November 5, 2025 2:37 am
In the absence of a state and federal budget, Washington County Commissioners say they are bracing for the future impact as the impasse continues. During ongoing budget discussions, board members say they have looked to identify areas for potential cuts that extend beyond the Department of Human Services, an area that directly affects some of the county’s most vulnerable residents, including children and seniors. They say the first contract identified for termination is the 2023 agreement between the commissioners and the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. The six-year contract totaled $140,000 per year with a 3% annual increase with the money to be spent on economic development. If the county were to fulfill the final three years, commissioners say the payout would total $445,578 from the general fund. This action is expected to be approved at their meeting on Thursday. Democratic Commissioner Larry Maggi, however, opposes the move and he says he will vote against the motion. He is questioning what the plan is to replace it and what other opportunities the county will find for less.
November 6, 2025 2:20 am
State Police issued a press release Wednesday afternoon saying they are investigating the reports of multiple autopsy reports being withheld from the Washington County District Attorney’s Office by the county coroner, pending payment for their release. Authorities said that recent events involving the Washington County District Attorney’s Office have brought attention to the handling of certain coroner autopsy reports. According to police, under Pennsylvania statute, non-governmental entities may be charged fees for specific autopsy reports, but government agencies like the DA’s office are not subjected to such charges.” “Our goal remains committed to maintaining strong, cooperative relationships with all partner agencies,” the release said. “We recognize the importance of collaboration and teamwork in serving the people of Washington County. At the same time, it is our duty to conduct thorough and comprehensive investigations, particularly in homicide cases, where our responsibility is to give a voice to the victims.” Coroner Tim Warco told WJPA that he was taken by surprise when his office was raided Wednesday afternoon. He says he, along with some of his employees were threatened with being taken to jail if they didn’t cooperate. This isn’t his first run-in with the DA. Warco says District Attorney Jason Walsh coerced him into filing a fraudulent death certificate for a Peters Township infant – who died under suspicious circumstances – for political purposes ahead of the 2023 election. Walsh has not responded to requests for comment from WJPA.
November 5, 2025 2:32 am
Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh says 32-year-old Taylor Atkinson of Avella was sentenced late last month to serve a total of thirteen to thirty years in a state prison on charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated indecent assault. Atkinson was found guilty during a jury trial in Washington County Court in July.
November 5, 2025 4:48 am
The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to list where it plans to scale back flights by 10% starting Friday. The agency says it will release details Thursday. It says flights are being reduced to maintain safety during the government shutdown. Air traffic controllers have been working unpaid since Oct. 1. And many are working mandatory overtime. Officials warn there could be chaos next week if controllers miss a second full paycheck. Staffing-related flight delays had been largely isolated and temporary throughout October. But the past weekend brought some of the worst staffing issues since the start of the shutdown.
November 6, 2025 4:50 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A majority of Supreme Court justices seem skeptical about President Donald Trump’s ability to unilaterally impose far-reaching tariffs, putting at risk a cornerstone of his agenda in the biggest legal test yet of his boundary-pushing presidency. Three conservative justices raised questions Wednesday about whether an emergency law gives Trump near-limitless power to set and change duties on imports, with potentially trillion-dollar implications for the global economy. Challengers say Trump is illegally using the emergency law and American small businesses are paying the price. The Republican president says a ruling against him would be catastrophic for the economy.
November 5, 2025 4:53 am
MIAMI (AP) — President Donald Trump celebrated his economic achievements on the anniversary of his election victory. Speaking at the America Business Forum in Miami, Trump claimed the U.S. economy is thriving, though voters expressed concerns about affordability in Tuesday’s elections. He said Republicans need to talk about their achievements more. Trump highlighted lower prices and regulatory cuts, while criticizing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. Despite his optimism, a recent AP poll showed public concern over rising costs and job opportunities.
November 5, 2025 4:54 am
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A federal judge has ordered prosecutors in the criminal case of former FBI Director James Comey to produce materials from the investigation, saying he’s concerned the Justice Department’s position had been to “indict first” and investigate second. Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick in Virginia instructed prosecutors to produce by the end of Thursday grand jury materials and other evidence investigators seized during the investigation. The order followed arguments in which Comey’s attorneys said they were at a disadvantage because they’d not been able to review materials gathered years ago. Comey is charged with lying to Congress in a case filed after President Donald Trump appeared to urge his attorney general to prosecute him. Comey has pleaded not guilty.
November 6, 2025 4:51 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she won’t seek reelection. The announcement Thursday by the California Democrat brings to a close a storied career that saw her become the first woman to hold that job and arguably the most powerful woman in American politics. Pelosi’s decision comes as a seasoned generation of political leaders is stepping aside. Pelosi was an architect of the Affordable Care Act and other landmark policies. The 85-year-old congresswoman relinquished her leadership position three years ago. Former President Barack Obama calls her one of the best House speakers ever. (Photo: AP)
November 6, 2025 4:55 am
CHICAGO (AP) — A federal judge has ordered improvements at a Chicago-area immigration facility after detainees sued over “inhumane” conditions. The order, effective for 14 days, mandates clean bedding, space to sleep, hygiene products and medication. Detainees must also have access to showers, meals and bottled water. The judge criticized the conditions as “unnecessarily cruel” and requested a status report by Friday. In another case, Senior Border Patrol official Greg Bovino defended the use of force against protesters. Allegations include excessive force and unprovoked actions by agents, with ongoing legal scrutiny of these practices.
November 6, 2025 4:54 am
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The grim task of finding victims from the firestorm that followed the crash of a UPS cargo plane in Louisville, Kentucky, has entered a third day. Investigators are still gathering information to determine why the aircraft caught fire and lost an engine on takeoff. Tuesday’s inferno consumed the enormous aircraft and spread to nearby businesses, killing at least 12 people, including a child. Any hope of finding survivors in the charred area of the crash at UPS Worldport seemed unlikely. Three people were aboard when the plane crashed as it took off for Honolulu.
