House Passes Bill To Extend Health Care Subsidies

January 9, 2026 5:15 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has passed legislation that extends expired health care subsidies for those who get coverage through the Affordable Care Act. It’s a remarkable rebuke of House Speaker Mike Johnson, who tried to stop it. But renegade Republican lawmakers joined with Democrats on a so-called “discharge petition” to force action. The health care tax breaks have lowered health insurance costs for roughly 22 million people, but expired last month. The Congressional Budget Office said the proposed three-year extension would increase the nation’s deficit by about $80.6 billion over the decade, and increase the number of people with health insurance by millions. Members of the Senate are working on an alternative bill.

Anger & Outrage Spills Onto Minneapolis Streets

January 9, 2026 5:13 am

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anger and outrage are spilling out onto Minneapolis’ streets over the fatal shooting of a woman the day before by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. A new shooting by federal agents in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday left two people inside a vehicle wounded and is eliciting more scrutiny of enforcement operations throughout the U.S. Hundreds of protesters marched Thursday night down one of Minneapolis’ major thoroughfares over the death of 37-year-old mother of three Renee Good and blocked off the street where she was shot in the head. The FBI is investigating the shooting in Portland. The conditions of the man and woman who were wounded were not immediately known.

ICE Shooting Sparks Jurisdiction Clash

January 9, 2026 5:20 am

Fights over which agencies will be involved in the investigation into the fatal shooting of a woman by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis are roiling as calls for a thorough investigation and accountability mount. Experts say the conflict Thursday between Minnesota officials and federal authorities exemplifies the complicated question of whether a federal agent performing a federally sanctioned operation can be criminally charged by a state. Federal authorities have blocked the participation of Minnesota officials in the investigation. In the past year as they have deployed a growing number of federal agents into cities across the country, many for immigration crackdowns, federal officials have said agents are immune from state prosecution while performing those duties.

Senate Pushes Back On Trump’s Military Threats

January 9, 2026 5:16 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has advanced a resolution that would limit President Donald Trump’s ability to conduct further attacks against Venezuela. The vote Thursday was a disapproval of Trump’s expanding ambitions in the Western Hemisphere. Trump says the five Republicans who voted in favor of the resolution “should never be elected to office again.” The 52-47 vote to advance the war powers resolution ensures a vote next week on final passage. The measure has virtually no chance of becoming law because Trump would have to sign it if it were to pass the Republican-controlled House. Trump says the Senate vote impedes his authority as commander in chief under the Constitution.

Luigi Mangione Heads To Court

January 9, 2026 5:14 am

NEW YORK (AP) — Luigi Mangione is due in federal court for a pivotal hearing in his fight to bar the government from seeking the death penalty against him in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Garnett has said she also plans to set a trial date during Friday’s proceeding. Mangione’s lawyers contend that authorities prejudiced his case by turning his December 2024 arrest into a “Marvel movie” spectacle and by publicly declaring their desire to see him executed even before he was formally indicted. The charge that has enabled the government to seek the death penalty is murder by firearm. His attorney’s say it’s legally flawed. Federal prosecutors say Mangione’s lawyers are wrong.

Early Birds Can Begin Filing Their Taxes On Jan. 26

January 9, 2026 5:18 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS will start accepting 2025 tax returns on Jan. 26, marking the official start of the 2026 tax filing season. The filing deadline is April 15. The IRS has faced challenges, including losing tens of thousands of workers through planned layoffs and buyouts spurred by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.. It also needs to implement major provisions from President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ tax package. The IRS expects to receive about 164 million individual tax returns this year, roughly on par with last year.

Pennsylvania Farm Show Set To Open Saturday

January 9, 2026 2:22 am

The Pennsylvania Farm Show – the country’s largest indoor agricultural exposition under one roof – kicks off this Saturday, Jan. 10th, in Harrisburg.  This year’s theme is “Growing a Nation,” a nod to the Commonwealth’s role – and Pennsylvania agriculture’s role – in building our country as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America this year. To highlight that celebration, America250PA will have its interactive mobile unit on-site at the center of the Giant Expo Hall. Be sure to check it out!  The 2026 Farm Show also features fan-favorites like the 1,000-pound butter sculpture, delicious Farm Show Food Court, thousands of competitive agricultural events, homegrown celebrity cooking demonstrations at the PA Preferred® Culinary Connection, and more than 1 million square feet of hands-on agriculture education opportunities and chances to engage with the people who are growing Pennsylvania and our nation through agriculture.  Admission to the show is free, but parking is $15 per vehicle. Shuttle service is provided.

House Passes Bill To Extend Health Care Subsidies

January 8, 2026 5:44 pm

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has passed legislation that extends expired health care subsidies for those who get coverage through the Affordable Care Act. It’s a remarkable rebuke of House Speaker Mike Johnson, who tried to stop it. But renegade Republican lawmakers joined with Democrats on a so-called “discharge petition” to force action. The health care tax breaks have lowered health insurance costs for roughly 22 million people, but expired last month. The Congressional Budget Office said the proposed three-year extension would increase the nation’s deficit by about $80.6 billion over the decade, and increase the number of people with health insurance by millions. Members of the Senate are working on an alternative bill.

Brandon Neuman Sworn In As Superior Court Justice

January 8, 2026 3:04 am

It was an evening of pomp, circumstance and celebration that had Washington
Common Pleas Court Judge Brandon Neuman sworn in as a Superior Court Justice. After seven years in Washington County, Neuman will move on to the appellate court level. He will be listening to appeals from common pleas courts to make sure that individuals, as he says, receive justice. Neuman is the first justice elected to an appellate position from Washington County. Members of the Supreme Court, Commonwealth Court, local Common Pleas Courts and his new colleagues on the Superior Court listened as his former boss Robert Pierce, his colleague Judge Gary Gilman, his former colleague in the State House Ryan Bizzaro and close friend Attorney Joseph Messa congratulated him and recalled their associations with him. All of them spoke of his qualities of patience, preparedness and compassion. Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Todd administered the oath of office as Neuman’s four children held the bible while his wife Carrie looked on and robed Judge Neuman. In his remarks, Neuman said that in the opening paragraph of the Preamble to the Constitution, justice is the first quality mentioned. He said he hopes to continue to bring justice to the residents of Pennsylvania.

Shapiro Officially Announces Re-election Bid

January 8, 2026 4:28 am

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro will run for a second term in the pivotal battleground state after a first term that put him on the Democratic Party’s radar as a potential presidential contender in 2028. Shapiro will formally announced his reelection bid Thursday at events in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Shapiro hasn’t disclosed any future plans and insists he’s focused on Pennsylvania issues. But his reelection effort will be watched as another test of whether he’s White House material. Shapiro has enjoyed robust public approval ratings and carries a reputation as a disciplined messenger and powerhouse fundraiser. For 2026, Pennsylvania’s Republican Party endorsed Stacy Garrity, the twice-elected state treasurer, to challenge Shapiro.