May 9, 2026 4:17 am
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers have approved a plan for new U.S. House primaries if courts allow the state to use different congressional districts in this year’s elections. Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed the measure into law Friday shortly after the legislature approved it. The action came on the same day that the Virginia Supreme Court dealt a major setback to Democrats by overturning a redistricting plan that could have helped Democrats win as many as four additional House seats. The Alabama law could set aside the results of the May 19 primaries, if courts lift an injunction requiring it to use a map with two districts that have large Black populations.
May 9, 2026 3:53 am
The “Running of the Wools” will be held this morning in downtown Washington. As a result there will be traffic restrictions in place. South Main Street is closed between Wheeling Street and Maiden Street and will be in place until six this evening. The actual Running of the Wools activities, including the sheep races, will occur from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For decades, Washington has had strong ties within the agriculture and farming community of the region – so much so that in the 19th century, Washington was the number one exporter of wool in the nation and running of the Wools is an annual celebration of the county’s agricultural history and the farmers who keep our nation running. The Main Street Pavilion will feature agricultural exhibits, educational displays, a children’s area and plenty of food and craft vendors.
May 9, 2026 3:47 am
PennDOT has announced a full slate of work for the week of May 11 for Washington County. Maintenance Manager Brian Malik announced this includes bridge replacement work along Brush Run Road in Canton Township. The road will be closed between Maple Road and Jefferson Avenue with a detour from Brush Run Road to Jefferson Avenue and Scenic Drive. Various routes in Washington County will see crack sealing work done. Culvert cleaning and repair work will be along Rt. 18 (Prosperity Pike in Morris Township), State Line Road in Jefferson Township, and Crosscreek Road in Crosscreek and Smith townships. Crews will be cleaning ditch lines on State Route 221 S Bridge Road in Buffalo Township, along State Line Road in Jefferson Township, and mowing will be along Rt. 22 the Ramp 8046 in Hanover Township, Rt. 837 in Donora, and I-70 Ramp 8014, Jefferson Avenue in the city of Washington. There will be patching at various routes throughout the county, and rock lining on State Line Road in Jefferson Township. Shoulder cutting and slide repair work will take place throughout California Borough. Due to road construction, the route between SR 481 (Scenic Drive) and Route 2079 (South Ridge Road) will detour motorists from Scenic Drive to California Drive and South Ridge Road. There will be underdrain installation and ditch line along Rt. 40 (National Pike) in Claysville Borough. Crews will pick litter, replace downed signs, update existing signs, and address work orders on various state routes throughout the county. Drivers can anticipate detours, flaggers, moving operations, and/or single-lane restrictions. Please drive cautiously through all work areas and be alert for signed work zones requiring headlights. Safety is everyone’s responsibility. And all work is weather permitting.
May 8, 2026 6:08 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says the leaders of Russia and Ukraine have agreed to his request for a three-day ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners. Trump said Friday that such a halt to hostilities could be the “beginning of the end” of the long war between them. Trump announced on social media that the ceasefire would run Saturday through Monday. Saturday is Victory Day in Russia, a holiday that commemorates victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The Republican president says the ceasefire includes a suspension of all kinetic activity and the exchange of 1,000 prisoners by each country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov both confirmed the agreement.
May 8, 2026 9:14 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s employers a delivered a surprising 115,000 new jobs last month despite an economic shock from the Iran war. Hiring was better than the 65,000 that economists had expected, though it decelerated from the 185,000 jobs created in March. The unemployment rate remained at a low 4.3%. The war has caused the biggest disruption of global oil supplies in history and sent average U.S. gasoline prices surging past $4.50 a gallon this week. But the conflict hasn’t done much damage to the American job market so far.
May 8, 2026 10:29 am
The Virginia Supreme Court has struck down a Democratic congressional redistricting plan that had won voter approval. The court’s decision on Friday marked a major setback for Democrats in a nationwide redistricting battle with Republicans ahead of the midterm elections. The plan approved April 21 by voters could have helped Democrats win up to four additional U.S. House seats. But the court said state lawmakers violated procedural requirements when referring the plan to the ballot. A recent U.S, Supreme Court ruling that weakened the Voting Rights Act has been used by Republicans in several Southern states to try to eliminate congressional districts held by Black Democratic lawmakers.
May 8, 2026 4:51 am
The Washington County Coroners Office has identified the person killed in a crash Thursday afternoon along Interstate 70 in Buffalo Township. 23 year old Joshua Hopkins of Austin, Texas was pronounced dead at the scene. A cause and manner of death are pending. The coroner says he was the operator and sole occupant of a car traveling eastbound on the Interstate when he lost control, crossed the median and collided head-on with a tractor trailer in the westbound lanes near mile-marker 10. He was wearing a seatbelt. State Police are investigating.
May 8, 2026 2:14 am
Washington County Commissioners have tabled a vote on the miniature golf course proposed for Mingo Creek County Park. It’s the result of backlash from community members concerned that it would take away from the park’s natural aesthetic and interfere with the hiking and horse trails. Commissioners Chairman Nick Sherman said that the golf course would occupy only one quarter of an acre and would not disturb the natural aesthetic of the park. Sherman expressed concern about the lack of entertainment options for younger generations. Commissioner Larry Maggi, howver, emphasized the importance of preserving the park’s pristine natural resources and avoiding disruption to the property. Sherman also said the county may conduct a poll on its website so residents can voice their opinions on whether they support the project that carries a price tag of $318,595 to build. That price could jump by another $131,121 with an exhanced add-on to include water features. In other action, Commissioners unanimously approved the creation of a new Sportsmen’s & Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council. The county aims to appoint council members by mid-summer.
May 8, 2026 4:48 am
Washington City Council worked through a day to day business agenda at their voting meeting on Thursday. Council approved the Washington County American Spirit Grant and will use the funds to replace the flagpole in front of City Hall. Council authorized a $270,000 grant from the Redevelopment Authority of Washington County as a match commitment toward the Pennsylvania Greenways, Trails and Recreation Programs grant for the rehabilitation of the tennis and pickleball courts project. They also approved the Washington Business District Authority’s plans for Makers Markets that will occur the third Thursday of the month from June through October. The location of the events will be at the corner of Main and Chestnut Streets. Council also recognized Robert Miklic and James Sadler with the Pride of Washington award. The two men came upon a woman in physical distress. They rendered aid to her until an ambulance arrived to transport her to the hospital. Miklic was there for the presentation and thanked council for the recognition. He declined to elaborate on the event.
May 7, 2026 4:58 am
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Defense announced that the country’s air defenses are “actively engaging” with a missile and drone attack as the Iran war’s shaky ceasefire was again challenged. The ministry advised residents not to approach, photograph or touch “any debris or fragments that have fallen as a result of successful air interceptions” early Friday. Hours earlier, the U.S. military said it had intercepted Iranian attacks on three Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz Thursday night and “targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking U.S. forces.” President Donald Trump told reporters in Washington that the ceasefire was holding despite the violence.
