January 6, 2026 4:50 am
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Activists say the death toll in violence surrounding protests in Iran has risen to at least 35. The figure came from the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which said more than 1,200 people have been detained in the protests, which have been ongoing for more than a week. It said 29 protesters, four children and two members of Iran’s security forces have been killed. The group, which relies on an activist network inside of Iran for its reporting, has been accurate in past unrest. The semiofficial Fars news agency, believed close to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, says some 250 police officers and 45 members of the Guard’s all-volunteer Basij force have been hurt.
January 5, 2026 2:24 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. took the unprecedented step Monday of dropping the number of vaccines it recommends for every child — cutting protection against a half-dozen diseases in a move slammed by the nation’s pediatricians. The overhaul is effective immediately, meaning that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will now recommend vaccines against 11 diseases. What’s no longer broadly recommended is protection against flu, rota-virus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis or RSV. Instead, protections against those diseases are only recommended for certain groups deemed high-risk, or if their doctors recommend them in what’s called “shared decision-making.” Trump administration officials said the overhaul, a move long sought by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., won’t result in families who want the vaccines losing access to them, and said insurance will continue to pay. But medical experts said the move increases confusion for parents and could increase preventable diseases. The change came after President Donald Trump in December asked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to review how peer nations approach vaccine recommendations and consider revising its guidance to align with theirs. (File Photo: AP)
January 5, 2026 2:28 am
(AP) – Four people injured in an explosion at a Pennsylvania nursing home two weeks ago are suing the facility and a natural gas utility. The lawsuit filed Monday in Philadelphia claims negligence led to the Dec. 23 blast at the Bristol Health and Rehab Center. The plaintiffs are two nursing home workers, a resident and a contractor. The suit alleges the defendants knew of a gas leak but failed to evacuate the property or fix the problem. The explosion killed a resident and a worker and injured 20 other people. Officials haven’t determined the cause.
January 5, 2026 5:14 pm
Corey O’Connor is now officially – the 62nd mayor of Pittsburgh. He was sworn in on Monday afternoon, making him part of a small group of family members who have served as mayor of Pennsylvania. O’Conner’s father, Bob O’Connor, was sworn in as mayor – almost exactly 20 years before him. He died though, of a rare form of brain cancer, just eight months into his term. O’Connor was sworn in at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland, with a reception following that. O’Connor and his wife have asked attendees to bring a toy donation for Toys for Tots.
January 5, 2026 12:47 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro declares himself “innocent” and a “decent man” as he pleads not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges. Maduro told a judge in New York on Monday, “I’m innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the president of my country.” Maduro was making his first appearance in an American courtroom Monday on the narco-terrorism charges the Trump administration used to justify capturing him and bringing him to New York. (Photo: AP)
January 5, 2026 10:52 am
ST PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is ending his bid for a third term as governor amid President Donald Trump’s relentless focus on a fraud investigation into child care programs in the state. Less than four months after announcing his reelection campaign, Walz said Monday he could no longer devote the energy necessary to win another term, even as he expressed confidence he could win. A person close to Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota said she is considering running for governor. Around a dozen Republicans are already in the race.
January 5, 2026 5:05 am
PITTSBURGH — Be prepared to pay more when you use the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission officials say a 4% increase went into effect on Sunday, which is the lowest rate increase since 2014. Officials estimate that the most-common toll for a passenger vehicle will increase from $1.86 to $1.94 for E-ZPass customers and from $3.72 to $3.88 for Toll By Plate customers. Still, the commission says toll rates are below the national average compared to other U.S. toll roads, bridges and tunnels. The rate increase, as in previous years, is used to repay Act 44 debt service. In 2027, turnpike officials say toll increases will drop to 3.5% and to 3% by 2028.
January 5, 2026 5:01 am
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Flames destroyed a mobile home and damaged multiple cars in Fayette County on Sunday morning. The fire happened along Kooser Road in Springfield Township. Our news partners at WPXI saw the structure entirely burned through and partially collapsed, as well as at least two charred vehicles. 911 dispatchers said the mobile home was occupied when the fire started, but everyone got out safely. There is no word on the cause of the fire.
January 5, 2026 5:07 am
BETHEL PARK, Pa. — A water main break closed an intersection in Bethel Park on Monday. The Bethel Park Police Department said Library Road was closed between Logan Road and Berryman Avenue, and Kings School Road was closed between Shirley Drive and Wilson Drive. Police say they had no estimated time when the intersection would reopen. A Pennsylvania American Water spokesperson confirmed that water had been shut off in the area. It was unclear how many customers were impacted.
January 4, 2026 5:10 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is set to make his first appearance in an American courtroom. Maduro and his wife are expected to appear at noon Monday before a judge in New York. He is accused of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. The Trump administration used the criminal charges to justify capturing Maduro and removing him to U.S. soil. Maduro’s lawyers are expected to contest the legality of his arrest, arguing that he is immune from prosecution as a sovereign head of state. Venezuela’s new interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, has demanded that the U.S. return Maduro, who long denied any involvement in drug trafficking.
