December 11, 2025 6:50 am
NEW YORK (AP) — A judge has ruled that secret grand jury transcripts from Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 sex trafficking case can be made public. The judge Wednesday joined two other judges in granting the Justice Department’s requests to unseal material from investigations into the late financier’s sexual abuse. U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman in New York reversed his earlier decision to keep the material under wraps, citing a new law that requires the government to open its files on Epstein and his longtime confidant Ghislaine Maxwell. The judge previously cautioned that the 70 or so pages of grand jury materials slated for release are hardly revelatory. On Tuesday, another Manhattan federal judge ordered the release of records from Maxwell’s 2021 case.
December 11, 2025 4:58 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House votes to pass a sweeping defense policy bill that authorizes $900 billion in military programs. The bill includes a pay raise for troops and an overhaul of how the Department of Defense buys weapons. It comes at a time of increasing friction between the Republican-controlled Congress and how President Donald Trump’s administration has handled the military. The White House has signaled “strong support” for the must-pass legislation and says it is in line with Trump’s national security agenda. Yet tucked into the over-3,000-page bill are several measures that push back on the Department of Defense.
December 11, 2025 6:51 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Travelers who are now able to come to the United States without a visa might soon need to provide social media, email, and family history details to the Department of Homeland Security. The Trump administration has increased monitoring of international travelers. And now, Customs and Border Protection is proposing collecting five years of social media data from travelers from about roughly 40 mostly European and Asian countries who can now come to the U.S. for tourism or business for three months without visas. The public has 60 days to comment on these proposed changes.
December 10, 2025 4:28 am
Federal health officials have expanded an outbreak of infant botulism tied to ByHeart baby formula to include any illnesses reported since the company began production in 2022. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that at least 51 babies in 19 states have been sickened since 2023. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said new cases include any infants with botulism who consumed ByHeart formula since the product’s release. The outbreak was announced on Nov. 8. ByHeart recalled all of its products sold in the U.S. and around the world on Nov. 11.
December 10, 2025 5:39 pm
(AP) – Federal health officials have expanded an outbreak of infant botulism tied to ByHeart baby formula to include any illnesses reported since the company began production in 2022. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that at least 51 babies in 19 states have been sickened since 2023. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said new cases include any infants with botulism who consumed ByHeart formula since the product’s release. The outbreak was announced on Nov. 8. ByHeart recalled all of its products sold in the U.S. and around the world on Nov. 11th. (Photo: AP)
December 10, 2025 4:12 pm
(AP) – The Federal Reserve reduced its key interest rate for the third time in a row Wednesday but signaled that it may leave rates unchanged in the coming months, a move that could attract ire from President Donald Trump, who has demanded steep reductions to borrowing costs. In a set of quarterly economic projections, Fed officials signaled they expect to lower rates just once next year. Wednesday’s cut reduced the rate to about 3.6%, the lowest it has been in nearly three years. Lower rates from the Fed can bring down borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards over time, though market forces can also affect those rates.
December 10, 2025 2:27 am
North Franklin Township Supervisors ratified their budget for 2026. The budget is balanced and contains no tax raise. The spending plan comes in at $3.6 million according to Supervisor Chairman Bob Sabot. Sabot says that the process of putting the budgets together has gotten easier over the last several years and the township actually has a savings fund, something that was lacking when he was elected to office his second time around. Sabot says that residents will see a lot of exciting things for them to do. Pickleball courts and a boat launch area are planned for next year. In other township business, supervisors will consider amendments to the burning ordinance at their January meeting.
December 9, 2025 2:52 am
The trial of a Washington man accused of attempted kidnapping to inflict terror or injury and strangulation began Tuesday. Jose Zaragoza, 50 allegedly met with the mother of their shared child in the parking lot of the Giant Eagle in South Strabane Township in May of 2024 to discuss custody issues. Victim testimony from Liliana Escobar described the meeting in the parking lot that escalated when Zaragoza was described as reaching throu gh the window of Escobar’s vehicle to unlock the door. Unable to open the door, Zaragoza was said to reach in and choke Escobar with both hands. The assault continued where he covered her mouth and nose, further preventing her to breathe appropriately. Escobar’s beeping of her car horn brought a stranger for help. At that point Zaragoza fled. The defense, under cross examination, directed the jury’s attention to court documents describing the custody agreement saying that Escobar was in violation with that and that she wanted to meet in the parking lot as a set up. Escobar recorded the incident on her phone saying that her attorney needed stronger proof that Zaragoza may be aggressive in their relationship. The afternoon included a full playing of the recording and witness testimony regarding their help for Escobar. The trial continues on Wednesday.
December 10, 2025 2:26 am
Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania got an early Holiday present from county officials. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at their new location in the Washington County Courthouse. Commissioner Nick Sherman was proud to bring to life the new office that he says will make the filing of Protection From Abuse Orders easier and safer. He pointed to the new children’s area that will shield the children from the sometimes angry atmosphere that exists in these situations. Megan Hegedus, CEO of Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania was extremely appreciative of the new space and thanked all of the judges and commissioners that worked for years to bring this new space into existence. Commissioner Sherman offered words of caution. He said that the holiday season is when cases of domestic violence see a large spike. It is often caused by overindulgence of alcohol or drugs.
December 9, 2025 5:01 am
MOUNT POCONO, Pa. (AP) — At a nighttime event in Pennsylvania, President Donald Trump tried to emphasize his focus on combating inflation, although the issue couldn’t quite command his full attention. The president told the crowd gathered at a casino and resort in Mount Pocono on Tuesday that inflation was no longer a problem and that Democrats had used the term “affordability” as a “hoax” to hurt his reputation. Yet he meandered during his remarks, asking why the U.S. couldn’t take in more immigrants from Scandinavia and using an expletive to described countries such as Haiti and Somalia.
