October 11, 2025 4:51 am
WADI GAZA, Gaza Strip (AP) — Tens of thousands of Palestinians headed back to the heavily destroyed northern Gaza Strip as a U.S.-brokered ceasefire came into effect on Friday. The deal has raised hopes for ending the Israel-Hamas war, with all the remaining hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack set to be released within days. Questions remain over who will govern Gaza as Israeli troops gradually pull back and whether Hamas will disarm, as called for in U.S. President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who unilaterally ended a ceasefire in March, hinted that Israel might renew its offensive if Hamas does not give up its weapons.
October 11, 2025 4:49 am
McEWEN, Tenn. (AP) — Officials are investigating a blast that leveled an explosives plant in rural Tennessee, as families of the 18 people missing and feared dead wait anxiously for answers. The blast occurred Friday at Accurate Energetic Systems, about 60 miles southwest of Nashville. The cause of the explosion is not yet known. The company processes explosives and ammunitions for the military. Residents miles away reported feeling the explosion. A mass of twisted metal, burned-out shells of cars and an array of debris were left behind. The company said in a post on social media on Friday that their “thoughts and prayers” are with the families and community impacted.
October 10, 2025 4:13 pm
McEWEN, Tenn. (AP) — An explosion at a Tennessee military munitions plant has left 19 people missing and feared dead, authorities say. The blast occurred Friday at Accurate Energetic Systems, about 60 miles southwest of Nashville. The cause of the explosion is not yet known. A spokesperson for the Humphreys County Emergency Management Agency says there’s no further danger of explosions, and the scene was under control Friday afternoon. Emergency crews hadn’t been unable to enter the plant due to ongoing detonations. Residents miles away reported feeling the explosion, and video shows flames and heavy smoke rising from the debris. The company has not responded to requests for comment. Local officials describe the incident as a tragedy for the community.
October 10, 2025 3:38 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House budget office says mass firings of federal workers have started in an attempt to exert more pressure on Democratic lawmakers as the government shutdown continues. The director of the Office of Management and Budget said Friday on the social media site X the reduction-in-force plans aimed at reducing the size of the federal government have begun. A spokesperson for the budget office says the reductions are “substantial” but hasn’t offered more immediate details. Federal health workers were also being fired Friday.
October 12, 2025 7:00 am
A jury found Joshua George, 34 of Smith Township not guilty on felony charges of homicide, aggravated assault and child endangerment. The verdict was decided in 90 minutes after the four day trial. George was accused of violently shaking his 5 month old son Oliver before delivering him to the child’s grandparents for babysitting. George was overcome with emotion over the verdict. His supporters cheered loudly for the verdict. On the other side of the courtroom, people were in tears as the jury was polled, some on their knees crying uncontrollably. As he was escorted away, George proclaimed “God is good” from an open car window. District Attorney Jason Walsh was disappointed in the verdict stating that the infant has not received justice. Defense Attorney Stanley Booker was pleased that George will now be able to get on with his life.
October 10, 2025 4:47 am
CANONSBURG, Pa. — A woman was hit by a vehicle in Canonsburg. Washington County dispatchers say crews were called to the intersection of North Central Avenue and West Pike Street at 6:06 p.m. on Thursday. She was transported to Canonsburg Hospital but there is no word on her identity or condition.
October 11, 2025 4:50 am
A Pennsylvania state trooper remains hospitalized in serious condition and another was treated and discharged after they were both shot by a man suspected of stealing clothing from a store before leading police on a high-speed chase. The suspect in the Wednesday evening shooting near Chambersburg was identified as 31-year-old Lamar Lorenzo Foy. Investigators say he was shot and killed when troopers returned fire. Two woman in the van are charged with retail theft and drug offenses. Troopers Thomas Pack and Lucas Amarose are recovering from multiple gunshot wounds.
October 10, 2025 4:56 am
National Guard troops are expected to begin patrolling in Memphis. The patrols are expected Friday after a federal judge in Illinois ruled Thursday to block a deployment in the Chicago-area for at least two weeks. President Donald Trump is pushing to deploy the National Guard to several U.S. cities. His administration claims crime in those cities is rampant, despite statistics not always backing that up. Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee supports the deployment. A president can dispatch active duty military in states that fail to put down an insurrection or defy federal law. The judge in Illinois says she found no substantial evidence of rebellion.
October 10, 2025 4:57 am
CAIRO (AP) — Israel’s Cabinet has approved President Donald Trump’s plan for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of all the remaining hostages held by Hamas, a key step toward ending a ruinous two-year war that has destabilized the Middle East. A brief statement issued early Friday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the Cabinet approved the “outline” of a deal to release the hostages, without mentioning other aspects of the plan that are more controversial. The broader ceasefire plan included many unanswered questions, such as whether and how Hamas will disarm and who will govern Gaza. But the sides appeared closer than they have been in months to ending the war.
October 9, 2025 4:59 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators are laboring to find a way to reopen the government but find themselves struggling to overcome a fundamental lack of trust between the two parties. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has floated an “off ramp” to the government funding impasse. He suggests that he could pledge to hold a later vote on expiring health care subsidies if Democrats would first support a stopgap spending bill to reopen the government. But Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer seemed to dismiss the idea. Pressure is growing on congressional leaders to reach a deal as rank-and-file lawmakers grew anxious about the lack of progress on ending the shutdown.
