larry Maggi dissented saying that the chamber has delivered in each of the years since the original contract was signed in 1999. He says that government can create an environment for a good economy, the county should let business people do the actual economic development. Commissioner Electra Janis said that the contract is unnecessary and she prefers to cancel the contract instead of laying off county employees. According to the motion to terminate, The contract was cancelled because it is an invalid multi year contract, the chamber did not fulfill the requirements of the contract, and budgetary adjustments were needed for cost savings.
November 8, 2025 2:48 am
Former NFL star Antonio Brown has been arrested on an attempted murder charge stemming from a shooting after a celebrity boxing event in Miami. Police confirmed Thursday that the 37-year-old Brown was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Dubai. Police spokesman Mike Vega said Brown was initially flown to Essex County, New Jersey, where he’s being held pending extradition to Miami. An arrest warrant says Brown is accused of grabbing a handgun from a security staffer and firing two shots at a man he had gotten into a fistfight with after the amateur boxing event in May. It was unclear from court documents whether Brown has an attorney.
