October 8, 2025 4:18 pm
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A budget impasse in Pennsylvania is delaying financial aid for in-state college students. The PA State Grant Program gives more than 100,000 students an average of $2,000 each semester. With the state budget standoff stretching into its third month, students face another round of delays after federal glitches and software issues this summer. Even after the governor signs the budget into law, it will take at least a month for schools to begin receiving the money. Some schools are crediting students with money they expect to receive, or offering emergency grant programs. But the president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities says private schools already have tight budgets
October 7, 2025 1:19 am
The fate of West Alexander – and whether it will become a borough again – won’t be known for at least another 30 days. A Washington County judge on Tuesday delayed a hearing until Nov. 7 to determine whether the West Alexander community can separate from Donegal Township. Dennis Makel, a lawyer for residents leading the charge, met with lawyers for the township for about 45 minutes in Judge Brandon Neuman’s chambers before returning to the courtroom and announcing the delay. He told Dr. Kathleen Miller, coordinator of the West Alexander Borough Project, and about 15 supporters in attendance that the township agreed to drop challenges related to the map and population of the proposed borough but is questioning the legality of some of the signatures the residents were required to gather to petition for the change. Miller said the residents submitted signatures from 2,042 of the 4,056 landowners within the proposed borough, 14 more than the required 50 percent.
October 8, 2025 4:57 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Republicans and Democrats have begun pouring money into an election this November for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. It’s the latest example of how state high court races have become proxy battles for the biggest issues roiling the country, from abortion to voting rights to redistricting. Both parties are expected to spend millions of dollars on campaign flyers, digital and TV ads and get-out-the-vote efforts. At stake is whether the highest court in the most populous presidential swing state will keep its liberal majority. But overall spending in Pennsylvania is nowhere near the $100 million spent this year in Wisconsin — a record amount for a state supreme court race.
October 7, 2025 5:06 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration is warning of no guaranteed back pay for federal workers during a shutdown. That would be a reversal of what’s been long-standing policy for some 750,000 furloughed employees. Trump said some people “don’t deserve” to be taken care of during an event at the White House. A memo being circulated by the White House on Tuesday says legislation the Republican president signed into law in 2019 does not require back pay. The memo says it’s up to Congress to provide the funds. The move was widely seen as a negotiating tactic. But Democratic Sen. Patty Murray calls it a “scare” tactic since the law is clear that workers will be paid.
October 8, 2025 5:01 am
ELWOOD, Ill. (AP) — National Guard troops are positioned outside Chicago and they could soon be in Memphis as the Trump administration pushes ahead with an aggressive policy toward big-city crime whether local leaders support it or not. National Guard members from Texas had settled in at an Army Reserve center in Illinois by early Wednesday, despite a lawsuit and vigorous opposition from Democratic elected leaders. In Memphis, Tennessee, meanwhile, police Chief Cerelyn Davis said Guard troops could arrive by Friday. President Donald Trump’s bid to deploy the military on U.S. soil over local opposition has triggered a conflict with blue state governors.
October 8, 2025 5:56 pm
BOSTON (AP) — Joan Kennedy has died. The first wife of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy died Wednesday at the age of 89. She endured the assassinations of two brothers-in-law and stood by her husband through the Chappaquiddick scandal as well as through his failed 1980 run for president. The couple divorced in 1982. She worked for the mentally challenged and other causes but also struggled with mental health issues and alcoholism herself for much of her life, including several drunk driving arrests. Her son Patrick Kennedy praised her as a classically trained pianist and advocate for addiction recovery who helped break stigma and inspired others to seek help.
October 8, 2025 1:22 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) — Toyota is recalling nearly 400,000 vehicles because the rear-view camera may not display when backing up, increasing the risk of a crash, federal traffic safety regulators said. Included in the recall are 2022-2025 Toyota Tundras and Tundra hybrids and 2023-2025 Sequoia hybrids. The number of automobiles in the recall total 393,838, with the non-hybrid Tundra making up more than half of them. The camera display malfunction is caused by a software problem, which will be fixed with an update by dealerships free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 16. Owners can contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
October 7, 2025 5:05 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Pam Bondi has repeatedly deflected questions while seeking to defend herself during a combative congressional hearing in the face of growing criticism that she’s turning the law enforcement agency into a weapon to seek vengeance against President Donald Trump’s political opponents. Democrats sought to use Tuesday’s hearing to warn of what they view as the politicization of a department that has long prided itself on remaining independent from the White House. The hearing comes on the heels of the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, which has deepened concerns about the politicization of the department.
October 7, 2025 5:04 am
CAIRO (AP) — Peace talks between Israel and Hamas have resumed in Egypt. The second day of indirect talks Tuesday took place on the two-year anniversary of Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel that triggered the war. The talks focus on a plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the fighting. Hamas is demanded guarantees that Israel will not resume the war after the remaining hostages are released. The plan envisions Israel withdrawing its troops and an international security force taking over. Israel has demanded that Hamas disarm, a condition the militants have yet to accept. Qatar’s prime minister and Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff are expected to join the talks Wednesday in a sign of their momentum.
October 7, 2025 5:39 pm
MIAMI (AP) — The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Jerry has strengthened in the Atlantic Ocean on a path toward the Caribbean. Jerry has maximum sustained winds of 50 mph Tuesday. It was expected to strengthen into a hurricane in the coming days. Meanwhile, Hurricane Priscilla was near major Category 3 storm status in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico. Its top winds were at 110 mph on Tuesday afternoon, just shy of major hurricane strength. A tropical storm watch is in place for Baja California Sur. Hundreds of miles further out in the Pacific, Tropical Storm Octave was weakening far from the southern tip of Baja California.
