April 7, 2026 4:51 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A top Federal Reserve official said Monday that an interest rate hike could be appropriate if inflation remains persistently above the central bank’s 2% target, the latest sign that some policymakers are moving away from a bias toward reducing borrowing costs. The comments by Beth Hammack, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, suggest a growing concern among at least some policymakers that inflation, which was elevated before the Iran war, may require rate hikes to tame further. Rate increases by the Fed would be a sharp shift from late last year, when the central bank cut its key rate three times.
April 7, 2026 2:34 am
UNIONTOWN, Pa. — Two people are charged with homicide after a 71-year-old man was found dead in Uniontown. The Fayette County District Attorney’s Office said Terry Newland, 58, and Alysha Riggans, 30, are accused of conspiring to kill Ralph Brown. Brown’s body was found along railroad tracks near West Kerr Street on Sunday. The DA’s office said Brown lived with Newland and Riggans. Newland and Riggans are facing multiple charges, including criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence.
April 7, 2026 4:50 am
HOUSTON (AP) — The Artemis II astronauts have completed their record-breaking trip around the moon. Monday’s lunar journey comes after Artemis II surpassed Apollo 13’s distance record. During the flyby, the three Americans and one Canadian were treated to never-before-seen views of the moon’s far side by eye and also a solar eclipse. The crew temporarily lost contact with Mission Control as they swung behind the moon without stopping. They’re now on a path back toward Earth with a splashdown return set for Friday. More activities are planned before then including a phone call with the International Space Station.
April 6, 2026 2:37 am
PITTSBURGH — An Ohio man is facing a misdemeanor after police say he brought a gun to the Pittsburgh International Airport early Saturday morning. The Allegheny County Police Department says TSA officers saw the gun within a passenger’s carry-on bag at the airport’s main security checkpoint soon after 3 a.m. Saturday. ACPD responded and identified the man as Joshua Seese, 49, of Lowellville, OH. They later determined he did not have a valid concealed carry permit, so he was charged with one count of carrying a firearm without a license. The FBI was also notified of the incident. Anyone who brings a gun to an airport’s checkpoint can face federal civil fines up to $10,000, depending on the specific weapon and other circumstances. Repeat offenders can be fined up to nearly $14,000. Passengers can travel with guns only in checked baggage if it’s unloaded and packed in a hard-sided, locked case. Then, the locked case should be taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared.
April 7, 2026 4:42 am
Spotlight PA has found that Pennsylvania counties have billed the federal government over $21 million to detain immigrants in local jails. These agreements, some dating back decades, have gained attention due to recent mass deportation efforts. Counties like Clinton, Erie, Franklin, and Pike have charged significant fees for holding detainees. Local officials argue the revenue supports essential services, but the practice faces criticism. Some residents and advocacy groups oppose the collaboration with ICE, citing moral and community concerns. Despite the controversy, many counties rely on this income and are hesitant to end the agreements.
April 7, 2026 2:09 pm
HERSHEY, Pa. (AP) — The parents of a toddler have been charged with endangering the welfare of children after the child squeezed through a fence at a Pennsylvania theme park zoo and made contact with a wolf. The child suffered a minor injury Saturday at ZooAmerica at Hershey Park. Police say the parents were about 25 to 30 feet away and appeared to be paying attention to their cellphones. The child went through a wooden barrier and put a hand through a metal fence. A wolf grabbed onto the hand with its mouth. Bystanders intervened to help. The parents await a preliminary hearing. There were no attorneys listed for them.
April 6, 2026 3:36 pm
HOUSTON (AP) — The Artemis II astronauts have kicked off their record-breaking trip around the moon that already is providing unprecedented views of the far side. Monday’s lunar journey comes after the three Americans and one Canadian broke Apollo 13’s distance record, the farthest that humans have ever traveled from Earth. During the hourslong flyby, Artemis II will temporarily lose contact with Mission Control as the capsule passes behind the moon without stopping. Astronauts will split into pairs and take turns capturing the magnificent lunar scenes with cameras. They’ll also don special glasses to witness a total solar eclipse.
April 6, 2026 11:54 am
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran state media says Tehran has rejected the latest ceasefire proposal and instead wants permanent end to the war, as President Donald Trump’s ultimatum looms within hours. The rejection came as Israel has attacked a major petrochemical plant in Iran’s South Pars natural gas field and killed a top Revolutionary Guard commander while vowing to hunt down more top officials. Mediators from Egypt, Pakistan, and Turkey had proposed a 45-day pause and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. has not responded. Iran earlier confirmed messaging with mediators but says talks are incompatible with “war crimes.” Meanwhile, oil prices are unsettled. U.S. President Donald Trump’s deadline for Tehran to reopen the strait is set for Monday night Washington time.
April 6, 2026 2:27 am
Washington County Coroner Tim Warco says one person was killed and two others injured in a head-on collision Saturday evening just after six o’clock near the intersection of Route 40 and Lake Road in Donegal Township. Warco says the victim, 41-year-old Daniel Pasqualucci of Donegal Township was seen traveling the wrong way in the westbound lane of Route 40 at a high rate of speed when his sedan slammed head-on into an SUV. The driver of the SUV and a passenger in that vehicle were flown to Pittsburgh area hospitals. Warco says Pasqualucci was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. A cause and manner of death are pending. State Police are handling the investigation.
