January 31, 2026 8:48 am
QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — Separatists from Pakistan’s Balochistan province have claimed responsibility for nearly a dozen coordinated attacks across southern Pakistan. The attacks targeted a high-security prison, police stations and paramilitary installations. At least 11 civilians, 10 security personnel and 67 insurgents were killed, authorities said. The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility, releasing videos showing female fighters. The attacks began early Saturday and included the destruction of rail tracks, prompting train service suspensions. Authorities said nearly 100 militants have been killed across Balochistan over the past 48 hours. Balochistan has long been the site of an insurgency by separatist groups seeking independence from Pakistan’s central government. [Associated Press photo]
January 31, 2026 4:05 am
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed at least 29 Palestinians, marking one of the highest tolls since the October ceasefire. Hospitals in Gaza reported strikes on an apartment building in Gaza City and a tent camp in Khan Younis on Saturday. An airstrike on a police station in Gaza City killed and wounded at least 14. The strikes are a reminder that the death toll in Gaza is still rising even as the ceasefire advances and came a day after Israel accused Hamas of new violations. They also came a day before the Rafah crossing is set to open, marking a significant step in the second phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. [AP Photo]
January 31, 2026 4:37 am
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez has announced an amnesty bill that could lead to the release of hundreds of prisoners, including opposition leaders, journalists and human rights activists detained for political reasons. The measure had long been sought by the United States-backed opposition. It is the latest concession Rodríguez has made since taking the reins of the country on Jan. 3 after the brazen seizure of then-President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. military attack in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas. Rodríguez told a gathering of justices, magistrates and others that the ruling party-controlled National Assembly would take up the bill with urgency.
February 1, 2026 7:00 am
The bitter cold temperatures continue as we head into a new week and a new month. Make sure to stay safe in the extreme cold. If you can’t stay indoors, limit your time outside, make sure to dress in warm layers and wear waterproof clothing. Cover exposed skin; wear a hat, mask and gloves. Keep pets indoors. Make sure to protect indoor pipes. Officials in the city of Washington say trash pickup will resume on Monday. Also, if you’ve driven around the city area, crews have been out working to pick up the piled-up snow around the downtown and residential areas. They are contractors that were hired for the job, thanks to an emergency declaration by the the city. The snow is being dumped in Washington Park. For those in need, Washington County has opened nearly two dozen warming centers. For a complete listing, Click Here.
February 1, 2026 7:00 am
(AP) Punxsutawney Phil is set to deliver his annual weather forecast and predict either six more weeks of winter or an early spring. Tens of thousands are expected to be at Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania for the event shortly after sunrise Monday. Last year, Phil predicted six more weeks of winter, his most common forecast. Groundhog Day gained national fame from the 1993 film starring Bill Murray. The event is a lighthearted tradition, with Phil’s handlers interpreting his “groundhogese.” Groundhog Day falls on Feb. 2, marking the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox. (Photo: AP)
January 31, 2026 4:28 am
[PITTSBURGH] Bishop Mark Eckman of the Catholic Diocese is Pittsburgh is urging church goers to take heed this weekend for services. Eckman is reminding the faithtul to prioritize person health and safety when deciding on whether to attend Mass this weekend. The church encourages the obligation to attend mass is serious and important, this also includes circumstances such as dangerous weather conditions. The Diocese also says that some areas still have snow-covered streets icy parking lots and dangerously cold wind chills. Eckman says that that parishoners should be prudent when deciding to attend mass. If parishioners are unable to attend Mass in person, they are encouraged to sanctify the Lord’s day through prayer, reading Sacred Scripture or participating in livestreamed or televised Mass.
January 31, 2026 3:59 am
GOMA, Congo (AP) — Rebel authorities in eastern Congo say at least 200 people were killed in a landslide at coltan mines. The collapse happened Wednesday due to heavy rains at the Rubaya mines, controlled by M23 rebels. Many victims remain buried in the mud. Several others were injured and taken to health facilities in Rubaya. The rebel-appointed governor has halted mining and ordered relocations near the site. Congo is a major supplier of coltan, a black metallic ore that contains the rare metal tantalum, a key component in the production of smartphones, computers and aircraft engines. Rubaya alone provides more than 15% of the world’s supply of the metal. Conflict in eastern Congo has created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises with more than 7 million people displaced. [AP Photo]
January 31, 2026 4:17 am
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced Friday that the former director of a southwestern Pennsylvania youth football league is charged with diverting nearly a quarter-of-a-million dollars in league assets to personal accounts. William Spencer, 57, was director of the Washington/Greene Youth Football League — now known as the Western Pennsylvania Youth Football League (WPYFL) — from 2013 until he resigned in March 2025. During that time, Spencer diverted league funds to his accounts to fund credit cards, bolster a retirement account, and make various purchases at Amazon, restaurants, and other retailers. The Office of Attorney General’s Financial Crimes Section charged Spencer this week with felony and misdemeanor counts of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, and two misdemeanor counts of misapplication of entrusted property. He is currently not in custody. In total, Spencer is accused of fraudulently wroting 187 checks payable to himself from WPYFL’s accounts, totaling about $230,000, from January 4, 2020, through February 18, 2025. Additionally, Spencer made direct payments totaling over $3,000 from WPYFL’s accounts to accounts in his and/or his wife’s name, without the knowledge or consent of WPYFL.
January 30, 2026 10:39 am
NEW YORK (AP) — A judge has ruled that federal prosecutors can’t seek the death penalty against Luigi Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett’s ruling Friday foiled the Trump administration’s bid to see Mangione executed for what it called a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.” Garnett dismissed a federal murder charge against Mangione, finding that it was technically flawed. She left in place stalking charges that carry a maximum punishment of life in prison.
January 30, 2026 2:30 am
An investigation by the DEP and the EPA is underway into an explosion at the Langeloth Metallurgical Plant Thursday evening. Smith Township Fire Chief Brandon Kriznik said the explosion – in the 10 block of Langeloth Plant Road happened just after six, while a tanker was trying to transport chemicals. Firefighters said the spill was brought under control quickly, and because all chemicals were contained, nothing dangerous was released into the air and there is no threat to the public. Authorities say four people were hurt and taken to the hospital, and that included the truck driver and three plant employees, but they didn’t release any information on the nature of the injuries. The plant is currently shut down. Authorities say the blast was heard for miles.
